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Tony Kemplen
15 June 2026 / 10:30 BST
The Boltavit is a charmingly compact German film camera that highlights the power of small, efficient design. Bolta GmbH, founded in Nuremberg in 1921 by Johann Bolten, began as a manufacturer of combs and hair accessories before branching into cameras in 1935.
It is a roll‑film camera that uses unperforated 35 mm film on a backing paper—essentially the same format that was popular in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s under the 828 designation. The Boltavit I, the first model in the series, features a 40 mm f/7.7 lens, a three‑speed shutter, and Waterhouse stops for f/11 and f/16. The lens is mounted on a retractable metal tube that slides into the body when not in use, making the camera even more pocket‑friendly. Although the black die‑cast body shows a certain patina, this is likely due to the paint’s vulnerability to flaking rather than deliberate design.
Shortly after its launch, the series was renamed Photavit. Over the next two decades, the line evolved into increasingly sophisticated models, culminating in the Photavit V of 1951, which offered an f/2.9 lens and shutter speeds ranging from 1 s to 1/300 s. Despite the modest size increase, the cameras remained remarkably compact. The Photavit name later applied to a conventional 35 mm rangefinder camera with interchangeable lenses—quite a departure from the original black box.
My Boltavit was acquired from eBay in 2011. While the purchase price was modest, the camera arrived with a roll of film that was already fully exposed, likely due to accidental light exposure over its 70‑year history. The film’s thickness and curling made scanning a challenge, but the backing paper and spools provided a useful starting point for reloading with fresh unperforated 35 mm film—a material that is now quite scarce.
With its straightforward specifications, the Boltavit delivered reliable performance. As a fan of the square format, I carried it into London for a day‑trip and captured the iconic Gherkin, demonstrating the camera’s versatility even in modern urban settings.
Explore more of Tony’s work on Instagram @tonykemplen or search his images on Flickr.
Related reading:
- Best 35mm film cameras
- Classic film cameras – the Pentacon FM was built like a tank
- Ignore the haters – film photography is alive and kicking in 2026
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