The Adox Golf 63 is a classic folding camera for entering the world of analog medium format. The German manufacturer Adox, founded by the Fotowerke Dr. C. Schleussner in Frankfurt and Wiesbaden, produced this model between 1954 and 1959. This model is a compact viewfinder camera with a folding bellows. Thanks to this folding mechanism, the body can be folded compactly for transport despite the large negative format.
The camera is equipped with a fixed lens designated as Adoxar 1:6.3 with a focal length of 75 mm. The maximum aperture is f/6.3. The aperture can be stopped down to smaller values such as f/22 via a lever on the lens barrel.
Autofocus is not available in this camera generation. Focusing is done manually by turning the front lens element. Since the camera does not have a coupled rangefinder, the distance to the subject is estimated or determined with a separate rangefinder.
The minimum focusing distance of the lens is 95 centimeters. At smaller apertures, the depth of field increases, which simplifies focusing in outdoor settings.
The shutter of the Adox Golf 63 operates purely mechanically. The camera is equipped with a Pronto shutter offering fixed exposure times from 1/25 second to 1/200 second.
For long exposures, the Bulb mode is also available. In this setting, the shutter remains open as long as the release button is held down.
The model does not have a built-in light meter. Exposure is therefore determined based on experience, with tables, using an external handheld light meter, or via a smartphone app. For flash photography, a standardized PC flash socket is integrated, allowing external flash units to be connected via a sync cable.
The body is made of metal and is equipped with bellows. After unlocking, the front standard with the lens springs forward and locks into the shooting position.
A simple optical viewfinder on the top is used for image composition. The camera has a thread for a mechanical cable release as well as a standard tripod thread on the bottom.
A mechanical self-timer with delay is also present. Since all components are mechanically operated, the camera does not require batteries.
Films for the Adox Golf 63
The Adox Golf 63 exposes conventional 120 roll film. This film material is still manufactured and available in specialty stores. The camera produces negatives in the square format of 6x6 centimeters.
The Adox Golf 63 exposes medium format films. Material for photography is still produced. The Kodak Portra 400* is a possible color film for the medium format camera. Black and white images are possible with the Kodak TRI-X 400*.
