are there classic 6x4.5 cameras?

most of old rollfilm cameras i encounter are 6x6 or 6x9.

I was wondering are there classic(preferably cheap) 6x4.5 ones?

The Zeiss Ikonta and Super Ikonta A, from the 30's and 40's, took 16 pictures on a 120 roll, 6 x 4,5 cm.

Vest Pocket Kodaks were essentially 6x4.5 on 127 film. Kodak Duo Six-20's were 6x4.5 on 620 film. The Japanese Zenobia was 6x4.5 on 120 as were several Zeiss Ikonta models. Then there were several 6x9 models that had a 6x4.5 mask that could be fitted into them.

The Bessa 46 was an interesting Perkeo variant. The last version of the Bessa, which was a 6x9 shooter, accepted a 6x4.5 mask allowing for 16 frames on 120 film.

Have a look at this: http://mgroleau.com/photo/collection.html

Another to the list: Nettar 515, one of the lesser Zeiss folders, but quite nice, nonetheless. Check it out.

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<a href="http://home.rmci.net/deanw/Nettar_515.html">Nettar 515</a>

No one has mentioned my latest thrift shop find, a 6x4.5 Minolta Semi P from the early 1950s. It has a seven speed Konan shutter (I believe Minolta later purchased Konan), and a Promar.sII f3.5 lens. It is supposed to be one of the last Minoltas that did not have a Minolta lens. It seems like a nice camera and it fits nicely in a pocket; I'm still working on my first roll of Superia.

Besides the Ikonta 520A and the Bessa46 there were some 6x4.5 cameras from other german manufacturers like Balda.

 

Japanese manufacturers used to manufacture truck loads of 6x4.5 cameras in early post war time. Most of them are more or less imitations of the Ikonta A520.

<p>-- and then again some aren't. Consider the <a href="http://www.cosmonet.org/camera/pearl_e.htm">Pearl IV</a>, for example. (Yes, it's "IV"; "IX" is a typo.) When these turn up, they tend to go for "classic" prices.</p><p>There are also British 6x4.5 cameras (from Ensign) and lots more besides.</p>

<a href = "http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00BjAN">Kodak Duo 620</a>

Don't forget the Ensign Selfix 1620, fitted with a Ross Xpres lens this camera is comparable at the Ikonta's.

Warren - could you post a pic of your Minolta please?

Don't forget the Zenobia, an Ikonta copy.<br>

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I was the winner (and only bidder) on this one...<br>

<a

href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7555024333&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1"><br>

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7555024333&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1</a>

Though not pre-70 in age, the dearly departed Fuji 6x4.5 folders were sweet cameras that were akin, design-wise, to much older models. I'm still looking for one.

And don't forget the Ricoh Six, which does 6x6 and 6x4.5. I have posted images from it

earlier on this forum.

Kevin, that's a good price for a Zenobia. (I even start to become interested in Fleabay again.) I hope it's as good as it looks -- though again, that price wouldn't be bad even for so pretty a paperweight.

The Welta company of Dresden made a whole line of roll film cameras in addition to the 35mm Weltini. There is a 6 X 4.5 coupled rangefinder camera called a Welta Weltur. Mine has a 75mm uncoated Tessar with a Compur-Rapid shutter. Both my Weltur and Weltini are pre-war. I don't think the company survived the war.

 

-Paul

There are tons of them! I have a 6x4.5 Waltax. Some 6x6 folders will convert to 6x4.5. You can also get a 6x4.5 conversion kit for the Rolleicord Va and Vb. Some models of the Meopta Flexaret TLR also had a 6x4.5 conversion kit.

I've got a Balda "Baldax" with a Meyer Trioplan in a Compur that I paid $8.00 for- a pretty nice camera.

Add the very capable Konica Pearl series ( post war models )

Nobody has mentioned my favourite camera; a Certo Super Sport Dolly. I have two in working condition, one with a Trioplan and one with a Tessar, both in Compur shutters. If you have the masks, they're convertible between 6x4.5 and 6x6. As somebody said earlier, you can also do 6x4.5 on some 127 cameras, if you can live with the limited range of film in that format.

I also have a Waltax Junior; a lovely thing, but the strut assembly is a bit flexible from age and hard treatment, so it doesn't give very reliable focus.

There are Zeiss Super Ikontas 6x45 that were made in the 50s (model 531) with avery good coated Tessar lens. They are far better than the Super Ikontas mentioned here that were made before the war. They have sync flash, double exposure prevention, a very reliable shutter and excellent bellows. I own one that I use as my pocket medium format camera adn it is fist class manufacturing quality, but I must admit that I am not sure if I should have choosen the Fujica GS645 Professional (folder) instead. The albada finder of my Super Ikonta is not easy for people wearing glases and that in general the Fuji is bigger adn heavier but a much easier camera to use, sice it has lightmeter and better viewfinder. When it comes estetics the Super Ikonta A (531) is much prettier than the Fuji. A good Super Ikonta A (531) that has been serviced will not cost you less than the Fuji. However it is sure that you will not have to change the bellows ofthe Super Ikonta A (531) for the next 50 years at least.

I have a Baldalux that is set up to shoot 6x9,6x6, and 6x4.5. I have the 6x6 mask but haven't been able to find the 6x4.5. If anybody has one or knows where I can get one please let me know at ywdprice at yahoo dot com.

I found a rare one recently. A "Doxa",16 on 120, made by E.Birnbaum in Rumburg, Prague, in 1930. I cleaned the dirt off and stuck the leathers back on, then polished it with Kiwi shoe polish. The Zeiss bumps give it character. I dosed the shutter carefully with Ronsonol and the Compur works beautifully, self-timer and all. There doesn't appear to be any light leaks in the bellows, and I now have my first film in it. It cost three quid in an antique centre. Cyril Lowe.

Further to my last note, I have discovered that my "Doxa" is identical to the Balda Baldax. The lens is named as a Doxanar, and the shutter is a Compur, going from 1 second to 1/500th, plus T and B. My photos came out somewhat fuzzy, but I put that down to the lens not being clean enough.