Which 6x9 folder?

Hey guys,

 

kinda interested in getting a 6x9 folding camera, i know there are alot out there, and i'm not quite sure which

would be the best one to go for. Things i'm after is value, fast lens, and shutter, cold shoe holder, and good

quality glass.... now i know these aren't the usual aspects one finds in a folder, but im just trying to find

out which one will go closest? any ideas?

 

Thanks for any healp you guys can give me.

 

Tim

While I cannot give a complete response, I have owned a Zeiss Super Ikonta C - the last version with full flash sync and coated Tessar.

Wonderful, elegant camera - but to be truthful, its front element focus lens was a bit disappointing - and for whatever reason this (front

element focus) aspect of most old folders does not receive more critique on this forum is beyond me - because it should.

 

Of course I realize that modern-day "assymetric focus" (front element, internal focus, etc.) designs can be stellar - but this is new

technology. As for an older folder with a design which permits the entire lens to move as a unit as it is focussed - all I can think of is

the

Voightlander Bessa series. Any others? ...and oh, yes, the upcoming Fuji/Cosina/Voightlander looks promising - if the price is right!

 

Sorry to be such a party pooper - and of course, wonderful photographs can be made on almost any camera...because, after all, its the

photographer behind the lens that is the most important "element" (floating or otherwise) in the equation.

Fast lens ≠ good quality glass.

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Folder are always a bit problematic in my humble opinion, as there are many things that can and will go out of alignment, resulting in less-than-optimal pictures. 6x9 folders are also pretty bulky and heavy, and the low frame count makes user mistakes a expensive business. Film flatness is often an issue and the usual three- and four element lenses are not that great wide open or if maximum corner sharpness is important. Any decent 6x6 <abbr style="border-bottom: 1px blue dashed;" title="single-lens reflex camera">SLR</abbr> should outperform a 6x9 folder in regards to sharpness.

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However, there are indeed many fine folding cameras but they are not my cup of tea. I had the best experiences with the Soviet Moskva-5, which offers a lot value, but has the drawback of the poor minimum focus distance (1.5m/5ft) and slow lens (f/4.5). The coupled rangefinder is a big plus, but the size and weight of the camera is quite frustrating.

If you want a large negative then obviously the camera will be large also. I tried an Ensign Selfix but was very disapointed. Now I use a Fuji GW690, it is large, but manageable and gives me fantastic results.

Fast lenses are useless on 6x9 because you'll need to stop down to get enough DOF. Anyway, the Zeiss Ercona II is excellent - I paid less than $100 for mine. But it lacks a rangefinder, so I just zone focus. You could, of course, use an accessory rangefinder.

 

Image from my Ercona II is here:

 

I love my Moskva 5 and pretty much if you get one off Ebay you will be getting it from someone who has CLA'ed it quite well. I love mine.

I recommend a Super Ikonta with Tessar or a Bessa II with Color-Skopar. Only the later models will have the shoe. The glass is fine if you don't expect the kind of performance you would get with the Fuji GW690. "Fast" in a 6x9 folder means f/3.5. These cameras are not really very cheap though, especially not the late-model coupled-rangefinder ones with the high-end glass.

 

If you can do with an uncoupled rangefinder the Bessa I and Mess-Ikonta are fine cameras and likely cheaper. The Bessas Ikontas with no rangefinder whatsoever can produce very nice images as well, and are much cheaper and more portable.

I hear Fuji is coming out with a new folder, but it will set you back some cash. do not know how much or when but subject of discussion on RFF.

I agree that the Fuji 6x9 cameras are superior, but a folder is <b> so</b> much lighter and easier to carry. I have an Adox Sport,

which I use with an accessory rangefinder. The lens is just a three element, but the struts are very rigid, and it can give really good

results. Plus, you get that giant neg in a small form.<p><p><img src="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w59/blart215/roots.jpg"

border="0" alt="Photobucket">

Here's another vote for the humble Moskva 5. Before I fixed the light leaks on mine (along w/ the bent struts that had the lens pretty cockeyed), I still managed to take this shot w/ it from the first roll. The coupled rangefinder is a great help. Not bad for a $35 camera, although a good one will probably run $75 to $100. The Fuji 690 would blow it away of course, but those are honking big and a ton more money.<div></div>

I'll cast a vote for the Moskva 5 too - if you can get a good one. The one thing that some people can

come to grips with is the "left-handedness" of the camera.<P>

 

Another good option is the Zeiss Ikonta 524/2 - this is a 6x9 with uncoupled RF. It comes with a Tessar

or Novar lens. Both are good, but the Novar equiped cameras are quite a bit cheaper.<P>

 

Moskva 5 at night:<P>

<IMG SRC="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/397455129_9da88a4336.jpg"><P>

 

524/2:<P>

<IMG SRC="http://images.fotopic.net/?id=29427884&noresize=1"><P>

I would vote for a Moskva 2. It is a bit lighter than the 5 and the pop-up view finder is a bit easier to use, especially if you have glasses. The Industar 23 (f4.5) lens is reputed to be a bit sharper than the I-24 on the Moskva 5.

Agfa Record with Solinar , it is the most compact and I feel it gives excellent images. I have four of them!

I've got a couple.<p>Moskva-5<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/2862042165_15358b2c8b_o.jpg"><p>Ikonta 523/2 (Fuji Velvia 50)<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2860533856_e51b321ab7_o.jpg">