A Franka Solida 3 In Action

<p>After shooting with the Delmonta a while ago I put a roll of Fuji slide film through my Franka Solida 3 in the same area, by the River Soar in Leicester, UK. The Franka has an impressive looking Schneider Radionar f2.9 lens but with 400 ISO film on a bright day, the aperture was always around f16 or f11.</p><div></div>

<p>Actually half of the gate. Did you know we have a Statue of Liberty in Leicester?</p><div></div>

<p>Now some Grafitti, on the wall of an old railway bridge.</p><div></div>

<p>The old Leicester City football stadium used to be where these ugly student flats are now. (the flats are ugly, not the students).</p><div></div>

<p>Last one, the new Leicester City (Foxes) Walkers Stadium, with swans.</p><div></div>

<p>They wanted to call it the Walkers Bowl but the fans complained - a shame, we've got lots of stadiums, but no Bowls.<br>

Here's the camera.</p><div></div>

<p>I'm jealous! <a href="../classic-cameras-forum/00TxrW">(link)</a> Did not know there was a version with a rangefinder.<br>

Congratulations for the really nice pictures: subject, composition, exposure.</p>

<p>Beautiful camera and first rate lens. Like the 'Swans' shot...</p>

<p>Very good. Thanks.</p>

<p>I really like the color rendition, too.</p>

<p>Awesome shots. THe Schneider Radionar appears to be well corrected for color. It's really fun to see what these old folders are capable of.</p>

<p>I'm wondering if Franka's are addictive as Voigtlanders ?<br>

Color results are impressive enough to take the plunge. Good show !</p>

<p>Inspiring.</p>

Excellent colour John; love the canal locks; expresses surging power in serene atmosphere. Thanks for posting, regards, sp.

<p>That's one clean machine and the results look great. I may have to rethink folders if I could find one that nice.</p>

<p>awesome camera, stunning pictures</p>

<p>I meant to add that your graffiti are much better than I have seen on the continent.</p>

<p>dang those are nice! very sharp and the colors are great.</p>

<p>Thanks to all for the comments. The rangefinder on the Franka is accurate although most of the focussing was by guesstimate - it's a little tedious to keep transferring the reading to the lens, and the apertures were small. It was certainly easier to use than the Delmonta TLR whose focussing screen is very dim, like peering down into a murky well, although this was a much brighter day. Thanks again.</p>

<p>Great shots John, nice clarity, I am a big fan of the Radian and salute you a for a wonderful display of images here. Thank you for posting.</p>

<p>My favorite is the Swan shot..excellent! I'm addicted to folders now...just got a Voigtlander Perkeo I and now there's a Zeiss Ikon Nettar on the way to me too...will it never end? Sigh....</p>

<p>I just sold my Solida IIIe. It is a great camera indeed. Your photos show it.</p>

<p>Nice shots, John. That camera is a looker as well!</p>

<p>Does anyone have any info on UNbranded Franka Solida's? I have what appears to be a Franka Solida III. It has the accessory shoe on the right side of the camera, next to the shutter release. It does NOT have a T switch underneath the shutter button. It DOES have a Schneider 7.5cm f/2.9 lens, with a Prontor II shutter with speeds from 1 sec to 1/200 sec, plus B. Under the lens is the stylized FW signifying Franka Werks I presume. The top of the camera has a depth of field table which looks identical to those on Solida IIIs I've seen on the net, e.g. like the picture below. The main difference is that there is no marking on the front leather to indicate Franka or Solida, nor on the top, side or bottom of the camera. Perhaps the leather was replaced by a previous owner. Can anyone hazzard a guess as to what this is, if it is not a Franka Solida.<img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/117/295393523_8d7246a10b_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>