ward Posted July 1, 2003 Share Posted July 1, 2003 Just wanted to spill out some excess enthusiasm onto the floor of the forum, hopefully for the enjoyment of a few. I got a Voigtlander Bessa II 6x9 folder (with the 105mm Color Skopar) a couple of weeks ago (talked them into tossing it in when I bought a fancy lens for my canon). I went out and shot a test roll with the Kodak 160 (NPH? NGH? Never can remember.) and got the contact sheet back today. What an amazing thing! Beautiful, rich colors, incredibly sharp, bright clear from corner to corner. Focus is perfect, whether at minimum or infinity. Any other users out there? I'd love to hear other experiences with this camera. I'm planning a trip to Canada this summer, and it will definately be in the shirt pocket. (6x9 in my pocket!! Amazing.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_byrd1 Posted July 1, 2003 Share Posted July 1, 2003 I've not used the Bessa II itself, but I have used a 105mm Skopar on a Voigtlander Avus, a 1920s ancestor of the Bessa II. The results were sensational on the camera's 9x12cm plates or on a 6x6cm adapter for 120 film. If you go to my page on photo.net, the first pictures there are black and white. The head shot of the glamour girl was taken by that camera and lens. That will show you what the Skopar can do in black and white. I hope you will post some of the shots you got in color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_byrd1 Posted July 1, 2003 Share Posted July 1, 2003 Correction. That is a 135mm Skopar on the Avus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_goldfarb Posted July 1, 2003 Share Posted July 1, 2003 I have a Perkeo II with an 80/3.5 Color-Skopar. Fine lens indeed, but it can be a bit soft in the corners (though that could also be a film flatness issue). It seems best around f:11. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ward Posted July 1, 2003 Author Share Posted July 1, 2003 Could well be a 135mm. I am not known for retention of detail. That's why I use slow film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_chan4 Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 The Bessa II is a fine camera. The other model with the Heliar lens is generally considered to be a better performer. A used Besa II with the scarce Apo-Lanthar lens would fetch a astronomical price and that surely speaks for the quality of this vintage 6x9 folder. No frill down-to-earth mechanical camera from the 1960s. The Zeiss Super Ikonta is another one fine breed from the same era. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classcamera Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 I love to shoot the old folding cameras for the great results they give, and the Ooh-Ah factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tito sobrinho Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 Join the club! I have a Super Ikonta C from 1955 with a Tessar 105mm F3.5 that gives me stunning "slides". Easily converted to 6X4.5 format using the mask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack_lo_..._t_o Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 In 1972 I bought a 6x9 voigt folder from a studio guy for $70, with the Apo-Lanthar. But I wanted a 35 so I traded it to a friend-also a pro-for a Pentax H1a. Imagine my shock when I saw it on *Bay this year for $4,500 U.S. and still counting. I got a lot of good pix out of the Pentax over the years, however, as my friend did with the folder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim h1664876971 Posted July 7, 2003 Share Posted July 7, 2003 Just recently I got a bessa II skopar, after a few rolls the shutter konked, but a clean and lube set it straight and it works perfectly now. I shot some fujicrome Provia and the results were beautifull. And the print film is really punchy too. I just get them processed only then scan them on an epson 3200, works great and I get a huge file. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now