Vintage Folders

[peter_gale]

I am wondering if anyone can direct me to a web site, or sites, that

will provide the specifications/details of various smaller (say 6x6 or

4.5x6) vintage MF folders from different manufacturers. I am aware of

manufacturers such as Zeiss Icon and Voightlander, but can imagine

that there are other folders that are considered desirable for decent

results when on a walk-about shoot. If anyone has a recommendation

for a particular type of camera of this sort, which still seems

available at a reasonable price, that would also be great.

 

Thanks very much in advance.

 

Peter Gale, Toronto

[todd frederick]

There are some websites, but I don't have URL's to them now.

 

I am in the process of reducting my very small collection and I have: one Zeiss Nettar 518/16 for sale at $65 with case w/an orange filter, and one Voigtlander Perkeo I, with a beautiful case for $65.

 

These are both beautiful cameras in good functioning condition with soft clean bellows and clean clear lenses.

 

Contact me by e-mail if interested. I'm just getting into other kinds of cameras right now and trying to reduce my small collection.

[bob_chong]

First of all, this site (photo.net) has lots of info and links already. Do a search for "folders" and you will find tons of info. That being said, try these also:

 

http://people.smu.edu/rmonagha/mf/cameras.html

 

http://www.cleanimages.com/articles/MediumFormatInYourPocket/

 

http://www.amdmacpherson.com/classiccameras/index.html

 

http://www.cosmonet.org/camera/index_e.html

 

http://homepage.mac.com/mattdenton/photo/cameras/folders.html

 

And of course, you can always go to eBay, look at the folders there, then do your own Web searches for specs on individual cameras.

[neal_shields]

The Zeiss Ikonta comes to mind until you said "reasonable price". However there are three compromises that will save you money. Folders with un-coated lenses go for way less than coated, no X sinc can save $100, and if you get a 620 camera and wind 120 film on to 620 spools you can also save a lot. Some of the old Kodak Tourists IIs can still be gotten at a reasonable price.

 

Another cost saving device would be to buy a non rangefinder camera and add a flash shoe mounted aftermarket rangefinder.

 

Neal

[andrew_schank]

Why not get one of the better cameras / lens combos instead of a "lower end" camera that won't be able to deliver consistantly high image quality? The prices are still reasonable, and for what it costs to have 120 film developed, you'll end up spending more on film and processing than the camera within a short time. my Favorite folders are the Voigtlander Perkio II, Bessa I and Bessa II,(OK, the Bessa II is overly expensive) Mamiya 6 (older),Zeiss Ikontas, and some of the better Agfa and Ensign folders with coated, 4 element lenses.

[richard_srienz]

Peter, just to add a few thoughts. I am with Andrew when I see the list of folders he adviced. And if Todds Voigtlaender Perkeo I would come with a f3.5/80mm Color-Skopar lens and a lens shade, I would say this is a fair price. The difference between the Perkeo I and Perkeo II is mostly the film transport, which is very simple (red window) on the Perkeo I, and semi automatic on the Perkeo II. The II also has a frame counter. But the result should be the same.

 

I would avoid folders using film type 620 and also folders with uncoated lenses.

[godfrey]

Hunting up all the various bits of information can take time. I decided to

specialize and just be interested in the top of the range Zeiss Ikon Super

Ikontas ... Now I have a '38 Super Ikonta B (6x6cm) with uncoated Zeiss

Tessar and a '50 Super Ikonta A (6x4.5cm) with coated Schneider Xenar

(Xenotar? maybe) lens. The former is much more common and cost me $170,

the latter was a bit harder to find and ran $295. Both are in good working

condition but will shortly get a full CLA and service to bring them up to 100%

spec. They're wonderful cameras, definitely some of the best of the genre with

good, strong mechanisms, fine construction, good lens/film alignment. I

expect that once serviced they'll last another 50-60 years of good service

without any problems.

 

Godfrey

[victor_randin]

Shooting with MF folders is a great fun for me unless and until I compare its shots with ones taken with a Hassy or a Rolleiflex TLR. The latter are of noticeable better quality. I have two hi-end Super Ikontas: 1) The IV of 60�s (#534/16) 6X6cm, with the Tessar 75mm f3.5 coated, the shutter Synchro Compur, good working selenium metering and a coupled RF/VF, it�s very compact and beautifully made camera in mint condition. 2) The Super Ikonta A (#531 of 1954) 6X4.5cm, with same coated Tessar 75mm, the shutter Compur Rapid synchronized, non-coupled RF/VF. Both have a rotating front element for focussing which affects lens centering and resolving power of the Tessar. The Bessa II I also have with the Skopar and weaker standard, and worse film pressure plate and overall finishing, though, has more effective focussing system by removing of the whole lens and produces sharper shots than the formers. Meanwhile as S.Ikontas, so Bessas and others folders with coated lenses are good for B&W shooting and travelling. BTW, the coated Tessar 75mm f3.5 allows shooting of scenes having strong sun reflections with no any flare.

[peter k]

Peter, I have a Agfa Isolette III for sale. It has a 4 element Solinar coated Lens, 75 mm f:3.5; in perfect condition. The Camera was totally overhauled and has a new black bellows. It has a Prontor SV shutter. 1-1/300 sec plus B.Also a uncoupled rangefinder. A brown leathercase is included. The Camera works like new and has no marks or dents. The Vintage is 1954.flash shoe and X sync with pc cord. The asking price is $ 175.00 US dollars. Regards Peter

[gib]

You might want to search for information on the Agfa Record III

which is a 6x9cm folder (the Isolette's big brother), I have two

reconditioned of this camera, but I'm hanging onto them. My

scanner permits me to scan the 6x9 negative. They are for fun. I

have seen some comments about the trouble of maintaining

film flatness over the 9 cm span. I have one shot in my bw folder

here on photonet taken with the Record III:

 

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/1003647

 

taken at Balm Beach, Ontario looking across Georgian Bay to

Collingwood

[jerry_friedman]

Hi Guys;

 

I am really glad to see mail from other people who use old

folders and my experience has been very similar to that of

others. I do only black and white and do everything in my own

darkroom. I have found that Bessas are simply unable to

produce really great big enlargements because of the problem it

has with the lens standard. Perkeo cameras are much much

better and the Colot Skopar is a very fine lens. I have never used

an Agfa but Ensign 820 camera are very capable and built like a

tank. If you have ever handled the 820 you know what i mean.

Typical 1950s all steel construction; solid and durable. Indeed,

probably better built than my Ikonta C. Ikonta C and Super

Ikonta C cameras are usually is very good condition, esp. in

regards the lens standard and film plane. I have never found an

uncoated lens to my liking because they produce a general

dulling because of flare. But, in addition to Tessars and other

good four element lenses, I have a Rolfix II with a Rodenstock

Trinar in a compur shutter which is quite a fine performer. The

lens is coated, gives very good contrast and the large 6x9

negative is a joy to work with.

 

BTW- I also have a 'real' camera, a Plaubel Makina 67 which is

a joy but the fact is that the folders are fairly comparable in

results. No, not the same degree of infinite sharpness and the

Plaubel meter is a nice built in 10 degree spot, which is

convenient. But the Plaubel cost me almost $700 where the 6x9

folders top out at about $100.

 

I have not found the 6x6 negative a great bargain considering

that most 6x9 folders are no larger while providing a much larger

negative. Perhaps the square image also seems a little

strange....still.

 

I have found that with such a large negative, Tmax 400 is a better

choice than Tmax 100. In fact, I rather like the sharp grain of 400

and find the softer, if finer, grain of 100 too mushy and really

difficult to locate on the enlarger baseboard. Perhaps it is only

my old eyes.

 

In general, I find the general level of knowledge on this thread

very high and people are very helpful. I have truly come to look

forward to reading each day's letter. But.......Do you get the

feeling that many of the regular contributors to this thread are

real equipment horses?? I realize that my needs are probably

simpler than most, one lens for scenics and scenery etc etc, and

just black and white, but still, can all the guys be professional

and need all that gear???? And gosh, who wants to carry it

around???

 

So, reading the experiences of other users of folders shows me

that there are some reasonable people out there too.