35mm or 6X4.5 Folders. Suggestions.

[maiku]

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I am looking to trade some gear to get my hands on a 35mm or 6X4.5 folder. I would like some suggestions. I would also like to see some photos taken with the camera you recommend. I have cut my collection down to SIX cameras. I have want a folding camera to round out the collection. I have a TLR, a manual SLR, a fixed rangefinder, a 6X6 kit and PS etc.</p>

<p>Anyway, thanks to you all for any suggestions.</p>

<p>Mike</p>

[lauren_macintosh]

<p> I have both 35mm slr's and but only one 4.5x6 camera at this moment which reminds me I need to take the film out for processing since its color film , If your more interested in 35mm slr's drop me a email ,nothing ventured nothing gained. I was lucky to find a rather smallish 4x5.6 camera see this thread http://www.photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00ZHqt</p>

[DWScott]

<p>My vote would go to a Zeiss Ikon model, in either 35mm or 120.<br>

I've always had a soft spot for folders. After having dabbled with an Agfa Isolette (that I restored to pristine condition) and a Russian Moskva-5 clone of the Super Ikonta, I had given up on folders. The lack of a rangefinder on the Isolette was a real drawback (more than I imagined.) And the Moskva-5 made me doubt that I could get a sharp shot even with a rangefinder --- the folding mechanism simply wasn't sturdy enough to prevent vibration from the massive shutter firing at speed. But the folder was redeemed for me by two examples from Zeiss Ikon.<br>

I have an Ikonta 522/24, which is the initial 35mm folder released right after the war. The folding mechanism on this camera is the sturdiest I have seen. It is the least "folder-like" folding camera, as the bellows are protected and hidden away even when the camera is open. The camera is tiny and jewell-like, but very very sturdy. The lens (a 45mm 2.8 Tessar) is one of the sharpest I have used and it delivers lovely contrast and excellent color. The only drawback to the 522/24 is the lack of a rangefinder -- this is partly made up for by the fact that the 45mm lens on the 35mm format is more forgiving of zone focussing, with greater DOF. I think the 522/24 is the most handsome of the Zeiss 35mm folders, but the Contessa is a close second and offers rangefinder focussing. I haven't used one but the Contessa appears to be built to the same fanatical quality standards.<br>

I also have a Super Ikonta in 6x6 format. The 645 versions (Super Ikonta A) appear to be built to the same standard, so what I say should carry over. The Super Ikonta is the smallest, most portable solution I have found for shooting medium format and still having a hope of getting things in focus. The rangefinder is effective. The camera is built like a leather-covered tank and does not have any issues with sturdiness or holding the lens steady when the shutter fires. The f/2.8 Zeiss Tessar lens on my Super Ikonta is nearly as sharp as the Planar on my Rollei 2.8f, and has better contrast and less flare.<br>

If I had to have only one folder in a collection, it would be the 522/24. But if I had to shoot regularly with the camera, it would be the Super Ikonta for the larger negative and the rangefinder.</p><div></div>

[colin carron]

<p>For a 35mm folder I like the Kodak Retina I and II. These fold to a neat size and have high quality lenses and shutters. I would avoid the later versions with the lever wind as that seems to be the thing that goes wrong most often. The Retina I is the simplest while the retina II adds a rangefinder and the III has a built in meter. These are usually off these days. I can't post pictures without digging the shots out and then scanning them but they work well. As always with folders look for light leaks.</p>

<p>For 6x4.5 folder I like the Zeiss Ikon Ikonta series. These can be picked up modeerately priced as the rangefinder of the SuperIkonta seems to add a premium out of all proportion to its usefulness. Indeed I prefer scale focusing to a separate r/f any day as imo the r/f is a distraction rather than a help. Lenses and shutters are more varied though the cheaper Novar is quite a decent lens and will produce results indistinguishable from the Tessar. As with the Retina post war versions have coated lenses.</p><div></div>

[colin carron]

<p>Here is a shot showing the relative sizes of the Retina I (left) and ZI Ikonta 6x4.5 (right) Middle is a Voigtlander 127 Perkeo. I took this to demonstrate the different sizes these small folders come in hence the 127.</p>

<p>Pre-war incoated lenses will give slightly lower contrast than post-war coated lenses so if you want the best photographic result always go for post-war production.</p><div></div>

[robert_mounier]

<p>I like to use 6x4.5 folders often with BW film, these cameras are most pocketable than 35mm rangefinders or reflex, and picture format is 312% larger!<br>

My favorite folders are:<br>

Zeiss Ikonta 521 with coated Tessar<br>

Welta Perle with uncoated Tessar<br>

Ensign Selfix 1620 with coated Ross-Xpres</p>

<p>Here is the Welta</p>

<p><img src="http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k546/ardechois/Photo29799640x480.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></p>

<p>and here's a pic from this vintage folder</p>

<p><img src="http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k546/ardechois/img0611800x600.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p> </p>

[capitalq]

<p>michael - good heavens, why are you cutting your collection down to six cameras? this is sacrilege. and if i recall correctly, you have a great assortment of fine camera and lenses. what, pray tell, are you planning to do with them? if you don't plan on reconsidering, might i humbly suggest that your FD gear would find a welcome home with me... </p>

[gabor_szabo3]

<p>Mike, there are two things I wish :<br /> 1) I still had an Ensign Selfix 16-20 (lovely little camera with sharp lens)<br /> 2) I had the time to restore one or both of my WWII-era <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ebanator/sets/72157627585127045/">Kuribayashi 645 folders</a><br>

And, of course, there's nothing like a <a href="../classic-cameras-forum/00Z3bq">genuine Yoid Hande</a>r if you need a 35mm folder<br>

645 folders are a great compromise between small 35mm negatives and cumbersome medium format gear. Yes, a 645 folder is no bigger than a Retina or Contessa, but you get larger negs. I often pop a 645 mask into one of my V'lander Bessa folders just for the sake of film economy.</p>

<p>Lately, I've fell in love with the Ebner bakelite 645. This pre-war gem is kind of cheap like an Ansco Speedex, but its shell is delightfully slim and tapered and the Meyer Trioplan is decent ( vignettes somewhat but a helluva lot better than a Holga and the aformentioned Speedex's glass). It's techically a 620 camera, but a 120 spool feeds well, so no need to respool.<br /> I'll showcase the Ebner on this forum soon; just shot a few more frames of locals in Hoboken. ... will soup some more Plus-X in a week or so.</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

[dennis_w3]

<p>For many years, I've had an Ikonta 520 6 x 4.5. With it's Tessar in a Compur Rapid, this little gem has been a flawless performer, giving me very sharp and contrast results. It also seems to be a very sturdy camera. It's amazing what a front-element focuser can do! For a 35 mm folder, I have a nice pair--a Voigtlander Vito II and a Zeiss Ikon Contina.</p>

[User_502260]

<p>If you are estimating focus then a Rollei 35 is a possibility.</p>

[gnashings]

<p>you're a sick, sick little ascetic... SIX cameras? Good God MAN! Do you sleep on a plank in an unfurnished room? </p>

<p>Jokes aside, with the vintage of cameras you're looking at, keep in mind that the resultant quality can be estimated based on make of the camera, but will largely depend on the particular example you obtain. Its a bit hard to give you fool-proof advice, with the caveat being that these old little beasties will generally punch above their weight, especially if you go with a medium format. <br>

I think a roll film folder is the "classic" way to go, so my vote would be with one of those, as far as 35mm folders go, perhaps a retina?</p>

[jan_h._voigt]

<p>There were many small companies here in Germany which built nice folders. If you really want to shoot with it, I'd suggest you to get one with a Tessar type lens, in most cases it will be a Tessar, a Xenar or a Skopar. If you go 35mm, you might even get a Schneider f/2 Xenon from some camera manufacturers (Kodak, Balda, ...) or you could get a Voigtländer Vito or Vitessa with an f/2 Ultron.<br>

There are not so many 4,5x6 choices around. A really rare one that I have encountered is the Semi Prince. My sister's piano teacher of russian origin got one with a Schneider Xenar f/2.8 in a Compur shutter from her mother who was a photographer. I have absolutely no clue on which way that camera got into the USSR...</p>

[jodys]

<p>They're rare as hen's teeth, but I do have a partially-restored SIDA Turf bakelite folding 6x4.5, with a Laack Pololyt lens. Takes decent enough pics, I guess. Not really my favorite camera to walk about with, but it does fit in a shirt pocket and it's quite light compared to the Retinas, Voigtlanders etc.</p>

[peter_naylor1]

<p>Hi, Mike Well, you've invited suggestions for both 35mm or 6 X 4.5 Demi/Semi formats, but the other guys seem to have all gone the latter route. So I'll stick my head out and suggest you consider the AGFA Super Solinette 35mm folder. They usually got for very reasonable sums on Fleabay or wherever, yet they have some top-notch specs with a 4-element coated F3.5 Solinar and Synchro Compur shutter. They can even take a modern electronic flash. For a while, before I went the digital path, I took my Super Solinette along to social gatherings and got some great shots. Its small dimensions when folded made it very easy to slip into a pocket.</p>

<p>The only potential problem is the one common to all AGFA folders, ie make sure the bellows are light-tight. If you're in N. America you may have to look out for the rebadged version, which is called the ANSCO Super Regent I think. Same camera, different label, that's all. (Pete In Perth)</p>

[peter_naylor1]

<p>I thought I had a photo of my Super Solinette on its own, but if I do I can't find it. Anyhow, here's a shot of some of my AGFA 35mm stuff, with the Super Solinette front centre and the Super Regent left centre. (P In P)</p><div></div>

[Julio Fernandez]

<p>In 35mm, Voigtlander Vito II, Retinas (I and II and variants), Ikonta-35 and Agfa Solinette = Ansco Regent are very good options. There are many others. Probably the best overall is the Retina II with the Xenon 2.0 lens. The Tessar type lenses (i.e. Skopar, Xenar, Tessar, Solinar respectively) are a bit better than the triplet lenses, especially wide open. However, good triplets such as the Lanthar, Apotar or Novar are excellent options and probably will give best value.<br>

In 6 x 4.5 I would recommend the Daiichi Zenobia and the Zeiss types, just because I have used them. There are many, many capable folders in both formats. You will have no shortage of good options.</p>

<p> </p>

[chuck_foreman1]

The first responder hit on the predecessor to the Contessa and The A/520 Super Ikonta. I have the Contessa and the first version of the 645. My Contessa is not in great shape but the build quality is great and it has the same sharp high contrast 2.8 Tessar . I'm not sure if the "luxury" of a RF is that important but it'S there. My 645 is a pre-war model with the hexagon shaped back and in very good shape for it's age. Unfortunately, the ruby windows leak light like a sieve (the left one especially) I tape over them now and just try my 1.5 turns per exposure rule. It's no 100% though. The later models may be worth the cost as they abandoned the hex shape rear and of course how important a RF is to you will certainly play a role in the price. The pre-wa 75mm Tessar is very good and not that much different than the later immediate post war coated models. I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. I think sometime in the mid 50s they did recalculate the Tessar formula and these later models have a balanced contrast and a modern sharpness. So if you can get a good ZI 645...I strongly recommend that. I'm on the lookout for a double 6x9/645 with insert!

[maiku]

<p>Thanks everyone for the feedback. I have traded for a Retina IIc. I cannot wait.</p>

[jason]

<p>Those cameras look well used! Thats the way it should be! Where does the SD card go? I have a Rollie 35 and the "guess focus" makes it a bind to use except in good light!</p>