Opinions on "Old MF Folders"

[d_daine]

Just curious as to what your favourite old folders are and why. I am

especially interested in ones with good glass, more than 3 shutter

speeds, and non-rangefinder versions.

 

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cheers,

[norman_trabulus]

Favorite non-rangefinder: Voigtlander Perkeo II (6 x 6) with 80mm

F3.5 Color Skopar and Synchro-Compur shutter. Why: excellent optics,

incredible portability -- lighter and smaller than most 35's, film

counter with double exposure prevention obviates need for utilizing

the red window after the first exposure (window has baffle to prevent

fogging), excellent construction. Of course, you have to be willing

to use a hand-held meter - for someone like me who learned on a Leica

IIIF and Weston Master II, this is no problem. I find composing with

a rangefinder yields better results for me than with a reflex, though

this kind of thing surely varies from person to person. I have heard

that the color-skopar, which Voigtlander touted for its lack of

lateral color fringing, actually meets the criteria currently used by

some manufacturers for "Apo" glass -- all I know is the quality is

excellent. Downside - If you get one, better make sure to have a

case, because the camera has no lugs for straps. Filters are push-on

(32.5mm I believe) and may be hard to come by.