New to 120 RF Folders.

HuhYashica

HuhYashica

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Hello there
I was talking to my friend about buying a new camera and he mentioned this and i was what the hell is a folder, so he told me too look on here, and they seem pretty awesome so i wondering can you guys help me find a good folder?
 
Folder advice

Folder advice

There are lot of "good" folders for 120. But I guess nobody can say what's the best. It depends on your duties. If you just want to try the medium format you could buy a viewfinder out of the 50-s with good lens. For example a Zeiss Ikon Nettar with tessar or novar-lens. If you want more precision you could take a rangefinder, for example Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta, an Iskra or a Welta Weltur. But be aware that these are neither Rolleiflex nor Hasselblad. The pictures can be excellent and it is pleasure to look on the negs but they cannot compare with modern medium format.
Just have a look to the post "Show us your folder pics" or similar. There you can learn a lot about folders and the pictures they can produce.
 
Agfa Super Isolette, Zeiss Super Ikonta or Balda Super Baldalux are all excellent folders though good examples of the Agfa are getting expensive. I also have a Certo Six but its a bit quirky with the focus lever on the lens bed.

I wouldn't recommend evil bay for buying these cameras as they are all 1950's or older best to buy from a reliable source.

I got all those mentioned above from Jurgen Kreckel though people round here don't rate him very highly and a friend off mine recently bought 3 folders from him and all 3 arrived dead. So I probably just got lucky.

There is a lot off other cameras out there, some people rate the Russian Iskra very highly (Agfa copy), I'm sure plenty off other people will chime in with better information.
 
murpograph said:
If you just want to try the medium format you could buy a viewfinder out of the 50-s with good lens. For example a Zeiss Ikon Nettar with tessar or novar-lens.
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I 100% agree with this. I bought my Nettar for £20 and - so long as you don't mind scale focussing - it's a very tidy camera.

Good luck in your decision making!

Best regards
ROyM
 
Viewfinder folders are getting harder to find, but are still around. Ebay is always a crap shoot, but careful reading and corresponding with the seller should get you a good one. They are often for sale here in RFF classifieds as well. Whether a viewfinder or rangefinder, I think you will enjoy using them. If you want to get more ideas, look in the medium format folder threads. I have several and enjoy using them all.

What Yashica camera(s) do you have and like? I have always liked the brand myself. Many here find the 35mm RF Yashica cameras good.
 
I think the 120 folders are a lot of fun to use and the power of medium format is an incredible draw. They also conversation starters.

People have already mentioned a lot of great cameras, but what are your needs?
 
oftheherd said:
Viewfinder folders are getting harder to find, but are still around. Ebay is always a crap shoot, but careful reading and corresponding with the seller should get you a good one. They are often for sale here in RFF classifieds as well. Whether a viewfinder or rangefinder, I think you will enjoy using them. If you want to get more ideas, look in the medium format folder threads. I have several and enjoy using them all.

What Yashica camera(s) do you have and like? I have always liked the brand myself. Many here find the 35mm RF Yashica cameras good.
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The Yashica camera I use which is my main is a Yashica 635 all because it can do both 120 and 35mm films. Its pretty dope.
 
If you just want to do landscapes any "normal" folder will do.

If you are doing portraits a lot i would recommend a folder with a coupled rangefinder because without exact close-range focussing is not that easy. You could also work with an uncoupled rangefinder but have take into account the extra time needed for the transport of found distance to the focusring.

You are allready used to medium format and manual gear but for all others i would recommend a cheap but good "normal"folder like i.e. the Zeiss Ikon Signal Nettar as a firsttimer.

For a folder with a coupled rangefinder i like the Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta III very much.
A KMZ Iskra is also a fine folder but be sure that you get a lesser used and fully working example.
 
HuhYashica said:
The Yashica camera I use which is my main is a Yashica 635 all because it can do both 120 and 35mm films. Its pretty dope.
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I've heard of them and when struck by GAS, wanted one. I always declined. I only like 6x6 format in folders any more. And I just couldn't see myself using the 35mm feature. For that I would prefer a 35mm camea wth interchangable lenses. But, to each his own.

My first SLR was the venerable Yashical TL Super. I also have a couple of FX 103s for using the Contax 50mm f/1.4 I have. I have always liked the Yashica brand myself.

In folders I have a Fujica 6x6, a Welta 6x6, a Welta Perfekta, a Mamiya 6x6 RF, a Moskva 6x9, and a Zeiss Ikon 6x9. I like them all, but the latter is a favorite. A small portable camera with a really big negative. The lens is good too. I also have aot three 9x12 folders, but really, they are in a different class.
 
I don't know about the Iskra, but have read where many people like them. I have a Moskva. It seems that like any FSU camera, they are a crap shoot. Mine seems OK, except the front standard isn't that tight. If you really want an RF, that isn't bad if you can get a good one. I would still go for the Zeiss Ikon in 6x9 myself.
 
Mhm I'll see if I can get a good one. But I stubbled upon this one on eBay how's this?
Agfa Billy record 6x9 is that better then the Iskra?
 
chippy said:
it can be with an adapter kit..duh

your question is too broad! be more specific,i would asume since you purchased it you would already KNOW its specs!
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hahaha I know I thought there could be more stuff about it. I read alot about it and stuff.
 
An Iskra is great if you get one with a fully functional frame counter. The primary difference from other 120 folders is that the Iskra automatically detects where the film begins. To load the camera you just thread the backing paper across the film gate to the takeup spool and wind enough of the paper to make certain that it has caught. Close the back and advance the film (it will seem like forever) until the film advance stops and the counter displays "1". Cock the shutter and you are ready to go.

Some Iskras, mine included, have a problem with light leaks in either the supply or takeup film chamber. There is at least one thread about this on this forum. Apparently the light leaks around loose edge of the camera's covering, along the edge where the front cover opens. I fixed it on mine ( at least I think have filxed it) by lining the film chambers with thin black foam from a light seal kit.

Good luck with your Iskra and post some pictures.
 
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