6x6 Folders w Coupled Combined RF/VF

[graywolf]

What 6x6 folding cameras had coupled combined rangefinder/viewfinders?

The ones I know of:

Agfa Super Isolette
Ansco Super Speedex
Balda Super Baldax
Certo Six
Iskra I, II
Welta Weltur 6x6
Zeiss Super Ikonta B (532/16), BX, III, IV
Mamiya Six, and Mamiya-6

ADDED from other posts:

Takane Mine Six IIF & IIIS
Aram Six
Seagull/Shanghai 203 folder (there was also a SG 203 TLR)
Ensign Commando
Ensign Autorange 220
Super Fujica Six (Some comments say Super Fujica-6)
Kershaw Peregrine III
Ehira Six (same as the Astoria which is probably the export version)
Astoria Super Six IIIB





Notes:

In some cases there were previous models with the same name that had lesser features, so if you are looking for one of these type cameras, check out the features carefully.

Sometimes the actual camera is a "6", sometimes a "Six", but often people have used those interchangably, and sometimes the two are entirely different cameras. If you are looking for information on one of these cameras you probably should try both wordings.

My final decision on how to list a camera here is from camerapedia.org. While they may be wrong, I have to have some ultimate source, or I will go crazy trying to please everyone.


Others? Corrections? I will edit them into this post.

 

[thegman]

GF670 / Bessa III ?

 

[Mackinaw]

1950's-era Mamiya folders.

Jim B.

 

[oftheherd]

1950's-era Mamiya folders.

Jim B.

I don't think all were. But there was at least one model that RF focused by moving the film plane.

 

[nosmok]

Takane Minesix (nice camera, lousy bellows).

--nosmok

 

[GaryLH]

GF670 / Bessa III ?

Fuji also made a 645 coupled folder, forgot the model number, before the gf670...

Not sure if you would consider the Makina 67/670 series folders but baby linhofs definitely are😀

Gary

Edit forgot to add bessa ii

 

[wakarimasen]

I don't think all were. But there was at least one model that RF focused by moving the film plane.

The Six!

 

[kuzano]

More

More

Voigtlander Perkeo E (sometimes referred to as III)

Voigtlander Bessa RF (very early) used the same rangefinder coupling focus mechanism as the Bessa II. Both were RF coupled. The early RF sometime in the late 30's/early 40's and the Bessa II in the 50's. Both offered about 4 or 5 lens variants from 3 element to 5 element (Heliar).

All the Mamiya 6 Folders that I have owned or seen had a coupled rangefinder that moved the film plane to focus, and all had frame count and stop. The later models (54-56) Automat or Autosix had shutter cocking. In all cases double shot prevention could be manually overridden. They were manufactured from post war in Occupied Japan up until 1956. There were a variety of lenses used and for the last approximately ten years the lenses were Zuiko from Olympus, some in Seiko shutters B to 1/500th. Top notch camera, heavy like the Certo Six.

Also... Seagull folder??? One of the Chinese folders RF coupled.

Fuji GS645

 

[sevo]

Voigtlander Perkeo E (sometimes referred to as III)

Is uncoupled.

 

[GaryLH]

Oops my bad. Op was only asking about 6x6.

From my previous reply only one that qualifies is baby linhof with the 6x6 film back. They normally came with either 6x7 or 6x9 roll film backs. I used to have one with the 6x6 back. Sold it over 24 years ago. Wish I still had that baby linhof 🙁

Gary

 

[Ezzie]

Telka III

10 characters.

 

[graywolf]

Added the ones that seem to fit. Remember "combined rangefinder/viewfinder" that means in one window. "6x6" that does not mean 6x7 6x9 or 6x4.5. "Coupled" means that when you adjust the focus the rangefinder moves.

There is nothing wrong with any of those cameras, but they do not fit in this thread.

How about the Ensign Commando 1220? Does that have a combined RF/VF?

 

[RichL]

Aram Six <http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?&key=103310371141&APage=627>

 

[sevo]

If I remember it right, the Fujica Super Six would qualify as well

 

[Mackinaw]

I don't think all were. But there was at least one model that RF focused by moving the film plane.

Mine does.

Jim B.

 

[P C Headland]

If I remember it right, the Fujica Super Six would qualify as well

It most certainly would. One of the better viewfinders - not quite as good as the Iskra, but pretty good nonetheless.

Another "folder" to add is the Weha Chrome Six. Later versions (like the Super Ikontas) had a combined viewfinder / RF window. The early version (like mine) had separate ones.

 

[citizen99]

Added the ones that seem to fit. Remember "combined rangefinder/viewfinder" that means in one window. "6x6" that does not mean 6x7 6x9 or 6x4.5. "Coupled" means that when you adjust the focus the rangefinder moves.

There is nothing wrong with any of those cameras, but they do not fit in this thread.

How about the Ensign Commando 1220? Does that have a combined RF/VF?

Yes the Ensign "Commando" does qualify. Not to be confused with the later Ensign "Selfix 1220" (no rangefinder) or "Selfix 1220 Special" (rangefinder, but uncoupled).

Before the "Commando", in the late 1930s through 1940s there was the Ensign "Autorange 220". One of my favourite 6x6 folders, this has rack focussing with coupled rangefinder integral with the viewfinder, and a nice frame count indicator that, being non-interlocked, remains reliable after 70+ years 😉.

Then, in the late 1940s there is the rather rare Kershaw "Peregrine III".

 

[ZorkiKat]

Voigtlander Perkeo E (sometimes referred to as III)



Also... Seagull folder??? One of the Chinese folders RF coupled.

Fuji GS645

Seagull/Shanghai 203. Those marked as Shanghai 203 are more common.

 

[graywolf]

It most certainly would. One of the better viewfinders - not quite as good as the Iskra, but pretty good nonetheless.

Another "folder" to add is the Weha Chrome Six. Later versions (like the Super Ikontas) had a combined viewfinder / RF window. The early version (like mine) had separate ones.

It looks to me, from the pictures, that the Chrome Six had a collapsable lens rather than being a folding camera.

 

[graywolf]

OK, corrected from comments so far. Already twice as many as I thought of. 6x6 folders are easy, just think how long this list would be if we were talking about twin lens reflex cameras. This list would be a lot longer too if we were not limiting it to the top of the line combined C-RF/VF versions.