Where do you buy a good user folder?

Oh, and as far as Certo6-Jurgen K. goes - here is a thread:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26972

Personally, I wouldnt buy from him - this is based on some communications and some of his statements about the repairs. Having dworked on some folders - I can tell you - I wouldnt trust him much, but YMMV.
So, I'd suggest either careful shopping on ebay or here in RFF Classifieds.

Also - check out our thread on pics from folders - will make you get one and use it right away :

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73622
 
MC JC86 said:
The lens was great, free of haze or fungus and produces awesome images. I'd do the "flashlight" check with yours assuming all other functions seem to be working properly. Let me know! Hope it wasn't bad advice.
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My"ugly" super ikonta b arrived the lens and camera appear to be pristine advance and shutter work normally. It is in a class by itself. Thanks for the recommendation. I just shot a roll I'll let you know how it works out

Thanks
Nik
 
roboflick said:
My"ugly" super ikonta b arrived the lens and camera appear to be pristine advance and shutter work normally. It is in a class by itself. Thanks for the recommendation. I just shot a roll I'll let you know how it works out

Thanks
Nik
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I'm glad you're happy with it so far. Make sure to post some pictures from it somewhere; I think you'll be satisfied. Good luck!
 
roboflick said:
My"ugly" super ikonta b arrived the lens and camera appear to be pristine advance and shutter work normally. It is in a class by itself. Thanks for the recommendation. I just shot a roll I'll let you know how it works out
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Glad someone here got it. If it was still listed last Friday I was going to buy it. Strangely, since I got the Iskra, I keep thinking I ought to get one of each of the top of the line folders from the 1950's & 60's. That is kind of silly as I already have two 6x6 folders, and I am not a collector.
 
graywolf said:
Glad someone here got it. If it was still listed last Friday I was going to buy it. Strangely, since I got the Iskra, I keep thinking I ought to get one of each of the top of the line folders from the 1950's & 60's. That is kind of silly as I already have two 6x6 folders, and I am not a collector.
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I am not a collector myself but I can say that, as silly as it may sound, it is equally true. And after that you'll start with folders from the 40s and 30s, and after that plate cameras that you may think about using with rollfilm adapters, then sheet film, and then... There's no escape once you're in... ;-) "That's more than enough", I've said to myself plenty of times. Said it after my first piercing (not after the second, nor after the third, nor after the fourth...), said it after my first tattoo (not after the second...), said it after my n-th classic camera purchase (but not any longer xD). Actually, I said it after the purchase of my fourth enlarger, the only time when that seemed to apply :bang:

You enjoy your folder(s), you find almost without looking for it an "unusual" or "eye catching" one, and you wonder "what if...". That's the moment when there's almost no rollback xD
 
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jnoir said:
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You enjoy your folder(s), you find almost without looking for it an "unusual" or "eye catching" one, and you wonder "what if...". That's the moment when there's almost no rollback xD
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Yeah, but after a while, you realize that with something over 20 of the beasties, you can't use them all. But did you see that ... just listed? 😀

I guess for those of us who like them, there is no hope. :bang:
 
Indeed one cannot use them all at the same time, but I try to be fair with my "toys" hehe...

For me, it's "just listed" or "just because". I am happy if I can keep the addiction at bay, and make it only a "vice" :bang:

There's no hope, but there's plenty to learn (or so I say to myself... 😀 )
 
Well, I said that after my forth sewing machine (old sewing machines are very easy to repair, and very cheap to buy), and stuck to it. Cameras are harder for me, but I tend to buy something different each time. Cameras are kind like 3 speed bicycles, you can not get them where I live, and have to buy them off the internet. Fortunately, cameras do not take up as much room as bicycles and sewing machines (except for the 35mm kit, and the 4x5 kit which take up about the same space as a sewing machine, and the darkroom kit which takes up about as much room as a bicycle. Then there are the audio stuff, and the computers.

You know what, if I got rid of the furniture, there would be room for a few more toys in the apartment. Hum...?
 
graywolf said:
Well, I said that after my forth sewing machine (old sewing machines are very easy to repair, and very cheap to buy), and stuck to it. Cameras are harder for me, but I tend to buy something different each time. Cameras are kind like 3 speed bicycles, you can not get them where I live, and have to buy them off the internet. Fortunately, cameras do not take up as much room as bicycles and sewing machines (except for the 35mm kit, and the 4x5 kit which take up about the same space as a sewing machine, and the darkroom kit which takes up about as much room as a bicycle. Then there are the audio stuff, and the computers.

You know what, if I got rid of the furniture, there would be room for a few more toys in the apartment. Hum...?
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My wife has gotten on a downsizing kick for a while. I am not a fan. Thankfully, my daughter came to my defense and "collecting" is OK, just no more. Sure Sweetie. 😉
 
There are no guarantees, of course, and what I say is just general information.

In my own experience of buying, I've found folders generally to be well made. However, I usually avoid cameras that have signs of corrosion or extreme wear, unless I'm looking for parts.

With eBay, it can be a real gamble. Photos can be deceiving. Sometimes, the camera is much worse than pictured. Sometimes, it's better.

I often have bought cameras that haven't been used for decades or that belonged to someone's grandparent. For some reason, those cameras are usually in very good condition.

How a camera was stored means everything. The worst place is a damp basement. It's much better if it sitting in a closet.

I have no experience with Soviet cameras, so I can't offer any opinions on those.

You have to know right off that certain brands will have certain problems.

-- Agfa folders usually have the hardened grease problem. And plastic bellows often have pinholes.

-- With a Voigtlander folder, always make sure the lens standard is undamaged and doesn't have any play. I think the metal on some models is too thin.

-- Kodak's Nagel folders usually are very well made. I haven't had many problems, aside from age.

-- The ancient ICA and Contessa-Nettel folders are hit or miss. Some will be good, while others will be near crumbling

-- Zeiss Ikon folders. Hmmm. That's a tough one. First off, there are so many of them out there. I've found that they generally have survived the decades very well. But they aren't without problems. It's unusual to find one with pinholes, and most will need to be serviced. Black paint is prone to chipping, and viewfinders and rangefinders will need to be cleaned and readjusted. Focusing assemblies will need to be cleaned, lubricated and adjusted.

I have one Zenobia folder that's missing a film knob and most of its leather. It seems decently made.

I still tend to recommend the Zeiss Ikon folders, although I think the Kodak/Nagel folders are also very well made (downside: they use 620 film). The Voigtlander folders tend to be much lighter in weight than their peers, and some 6x9 Bessas carry the excellent Heliar lens. The premium lens on the Zeiss Ikon folders was always a Tessar and never a Planar.

One thing's for sure. Every folder that I bought needed some type of routine service.
 
Usable folders

Usable folders

For what it is worth, I have a spare Iskra that is available. Everything works and its focus is accurate. The only issue I have found is occasionally I get a "shadow" or line one side which I suspect is flare as it mostly happens in bright light. I picked up an Ansco Super Speedex and have it tuned up by Jurgen that I prefer. Let me know if you are interested.
 
Ray Van Nes said:
For what it is worth, I have a spare Iskra that is available. Everything works and its focus is accurate. The only issue I have found is occasionally I get a "shadow" or line one side which I suspect is flare as it mostly happens in bright light. I picked up an Ansco Super Speedex and have it tuned up by Jurgen that I prefer. Let me know if you are interested.
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Iskras are known for having a kind of "foam", if I recall correctly, under the film advance wheel / auto counter, for the wind axle. It usually is "wrapped" around the pivot. I'm currently overseas and don't have my files with me, so I may be missing some detail there. But, the thing is, this "foam" usually is badly deteriorated, and it may cause a light leak in the form of a vertical line such as the one you may be experiencing.

If that's your case, as it sounds to me according to your description, you may need to remove the cover, the auto advance mechanism, and access the pivot for cleaning and replacing it with some good flocking material.

Edit: Check out this great album by fellow Hans: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/4092761419/in/photostream/
 
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Ray Van Nes said:
For what it is worth, I have a spare Iskra that is available. Everything works and its focus is accurate. The only issue I have found is occasionally I get a "shadow" or line one side which I suspect is flare as it mostly happens in bright light. I picked up an Ansco Super Speedex and have it tuned up by Jurgen that I prefer. Let me know if you are interested.
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It may well be a leak from the front, from the seam between the body and lens "housing". If you look in the film spool chambers, you'll see the seam - cover this with some felt, and/or ensure the body covering on the front is stuck down, and you'll very likely fix the problem.
 
graywolf said:
Glad someone here got it. If it was still listed last Friday I was going to buy it. Strangely, since I got the Iskra, I keep thinking I ought to get one of each of the top of the line folders from the 1950's & 60's. That is kind of silly as I already have two 6x6 folders, and I am not a collector.
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I was very happy with it, I tested the speeds to be slow, so i sent it to Essex photo for an overhaul. It is such a beautiful camera. The glass chrome and leather are in beautiful condition. Keh was really off on their grading, they called it ugly. I shot a few rolls of film in it, the frame spacing seemed wide and the flash sync wasnt working so it will really benefit from an overhaul. And the icing on the cake is that my vc meter fits perfectly in the hot shoe for quick indoor shots with 400 speed film


Thanks for the great advice on this forum
Nik
 
i got a super ikonta III with a lesser triplet lens... The lens is actually stunning! it has something special when used at right aperture at the right subject. Yes, it is soft in the corners especially at wide apertures but there's some strange effect that makes pictures stand out which i like.
 
lynnb said:
Wallace - what's the problem with Certo6? Just curious, as I had bookmarked him for future reference if I get a refurbished folder.
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I've bought or had repaired 3 folders from him. All work fine. Plus he has a excellent bellows source. This is from a Agfa Isolette II with a low cost four speed shutter and an Apotar wide open, there is something warm about that lens:

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:angel:
chippy said:
ok, but does an agfa isolette truly count as an acceptable measure of ones competence!? 😉

you could give the same camera to my teenage daughter (*or most anyone) and get first rate results, better! his bellows source range in quality from terrible to good, the average punter wouldn't know what they are getting beforehand no matter what was told them, they have to take his word
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Ahh, that is a question that can't be answered. If I like the results, even if the results are not digital sharp or clinically sharp across the lens field, then it 'counts as an acceptable measure of ones competence' for me.

Does your arugument then discount all 35mm cameras?
 
It is not an arguement. My folding cameras work and I like the photos plus the convience; end of it. 120 I find is so much easier to work with that I sometimes wonder why I even bother with 35mm cameras. So possibly, I should have said, "Does your argument then discount all 35mm cameras, I kind of do."
 
I brought a 6x9 folding camera from certo6. He listed it as CLAed. After several rolls of 120 film, I realized that CLAed doesn't mean the camera is ready for picture taking. Mine probably also needs some collimation.
 
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