120 Folders can be nice

[oftheherd]

Maybe my rendition of them isn't. I think I have no skills in scanning nor in photoshop. However, I think my Zeiss Ikon gives nice negatives. The following are from a roll of Ilford FP 4.

The idea of this was that when some of us recommend 120 folders as a less expensive way into MF, it isn't a bad idea just because it isn't a Hassy or Super Press 23.

From our local Farmer's Market.

This is the first of two versions of a local creek. I would appreciate hearing which you think is a better rendition.

This is the second version. Different curves and sharpening.

 

[sepiareverb]

I like the first creek shot better- more mystery to it.

Those folders are great tools for a big neg in a small package.

 

[oftheherd]

Thanks. I preferred the first also. I think there is more black and genereally a b/w print should have both black and white, but will do better with black and lighter than with white and darker. Not always of course, but IMHO.

Edit: Certainly folders, at least the better ones, can make good photos. My negatives would make really nice fiber prints. Actually, they would make good scans if I was better at scanning and PS.

 

[SimonPG]

They can also be more than just nice - WONDERFUL. I became very fond of the folders a few years ago after picking up one or two for pocket money. Now I have a whole bunch of Ikontas, Super Ikontas and Voigtlanders. Every one of them works beautifully.

I love that feeling of having one in a jacket pocket and poping it open in a public place to onlookers' surprise and taking some snaps - all of which produce superb large pints.

Even if the sun makes the old single coated lens a bit low in colour contrast, the PS tweaking fixes that easily.

For such little money one can have a terrific MF negative full of rich detail that fits easily in a jacket pocket - and have no worries about batteries dying at the critical moment.

If I go hiking, what could be better than a lovely Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta with a T lens! 🙂 I always keep one in my Hasselblad 6x6 kit bag when I go to the bush - a great backup.

Friends marvel at the big prints I get from a 50 - 70 year old camera. Long live the 120 film folders! 😉

 

[kully]

I agree, there is something lovely about unfurling and using a folder. Although I can't comment on the compactness - my Moskva 5 cannot fit in any of my pockets 🙂

 

[Keith]

My first foray into MF was with a 1936 Super Ikonta 6x4.5 ... when I scanned the negatives I was amazed at the detail and tones ... and that's the smallest version of MF. 😱

I have yet to work my way up to my Crown Graphic and definitely harbour ambitions to own a Bronica RF645 one day. 🙂

I like the darker shot also. 😎

 

[oftheherd]

Thanks Keith. I enjoy outings with one of my folders, even the 35mm variety. But for negative size and tonality, the MF folders are hard to beat. Hope you still have your Super Ikonta 645. They make nice companions.

 

[MartinL]

I looked at the first photo and dismissed it. What's the point? Then, looking again, I followed the "look" of the woman on the far left. "Free Samples." IMO, that begins the story that the photo tells. A crop begining upper right near the "free" sign would cut stuff that the photo doesn't need including some of the blown-out tent top; it would bring forth some of the porcine elements including the "cooks" girth (is that a welder's mask he's wearing?) and the popcorn bags. IMO, this is not simply a "demonstration photo" to show the merits of a camera/lens, but something worth a significant print the next time Adorama has a special.

I can't say the same for your foliage pics. Hurts my eyes. Contrast and pattern for their own sake hold little interest for me.
Regards,
Martin