Anyone selling a 120 Folder with Uncoated lenses

[shorelineae]

Is anyone in the community here selling a 120 folder with an uncoated lens? I would prefer to buy a film tested camera rather than play the lottery on ebay...

• RF Preferred but will also consider folders without RF
• 6x6 preferred
• I don't care about how it looks but must be working 🙂
• Working auto-stop would be great but I can live with a red window.
• Consistent frame spacing (i.e no overlapping)
• Focal length: 75mm-80mm thereabouts is comfortable for me on 6x6. Can consider wider ones
• The more compact it is, the better...

Thanks

 

[oftheherd]

Old thread I know, but I am sure there are others with similar desires and have no idea how to have success.

Sorry you haven't received any responses. But I expect many have taken their chances with one or more of the auction sites and may have themselves gotten one or two not so good purchases. Unless they have become totally against that type of camera why would they sell theirs and perhaps later want one again and have to do it all over again?

But most are inexpensive enough that it may not be such a big chance to experiment, and just look at the seller's profile and what they normally sell. Then communicate with then. None of that will insure good success, but will increase your chances.

If you haven't, try flea markets, Good Will, camera sales shows, etc. Good luck. Some of the old folders took great photos.

 

[narsuitus]

How does one determine if the lens is uncoated?

 

[Huss]

How does one determine if the lens is uncoated?

Look at it at an angle. If there are any colors or color appearing on the lens surface, then it is coated. Single color = single coating. Multiple colors = multiple coatings.

 

[oftheherd]

Look at it at an angle. If there are any colors or color appearing on the lens surface, then it is coated. Single color = single coating. Multiple colors = multiple coatings.

Quite so. Although most of the pre-WWII folders didn't have coated lenses to my knowledge. Unless they had a slight haze that has developed into a natural coating. Even so, many had very good lenses if you were careful not to point them into the sun.

To the OP: Have you had any luck?

 

[fraley]

I can highly recommend certo6 on ebay. No affiliation but I have bought several folders from him and have been very satisfied with his support.

 

[Rayt]

Cameraquest Classic Camera Profiles has a lot of sage advice. I bought a Zeiss Super Ikonta B from KEH based on the host’s recommendation and am very happy with it. For $250 more or less it was a deal.

 

[shorelineae]

Thanks for replying. Yes, I did have luck. I found a good Bessa RF with a Heliar on eBay (sold by certo6). Despite buying it from a reputed seller, the camera has a problem but it's a minor inconvenience than a hindrance. The results are amazing.

Also on ebay, I found an inexpensive "Adox Start" 6x9 folder with a lens (105mm f6.3 Steinheil Cassar VL) that seems to be uncoated. The shutter speeds are restrictive (1/200; 1/75; 1/25). The internet suggests it is coated but the lens does't have any color on the lens surface viewed at an angle. The results are also low contrast, so I'm happy with it.

For anyone considering buying the Adox Start, note that the red window doesn't have a cover, so I put gaffer's tape over it, which I just peel off when I advance the film.

 

[narsuitus]

@shorelineae

Where can we see images taken with your cameras with uncoated lenses?

 

[markjwyatt]

Here are some pictures taken with an Ihagee Ultrix 3960 with CZJ 105mm f4.5 Tessar (~1938+/-1). I am pretty sure the lens is uncoated.

https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=157638541@N07&view_all=1&text=ihagee

 

[shorelineae]

Photo from Adox Start

Photo from Adox Start

@shorelineae

Where can we see images taken with your cameras with uncoated lenses?

Here's one from Adox Start on Arisa EDU 400 (developed in Ilford DD-X).

Buhairah Corniche, on Flickr

 

[narsuitus]

Thanks for the image.

I also looked at your other Flickr images.

You should post all of your panoramic images on this panorama rangefinder forum:

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168339

 

[Wouter2]

I will received a Zeiss Ikonta 532/16 with an uncoated Tessar in a Compur Rapid shutter, in what appears to be as new condition. Well that means I'll have to service it. As I have recently serviced two of them, that won't be a problem. Beautiful 6x6 rangefinder cameras these are.

 

[Pedro_fiz]

A Voigtlander Bessa RF. Is a 6x9 camera with a voigtlander Skopar 105 f3.5. It is in very good conditions.

 

[johannielscom]

Choose your weapon: https://www.johanniels.com/en/medium-format/103-zi-super-ikonta-overview