Certo Six with fixed rangefinder

[P C Headland]

Thanks to literiter, my Certo Six now has a nice bright viewfinder and a nice contrasty RF patch. The instructions provided made the repair nice and simple.

Having given the camera a quick check out at home, I thought the best way to really see if I'd fixed it properly would be to take it out and take some shots! So, armed with the Certo and a couple of other cameras (one other was the 524/2 6x9), I went for a wander round Wellington. I ended up somewhere I'd actually never been before, the National War Memorial. Plenty of interesting possibities, and a chance to test the RF was accurate.

The camera was loaded with Neopan 400, and the film developed in PC-TEA 1+50 for 10 minutes. I really like this combination; heck, I like just about all films in PC-TEA.

So, once again, my thanks to literiter for the comprehensive instructions and photos.

This weekend I've cleaned up another couple of folders, a pre-'42 Mamiya Six and a Super Ikonta 532/16 that I picked up last week. The SI is really nice, and now I've given the Mamiya a good clean, it too looks very nice. I hope to shoot them both over the next week or so.

 

[Solinar]

Even at the small resolution of my LCD screen - that first image is so sharp and the tonality gives it added texture. I guess that is why we shoot medium format. I love the composition of it as well.

Among items to refurbish on an old RF folder, such as servicing the film transport mechanisms, the replacement of the beam splitter and sometimes the front surfaced mirror of the RF, along with greasing the focus helical allows one to see how these cameras performed when new.

I mentioned the film transport mechanism, because I noticed that you have a SI 532/16.

Question - Do you mix PC-TEA from your own recipe or buy it prepackaged?

 

[whitecat]

Certo 6

Certo 6

This is a gem of a camera and I rate it as one of my favorites. Nice shots.

 

[Pherdinand]

The precision of your framing in all three shots - but esp. the second one - is amazing.

 

[P C Headland]

The precision of your framing in all three shots - but esp. the second one - is amazing.

I could never frame quite that accurately with those viewfinders - this is down to the magic of PS 😉 Still, they are displayed as intended, and not "rescued"

Solinar: I mix my PC-TEA from scratch.

 

[Magpie]

What is the mix for PC -TEA

What is the mix for PC -TEA

Solinar: I mix my PC-TEA from scratch.

Love the shots, I have a Certo 6 on its way from the US, what is the mix for PC-TEA, I would like to try it.

 

[literiter]

Glad I could help!

This is a good a series of pics one could ever hope for. That camera of yours is up there with the best. That old lens is sharp and contrasty as well I'll bet there is no astigmatism. Did you use a lens hood?

I think that an advantage of the lens set up in a Certo Six over say, a retrofocus Hasselblad 80mm, is the small number of lens elements. Less lens surfaces, less flare etc.

The Super Ikonta B (532/16) is also a great camera. I have three of these. One has a coated Opton Tessar and is very nice. The others have uncoated Tessars and are distinguishable (if you look really hard) by their tendency to flare if used without a lens hood. Incidentally, the only real problem I have with the Super Ikonta Bs, is the fact that it's hard to make a lens hood stay on in a wind. The lens hood I have with the Certo screws in, and stays put.

Vincent

 

[shadowfox]

Love the shots, I have a Certo 6 on its way from the US, what is the mix for PC-TEA, I would like to try it.

I have a more basic question: What is PC-TEA?

 

[Pherdinand]

Obviously some tea based developer that is perspective correcting (PC) as well 😀

 

[P C Headland]

What's PC-TEA?

It's a developer made from Phenidone, Vitamin C and Triethanolamine (TEA).

It has a look somewhat akin to Xtol, with development times similar to D76 1+1, and keeping properties like Rodinal. It's a one-shot developer, usually used at between 1+50 and 1+100 dilutions. It works well for inversion or continuous agitation

For 100ml:
- 9g Vitamin C powder
- 0.25g Phenidone
- 100ml TEA

I usually mix up 500ml at a time. I disolve the Vitamin C in a little warm water, and the Phenidone in a little alcohol (I use methylated spirits). Heat the TEA in the microwave to about hot coffee/tea temperature, then stir in the other ingredients. Keep stiring and re-heat if necessary until the solution is clear.

I didn't use a lens hood (I do have one that fits), as I've found that most of my folders don't really need one (The TLR definitely does).

 

[shadowfox]

Neat, thanks for the explanation.
But that explains the developer, what about the fixer? which one to use?

 

[ki_]

It's been ten years since this thread has been opened, but maybe anyways someone could help me, where I can find the instructions of how to repair the certo 6.

I have the chance to buy one cheap but the seller does not know anything about it, so I guess it needs a big CLA and the rangefinder prism recoated.

 

[ki_]

Ah it seems as if I have found it:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=647078#post647078

 

[RichC]

It's been ten years since this thread has been opened, but maybe anyways someone could help me, where I can find the instructions of how to repair the certo 6.

I have the chance to buy one cheap but the seller does not know anything about it, so I guess it needs a big CLA and the rangefinder prism recoated.

You might find these two old posts of my of use too...

The customised Certo 6 I once owned: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65609
If you need a manual: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64229

 

[traveler_101]

Thanks to literiter, my Certo Six now has a nice bright viewfinder and a nice contrasty RF patch. The instructions provided made the repair nice and simple.

Having given the camera a quick check out at home, I thought the best way to really see if I'd fixed it properly would be to take it out and take some shots! So, armed with the Certo and a couple of other cameras (one other was the 524/2 6x9), I went for a wander round Wellington. I ended up somewhere I'd actually never been before, the National War Memorial. Plenty of interesting possibities, and a chance to test the RF was accurate.

The camera was loaded with Neopan 400, and the film developed in PC-TEA 1+50 for 10 minutes. I really like this combination; heck, I like just about all films in PC-TEA.

So, once again, my thanks to literiter for the comprehensive instructions and photos.

Impressed by your precision. But what or who is a "literiter"?