classic 120 folder: build quality

[nhchen]

6x9: Welta Weltur (unfortunately rare) or Bessa RF with Heliar (half prized than Bessa II), both uncoated, but, if properly used, who cares?

6x6: Agfa Super Isolette or Super Ikonta III or IV

+1 Welta Weltur, I have a 6x6 model with a unit focusing tessar lens and it is very well built, very solid.
And what about a Mamiya-six folder? The lens doesn't move at all and instead moves the film plane to focus, so its very solid also.

nathan

 

[Pioneer]

In 6x6 I find the Super Isolette to be very accurate and quite reliable. If I want better 6x6 I go grab a TLR.

For 6x9 I tend to like the Bessa II (mine has a Color Skopar), but I also use and like my Billy Record III. I used to have a Fuji GL690 but I sold it. It is a lot easier to pack the Bessa around and the images are very good.

 

[Roger Hicks]

After 40, 50, 60 years, condition is likely to matter a lot more than original build quality. At least, assuming you're talking about top quality cameras such as Leica and Voigtländer. Some cameras started out as little better than junk...

Cheers,

R.

 

[RichL]

I use a Mamiya 6V and a Super Ikonta III. Both are quality cameras well worth considering. The Ikonta will fit (snugly) in my Levi's back pocket while the Mamiya needs it's case or a large jacket pocket.

 

[KM-25]

Signed on to research the camera I just paid for for travel work, the Agfa Super Isolette. It is a higher serial #, been CLA'd and is in mint condition, nice to hear they are worth the effort. One question though, coming from an M3 and a Xpan, how are the frame lines and RF patch?

 

[Robert Lai]

My Super Isolette is at home, and I'm at work. From memory, the RF patch is round. Visibility is excellent in the finder. Framing is accurate enough for me. There is no parallax correction, so when you're shooting up close you need to raise the camera slightly to compensate.

 

[Pioneer]

Signed on to research the camera I just paid for for travel work, the Agfa Super Isolette. It is a higher serial #, been CLA'd and is in mint condition, nice to hear they are worth the effort. One question though, coming from an M3 and a Xpan, how are the frame lines and RF patch?

No framelines. It is a circular viewfinder with a circular rangefinder patch in the center. Mine is very contrasty and is easy to use even inside the house. As mentioned, there is no parallax correction so you make your own adjustments.

You do have to adjust the focus back to infinity to close the front. Since it has an interlock this is not too hard to remember. Just don't get hamfisted and try to force it closed.