Folders - to Fold or not to Fold?

[fgianni]

I have just had a Certo Six serviced by Newton-Ellis, I plan to use it the coming weekend.

 

[oftheherd]

I have had a Welta Welta for years. My first one I inherited from my father. The second I got from the 'bay. They are very pocketable. They are not RF. Welta made a 35mm RF called a Weltini. They usually go for more money than I wish to pay. Welta also made I think two ro three MF folders, as well as several non-RF folders. I have a couple of the non-RF folders and like them very well also. Again, as MF, very easy to carry around. Others have already mentioned other RF folders, none of which you would hate if you got them. Good luck in your quest.

 

[Laurence]

Just pulled out of the post office with an Agfa Isolette III with CLA, Solinar 85/4.5, and new bellows from Jurgen Kreckel.

Yes, the bellows IS red, so what's wrong with that? 😎

It is the result of a heavy Gear Acqusition Syndrome attack of the first magnitude. This was a particularly vicious attack with pandemic overtones.

I have a great scanner for medium format, so will put out some results soon.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Ha, I should have asked him to pimp my ride with a red bellows too! Red for a red camera.

 

[Laurence]

Ha, I should have asked him to pimp my ride with a red bellows too! Red for a red camera.

Well, YEAH! You mean you DIDN'T go red? 😱

The Moskva is a beauty, I'm sure. I've heard and read about the lenses on a par with, if not sharper than, some of the Tessar formulas.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I didn't think in time.
The Industar-24 on the Moskva 5 is a 4 element, 3 group (tessar) design.
I only got a few shots out of mine before I sent it out. Lots of light leaks, but they looked encouraging.

 

[Laurence]

I didn't think in time.
The Industar-24 on the Moskva 5 is a 4 element, 3 group (tessar) design.
I only got a few shots out of mine before I sent it out. Lots of light leaks, but they looked encouraging.

I JUST saw previous to reading your post, on the Medium Format pages showing that the Industar-24 was present on Moskvas! Wow, now there's a hell of a recommendation to look at that camera, simply on the lens alone.

It is great that you sent it in for CLA to come back as a real "user" camera, man. Great thinking. And, I'm sure the black bellows will not hurt a bit. 🙂 Just looking at the Moskva on a shelf can be pretty stunning.

The reason I'm so ill right now with the GAS situation: In this month of March I've brazenly acquired the Agfa Isolette III, the Zorki-4 with Jupter 8, and the Bessa L with CV 21/4. It's FRIGHTENING.

 

[Laurence]

I have just had a Certo Six serviced by Newton-Ellis, I plan to use it the coming weekend.

Would LOVE to see some scanned images from the Certo.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Ha, I should have asked him to pimp my ride with a red bellows too! Red for a red camera.

I have an original "non-pimped" red folder, an Adox Rouge 6x9, it has a schneider Radionar (triplet)...


Todd

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I would stick to the Tessar/or Tessar copy equiped models, though I have an Iskra and it's the bomb!

Todd

 

[dazedgonebye]

Laurence,
I'll be excited to get it back. I hope in the next week or so. Pictures of and by, soon to follow.

Todd,
I love the Adox styling. Very handsome camera indeed.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I would stick to the Tessar/or Tessar copy equiped models, though I have an Iskra and it's the bomb!

Todd

Isn't the Iskra a tessar too? Industar-58?

 

[Laurence]

I have an original "non-pimped" red folder, an Adox Rouge 6x9, it has a schneider Radionar (triplet)...


Todd

What a STUNNING folder. I can't get enough of just LOOKING at the beauty of something like that. Talk about pride in workmanship. I really like the depth of field "fadeout" in the image of the Adox.

The black and white image is crisp and clean with good edge sharpness, at least from what I can see from the web image. I would bet the "real thing" is a fine looking print.

These folding cameras such as your Adox seem like they should be something that is encased in glass.

 

[Krosya]

So, guys? How are your new or upgaded/updated folder? Are you enjoying them? Do you have any photos to share yet?
Waiting. 😉

George

 

[dazedgonebye]

I'm still waiting for it to come back.
I sent it to certo6 just before he went on vacation. I thought it would be done by now, but I haven't heard from him.
I did get to ask him for a red bellows before he started.

 

[trittium]

I own a Mamiya 6 folder, it is pretty nice, and has fairly sharp glass. I also have a Cero Dolly Super Sport RF with an uncoated Zeiss Tessar Lens. Both are about the same size and very pocketable. A lot nicer to use for medium format than my tlr. I would say go for it. Stock up on them if you want. They aren't too expensive, and are fun. There is nothing like the look on someones face when you unfold the camera.

 

[Buze]

I have, and use, quite a bunch of 120 folders. I have 2 Super Ikonta C 530/2 (coupled rangefinder), one Moskva 5, 2 Iskras and one Agfa Super Isolette. Oh and a Jsolette V that I don't shoot.

The cream of the crop is the Super Isolette IMO, the Iskra is indeed very similar, but the build quality of the Isolette is really outstanding. The Iskra, when they work, are also exceptional, but it's touch and go to get one that work. I had to spend a huge amount of time CLAding mine.

The Moskva 5 also needs some adjustment, but once it's done it's really a great camera, I don't even mind the "lefty" shooting.

The Super Ikontas 6x9s are superb too, mine are both pre-war so are uncoated unfortunately. What is really amazing on the zeiss is that they are still in perfect mecanical order, with superb construction, even after 70 years. The Ikontas are a considerably smaller than the Moskva 5, they fold smaller while still being superbly rigid, they have a right handed rangefinder. So they are indeed great shooters. I'd be tempted to send one of these Tessars to be coated...

Also, contrary to "common knowledge" mostly spread by people selling new bellows, NONE of my folders had pinholes in the bellows. Other leaks yes, but the bellows are all good.
Another "common knowledge" bit is the lack of film flatness on the 6x9s; most problems are due to the flat springs that hold the film "tense" at each ends lacking tension. Once you bend them back into doing their job properly, and follow a few rules ( 1: unfold the camera SLOWLY to prevent "bellow" effect to suck the film inside the chamber 2 : wind only when you are ready to shoot) the film flatness is fine.

My collection :

 

[pesphoto]

Havent used a folder before, though I have some old ones in my collection. I'll have to take a closer look now and see what I have there and if they are possible users.

 

[jon_flanders]

So, guys? How are your new or upgaded/updated folder? Are you enjoying them? Do you have any photos to share yet?
Waiting. 😉

George

Here';s a picture I just took with my Iskra 2, of a theater in Troy denuded of it's marquee by the city administration, which caused quite an uproar.

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/st...ategory=RENSSELAER&BCCode=&newsdate=4/27/2006

 

[jon_flanders]

So, guys? How are your new or upgaded/updated folder? Are you enjoying them? Do you have any photos to share yet?
Waiting. 😉

George

And another Iskra 2, taken last winter that shows the lens off .