Folding Bessa 6x9 Pics

[portia]

Bessa II

Bessa II

Hi, thanks!

I don't remember the aperture or shutter speed exactly, however, it was not on a tripod. I think I set it on a railing and it was probably less than 1/2 second, and it was not wide open. Sorry about that.

Yes, I have a Mamiya 7II, as well as several Zeiss Ikon folders in addition to the Bessa II (and non-rangefinders too) But the Bessa II is one of the early favorites of mine, with the built-in rangefinder. It actually has a Color-Skopar 1:3.5/105 lens.

I will post more pics from it if I take/find some more worth posting!

 

[portia]

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Hi, this is another photo taken recently with the Bessa II, from the wharf looking b ack at the Boardwalk of Santa Cruz. Velvia 50 chrome, f/11 at 1/50. Not that great a photo, but gives you a feeling of the summertime here in California!

 

[Nachkebia]

what a sharpness! :O
Can I see more images?

 

[Krosya]

Don't you just love those old folders? I seem to use those the most these days. Keep posting.
George

 

[rbit9n]

hello everybody!
i'm owner of pre-war bessa RF, also known as e-messer. i found this tred, while looking for some information, about this model of voigtlaender. the camera i own is supplied with helomar 105/3,5. as thay say, it's the worst lens mounted in this model, but i love it as it is.

below some samples from my camera.

Peter

 

[kuzano]

One question: are the Bellows of your Folder ok? or did you have to repair them?

My isolettes bellow is full of pinholes but my Rodenstock folder with leather bellows is ok....what are the bessas bellows made of?

Agfas were notorious for poor bellows as they aged. I've had about a dozen old Voightlanders... bessas.. Perkeos, etc. Never had a bad bellows in the lot.

Not saying you won't get a bad one considering 50 to 70 year old cameras with varied care... but my personal experience has been good.

Same with Mamiya Six folders. (only 6X6)

My favorite Voigtlander was a Bessa I with the Color Skopar lens (coated) and the mask for dual format 6X4.5 and 6X9. Very difficult to find one with the mask still included with the camera.

 

[jan normandale]

hello everybody!
i'm owner of pre-war bessa RF, also known as e-messer. i found this tred, while looking for some information, about this model of voigtlaender. the camera i own is supplied with helomar 105/3,5. as thay say, it's the worst lens mounted in this model, but i love it as it is.

below some samples from my camera.

Peter

Your lens has character. It's not always about sharpness. You've a nice camera there!

What's the story on the first and last image?

 

[rjbuzzclick]

Here's two from a couple of lower end scale focus Bessa 6x9's:

 

[retnull]

I bought an early Bessa I on Ebay for $10. Amazingly, it arrived in beautiful condition, and produces lovely results. It doesn't get used as much as it should, unfortunately... I will try to post some images later.

 

[jnoir]

I own a Bessa IIE (or RF, seems to depend on who you ask) from the '50s with its original box, and Heliar lens. Since I think I have not seen any sample of this lens in this post, I will upload a sample from the ones I have on hand (there was no hood, hence the flare, Sun was just in front of me but I wanted to test the coating and formulation, and since there was strong light, I find it quite competent)

Shot around f/16 and 1/250, on Tri-X 400 developed with HC-110, scanned with an Epson V500 Photo using iscan and levels automatically adjusted with The Gimp.

 

[JPD]

One question: are the Bellows of your Folder ok? or did you have to repair them?

My isolettes bellow is full of pinholes but my Rodenstock folder with leather bellows is ok....what are the bessas bellows made of?

This is an old question, but I think it deserves a good answer for future readers.

Agfa used a bad quality faux leather for their bellows from the 1930's well in to the 50's. It's like laquered paper. Almost all Isolettes and Billy Records have bad bellows with pinholes. Agfa also used a grease that hardened with age, making the focus ring stiff.

Voigtländer, Zeiss, Balda, Welta, german Kodak and many other manufacturers used quality real leather bellows. Rodenstock didn't make their own cameras, only the lenses. Their branded cameras were made by Balda Werk.

 

[jnoir]

Actually, I'd say Isolette's bellows were made out of vynil with some kind of cloth backing (I've heard it was made by "spraying" vinyl or similar rubberized material over this fabric to "seal" it). And as mntioned, other manufacturers used better materials (in Spain it is called "polipiel", kind of synthetic leather), but again I'd say very few used actual leather for their bellows...