Folding camera: what do you suggest?

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AGX2015

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I want to try to shoot in 6x6 format, what type of folding camera do you suggest with a superb lens ?

I read that most of the folder camera, if in good condition can give very good results, that are comparable to the most modern reflex.

Can you confirm?
 
AGX2015 said:
I want to try to shoot in 6x6 format, what type of folding camera do you suggest with a superb lens ?

I read that most of the folder camera, if in good condition can give very good results, that are comparable to the most modern reflex.

Can you confirm?
Click to expand...

I can't confirm your assumption, as it depends on cameras used, on condition, on expectations.
Point is that large negative exposed using decent lens is less demanding as it gets enlarged less. Cheap triplet maxed out at MF isn't going to beat top spec lens in 135 used at its sweet spot, I believe. Also film choice is important.

But I feel that using folder even like cheap Zeiss Ikonta with triplet will give one rewarding negatives. There just are uses when cheap folder is worth it and when it's not.
 
There's a number of suitable candidates you might look at. Ones with coupled rangefinders are more convenient to focus at closer distances, e.g. Agfa Super Isolette, or one of the Zeiss folders (someone else here can give you model numbers, or look at Certo 6's website).

Edit: The Zeiss Super Ikonta IV seems to be the model I'm thinking of, with lovely Zeiss Tessar f3.5

I have a Voigtlander Perkeo II Color-Skopar f3.5, with an accessory rangefinder. The results are very good but one with a coupled RF would be my preference.
 
My favorite is the Agfa Super-Isolette. It has an Ansco twin, Super Speedex.

As said above, with old folders it depends on condition. Be prepared to change bellows and go through a CLA.
 
It depends on your requirements. I want automated cooking of shutter when winding the film, double exposure preventure and automatic winding without the need to watch the film number in the red window. And a lens with aperture of 3.5
or faster and a rangefinder
This limits the list of available cameras. On top of my list are the Bada Baldix or Agfa Super Isolette. Drawback of such cameras are the price and the complex mechanics.
If you can live without the features look for a Balda 29 or a Franka Solida with the 2,8 lens.
 
Mamiya 6 is a great camera/lens at a reasonable price.

Fujica and Olympus Six camera's are also a great bargain.

A word of warning, avoid using Certo6.com

We've had mixed reviews here on RFF, I took the chance myself, and was extremely dissapointed with a CLA. Ive heard better things from people who bought his already serviced camera's, but even then it may be a longshot gamble.

Ide say, find something you like the looks of, and grab it. Alot of these old folders have similiar lenses that are all of good quality.
 
Is there any reason why you're specifically looking for a folder? For 6x6 there are also SLRs (like Kiev88, Mamiya, Hasselblad), TLRs (Rolleicord/Rolleiflex, Yashica Mat, Minolta Autocord), and rangefinders (Mamiya 6).

The Mamiya 6 has extremely sharp interchangeable lenses, if that's what you're after. None of the folders have interchangeable lenses, as far as I'm aware.
 
There are few medium format folders with truly superb lenses - for most makers, a Tessar type lens was the top lens option on their top folder. If that is not enough, you'd be stuck with Voigtländer among old folders (who sold some of their top Bessa models with a Heliar or Apo-Lanthar), or the (Nikon lens equipped) Makina 67 and Fuji GF670/Bessa III among modern ones. In either case, expect to pay more than you'd have to pay for a used Hassy 503 CW with 80mm lens.
 
You need to be more specific in explaining your expectations and intended use to get useful recommendations. All things being equal (which they aren't, but it's a starting point), consider the following basic strengths:

Folders: compact

TLRs: simple, robust

SLRs: interchangeable lenses, TTL view

I prefer TLRs when compactness is not an issue, but for travel it's hard to beat a folder. Tell us what you want you want to do with the camera and we'll be able to offer more specific advice.
 
I have several 35mm camera and now i want to try a 120mm experience, the more simple and cheap solutions with high quality.
 
In that case I'd say you're probably better off with a TLR. There are lots of options available cheaply, and fewer potential problems than a folder. As far as the lens options, the same basic information that applies to folders also applied to TLRs. The best price to performance ratio will be in the Tessar-type 4 element/3 group lenses, which are common, good, and cheap. There are lots of manufacturers to choose from - TLRs were very popular for several decades following the war.
 
Inexpensive related to image quality.

For a vintage folder, I can't recomend the Voigtlander Bessa ii Rangefinder cameras highly enough.
These are 6x9 cameras. They are offered with a variety of lenses.
The Color Skopar f3.5/105mm is a Tessar. It is Excellent.
The Color Heliar f3.5/105mm is as it's name says a Heliar.
The Heliar seems to have crisper details at wide open.
These cameras actually do quite well even at full aperture.

Here is the color skopar Tmax400 in Tmax Developer
Tmax 400@400 Tmax dev003 by Adnan, on Flickr

The Color Heliar version of this Camera is my Favorite 6x9. Tmax 400 in Rodinal 1:100 stand 1hr
When it really is love. by Adnan, on Flickr



If you can spend a bit more the Fuji GF670 is the pinacle of Folding MF cameras.
You can chose between 6x7 and 6x6 frame masks. The Camera has the quitetest AE shutter ever.
It's delivers a beautiful sharp image with accuarte focus in a bright clear easy to use VF.

GF 670 Tri-x400 @400, Rodinal 1:50, 14 mins at 20c
4 by Adnan, on Flickr


GF670, Across, Rodinal stand 1:100 1hr
steering. by Adnan, on Flickr
 
AGX2015 said:
I have several 35mm camera and now i want to try a 120mm experience, the more simple and cheap solutions with high quality.
Click to expand...

You are smarter than me. To me this occured after several tens of 35mm cameras.
Just to try, triplet of decent make will not disappoint. Tessars go for much more except you luck out and have it from someone not knowing what he sells.

I have several Zeiss Ikontas and they are joy to use, but Adoxes also aren't bad, they just have to be revived (like Ikontas had). As you know there are no fully working cameras after 40-70 years of lying idle.
 
Strangely enough, most of these old folders produce wonderful pictures. Condition of the lens, bellows, and shutter making more difference than which model you have.

From my collection I can recommend:

Low end-- Ansco B2 Speedex, with the Bakelite top. 3 element 85mm f4.5 lens, slow to medium speed shutter. No range finder. Small and light fits in a pants pocket.

Mid end-- Hapo 66E (Rebranded Mess Baldix) uncoupled RF, 3 element f4.5 75mm lens. Only mid-speeds on shutter (B + 1/25-1/200). Small, light, fits in pants pocket. This is my favorite carry camera.

High end- Iskra. Large, heavy, you are not going to carry it in your pants pocket. It does have strap lugs, however. f3.5 75mm, 4-elment lens (Some consider this to be the best all the tessar pattern lens. Certainly the lens is very good, or Iskra users on this list are a lot better at scanning than users of other cameras). Full range of shutter speeds. Coupled RF, full auto frame setting. Mine has a very heavy RF movement, that I have determined is because some soviet era camera repairman did not have the correct springs. I have not gotten around to fixing that due to health problems. This is a serious camera for serious photographers.

Those are recommendations base upon the working cameras in my collection. AND, that is the most important consideration in a user camera. It must be in good working condition.
 
Another choice would be the Moskva-5 cameras, they can be shot as 6x6 or 6x9 format, depending on which internal mask you select. Simple to use, durable.

17101436992_2dd5c25185.jpg
 
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