Hello and help?!

[robvienna]

Hi everyone,

I found this site via Google and Im looking for some information on a camera.

My father passed away recently and among his belongings is a folding camera, I'm pretty certain its the Franka Solida IIIe going off Google searches.

Now, its in really good condition and was just stored away in a cupboard.

Im toying with the idea of trying to use it but also would need to know its approx value for insuring it.

Is this a decent camera and is it easy to use? its got a Schneider lens on it..will it take really good photos? What sort of photo would it be best for taking?

Thanks!
Rob

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Rob,

Sorry to hear of your loss.

The camera is not worth enough to insure. Just try a roll of film. That will tell you far more about the sort of pics it will take than you will get from 100 internet responses.

Cheers,

R.

 

[hanskerensky]

Hello Rob,

I agree with Roger. No need for insuring. I have a Franka Werke Solida III which is a good folder with its Radionar lens. The IIIE you have is almost the same but has a rangefinder as extra.

Some basic functions you can learn from the manual of a Franka Solida II which you can find here :
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/solida/solida_6x6_i_ii.htm

Regards,

Hans

 

[Al Kaplan]

If you could determine a value based on recent ebay auctions (not too likely) your homeowners insurance should cover it. It probably wouldn't be worth the trouble.

 

[FallisPhoto]

Hi everyone,

I found this site via Google and Im looking for some information on a camera.

My father passed away recently and among his belongings is a folding camera, I'm pretty certain its the Franka Solida IIIe going off Google searches.

Now, its in really good condition and was just stored away in a cupboard.

Im toying with the idea of trying to use it but also would need to know its approx value for insuring it.

Is this a decent camera and is it easy to use? its got a Schneider lens on it..will it take really good photos? What sort of photo would it be best for taking?

Thanks!
Rob

I am assuming that the Schneider lens is a Radionar. This is a three element lens and it will shoot very nice photos if you shoot with the aperture set between f/8 and f/16. At larger apertures, you'll get some blurring in the corners, but sometimes this can be a good thing. If you have a Xenar on there, then you'll only get the blurring in the corners when shooting wide open.

Freshly detailed and cleaned, lubricated and adjusted, you might get anywhere from $150 to $250 for it -- if you can find a buyer (there is a guy named Jurgen Kreckel who seems to have no difficulty dong just that). Thing is, it would cost you between $80 and $130 to get the work done. You'll almost certainly have to get it CLAd to use it, because the old lubricant in it will have dried up and slowed down your shutter speeds to the point where it will be unusable. However, once CLAd, it will take photos that are as good as you are capable of taking. If you have a decent exposure meter, or if you are halfway good at sunny-16, the biggest limiting factor is your own skill. If it is really in good condition, it will shoot photos that are more detailed than those from any of even the most modern 35mm cameras out there and (between f/8 and f/16) it is as good as many modern medium format cameras.

 

[robvienna]

Thanks so much for the replies everyone, I'm definitely keeping it and I suppose it has a more sentimental value than money wise.

I'm impressed its capable of taking more detailed shots than modern 35mms, for a 50+ year old camera that's good going.

I'll see if I can find a place to service it and get some film, can you buy the film at any decent camera shop?

Looks like I have a lot of reading to do too as I've not heard of sunny 16 either!

 

[oftheherd]

After six days, I am guessing you answered you own question by going to a photo store. Most either have it, can get it, or can tell you where to get it. Many Ritz stores still carry it, but sadly, many don't these days. I get mine from a camera store about 15 miles or so away. They offer all types of film and cameras, new and used. Not as convenient as going down the block, but they are full service, and develop 120 and up to 4x5 in store. Who wouldn't give them business?

The library is a good place for books, as are used book stores. Mr. Roger Hicks who often posts here has a web site that can answer any question you could have about cameras and film as well.