looking for a 120 folder: Bessa II vs Super Ikonta C MX

[Dez]

Here's my very favourite folder, the Konica Pearl IV 6 x 4.5. It has an excellent large VF/RF, coupled and with true projected framelines, automatic film stop and double-exposure prevention (although you can do one if you really want). It is almost certainly the most advanced of the vintage folders.

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Pearl_IV

They are quite scarce, and generally fetch a very high price when they do show up, almost always in Japan. I hunted for years before finding one that required a bit of simple TLC at a decent price.



This is a beautiful little camera, and a pleasure to use.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[f16sunshine]

Here's my very favourite folder, the Konica Pearl IV 6 x 4.5. It has an excellent large VF/RF, coupled and with true projected framelines, automatic film stop and double-exposure prevention (although you can do one if you really want). It is almost certainly the most advanced of the vintage folders.

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Pearl_IV

They are quite scarce, and generally fetch a very high price when they do show up, almost always in Japan. I hunted for years before finding one that required a bit of simple TLC at a decent price.



This is a beautiful little camera, and a pleasure to use.

Cheers,
Dez

I have never found one. 🙁
Dez, when/if you're ever ready to sell give us a bell yeah? 😀

 

[graywolf]

I have to second the comment about the squinty viewfinder on the Bessa II. Not being able to see the whole frame easily while wearing glasses stopped me from using mine. The Color Heliar is a great lens though.

Unfortunately, that applies to almost all of the old folding cameras. Come to think of it it applies to almost all the old cameras of any kind. About the only really decent eye level vf prior to the 60's was the Lieca M series's. That was one of the reasons TLR's were so popular back then.

 

[Ernst Dinkla]

Here's my very favourite folder, the Konica Pearl IV 6 x 4.5. It has an excellent large VF/RF, coupled and with true projected framelines, automatic film stop and double-exposure prevention (although you can do one if you really want). It is almost certainly the most advanced of the vintage folders.

Dez

The Konica view/rangefinders of the MF and 35mm models were the state of the art at that time and Leitz nor Zeiss delivered a similar quality. Polaroid used the Konica design for the 110B Pathfinder. Dante Stella has written on the subject. In second place for MF folders I would put the Iskra view/rangefinder based on my own use of it, the Ensign Autorange 820 most likely is a good candidate too and the Mamiya 6 folder should be fine. In MF folders up to the mid 1960's they are the exception I guess.


Ernst Dinkla

 

[johannielscom]

Weapon of choice: Zeiss-Ikon Super Ikonta B 532/16.

Yes it focuses lefthand (preferred in my case) and yes it allows for only 11 care-free exposures, but it is built like a tank and I have a BPM Ikometer with mine, that reduces minimal focusing distance by 50% to 0.75 mtrs, making it very suitable for portraits.

I own a prewar one (1937), with uncoated Tessar 2.8/80mm and will likely get me a postwar one with a coated Opton Tessar too.

The uncoated Tessar I love for both B&W and color, the muted colours are real eye catchers when combined with other, modern-day digital SLR shots in a single shoot. In B&W it 'slows the eye down', I can see my clients take their time more, to take a picture in.

 

[BobBill]

Here's my very favourite folder, the Konica Pearl IV 6 x 4.5. It has an excellent large VF/RF, coupled and with true projected framelines, automatic film stop and double-exposure prevention (although you can do one if you really want). It is almost certainly the most advanced of the vintage folders.

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Pearl_IV

They are quite scarce, and generally fetch a very high price when they do show up, almost always in Japan. I hunted for years before finding one that required a bit of simple TLC at a decent price.



This is a beautiful little camera, and a pleasure to use.

Cheers,
Dez

+1. Not to divert this thread.

Yours is a "IV" as you know.

I have a "I" or plain Pearl. An exquisite machine, in a very small package. It may be a 645, but it is a slick machine, if not also ingenious.

I have a nice case but do not trust old leather, so I use the case to shield the camera and use a strap attached in the tripod socket as a safety and occasional carry device.

I might have to find a IV not...

BTW, if I may ask, do you know who does repairs on the Pearls etc?

Dodger Bob resides in SE MN.

 

[Vickko]

Love this thread. I have both, a Heliar Bessa II, and the Super Ikonta C. Love them both, for their image taking qualities and their mechanical quirks. They are machines from a different age.