MF Folder

R

rpinchbeck

Guest
I was out shooting with my big monster Pentax 67 the other day and it dawned on me, "I need something more portable". Any suggestions on MF Folders from the gang out there? I'm looking for a daily shooter, not a shelf queen, so optical qualities are of prime importance.

Cheers

Russ Pinchbeck
 
It's a bit early in the morning for stringing sentences together, so please excuse me:

645

Fuji GA folders - metered, compact, autofocus, AE, limited zoom on some models

Fuji GS folder - metered, compact, manual focus

6x6:

Mamiya 6 / 6 MF- Not a folder, but it has a retractable lens mount that makes it thin enough to fit easily in a bag or large coat pocket.

Agfa Isolette, Iskra, Old Mamiya 6, amongst others - all of these are old 6x6 folders with or without meters, and with coupled rangefinders. If you find one in good condition, you will get a lot of use from it. Some of them come with 645 format masks. A Franka Solida I (scale focus only, but I used an accessory rangefinder wth it) was a camera I brought around daily for a while.

Clarence
 
Last edited:
Does it really have to be a folder to be sufficiently compact? For light and small, look at the Fuji GS645S, the one with f/4 60mm. Carries like a feather, glorious glass. FWIW I love P67s too, and just shot a trial roll of 35mm today in one with a pano adaptor kit. These cams are definitely not discreet, but most 645 RFs are. Look at the Bronica RF too while you're at it. :D
 
rpinchbeck said:
I was out shooting with my big monster Pentax 67 the other day and it dawned on me, "I need something more portable". Any suggestions on MF Folders from the gang out there? I'm looking for a daily shooter, not a shelf queen, so optical qualities are of prime importance.

Cheers

Russ Pinchbeck
Click to expand...

If you really want a folder consider the Certo Six, really top quality glass (Tessar 80mm f2.8) reasonably compact, you may have to have the RF serviced however, most of them have the beam splitting mirror completely gone.
I had mine serviced by Newton-Ellis in the UK for £60, in the US you can have one serviced buy one of the top folder experts for $125, see http://www.certo6.com/services.html

Cheers
 
Bronica RF645

no question about it.

Unless you like Autofocus, in which case the Fuji 645zi.

but no, really, the Bronica.

http://www.shutterflower.com/RF645 review.htm

most of the folding cameras are going to have limitations that will make their small size seem larger.

Of course, the Plaubel Makina is another obvious choice. Even better than the Bronica. But more expensive per unit of utility.
 
Why not considering a Seagull 203?
I purchased one sample in excellent condition (nearly mint) for a low low price at a flea market (the seller did not know it was a real camera!), and it gives astonishing results: I tried also with a Fuji velvia slide film, nice colours and sharp details.
Once folded, it is perfectly pocketable in your photo jacket!
 
Clarence covered the territory well on this.

The more modern Fujica GS or the uber expensive, uber wonderful, Plaubel Makina will be quicker to use in the field and allow for people shots without you doing alot of fiddling when compared to pre-1960 folders.

The above rangefinders come a larger viewfinder than their older predecessors.

Of the older, more traditional, pre-1960 folders with coupled-rangefinders -AND- automat film winding, are Agfa Super Isolette, Mamiya 6 and Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta III / IV. Let us not forget the now going up in price - Iskra and Iskra II.

I believe that the late 50's Mamiya 6 even had a self- cocking shutter. as opposed to having to cock the shutter, after winding the film.

A coupled range finder and film winding that stops automatically at the next frame are the ticket when shooting candids of people or grabbing that second shot quickly on the street.

Less equipped folders - those with uncoupled RF units and ruby window film winding will still bring home the bacon - where the subject is willing to pose or isn't moving.

In this latter group of old-school shooter - opt for a front cell focusing Tessars or Tessar clone, mounted to a Synchro-Compur or Compur Rapid shutter. - There are 6x9 models in this latter group, as well. - Keep in mind that these older style folders are slower to use and require a bit of practice patience.

Zeiss Ikon's high-end folders have the best made bellows - Agfa and Fuji usually need a new set of bellows, if the original is still in place.
 
Here is a well kept secret: The Dacora Royal 6x6 with lever advance that cocks the shutter. Has an Ennagon 75mm f3.5 lens.

Wayne
 
I think TLR's are a better choice then folders,with all due respect,flatter film is one reason. TLRS dont have bellows,are light,very versatile and robust.

My two cents
 
If you were interested in something really pocketable,albeit in 35mm.,I have an Agfa Solinette 2,which I intend to post for sale on the site in the next couple of days.
It is extremely compact,but at the same time solidly built,with the feel of nice engineering.I bought this last Autumn when looking for an alternative to a bulky SLR,and put through a couple of rolls of XP2 with very nice results.I have since been seduced by FSU rangefinders,and so the Agfa is being ignored.I find having too many cameras confuses me too much,so would be glad to see this fine little camera go to someone more likely to use it.

Unfortunately no rangefinder.It has an Agfa Apotar 50mm/3.5 lens,with a Prontor SV Shutter with speeds frm B to 300.Has an Agfa push-on UV filter.Flash synchronised.The bellows are fine and light tight,and the strut/folding mechanism is as solid as a rock.Cosmetically very nice,clean,no scratches or dents,black vulcanite to body unmarked,just a little paint loss to the face of one edge adjacent to the folding platform.Chromework a little dull,but unpitted.No strap lugs,but original leather case,which is nicely scuffed.Outside the case the camera would fit easily into a normal pocket.

I laid out the princely sum of 25 pounds for it,and would sell on for the same sum
including reasonable postage cost.

If interested let me know,and I could organise a couple of pictures

Brian.
PS.Have a photocopy of the original 50's user manual.
 
My favourite folders are the Agfa Super Isolette, the Iskra, and the Moskva 5. The Super Isolette is in a class of it's own. The Iskra is also excellent, but harder to find in good condition. The Moskva with a little care to service it is also an excellent shooter (abeit a "lefty" one)

I have plenty of shots done with these folders in my Flikr gallery :D
 
Michael I. said:
I think TLR's are a better choice then folders,with all due respect,flatter film is one reason. TLRS dont have bellows,are light,very versatile and robust.

My two cents
Click to expand...

Actually, the Mamiya line from to my knowledge, the 2xx to the 330, all had bellows. However, since the poster is looking for something lighter rather than heavy, that would let the Mamiya TLRs out. Perhaps that is what you were referring to anyway Michael I.

Just keeping the record straight. :D
 
oftheherd said:
Actually, the Mamiya line from to my knowledge, the 2xx to the 330, all had bellows. However, since the poster is looking for something lighter rather than heavy, that would let the Mamiya TLRs out. Perhaps that is what you were referring to anyway Michael I.

Just keeping the record straight. :D
Click to expand...

Yes, you can see the bellows in my avatar. I think no TLR can be lighter than a folder, though.

The above comment about how missing functions on an old folder can make them seem heavier or more difficult to operate is very true. I suppose you'll have to decide whether you want to use it for rapid candids, in which case a modern Fuji might be the most compact and feasible option. The old folders with the cocking mechanisms coupled to the film advance would be best for portability, and still be able to pull off candids.

A scale of sizes might be helpful:

Small -> Large.

Old 6x6 folders
Fuji Folders
Old 6x9 Folders
Bronica 645
Mamiya 6
Mamiya 7
TLRs

Clarence
 
Last edited:
I can't speak highly enough of my Iskra. I haven't had it for more than a few months, but I do really enjoy using it and have been stunned by the quality of the lens. I find it easier to use than my Rolleiflex because it is a rangefinder, and it is small enough to consider taking travelling. I never would have travelled with the Rollei.

I don't have that many samples on-line, and they are just scans from 5x5 prints, but it does give you some idea of a quality:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sockeyed/tags/iskra/
 
Those are some nice shots made with the Iskra. I also noticed that the camera had lugs installed for a camera strap.
 
Yup, you can throw a strap on an Iskra. It also came with a very cool leather case, but I've put that in storage.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom