Parallax compensation in 120 folding cameras

[literiter]

My Certo Six has a ingenious system to compensate for parallax, but my Super Ikontas, Moskva 5, do not.

Surely there must be another RF 120mm folding camera of similar vintage, other than the Certo Six with parallax compensation.

Can anyone enlighten me?

Thank you.

 

[Pherdinand]

you can't normally focus very close with them. I don't think it is a big issue.
I see it on my rolleiflex directly what are the parallax compensation frames doing. They ain't moving that much at all.

For a very tight composition..maybe.

 

[literiter]

you can't normally focus very close with them. I don't think it is a big issue.
I see it on my rolleiflex directly what are the parallax compensation frames doing. They ain't moving that much at all.

For a very tight composition..maybe.

You are right, of course.

My old Rolleiflexes compensate, My Leica Ms compensate, but none of my 35mm folders do.

Is it possible only the Certo 6 has this ability at present?

 

[wallace]

The Fuji GS645 has parallax compensation. But like the Certo, it hase some built in faults which I personally don't like...

 

[oftheherd]

Chippy will probably chime in with better information on what Welta did than I can. The Welta Welti (35mm folder) had compensation as did at least one of their 6x6/645 folders but I can't recall which and I am not at home to look. It was done with a latch that let the viewfinder hinge up from the back. I never thought it did all that well, but at least it was something. Neither of these are RF however.

I am not aware of any of their RF that compensated. As I said, maybe Chippy can provide some insight on any of their RF that did.

 

[chippy]

nah oftheherd, dont underestimate yourself, your quite right.

the welta welti and all the welta 35mm cameras did except the rangefinda model (weltini)

as did the welta weltax (the 120 film model you were thinking of), its quite capable too but not a rangefinda camera.

the 120 coupled rangefinda camera with fixed lens (not front cell focusing) do focus closer so parralex can become a bit of an issue but really is easy to compensate manualy and besides with a neg that big a little cropping isnt missed.

i think the certo 6 is quite unique with this feature although there may be a japanese camera that i cant remember at the moment that parralex corrects as well (could be mistaken tho)

 

[Leigh Youdale]

Bessa Parrallax

Bessa Parrallax

The two Bessa I cameras I have feature a basic parrallax correction in the viewfinder. For both the 6x9 and the 6x4.5 frame sizes there are 'straight' (infinity) and 1 metre distance views selectable by turning the knurled wheel in the top housing. Neither camera has a coupled rangefinder, though.

 

[Abbazz]

i think the certo 6 is quite unique with this feature although there may be a japanese camera that i cant remember at the moment that parralex corrects as well (could be mistaken tho)

Maybe you're referring to the Konica Pearl IV. Often described as the "most advanced folding rangefinder camera ever made" (Jason Schneider), it featured an advanced film winding mechanism with automatic stop, a truly excellent unit focusing 5 element 75mm/3.5 Hexar lens and a combined range & viewfinder with true projected frame ala Leica. The Pearl IV's viewfinder was indeed a masterpiece. It featured not only parallax compensation, but also field size correction, with the frame lines shrinking as the user focused closer. Better than any Leica!

Picture linked from http://www.hayatacamera.co.jp/article/photo200705.html

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[chippy]

that is one beautiful camera Abbazz thanks for the reminder and posting the pic. i bet they would be a pleasure to use. i have never seen one myself.

have you had the oppotunity to hold or use one...just wondering if you can you tell me more about the frame lines . as you mention that they shrink but the camerapedia link you gave says they dont.

also if you dont mind me saying i like your site although i try not to look to often as it usually causes me to want to go out and buy a fuji gl690!! (oops i think its a GL model anyway)...lucky for my wallet whenever i have there havn't been any for sale that i was happy with, and i missed that whole kit that was for sale a while back. i find i tend to use 6x9 more and more tho and the ability to use a wide angle in particular for me would be beificial. its just so easy and a nice size neg compared to others and my large format stuff (which i still like) is good but is less convienient.

 

[Abbazz]

have you had the oppotunity to hold or use one...just wondering if you can you tell me more about the frame lines . as you mention that they shrink but the camerapedia link you gave says they dont.

Unfortunately, I have never used one, as these cameras seem to inhabit the safes of camera collectors more than the shelves of real photographers. I got the part about parallax correction from Jason Schneider's "On Camera Collecting," which is usually an accurate reference, but he might have confused "parallax correction" and "field of view correction."

also if you dont mind me saying i like your site although i try not to look to often as it usually causes me to want to go out and buy a fuji gl690!! (oops i think its a GL model anyway)...lucky for my wallet whenever i have there havn't been any for sale that i was happy with, and i missed that whole kit that was for sale a while back. i find i tend to use 6x9 more and more tho and the ability to use a wide angle in particular for me would be beificial. its just so easy and a nice size neg compared to others and my large format stuff (which i still like) is good but is less convienient.

Thanks for the kind words. 6x9 is indeed the coolest format if you want to retain your financial sanity by staying away from the slippery slope of large format.

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[David Goldfarb]

Wow, that looks like a great little camera. I've never seen one. I guess I'll just hold out for the Fuji.

 

[Spider67]

The Retina IIC/IIIC are 35mm RF-folders with parallax correction abd frames for their lenses and even the stereo outfit.

@ Chippy. I like "rangefinda"! sounds somewaht cool

 

[Ernst Dinkla]

Polaroids Pathfinders

Polaroids Pathfinders

Maybe you're referring to the Konica Pearl IV. The Pearl IV's viewfinder was indeed a masterpiece. It featured not only parallax compensation, but also field size correction, with the frame lines shrinking as the user focused closer. Better than any Leica!


Picture linked from http://www.hayatacamera.co.jp/article/photo200705.html

Cheers!

Abbazz

Though not strictly a 120 folder the Polaroid Pathfinders instant rollfilm folder cameras, 110A, 110B, 120, 150 and several other related models have parallax and field of view compensation. The 110B and the 900 in a combined range- and viewfinder that borrowed a lot from the Konica Paerl IV one. Several of them have been converted to packfilm and some to 120 film. I have converted a 150 to Polaroid packfilm. Nice original design.


Ernst Dinkla

 

[FallisPhoto]

My Certo Six has a ingenious system to compensate for parallax, but my Super Ikontas, Moskva 5, do not.

Surely there must be another RF 120mm folding camera of similar vintage, other than the Certo Six with parallax compensation.

Can anyone enlighten me?

Thank you.

I believe that at least a few Weltas and Baldas had parallax compensation, in both their 35mm and medium format cameras.