Quality?

[furcafe]

Sounds to me that you've just had some bad examples of MF folders & are paying the price for going the "discount" route.

I think you hit the nail on the head when you note that you could have, & IMHO should have, bought a "better and recently CLA'd folder." In my experience, a good, CLA'd & properly operating/calibrated, top of the line folder like a Super Ikonta B, Super Ikonta IV, or Agfa Super Isolette/Ansco Super Speedex, will cost about $250-350, but be a good, reliable shooter.

RFs in general, & folders in particular, have a lot more parts that can go wrong than an SLR. They also have some functional drawbacks, particularly lack of close focusing ability. That said, there are many folders out there, like the ones I mentioned above, that can do a very good job for general photography. They aren't as versatile as MF SLRs, but they aren't huge beasts, either. Because of their portability, I can use my Super Ikontas & Super Isolettes like I use a 35mm RF, whether I'm taking a landscape-type shot (http://static.flickr.com/26/101474859_3ad6862a44_o.jpg), a street shot (http://static.flickr.com/15/19234821_55aa5291ad_o.jpg), or an environmental portrait for a web site (http://static.flickr.com/33/45519736_6e3feff7f9_o.jpg). While they aren't super-sharp like those from a modern multi-coated lens, they're good enough for my purposes & I didn't have to schlep around a big SLR.

I'
All of this is rather frustrating. I'd hoped for reasonable quality MF in a folder and it is just so hit and miss! I could buy a better and recently CLA'd folder from certo6 on ebay, but the better ones go for a couple of hundred dollars. Money that could go towards a more modern MF RF solution.

On the other hand, most modern MF RF sollutions are $500 + (with most being WAY ++++).

I'm beginning to think I'm wasting my time and money in this direction.

Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[Todd.Hanz]

My appologies to "her."
I suspect one of the better lenses that Balda offered might make a difference. I like the handling overall. One on ebay right now sports the Schneider-Kreuznach Radionar 1:2,9/80 mm. I think I've read good things about that version.

The Radionar is a triplet, three element lens that gives that classic "softer" look. It sounds like you'd be happier with a Zeiss "Tessar" or Tessar copy like some of those listed by RJ-. I have a Radionar on my Adox and I like the results, but it's not as sharp as my Iskra (Tessar copy). Here are a couple samples from my Radionar.

Todd

 

[dazedgonebye]

The Radionar is a triplet, three element lens that gives that classic "softer" look. It sounds like you'd be happier with a Zeiss "Tessar" or Tessar copy like some of those listed by RJ-. I have a Radionar on my Adox and I like the results, but it's not as sharp as my Iskra (Tessar copy). Here are a couple samples from my Radionar.

Todd

Thanks for that tidbit. I usually find out that stuff right after my winning bid.
:bang:

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Jurgen (Certo6) has a website with descriptions and samples from some old folders, if you haven't been there yet here is the link: http://www.certo6.com/gallery.html. Look at his site, he gives some good advice and describes the folders well with sample pictures he has taken.

What I've found is the more expensive folders have better lenses and coupled rangefinders, a classic case of you get what you pay for.

good luck!
Todd

 

[jano]

Hrrm.. I've read through this thread carefully. But I'm still confused. And methinks I need a little help deciding what to do. I'd like..

1. something in square format (note necessary, but I'm really digging it on the iskra)
2. it relatively inexpensive
3. good build quality
4. sharp, high rez lens

If I go SLR, I think I'd have to go with an autofocus, my eyesite sucks and I've never been able to sucessfully focus a manual SLR. That's why I like rangefinders so much. But in the rangefinder category, it seems the only options are the bronica, mamiya, or various folders. I miss taking pictures of bugs.

Then I start wondering, why not just get a canon 5d or the nikon d200? I mean, ultimately my photos go into the confuser, and I'll be needing a scanner, and digital is just so much quicker than scanning 🙁 I already have a dozen MF rolls here, waiting to do something with them 😛

But then I realize, I really like making my own B&W 🙂
Hrrrm!

Oh, one more thing... how on earth do most of you find those great deals all the time?! I've thrown out play bids on fleabay, spent several months trying to pick up various cameras, and just seems like EVERYONE is interested in the same things *I* want and so bidding goes well beyond what I'm willing to pay! I'm no cheapskate, but I know what my limits are. Pffft. Stinking money hole :bang:

 

[wlewisiii]

Ok, I think I have an option for you.

Agfa Isolette III. Decent lens and shutter - Apotar 85/4.5 in a Prontor SV shutter. Uncoupled RF - turn the dial, check the distance, transfer to the lens - yes, it is a bit slow, but it makes for a much simpler and lighter camera which also means an increadably more reliable camera when you start talking about 50 year old toys. I have an Ok one I'd be easily persuaded to part with fairly cheaply :angel: especially if you have a 90mm LTM -> M adaptor to spare 😀

Edit: The Apotar is a triplet. The best I've _ever_ used, but a triple nonetheless and a good Tessar design will blow it away. A good Tessar will also cost a heck of a lot more money ... 6 of one, half a dozen of the other ...

As for good deals, well, patience is a major virtue. It took a long bit of waiting for my Canon 7 to present itself. Though the bargains can pop up at any time - it was, in a real way, extreamly painful for me to recently buy my _very_ bargain priced Leica CL. Just keep your eyes open and your wallet ready and you may well be surprised once something does finally crop up.

William

 

[jano]

Thanks for the suggestion, William. I have an Iskra 2 right now, picked it up a few weeks ago from a forum member. It seems to work well, except for the overlapped frames and the very stiff focus. Would it make sense to get that Agfa? I don't have any adapters yet 🙁

I wonder if there are any cheaper MF autofocus slrs..

As far as waiting for a deal, I can understand the patience part, but I think part of the reason may be that I cannot spot a good deal. At the last camera show, someone had a rolleiflex, 2.8 planar, it looked BRAND NEW and unused, but had a jammed shutter. Asking $300. Could have been a decent deal with a little haggling, she was certainly open to it.

Maybe I'll just keep shooting with the iskra for a little.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I've seen some pretty nice results posted from the Iskra. I would think that the lens is up to the task.
If you like the images out of it, it might be worth a CLA to address the handling issues.