Retail Sources for 120 folders?

ray*j*gun

ray*j*gun

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I have used my trusty c220 TLR for many years and love the beast dearly. However I am getting very interested in a nice, light folder to take along more often than I carry the brick. Would love a 2 1/4 by 2 3/4 format but other formats will also work. Any recommendations on a reliable source for such a purchase? I have been checking our classifieds but so far no home runs. Thank you for your help!!

Ray
 
I sat here for a moment and tried to think of any of the folders I use that I didn't get off the 'bay. I think all that are not 6x9, if they are 645, is with a mask. Most are 6x6, which you are used to with your TLR.

I particularly like my Weltas. But that is just me (and some strange 😀 bloke down under who has scored a really nice Perfekta). I have a Mamiya Six (not to be confused with the Mamiya 6), but the shutter doesn't work and I haven't been brave enough to try working on it. I have two Fujica Six cameras, only one of which I am running a roll through. The other 2 or 3 are Weltas. I do like them. If you decide to try the 'bay, just be careful, and expect to have to work on them a bit. Also, don't be surprised if a convertable doesn't have the 645 mask in it (but some do).

Don't know if that helps.
 
thorirv said:
apart from jurgen kreckel (aka www.certo6.com), what other players sell cla'd folders on regular basis?
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Probably the biggest one is KEH, but there are two more I can think of without having to search: East Camera Tech and Kiev USA.

Also, pretty much any shop that will repair them will also have some for sale.
 
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When I return from my upcoming trip, I will sell several folders.

Franka Solida IIIE: One of Juegen Kreckel's favorite folders according to his website. The lens is a Schneider Radionar 80mm/2.9. It has an uncoupled RF in the camera. Made in Germany.

There is also the Franka Solida and Franka Solida Jr., plus a Zeiss folder and a Moskva 5 with the sharper Moskva 4 lens. It is a little unusal.
 
If you a re careful (or very lucky) you can find plenty of them on ebay. I just so happened to have enough luck to score a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/16 in excellent condition for a good price - My first folder. And I knew very little about folders at the time.
 
pesphoto said:
Google: certo 6
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I agree with FallisPhoto on this one: I wouldn't recommend Certo 6. I had a bad experience with a defective Agfa Record III. What's the purpose of paying a premium for allegedly CLAed cameras if the item you buy is not working properly? Buyers beware: Jurgen does basic cleaning of the camera, lens and shutter. He does replace bellows when there is an obvious light leak, but he does not test the cameras he sells. He is not a camera repair specialist and only deals with mechanically simple cameras (folders).

Cheers!

Abbazz
 
Avoid certo6, for me he was the most frustrating experience on evilbay ever.
I have been totally pleased by the seller named cupog from who I bought 2 cameras. They came like described and communication was really good.
First you should check which camera fits your need.
I could offer you a Perkeo II with Skopar or a Welta Weltax with Tessar,
both in exc. condition, the Welta like new with mask included. Check Mr. Kreckel's site for information..

Wallace
(from Germany)
 
ray*j*gun said:
Thank you all again!!! I have also had some PM's about certo and I do not want those kinds of problems.
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Hi Ray,
That neat little Isolette II is still sitting here if you fancy something basic to kick you off.😉Also I can recommend an Ebay restorer and seller here in the UK---'Beedhams'.

Cheers,
Brian
 
Floyd Takeuchi said:
I can recommend two sources for 120 folders. I have bought from both of them, and have been very pleased with the results.

The first is Pacific Rim Camera (www.pacificrimcamera.com). Their pricing is fair, and I have found their descriptions to be accurate. I've purchased a Zeiss Contessa 35 (a 35mm folder with coupled rangefinder) and a Rollei 2.8F, among other gear, from them.

In particular, check out their Zeiss cameras (Folder and Pre-Folder). They have a Nettar on sale now that might meet your needs.

The other is the Web site of David Richert, who also repairs and sells repaired folders. His home page seems to have been hacked (just checked), but you can see some of the scope of his work here: http://www.davidrichert.com/photography.htm

He also sells on ebay. I bought a Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta (BX) from him, and he had done some work to overhaul the shutter and clean it up. Pricing was very fair, and condition was excellent.

With any folder from the 1950s or earlier, of course, you should probably factor in a necessary CLA, and possibly more (recovering; possibly redoing the bellows), to get the camera to perform at its best.
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Did you notice Pacific Rim has an Isolette III, with Solinar, for $20? The focus is stuck, but that is par for the course with Isolettes and it isn't hard to fix. If I didn't already have two I'd get it.
 
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