Suggestions for 6x6 or 6x4.5 CRF

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lrochfort

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Feb 21, 2011
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Hello all,

I would like to purchase my first folder. Ideally less than £60, but could be pushed to £100.

I'd like a 6x6 or 6x4.5 neg size because this will be my pocket camera and I want as many shots as possible.

Ideally I want a coupled rangefinder, but if anybody has strong arguments for any specific zone focusing cameras, please speak up!

As an example, I saw an Ensign Selfix 1620 AutoRange at a fair the other day and loved it, but it was too expensive.

Many thanks,
Laurence.
 
Hi, I have a Mamiya Six listed in the classified here for 65 euros. It's not the nicest, but it works very well and has coupled rangefinder. Otherwise I have a Minolta Auto-Semi, 6x4.5, but it is more expensive (and also heavier). The more pocketable 6x4.5 I think is the Super Ikonta 530 or 531 (or Super Ikonta A). It's a wonderful camera and can sometimes be found for less than 100 pounds (I bought two for arround 50 euros each). The Tessar lens is supposed to be better, but I had one with the Novar lens and it performed very well. Or you can look for a Bessa RF with the 6x4.5 mask. It's a bit bigger, but a amazing camera, and you also have the possibility to shoot 6x9.
 
Take a look at the Voigtlander Perkeo I. I think you can find one in your price range. They are very small 6x6 shooters with good to great glass. Mine slips into a jacket pocket and gives nice results.
Rick
 
If you can spend a little more, I definitely second the Super Ikonta A (I have the 531 with uncoated Tessar) fantastic, pocketable camera (4x5) or the Super Ikonta B (I have the 532/16 with coated Tessar f/2.8) which is 6x6. The Tessars on both are sharp, even wide open. If not, I would recommend a Moskow 5, which is 6x9, but you can get a mask, cheap, for 6x6. Has a pretty decent lens on it, surpisingly sharp. Here are some photo examples from each:

From the Super Ikonta A: flickr photo flickr photo 2
Super Ikonta B: flickr photo flickr photo 2
Moscow 5: flickr photo

Best of luck!
-Rance
 
Welta put out some very good folding cameras as well, and they are usually within your range. Some are 645, some 6x6, 6x7 and even 6x9 as I recall, but they seem to show up rarely. Some of the 6x6 have a mask for 645, but you don't often find in in cameras on ebay. There are actually Welta with RF, but would be out of your price range.

I have a couple of the 6x6 Welta and like them very much. Sometimes you can find other good old folders from Fujica, Minolta, Olympus. Their prices will range all over the map.

Look here in RFF in this 120 forum. There are many threads where ask about folders and get good answers.
 
I'd get a Perkeo ll. Had one once but sold it. Also had a super ikonta. It's weight negated any benefits of being a compact folder for me. Sold it as well, but don't miss it.
 
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