What Coupled rangefinder folder for me?

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djonesii

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I'm looking for a 6X9 folder with a coupled rangefinder, and ideas where I should look.

The Ziess is just a bit too hit or miss with the distance scale, and the time it takes to develop film means I need to be a bit more sure with the focusing.

Any feed back appreciated.

I'd prefer to skip the Fuji fixed lens Texas leicas and go with a folder.

Dave
 
Which Zeiss is hit or miss?

Which Zeiss is hit or miss?

I have a Super Ikonta 533/16 and it's coupled rangefinder works very well. It is one of my favorites! On the other hand, my Nettax (6x6 folder) with zone focus is also hit or miss. Neither are 6x9 though...

Is your current Zeiss not a coupled rangefinder, or is it not working correctly?

Best, Tom
 
Zeiss super ikonta c and voitlander Bessa 2 are both rangefinder coupled 6x9. A baby linhof with 6x9 back is another but weight quite a bit more then the other two mentioned. My favorite is the Bessa.

Gary
 
Get a folder with an UNcoupled finder. Then you don't have to worry about it anymore... just trust your judgement and know that nothing about the creative process is precise or perfect. :)
 
What about a Moskva 4 or 5 from Fedka? About $100 and would give you a chance to see if a 6x9 folder is what you want.
Good Luck, Joe
 
The Voigtlander bessa ii is hard to beat for a coupled 6x9. I've owned both the Heliar and Color Skopar and stuck with the Heliar. It's not cheap but the rendering is exactly what I want. The color Skopar was center sharp wide open and had great contrast. It was swirly in a not so nice way. I did like it wide open at longer distances. The edge fall gave a really dreamy look.
For uncoupled the ZI 524-2 with Opton Tessar f3.5/105mm is fantastic. Completely "modern" rendering. Super sharp even at wide open. The lens is much better controlled than the Color Skopar. Not nearly as swirly in the oof area. It's worth finding one even if it is uncoupled. It still has a built in RF. The thing is built like a wristwatch!
 
First you should decide, if you really need a coupled rangefinder or if an uncoupled one meets your expertations.

Coupled rangefinder:

+ more precisely
+ a bit faster in operation

- more weight and bulk (most time)
- more expensive


The difference in operation of an uncoupled rangefinder is that you determine the distance with the rangefinder and transfer it to the scale at the lens. In this case you should check if both scales are in feet or meter so that you don't have to do the math before each shot. It is also benefical for faster work if the scale has the same increments at both scales.

An alternative to a uncoupled rangefinder is using a rangefinder in the accessory shoe.

Here a picture of my Agfa Record II with Voigtländer Rangefinder:


IMG_4229 von thomas.78 auf Flickr

In both cases you should not only consider the type of lens (and shutter) but also the ergonomics ot the campera.
(automatic film advance, double exposure lock (or not),
operation of the shutter release (left or right hand, at the body, door or the lens), focusing method, how you have to hold the camera, combined viewfinder or not, ...)

They also have a different minimum focusing distance, normally between 1.0 and 1.5 m.

If you can tell us your priorities, it would be easier to make you suggestions, which folder might fit you.

P.S.: Which Zeiss folder do you use ?
 
The original Bessa Rangefinder ('E-Messer') is the ancestor of the very similar Bessa II (NB this is not the Bessa I which is not a rangefinder), and is a very neat package. They can be found with Helomar (triplet), Skopar, and Heliar lenses in order of increasing price (but less than the Bessa II), other things being equal; all are excellent lenses. They will be uncoated lenses but I have found no problem if you keep stray light away ;-) . (Although I have seen it reported that some of the very last builds may have 'Color-xxx' type lenses but these must be extremely rare). Unlike the Super Ikontas, the whole lens is rack-focussed as a unit.
 
Super Ikonta C 531/2 (Uncoated)

Super Ikonta C 531/2 (Uncoated)

Tricky to use, but a very nice 6x9 negative.

Super-Ikonta-C-web.jpg
 
In 6x9 CRF I own (order of preference):

- Voigtlaender Bessa RF (as mentioned above by citizen99) with Heliar
- Balda Super Pontura with Xenar
- Plaubel Makina IIIR (press camera, I'm not sure it will qualify within your requirements, but I definitely love mine)
- Rodenstock Clarovid II with Ysar


I cannot but recommend you any of them. Great cameras, nice designs, superb results when CLAd. Nobody said cheap, though...

I have Super Ikontas in both 6x4.5 and 6x6, but none in 6x9. I don't really fancy CZJ glass, prefer S-K... I also have a Welta Weltur in 6x4.5 and like it, the 6x9 version should be equally appealing.
 
6x9 are nice sicne the negative has a lot of real estate. I have a Nettar which is not RF, and I still like it very much because of that. I find it not that hard to use and estimate focus and set it. It has to become a sort of work flow kind of thing when you use it. I guess it isn't so hard for me since I got used to that back in the 50s using a Welta Welti my father had used. I used that camera up into the late 60s. So my Zeiss 6x9 is much lighter and not hard for me to use. Point being you might do better without RF than you think, saving weight. Still, there are times I like using my Moskva for its RF, so who can say.
 
Moskva-4 (looks just like that Super Ikonta C pictured above) or -5 would be a great choice for a coupled RF in 6x9. Both have Tessar-clone lenses that are excellent, and you can find them with 6x6 masks for further versatility.

If you want Zeiss Ikon, look for the "Mess-Ikonta" in 6x9 (sorry but I don't know the ZI model number). It has an uncoupled rangefinder that works well; just don't forget to set the lens to the right distance! Mine has the Novar, which is quite good, but if you can find one with a Tessar, go for it.
 
I currently have a Moskova 5. As it is a copy the Zeiss it has all the same ergonomic issues.. but it does have a nice coupled rangefinder.
 
Thomas78 said:
Do you have any problems with the Albada viewfiner ?

Mine has a bit yellowed, so it is hard to use in low light situations.
Click to expand...
I think everyone has a problem with this particular Albada finder. Mine is a bit difficult as well.

I have read or heard of no cure.
 
This albada yellowing issue, has it to do just with the 6x9 version?

All my SI have clear finders but I have none in this big format, may be good to know in case I ever change my mind...
 
jnoir said:
This albada yellowing issue, has it to do just with the 6x9 version?

All my SI have clear finders but I have none in this big format, may be good to know in case I ever change my mind...
Click to expand...

As far as I know, only the Super Ikonta C in the 531/2 version has the albada viewfinder yellowing problem.

The predecessor 530/2 should have a different viewfinder, according to this page:

"At first, I was certain that this camera used a Van Albada finder, but my book says the Van Albada finder wasn't introduced until the successor 531/2 model."

http://elekm.net/zeiss-ikon/sikonta530-2/




I have bought a 530/2 (via the classifieds) in the US, it should arrive in the next weeks.
I will report about its viewfinder status when I have it in my hands.

BTW: I think the ergonomics of a SI are more a challenge that a burden ;)
 
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My Super Ikonta A 530 (6x4.5, for which I have a picture off-hand) has the albada finder:

$(KGrHqJ,!i4E-)cU)z6dBP)7oglbsQ~~60_12.JPG

And a later model, Super Ikonta A 531 also 6x4.5

super-ikontaa-jnoir-01.jpg
 
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