What Coupled rangefinder folder for me?

[Thomas78]

My Super Ikonta A 530 (6x4.5, for which I have a picture off-hand) has the albada finder:

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

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Sorry jnoir,
you are right and I have correctet my posting regarding the albada viewfinders.

(Perhaps I shoud get an SI "A" to check the viewfinder myself - some day.)

 

[literiter]

The Moskva 4 and 5 are relatively plentiful and inexpensive.
The Moskva 4 has two versions, whereas the 5 only one.

I personally like the Moskva series, the lenses are sharp at f8 and focus is reasonably accurate. The finders aren't Albada.

I think these cameras are prime for modification; perhaps a better base plate to better attach a tripod and lugs for a neck strap. I have not done this, only thought about it.

 

[Thomas78]

Paul, what is the difference between a Moskva 2 and Moskva 4?

Do you have some experience with the different lenses of the Moskva series ?

 

[kuzano]

I think the Bessa E-messr is

I think the Bessa E-messr is

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.

The earlier Bessa spoken of here is most often found under the name BESSA RF..

All black, very good rangefinder, and even the low end Helomar I had gave good result. The Heliar (top lens) kicks this camera up to $350 to $500 when you find it, but is still way less than half the price of a BESSA II with a Heliar. I'm a sucker for Bessa's because they have always been good performers. Perhaps about ten of them so far, and not a bad bellow in the bunch. Even a front cell focusing BESSA I (no rangefinder incorporated) with a Color Skopar in Synchro Compur (Normally Vaskar in a Pronter) is a very good camera.

Best one I've owned and used has been the BESSA RF with a Heliar. The focus range finder mechanism is carried forward and duplicated in the BESSA II I believe.

 

[RanceEric]

If you must have 6x9 I'd say go for a Super Ikonta C or Moscow 5, as a few other have said.. But why not get twice as many frames per roll with the Super Ikonta A?? I have the later model (531) with an amazing, uncoated Tessar lens, which I am in love with. Though, the Albada finder is a little yellowed, I still manage to use it in very low light..

 

[nosmok]

Welta Weltur would be a good one to look for as well. Solidly made, good viewfinder, unit focusing as opposed to front element. Generally less money than the other unit focusing folders. I have both the 6x6 and 6x9/ 6x4.5 versions and love them. Uncoated lenses (Tessar) may not be to your taste, but they are sharp as hell if you can keep them away from the sun.

--nosmok

 

[GaryLH]

http://arukucamera.net/folders.html

Here is an interesting site.. There are some example of different folders including 6x9 rf coupled that he has plus pictures that were taken from them..

http://www.pibweb.com/ross/Campix/folders.htm

Plus another site with summary info about different folders.

Gary

 

[Thomas78]

Welta Weltur would be a good one to look for as well. Solidly made, good viewfinder, unit focusing as opposed to front element. Generally less money than the other unit focusing folders. I have both the 6x6 and 6x9/ 6x4.5 versions and love them. Uncoated lenses (Tessar) may not be to your taste, but they are sharp as hell if you can keep them away from the sun.

--nosmok

The Welta Weltur seems to be a nice folder, but quite rare, at least the 6x9 version is not that often present in the bay the last weeks. Or is the reason that nobody who has one wants to give it away ?

 

[Thomas78]

...

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 😉

I picked up my SI 530/2 this morning at customs.
Here my first impressions:

Indeed it has a clear viewfinder without any brightlines.
The framing for 6 x 4.5 is done by a frame which unfolds behind the front lens of the viewfinder. (For 6 x 9 this frame ist fixed in the folded position when the viewfinder unfolds.)
The mask for 6 x 4.5 fits nicely in a pocket inside the "ever-ready" case.

The rangefinder is easy to use and seems to allow accurate adjustment of distance, but the operation through the small lens ring is a bit difficult.

The shutter release at the lens can be fired with little force and has a direct feeling.
If you hold the camera in the hamburger grip it is easier to hold the door with the left hand when you don not have to operate the shutter release with the same hand.

These are my first impressions with my new 530/2 (after taking three pctures with it).

 

[Dez]

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.

The printed lines are painted on a bit of plastic on the SI-C cameras. The lines fade, and the plastic tends to go yellow. I dug around in things that came in clear plastic packaging until I found some that was truly clear and undistorted. I cut a piece the correct size, and then using the original as a template, made new frame lines using the lines around a sheet of white Letraset (tricky to find these days). Good as new!

Cheers,
Dez