What is Your Favorite 6x6 Folder?

The Hapo 66e followed by the Agfa Isolette II with Apotar lens.

Still have the Hapo - wish I still had the Isolette.

Regards
Peter
 
Though my Isolette II get the most use, my Iskra has the sharper lens.
Excellent skin Ernst, never saw a more beautiful Iskra.
 
That really is a nicely done Iskra. I have a 9x12 that needs some skin help. Maybe I should try that. Also on a Welta, but I think I might prefer to keep that more traditional.
 
Ernst Dinkla said:
My favorite too among 5 folders.

914 gram loaded with film and with a new skin:

http://www.pigment-print.com/tijdelijk/PimpedIskra/Iskraindex.html

Ernst Dinkla
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Interesting isnt it, it appears the Super Isolette is lighter! ; Super Isolette/Speedex is 822g and then add on film which would be 25g. the everready case is another 175g.

fwiw its not a bad case that comes with the Super Iso either, in as much as the top can unbutton from the bottom half quickly to have a half case which saves having that part floping as it would on many ever-ready cases.

Nice looking Iskra you have there Ernst--nice pictures of it too (hehe with the reflection in the lens it looks like you used green studio flash!)
 
whitecat said:
Another workhorse is the Zeiss Ikon 532/16. Also good if you want to break a car window. SOLID construction. Also has the nicest leather case I have seen to date in terms of quality.
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you mentioned the case on these quite some time back whitecat and it reminded me at the time that i didnt have one, so you kinda inspired me to get one lol. i picked up a very nice case for it at about $20 which i thought was pretty good.

they are a nice case! thick felt padding and the build quality is good, pretty much the same as for S/Ikonta C that feels very nice in the hand. other wise they are normal to look at i suppose (if you dont count the embossing and all), as far as ER cases go. but a world apart from the pretty ordinary cases for Agfa Isolettes ect.

other cases i think are good are the voigtlander cases for the Perkeo II and the Bessa II; not the cheaper light tan cases (most often found on Bessa I), they dont have the same quality and the cases for the older Bessa RF (E) are typical ;good but nothing special). however i love the feel and quality of the darker leather case for the Bessa II (more particularly with mine as its like new) even more than the Ziess cases (probably on a par though), its among my favourites, just feels and looks great

the case for the S/Isolette and Speedex is among the nicest as well, lighter tan (in my example) that patina's up nice, is top quality and also functional with it unclipping to a half case if desired.

My Weltur has uncommon type of case in as much as the the bottom of the case, and shaped up around the edges, where you would normaly see the stitching on the other cases, the weltur has shaped metal (shinny nickle or chrome) that is rivited to the leather which overcomes the fault some cases have with the stitching comming apart there, it also provides a stiff base and a mirror if you feel like doing your makeup LOL, very nice quality!
 
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I have read this thread with great interest as I am thinking of adding a 6X6 folder to my working kit. But I am more confused after reading this thread than when I started, so many variants and models. So maybe a few of the 'experts' here could make a recommendation if I provide the features that I am looking for...

So here goes -

80mm lens with a maximum aperture of f2.8
Coupled rangefinder
PC sync to used with studio lighting
Shutter speeds from 1sec to 1/500sec
Tripod mount
Be able to use a cable release

I will be using the camera primarily for two purposes, portraits and landscapes.

Portraits will be both in the studio and on-location and I would also like this camera be able to live in my bicycle pannier for those time when I need the real estate of the medium format negative.

I watched a Voigtländer Bessa II sell on eBay yesterday and thought I had to bid on it. But decided that I needed to learn more about MF folders before jumping in with both feet.

Thanks,
 
was it that Bessa II w/Heliar in Australia ? i was watching that just out of interest as well. went for AU$930 which is a pretty good buy i think considering the excellent condition it was, also good price for overseas considering the $AU value at the moment. you couldnt go wrong with a Bessa II, the 6x9 is great.

do you have a short list of camera preferances?

you have a number of choices for 6x6 (some more difficult to get than others such as Ensign Autorange), each has its advantages and drawbacks. some drawbacks can be overcome fairly easily such as flash sync if the camera doesnt have it e.g Welta Weltur (which has f2.8). some others dont have the speed of 2.8 but are pretty close e.g. S/Isolette. Ziess Ikon folders with the tessars will have the speed but have front cell focusing as trade off. also if money isnt an object then the new Bessa III would fit your criterior.
 
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if i was in your position then my short list would be

the new Bessa III

Super Isolette--small difference in lens speed wouldnt bother me

Welta Weltur ---small difference in shutter speed makes little difference. i test my shutters with proper electric tester and the Compur Rapid is near the same as the Synchro Compur in most real life instances. some will have flash sync already, most will not but its easily added.

Super Balda Baldax--another resonable consideration.

there are the ones i would short list...

i would also consider the Super Ikonta III but would prefer to go with the top three
 
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The Perkeo

The Perkeo

chippy said:
i agree DwF, the Perkeo III (E) is a very nice camera as well. for some reason i never get around to using mine either (too many other cameras that i seem to go to) but it is small and capable
Click to expand...

Chippy, for me it isn't the camera at all. It's me. I am without darkroom, and have been lazy about scanning. I will load the camera soon though and if I get anything I will post here :)
 
Andrew,

Thanks for your input. I already have my name on Mainline Photo's pre-order list, but the Bessa III is going to be slightly wide with an 80mm lens on the 6X7 format. Yes, I know you can switch to 6X6, but then you waste 2 frames since you will still only get 10 frames on a 120 film.

Having said all the that, I will be getting a Bessa III, but in the meantime I would like to play with a folder.

I particularly want maximum aperture of f2.8, yes, I know it is only a half-stop faster than f3.5, but I want the slightly shallower DOF for portrait work. Flash sync is more important than high shutter-speeds.

I will do more research on your recommendations.

Thanks,
 
i havnt been following the news on the Bessa III lately so i missed that about only taking 10 shots on 6x6 (kinda defeats the purpose of having that option!!!)

Given your latest comments P (for Peter?) i would tend to lean more to the Weltur (i cant complain about the camera at all from my use of it) and is a personal favourite, sturdy but lighter than S/Isolette and some others,

It doesnt have the later film wind/stop features some other cameras do, and you would have to most likely have to add flash synch but any competent technician can add that. easier for you in Sydney than here in Adelaide. a non coated lens but it has some slight advantages to a coated lens. however if that was important to you there is a place in Tasmania that apparently coats lenses for a about the $100 or so mark if memory serves. It also has the choice of 2.8 Tessar (4 element) or the 2.8 Xenar (5 element lens)

also the S/Baldax with 2.8 ennit (4 element wierd 1-2-1 set up) ,if you can find one that is, and then assuming it all works as it should- frame advancing and/or overlaping can be a problem

or a Certo Six would also be a reasonable choice--
 
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Andrew,

The 'P' is for decoration, I answer to 'Lynn'.

Now with that out of the way...

Uncoated lenses are fine as I will be shooting B&W, mostly concerned with getting a camera that has a lens with very good resolution as I will be shooting slow speed, Efke R25 film in the studio and for landscapes and Tri-X 320 on location shoots. Wanting the highly resolved look without the 'biting' of highly corrected modern lens.

I also want a camera where whole lenses assmbly moves when focusing, not just the front element.

Now the thrill of the hunt starts...
 
Lynn, (dont know why i thought Peter lol, mixing up with someone else i guess)

good luck with your search, it sounds like you know ,what and how you want to use it, so i am sure you will get good results.

for fear of bringing on some kind of picky lens discussion, I'll just say, if i was to split hairs, so far i would say the 2.8 xenar is slightly sharper (more resoloution) than 2.8 tessar (wide open) but the Tessar has more acutance (contrast) than the xenar. of course this can vary depending on other things like film ect ,but thats my opinion so far. both are very good though. one of these days if i stop spending my money on anologue equipemnt and materials i will buy a scanner and new computer to show some examples between the different lenses that i have found so far-some may find interesting-well maybe not! lol
 
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Green filter it is

Green filter it is

chippy said:
Interesting isnt it, it appears the Super Isolette is lighter! ; Super Isolette/Speedex is 822g and then add on film which would be 25g. the everready case is another 175g.

fwiw its not a bad case that comes with the Super Iso either, in as much as the top can unbutton from the bottom half quickly to have a half case which saves having that part floping as it would on many ever-ready cases.

Nice looking Iskra you have there Ernst--nice pictures of it too (hehe with the reflection in the lens it looks like you used green studio flash!)
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The Russian casting is likely rougher and heavier than what Germans did in that period and the Iskra has the larger viewfinder. That adds the 80 grams.

No fancy green flash, a genuine B&W green filter on that lens :)

Ernst Dinkla
 
P. Lynn Miller said:
Andrew,

Thanks for your input. I already have my name on Mainline Photo's pre-order list, but the Bessa III is going to be slightly wide with an 80mm lens on the 6X7 format. Yes, I know you can switch to 6X6, but then you waste 2 frames since you will still only get 10 frames on a 120 film.

Having said all the that, I will be getting a Bessa III, but in the meantime I would like to play with a folder.

I particularly want maximum aperture of f2.8, yes, I know it is only a half-stop faster than f3.5, but I want the slightly shallower DOF for portrait work. Flash sync is more important than high shutter-speeds.

I will do more research on your recommendations.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

Bessa III:

6x7 cm (56x68 mm ED)(120-10 exp. / 220-20 exp.)
6x6 cm (56x56 mm ED)(120-12 exp. / 220-24 exp.)
Switch for frame sizes inside the body (ED)
80 mm/f3.5 (4 groups 6 elements)
7 rounded aperture blades (ED)

So there's no film lost.

For portraiture you could also check the Polaroid Razzle models with a 6x9 back, DOF and Bokeh of Tessar 127mm designs from several manufacturers or a more modern lens.

I have done some tinkering on Polaroid Pathfinders but he explored every possible path. Australian origin so no import needed.


Ernst Dinkla
 
Ernst Dinkla said:
Bessa III:

6x7 cm (56x68 mm ED)(120-10 exp. / 220-20 exp.)
6x6 cm (56x56 mm ED)(120-12 exp. / 220-24 exp.)
Switch for frame sizes inside the body (ED)
80 mm/f3.5 (4 groups 6 elements)
7 rounded aperture blades (ED)

So there's no film lost.
Click to expand...

I stand corrected. That is a very good thing that Bessa III will actually change the film transport to match the format. Just wish they would have been a bit more adventurous and made the lens f2.8.

I know a little about the Razzles, but have actually not looked seriously at them. I prefer the 6X6 for portrait work, since there is no vertical or horizontal to worry about. But I do like the 6X9 for landscape and street work. Somehow I have never grown too fond of the 6X7...
 
Ernst Dinkla said:
The Russian casting is likely rougher and heavier than what Germans did in that period and the Iskra has the larger viewfinder. That adds the 80 grams.

No fancy green flash, a genuine B&W green filter on that lens :)

Ernst Dinkla
Click to expand...

its a nice effect the green filter eh!

now i want to see it with other colours :)
 
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