what to look for in a folder

[Bobbo]

Hi all. My Canonet craped out on me a month ago (right as I was going to sell it... well, talk about good timing), and I want to get another rangefinder.

This time however, I want something bigger than 35mm. I'm thinking 6x4.5 or, even better, 6x9cm. I don't want a ton of weight (My poor Domke F2 is aready overloaded), so I want something light, compact, and useable... looks like I want a folder.

I can live without a rangefinder and a meter (sunny 16 ain't that hard, y'know🙂), and I do NOT want a russian one (long story, but I trust them about as far as I can throw the Kremlin). An old German (or American) would be great. Oh yeah, and I don't want to spend too much. I know my way around with a spanner, so repair isn't out of the question.

Got any favorite models (on the cheap)?

Thanks again everybuggy,
Bob Clark

 

[giellaleafapmu]

Got any favorite models (on the cheap)?

Thanks again everybuggy,
Bob Clark

Super Ikonta! Also, despite the fact that I have never used one, I like the Olympus Six (the look and the fact that you have a 6x4,5 and 6x6 camera in the same package, I just missed a 30$
working pre-war with uncoated lens last week :bang: ).

GLF

 

[Ash]

Zeiss Nettar 515 😀

Super-sharp lens, scale focus, simple.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Balda Baldix
Uncoupled rangefinder and a small, light package for 6x6.
You'll want to hold out for the 4 element lens versions...though I do enjoy my 3 element version.
Here are some pictures of and from that camera:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/75984806@N00/K0TN60

The coupled rangefinder version, balda baldax, is very nice too. They're getting scarce though and they've been "discovered," so they're commanding $200 or more these days.

 

[P C Headland]

I'd suggest an Iskra, but then you don't want a soviet....I still reckon it is one of the best folders.

6x6: Try a Super Ikonta III - the ones with the Novar lens are good value, and the lens is pretty good. At f8 and smaller you'd be hard pressed to pick it from the more expensive Tessar equiped version. Coupled RF, auto-film advance, nice viewfinder and not too heavy. A Balda Super Baldax is quite nice, but the prices for these seem to have been pretty strong. Another option may be the Mamiya Six.

If you want something cheaper, try one of the late model AGI Agifolds. Pretty well made, uncoupled RF, extinction meter and red window advance. Also some of the better Franka models are worth considering.

6x9: Mess Ikonta 524/2 - again, go for one with the Novar lens and save the money. Uncoupled RF, red window advance.

My fotopic gallery has a ton of pictures from these cameras.

 

[l.mar]

I've got a circa. 1949 non-rangefinder Ikonta "C" and a similar vintage Kodak Vigilant 620. Both are simple and reliable cameras which make incredibly detailed and huge negatives. The Ikonta was ready to go out of its tattered leather case, but the Vigilant needed a new set of bellows (a common problem). More than any particular choice in these old roll-film folders, I'd suggest investing in a really good light meter to get the most out of their huge film sizes (I've got one of the newer Sekonic incident/reflective meters --- an L-208(?). After 35mm, 6 x 9 cm 'chromes will blow you away . . .

 

[Uwe_Nds]

An old Voigtländer Bessa with - uncoated - 105/3.5 Skopar (results),
The post-war Agfa Billy Rekord with Apotar or Solinar lens.
Both are scale focus.

Best regards,
Uwe

 

[wlewisiii]

Sorry, but I have to say that the Iskra is the finest folder that was ever made. Yeah, it can be a pain in the hind quarters to get a good one, but the effort and cost are well worth it.

Simply put, the Iskra is one of the finest cameras ever made by anyone. I consider it to be in my top 5. If you once had a bad one and that is why you don't want to deal with FSU, hey I can understand that. But I'll still suggest getting a known good one from someone like Fedka (warranty!!! 😉 ) and giving the Iskra another try.

I dearly love my ZI's but there is just something magic about the spark that puts it onto that next leve.

Good luck!

William

 

[Jerevan]

Zeiss Ikon 515/16 is my favourite folder. Using it with 120, but also with 35 mm, cheapskate panorama style... Just cover up the red window if you do that - I got funky lightleaks on my first roll and it took some time to figure out what it was. The downsides to the panorama camera is that you need to use a changing bag to get the film out of the camera, and if you are only scanning, you probably have to stitch the photos.

 

[350D_user]

For "ten a penny" cheap. Kodak are ok, I guess. Provided you're alright with winding 120 film onto their damned 620 spools, you're good to go.
Other than that, Zeiss Ikon should be the way to go.
Also, it goes without saying, check for lightleaks in the bellows. Kodaks seem to be more prone to this, in my experience.

As usual, ymmv. 🙂