Jim-S
Newbie
Does anyone have recommendations for a folding roll-film camera with a good easy to see viewfinder? I wear eyeglasses and find that the view through some older cameras is hard to see - both for overall framing and for achieving rangefinder focus. It's hard to see to the corners of the frame, and also hard to align the double rangefinder image because it’s small and dim. My experience with this problem comes from my Fujifilm GSW 690 II - I know, not in the same category but maybe same issue.
I’ve been looking at the Fuji GF670, the Bessa II, the Isolette, the Zeiss Super Ikonta III and even the Super Fujica Six, and I'd consider others too, but there's no way for me to try any of these out. Because this is a new area for me, I'm looking for some guidance here. Thank you!
I’ve been looking at the Fuji GF670, the Bessa II, the Isolette, the Zeiss Super Ikonta III and even the Super Fujica Six, and I'd consider others too, but there's no way for me to try any of these out. Because this is a new area for me, I'm looking for some guidance here. Thank you!
EdSawyer
Established
The Fuji is better than the bessa II in that regard. Although it doesn't have a rangefinder, I like the viewfinder on the Kodak Tourist II.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I've had a number of MF folders (and non-folding compacts, like the Fuji GS645S) over the years. The modern Voigtländer Bessa had the best built-in viewfinder for glasses of all of them; I believe it's the same as the Fuji.
That said, I recently acquired the Kontur accessory viewfinder for my Voigtländer Perkeo II. It's a fascinating piece ... essentially a small box with a very large optical finder that's extremely easy to see with glasses on and a film on the front that has a bright white frame etched onto otherwise opaque black.
You use this finder with both eyes ... Look through it with either right or left eye while the other eye is open. Focus on the subject with the eye that's not looking into the viewfinder and let the image of the frame from the viewfinder eye merge in your binocular vision to provide a frame. It works brilliantly and is the clearest, easiest to see bright frame around! The eye relief is such that I can see the whole field and frame perfectly with my glasses and never have my face jammed tight into the back of the camera.
I now have it on the camera every time I have the camera out, it's that good.
G
That said, I recently acquired the Kontur accessory viewfinder for my Voigtländer Perkeo II. It's a fascinating piece ... essentially a small box with a very large optical finder that's extremely easy to see with glasses on and a film on the front that has a bright white frame etched onto otherwise opaque black.
You use this finder with both eyes ... Look through it with either right or left eye while the other eye is open. Focus on the subject with the eye that's not looking into the viewfinder and let the image of the frame from the viewfinder eye merge in your binocular vision to provide a frame. It works brilliantly and is the clearest, easiest to see bright frame around! The eye relief is such that I can see the whole field and frame perfectly with my glasses and never have my face jammed tight into the back of the camera.
I now have it on the camera every time I have the camera out, it's that good.
G
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Get folder with wire frames viewfinder in the middle. Fine frame in PP or in the darkroom.
aizan
Veteran
What Ko.Fe said. Wire frame finders are great for glasses wearers, and big.
retinax
Well-known
Not all are, I have an original Kodak Retina add-on one as well as some simple 6x9 folder that almost require poking the damn thing in your eye. You need one with a large "eyepiece" hole. Well, that's mostly true of finders with glass in them, too.
Ted Striker
Well-known
Wire frame viewfinders dont parallax correct.
Fujifilm GF670. Simply impossible to get a better viewfinder with a folder. Absolutely crystal clear and easy to focus. HUGE focus patch.
Fujifilm GF670. Simply impossible to get a better viewfinder with a folder. Absolutely crystal clear and easy to focus. HUGE focus patch.
aizan
Veteran
Yeah, those accessory folding frame finders like the Kodak Retina ones are no good, but the built-in wire frame sports finders with a targeting aid like in a Cocarette are nice.
Some wire frame finders do correct for parallax by raising the sight, BTW.
Some wire frame finders do correct for parallax by raising the sight, BTW.
mbisc
Silver Halide User
As an eyeglass wearer myself, I never had problems with the viewfinder in my Bessa II, but YMMV...
Peter Jennings
Well-known
Konica Pearl IV has a bright line viewfinder, but no parallax correction. Of all the old folders, it's probably the best.
TenEleven
Well-known
There's the very rare Mine Six IIIs - it also has a Zunow lens and a bright line finder with(!) parallax correction afaik.
Then there's the Mamiya Six (not 6) Automat Version II which has a bright line finder, but no parallax correction.
Then there's the Mamiya Six (not 6) Automat Version II which has a bright line finder, but no parallax correction.
randy stewart
Established
RF folder - viewfinder
RF folder - viewfinder
As an owner and lover of this style of camera, my advise is "the newer the better". Initially, you identify a set of cameras which range over decades and have prices which vary over tenfold, so I'm unclear if modest viewfinder differences are really a determining factor. Among 6x9 formats, the GF670 is the newest and best. Among the 645 format, the GS645 is the best camera, although the viewfinder is dimmed by light diversion to the meter. I have a great fondness for my Konica Pearl IV, perhaps because I paid way too much for it or because it is the most perfect of the classic folder designs. If I want a trip in the way back machine, I'd use it, but not as a regular, knock around camera. Anything from the 1950s and earlier is going to have a relatively tiny viewfinder, but includes some worthy options (Agfa Super Isolette).
RF folder - viewfinder
As an owner and lover of this style of camera, my advise is "the newer the better". Initially, you identify a set of cameras which range over decades and have prices which vary over tenfold, so I'm unclear if modest viewfinder differences are really a determining factor. Among 6x9 formats, the GF670 is the newest and best. Among the 645 format, the GS645 is the best camera, although the viewfinder is dimmed by light diversion to the meter. I have a great fondness for my Konica Pearl IV, perhaps because I paid way too much for it or because it is the most perfect of the classic folder designs. If I want a trip in the way back machine, I'd use it, but not as a regular, knock around camera. Anything from the 1950s and earlier is going to have a relatively tiny viewfinder, but includes some worthy options (Agfa Super Isolette).
Ted Striker
Well-known
Probably a typo but it should be said that the GF670 is a 6x7 camera, with the ability to switch to 6x6 as well.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
I have a Zeiss Super Ikonta IV, which looks to have the same rangefinder viewfinder as the III. To be honest, it's better than a Barnack Leica but squinting is the name of the game and really I wouldn't choose it if you want a really bright viewfinder. Never had an issue with focus though - it has a good contrast patch.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
The current Fuji/Bessa is top notch as noted above. I’ve had a couple of others over the years, I also found the Mamiya Six to have a nice VF.
retinax
Well-known
You could focus (hah) on that and use an add-on viewfinder for framing.The usual 105mm lens on a 6x9 folder is a bit wider than the easy to find finders for 50 on 135 though, but should be workable.
Jim-S
Newbie
Thanks to all for the input, it's very helpful. Randy said (above) that "you identify a set of cameras which range over decades and have prices which vary over tenfold." You're right, and this is due to my lack of knowledge in this area. I'm a retired commercial photographer, having shot for the last 15 years with MF digital. I'm now re-connecting with my original love for the film medium. What's important to me is beautiful mechanics and build quality, plus (very important) being FUN to shoot. Fun is very subjective I know, but for me it's got to do with why I love the Fuji X cameras rather than some of the other new ones. Hope that makes sense.
Thanks again - Jim ( jimscherer.com )
Thanks again - Jim ( jimscherer.com )
Ted Striker
Well-known
Welcome to the forum.
You would be hard pressed to find more beautiful or well built cameras than the Fuji GF670 and GF670W rangefinders. I've owned both for about 6 years and they have completely stopped me from buying any other cameras during that time. They are an absolute joy to shoot with and pair together well.
They are pricey though, even more expensive now than when new. The market has picked up on these cameras as it is unlikely we will see such made again.
ACullen
Well-known
I highly rate the Voigtlander Kontur accessory VF. It’s really excellent transforming the VF experience with many a 6x6 folder in my possession . The Iskra has a bigger VF than the Agfa Super Isolette but it’s RF isn’t as good. Neither are great if wearing glasses.
Solinar
Analog Preferred
I use either a Kontur or a Leitz SBOOI when using my vintage folders with built-in rangefinders. Both are 1:1 viewing - with approximate parallax correction lines for close-in work. As a wearer of eye glass, who like his vintage medium format folders, the accessory finders are transformative. It's much easier to compose and achieve a level horizon.