Which folder?

[jlw]

One other thing we are forgetting to mention with regards to the Agfa Super Isolette and its Soviet copy, the Iskra. They are one of three vintage 6x6 folders that I know of that have unit focusing. It is a difference worth noting.

Aha, a challenge! Let's see if we can name them all:

Super Isolette/Iskra
Mamiya 6
Certo 6

Are those the ones you meant? Oops, we forgot the Ensign Commando!

I'm not sure the rangefinder on the Olympus Chrome Six RII was coupled, and the Konica Pearls shot 4.5x6 rather than 6x6, so those are out.

Any other entries?

 

[Roman]

I think there also was a Balda with unit focussing, but I'm not sure which model...

Roman

 

[Pherdinand]

Welta too
There was a thread with this subject not too long ago on photo.net classic camera forum

 

[taffer]

I've also read very good things regarding the 4 element Ross-Xpress (?) on some Ensign 6x9 cameras.

I had very bad luck with my first Iskra (seller sent me the wrong (and broken) one), finally got a refund and forgot about it for more than a year. Then some weeks ago I had to order some pieces from Oleg and 'to fill the parcel' got a $40 Iskra he had with a non-working auto counter mechanism and a retrofitted red window in back.

I'm really pleased with the results mainly from f/5.6 and on, very sharp lens, and it's really easier and faster in use than the Moskva-5, and the coupled and unified RF/VF is simply fantastic. That said, I find the coupled shutter/aperture mechanism a bit delicate so that's why I always try to be careful with that.

It also looks a lot better in brown leather than with the cracky vulcanite it featured when arriving...

 

[Solinar]

It wouldn't be too difficult to remove the existing vinyl cover on an Iskra and replace it with Moroccan pebble grained leather. I think the camera would not only look stunning, but have a better feel to it after the switch. (See micro-tools.com )

 

[Sonnar2]

Nobdy here has mentioned the "true" Bessa Rangefinder... the pre-WW examples with uncoated lenses are not as expensive as the last ones... unique advantage of the Bessa-RF/ Bessa-II: coupled rangefinder plus movable board which moves at focussing. All others, incl. the expesive Zeiss-Ikons, are frontlens-focussed.
My vote for the cool looking Voigtländer 🙂


cheers, Frank

 

[taffer]

It wouldn't be too difficult to remove the existing vinyl cover on an Iskra and replace it with Moroccan pebble grained leather. I think the camera would not only look stunning, but have a better feel to it after the switch. (See micro-tools.com )

In fact it is very easy (I was already half done with that when this thread started) and it's now finished. I got some nice big patch of brown leather from a store nearby so I used that, removing the old vinyl and using it as a pattern. It indeed looks (and feels!) a lot better with it (plus the vinyl on mine was in very poor condition).

 

[Pherdinand]

Taffer...have a pic of the new Spark?

 

[taffer]

Not yet Pherdi, but you don't need a picture to know deep inside yourself that you cannot live anymore without an Iskra.

No please, no need to thank me, what are friends for after all ?

...

 

[Pherdinand]

heheh
you are wrong, i have no plans of buying more stuff
(!)

 

[Roman]

unique advantage of the Bessa-RF/ Bessa-II: coupled rangefinder plus movable board which moves at focussing. All others, incl. the expesive Zeiss-Ikons, are frontlens-focussed.

cheers, Frank

Frank,

that's what is usually called 'unit focussing' the whole lens moves back and forth (either in a helical or by moving the lens board), as opposed to 'front-cell focussing' - not only the Bessas but also the other cameras we mentioned (Iskra etc.) use unit focussing - which usually gives best results, as front-cell focussing lenses can only be optimized for a certain distance (with most folder somewhere in the snapshot range between 3 and 10 m).

Roman

 

[Solinar]

One more for the road?

One more for the road?

heheh
you are wrong, i have no plans of buying more stuff
(!)

Pherdinand, a famous cameraholic once said, "it just a little Iskra for the road, and then I'll stop."

 

[jan normandale]

As a point to consider there is a brief mention of the Certo 6. This happens to be "Mr Folder" (my expression) Jurgen Kreckel's fave camera in the field of folders. Go to his site and check out his notes on that model.

Jan

Voigtlander Perkeo II, Zeiss Super Ikonta 532/16 and Zeiss Ikonta 531/16 'cause I love lotsa film. No skimpy 35mm unless necessary.

 

[Iskra 2]

New member, first post.

Regarding MF Rangefinders, Iskra 2's are OK. I"ll post a few pic's when I figure out how to do it. IMHO Iskra 2's are the culmination of MF folder design. You would expect this kind of opinion from someone who has three of them wouldn't you?

 

[Iskra 2]

Hmmm...... let's see if this works.

 

[Iskra 2]

.........and again, but attach files doesn't seem to work... 'Manage Attachments' button doesn't select........ FAQ says this all I need to do......... oh well...

 

[Solinar]

I believe you start with an "underexposed" uploadable jpeg of your classrom on your computer.

Then select "manage files" option where it says attachments.

Select "Browse" / Click on whichever jpg file you wish to upload / Click the "Upload Button"

Return to "Reply to Thread", look to see that you attachment is listed below under additional options and click "Submit Reply."

 

[Iskra 2]

Practicing... Opera browser doesn't seem to handle "cookies" like Microsuck.

Why do I like Iskras? Bokeh. This is one of my favorites.

 

[Doug]

Welcome, Iskra2, and congrats on figuring out the picture-attaching method! I'm trying to figure out what makes me like your photo, and I guess it could be described as "liveliness"... it has depth and texture and sparkle!

 

[Iskra 2]

Solinar, thanks for the help!

Doug, thanks for the comment.

Regards