A few years ago I had a "thing" for 1920s folders and bought a few fancy ones (Voigtlander Bergheil, Cocarette Luxus, Zeiss Tropen Adoro, etc.). I mostly shoot large format but that's impractical when on a trip with my wife. So, I'm thinking of a more modern 120 folder. I have a 1937 Bessa RF which I love, but it's a bit awkward to shoot. What I'm looking for is either 6x4.5 or 6x6, coated lens, coupled range finder, and automatic film indexing. I don't want to spend thousands on a Mamiya 7 or 6. I've been doing some research. I like the Perkeo IV but I don't think it has a coupled rangefinder. I like the Fuji Super-6 a LOT, and Konica Pearl IV (if it's coupled?) Another I've looked at is a very late Mamiya 6 Automat. I think the time frame I want is the very end of the folders in late 1950s. I'm ruling out the Zeiss Ikons as I had a couple in the past and found them very fiddly. I liked the Fuji GS645 but am put off by the plastic and price. This will be a vacation/trip camera for general use. Sometimes I use them as my only camera, more often it's a smaller back up to something else like a Nikon D850 or Chamonix 4x5. I've been using a Kodak Retina IIa for this in the past and love it. So, what are your experiences?


Kent in SD

Perkeo IV?

I suppose it depends a lot on what/how you like to shoot. I have a Perkeo II 6x6 and an Ercona II 6x9, neither has a rangefinder, let alone a coupled one. I actually do own a couple of accessory rangefinders that mount in the accessory shoe, but in fact, never use them. I find for the shooting I typically do, I can estimate closely enough. Now if one is into closeup work, yeah, some more precision might be useful. But most folders don't focus very close without a diopter addition anyway, so there's still a potential problem. I also own a Sekonic L-508 spot meter, but usually retreat to the light and tiny Gossen Digisix for metering when traveling.

One of my annoyances with folders is they typically don't have strap lugs for in-use carry. One can get past that by using a "never ready" case, but that has to come off to change film, which with a 6x9 can be alarmingly frequently. It often seems there is no ideal solution. I do admit to some temptation when that flurry of 21st century 6x9 folders appeared a few years back. I could have grudgingly come up with the money, but a mental cost/benefit analysis told me I was crazy!

So now here I am, guilty of the usual assistance flaw -- telling the inquirer what he should want, instead of what he asked for! (Sorry!) The Perkeo II does at least do film indexing. My last few trips, including a Rhine cruise, I took a TLR (Yashica 124G), but I admit to shooting way more digital -- Canon EOS M5, G15 -- and iPhone 6s! -- than film shots when traveling.

So good luck, I hope you find a winner!

I am a fan of folders, both 35mm and 120. Concerned that my Super Ikonta Bs could break down, I bought the last Fuji GF670:at clearance price as backup. I also have a Fuji 645 folder but meter is currently inaccurate. The latter two have neck straps I have Plaubel Makina 67 which also has straps. Unfortunately, the Fuji 670 and Makina in the used market now cost about three times what I paid paid for them. I suspect that neither one can be repaired if replacement part is required.