Looking for medium format folding rangefinder 6x7, 6x9, or 6x8

[cliveh]

Super Ikonta 533/16 or 534/16

I would second this. Bought one just for fun. Superb image quality.

[Exc+4 for this age READ] Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 533/16 Tessar 8cm 80mm f/2.8 | eBay UK

This camera's exposure meter is generally accurate. This camera's rangefinder has some error. This camera's lens is focused correctly. In other words, when you set this camera's lens to Infinity, it will focus on a distant object. However, at that time, the camera's rangefinder (displayed inside...

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[RezaLoghme]

I would second this. Bought one just for fun. Superb image quality.

[Exc+4 for this age READ] Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 533/16 Tessar 8cm 80mm f/2.8 | eBay UK

This camera's exposure meter is generally accurate. This camera's rangefinder has some error. This camera's lens is focused correctly. In other words, when you set this camera's lens to Infinity, it will focus on a distant object. However, at that time, the camera's rangefinder (displayed inside...

www.ebay.co.uk

Thanks.Zeiss being Zeiss, there should be some in Europe.
But the Mamiya looks tempting!

 

[itsdoable]

The Sekonic EM...I don't like this flimsy piece of plastic at all and would be happy to pay 2x as much, had it a better look and feel.

I think you are condemning things that are tried and true because you have no experience with them. Looks aren't everything! The Sekonic meter is ten times better than almost all the MR meters Leica made for their M series cameras. So, you want a fancy chrome finish meter that won't stay working then go for it. I have an old plastic Sekonic studio meter that's probably 50+ years old and it still works perfect, even after being dropped several times. Functionality is what I'm after and not looks. Oh, it's nice to have a good looking camera or piece of equipment, but that is not the most important thing. As far as the bellows go on the Mamiya or even Zeiss folders, they all can be replaced.

I have to agree with John, the Sekonic 208 meter is a solid functional meter that feels really (really!) nice in the hand, there is a reason it has been around for so long. However, it does not have the sleek look when fitted on a shoe, that space belongs to the Voightlander VC meters, which are also solid functional meters (and made out of aluminium instead of plastic to fit the OP's preference). They were designed to be on top of the camera, and there are many Asian copies, so you can select one that fits your aesthetics. The Voightlander VCII is a solid meter that looks good on top of these old cameras.

I also have the Gossen Digisix meter, which is tiny and portable, but does feel as good in the hand as the Sekonic, and although it looks better on a shoe, it's still a clunky add-on like the Sekonic. It's also plastic (I don't have aproblkem with that, but it seems the OP does). Although the Gossen is smaller and lighter, the Sekonic was in my pocket more. However, I've mostly switched to a Sekonic 308, which I would happlily recommend if you want a separate digital hand held meter.

 

[RezaLoghme]

I have to agree with John, the Sekonic meter is a solid functional meter that feels really (really!) nice in the hand, there is a reason it has been around for so long. However, it does not have the sleek look when fitted on a shoe, that space belongs to the Voightlander VC meters, which are also solid functional meters (and made out of aluminium instead of plastic to fit the OP's preference). They were designed to be on top of the camera, and there are many Asian copies, so you can select one that fits your aesthetics. The Voightlander VCII is a solid meter that looks good on top of these old cameras.

I also have the Gossen Digisix meter, which is tiny and portable, but does feel as good in the hand as the Sekonic, and although it looks better on a shoe, it's still a clunky add-on like the Sekonic. It's also plastic (I don't have aproblkem with that, but it seems the OP does). Although the Gossen is smaller and lighter, the Sekonic was in my pocket more. However, I've mostly switched to a Sekonic 308, which I would happlily recommend if you want a separate digital hand held meter.

Hi

I had the Sekonic and did not like it.

Reliability of new stock old school meters

Virtually all Selenium meters are dead This is as true as saying politicians and lawyers are models of honesty and integrity.

www.photrio.com

 

[film4Me]

I had the Sekonic and did not like it.

Once again, there are other meters you can choose from. Being plastic is not a good enough reason for not liking the Sekonic L-208, it definitely won't melt away in the sunlight, and it's very lightweight, adding virtually no weight to the overall weight of the camera when it's clipped on. Mine came with a 3 position foot (actually 5 positions, because the foot bracket can be turned 180 degrees), so it can be positioned where you want it placed to avoid covering something vital, or cramming up against a raised shoulder on the top plate.

Whatever you get, a new meter would be best, to get a warranty, and accuracy for low light settings. Cheap used meters are not worth taking a chance on. I have heaps of those and only one gets used, a well looked after Zeiss Ikon Ikophot, but even then it's not all that accurate after all these years since it was new.

 

[GregY]

Hi

I had the Sekonic and did not like it.

What a surprise....
I hope you find a cheap folding camera that meets your standards.

 

[RezaLoghme]

What a surprise....
I hope you find a cheap folding camera that meets your standards.

Yeah, I am looking at the Mamiya Six as you might have read in this thread.
I had the Sekonic for a while and was not happy with it.

Reliability of new stock old school meters

Virtually all Selenium meters are dead This is as true as saying politicians and lawyers are models of honesty and integrity.

www.photrio.com

 

[RezaLoghme]

I think you are condemning things that are tried and true because you have no experience with them.

Why do you think I have no experience with the Sekonic?

https://www.photrio.com/forum/search/6407/?q=sekonic&c%5Busers%5D=RezaLoghme&o=date

 

[John Wiegerink]

Why do you think I have no experience with the Sekonic?

https://www.photrio.com/forum/search/6407/?q=sekonic&c%5Busers%5D=RezaLoghme&o=date

What is a Sekonic EM meter? I'm not at all familiar with that meter. All I know is that the more expensive Sekonic meters are extremely good meters and built as well as any other light meter. Even Gossen had some rather cheap meters. They worked well, but weren't built as robust as their more expensive line. Heck, 35mm cameras were the same way. You had your entry level Minolta camera and then you went up the line. The further you went, the less you had left in your wallet.

 

[RezaLoghme]

What is a Sekonic EM meter? I'm not at all familiar with that meter. All I know is that the more expensive Sekonic meters are extremely good meters and built as well as any other light meter. Even Gossen had some rather cheap meters. They worked well, but weren't built as robust as their more expensive line. Heck, 35mm cameras were the same way. You had your entry level Minolta camera and then you went up the line. The further you went, the less you had left in your wallet.

If you read throught the posts you will find that I owned that L208 that someone suggested here. I did not like it and gave it away.

So why you do think I have no experience wit them?

 

[RezaLoghme]

Once again, there are other meters you can choose from. Being plastic is not a good enough reason for not liking the Sekonic L-208, it definitely won't melt away in the sunlight, and it's very lightweight, adding virtually no weight to the overall weight of the camera when it's clipped on. Mine came with a 3 position foot (actually 5 positions, because the foot bracket can be turned 180 degrees), so it can be positioned where you want it placed to avoid covering something vital, or cramming up against a raised shoulder on the top plate.

Whatever you get, a new meter would be best, to get a warranty, and accuracy for low light settings. Cheap used meters are not worth taking a chance on. I have heaps of those and only one gets used, a well looked after Zeiss Ikon Ikophot, but even then it's not all that accurate after all these years since it was new.

I did not like the L 208 for several reasons. So I am not going to buy it again.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Reminds me of Ricky Nelson's song Garden Party. Lyrics, "You can't please everyone. So, you got to please yourself"!

 

[RezaLoghme]

Reminds me of Ricky Nelson's song Garden Party. Lyrics, "You can't please everyone. So, you got to please yourself"!

You are so right

 

[itsdoable]

Hi

I had the Sekonic and did not like it.

Reliability of new stock old school meters

Virtually all Selenium meters are dead This is as true as saying politicians and lawyers are models of honesty and integrity.

www.photrio.com

Well, that's a good reason not to like them. They always worked well for me.

Then I'd suggest having a look at the newest Reveni Lab LUMO meter, it's all aluminium, reflected and incident, very compact, very nice in the hand. They are made down the street from me. But they are not meant to be mounted on the camera - they make some camera top meters too, but those are mostly plastic (small was the design goal). For camera mounted, I still recommend the Voightlander VC-II - low profile, aluminium, reliable, nice to use.

 

[warden]

Well, that's a good reason not to like them. They always worked well for me.

Then I'd suggest having a look at the newest Reveni Lab LUMO meter, it's all aluminium, reflected and incident, very compact, very nice in the hand. They are made down the street from me. But they are not meant to be mounted on the camera - they make some camera top meters too, but those are mostly plastic (small was the design goal). For camera mounted, I still recommend the Voightlander VC-II - low profile, aluminium, reliable, nice to use.

First I’ve seen the Reveni but that looks quite good.

 

[Prest_400]

Aside of a handheld meter (incident as an advantage), there are plenty of hotshoe meter options which make unmetered cameras more practical. I can recommend the tiny and Cheap Reflx lab shoe meter. Can agree against the L208, model that I have not used, but it appears designed as a handheld meter for what I have the L308.
Found amongst other sites, this, so for inspiration:

The Ultimate Guide To Accessory Shoe Light Meters

An in-depth look at the various accessory shoe-mounted light meters you can purchase for your camera, by photographer Johnny Martyr.

petapixel.com

If in camera metering is a must requirement, makes almost all Medium formats DoA as discussed.

 

[RezaLoghme]

I. have modified my requirements. The Mamiya Six seems to be a good choice.