6x9 Folders - Complete Novice

[filmamigo]

Joe, if you are looking for a folder primarily for image quality, I wouldn't bother. You will pay a lot of money for a good clean example, especially if you want any kind of rangefinder.

I have a number of folders; Zeiss Ikonta 35, Agfa Isolette (6x6) and a Moskva 5 (6x9). They are all capable of making really nice pictures -- but not reliably. The lack of a rangefinder on the first two poses more of a problem than I'd like to admit (but the 35mm format helps keep it all in focus on the Zeiss.) The tiny viewfinders on all of these cameras make it a challenge to get careful and considered compositions. The shutter release mechanisms on the Zeiss and the Moskva seem designed to induce camera shake. (Of course tripods help here.)

When photography is my primary goal (as opposed to using an interesting camera) then I use my Fujica GW690. It fits your needs as originally stated: WA to normal lens, no batteries needed, manual shutter, 6x9. You gain a large, beautiful viewfinder, excellent rangefinder focussing, and a very sturdy camera. It cost $300, but it would be easy to spend that much on a top-of-the-line folder too.

 

[ntenny]

I love folders, but filmamigo probably has a point: they will never be admired for their predictability! And "sharp from edge to edge" is a pretty strong requirement that eliminates the less expensive folders (they tend to have triplets).

I do find that an accessory rangefinder makes a big difference in reliability of scale-focus folders, though. Scale focussing isn't *horribly* hard, but if you want to shoot fairly close-up and/or at fairly wide apertures, it's hard enough to affect the results, for me anyway.

The only thing about the 6x9 Fujis is that they're big. I mean, *really* big. You take one of those suckers out on the street and someone is going to demand to see a parking permit for it! I ended up not buying one because after handling it I doubted that I would actually carry it around enough to use it.

-NT

 

[filmamigo]

The Fuji is big alright. Yet, the proportions are perfect, and it is such a classic design that you quickly forget how big it is. It looks like the Platonic ideal of Camera ... like the embodiment of the camera icon featured on signs that depict "no photography" or in clipart. On the street it attracts no attention.

The Moskva 5 is a whole other matter. It is big and when folded open, not a lot smaller than the Fuji. It attracts a lot of (mostly positive) attention on the street, and the shutter is louder than the Fuji.

 

[chris00nj]

I have a Zeiss Ikonta 523/2, with a triplet lens. Even stopped down, it is not sharp in the corners. (Review here)

I'm not sure if folders with four element lenses will produce images that are sharp from corner to corner. They are more rare and more expensive. (Price list of Ikontas)


There are three Fuji 6x9 cameras in the rangefinder forum classifieds. They may better to what you are looking for.