Best medium format folder value

[Alex Varas]

My bet would be Agfa Isolette III with solinar lens and bellows changed.
Second option but more hard to find would be Iskra camera checked by an expert. Even if the winding mechanism is out and a red window is made, its rangefinder is coupled and the lens is superb. Less than 100$ for sure.

 

[John Koehrer]

Estimating distance isn't so bad if you use a reference you can relate to. A man's height around 6' or car lengths around 18' work pretty well.
Whatever works.

 

[4season]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned this as a reference:
https://certo6.com/
Friends of mine have purchased cameras from him and were most pleased. Prices are reasonable considering that his cameras have been serviced.

 

[Ariston]

Estimating distance isn't so bad if you use a reference you can relate to. A man's height around 6' or car lengths around 18' work pretty well.
Whatever works.

I am no longer discounting cameras without rangefinders. I need to commit the time to practice zone focusing, anyway.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned this as a reference:
https://certo6.com/
Friends of mine have purchased cameras from him and were most pleased. Prices are reasonable considering that his cameras have been serviced.

I had a Certo 6.

 

[Ariston]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned this as a reference:
https://certo6.com/
Friends of mine have purchased cameras from him and were most pleased. Prices are reasonable considering that his cameras have been serviced.

I just checked and there are no cameras for sale.

 

[knj]

I just checked and there are no cameras for sale.

Perhaps an email inquiry. I have purchased a Certo 6 and a Bessa II from Jurgen. They were both refurbished rather than restored but still great shooters.

 

[spark]

Konica Pearl and Semi-Pearl are very nice, with good Hexar lenses. Bellows tend to be decent as well. There are both rangefinder and scale versions. Mine is a pretty good shooter for a 70 year old.

 

[John51]

Usually, lower price = more hassle. What is a minor irritation to some could be a deal breaker for others.

In no particular order, the hassles imo would be:

Scale focus: Use an external rf or practice guessing distances.

Triplet lens: They have their charm, some really like the images. Not that big a deal if you already have high IQ cameras. The 4 element Tessar is kinda the standard for folders although there are 5 element folders.

Uncoated lens: fwir, they can be better than coated in some situations. Which of course means that they are worse in other situations.

620 film: afaik, all the 620 cameras that will take 120 on the supply side are very basic. I find respooling to be about the same hassle as loading a reel.

Red window: Expect the occasional blank until practiced and some films, mainly Kodak, have faint numbers.

If losing the hassles is considered part of the 'best value', one option is the Super Fujica-6. 120 6x6, 5 element lens, coupled rf, unit focusing, no red window. Prices seem to be on the way up, maybe the word is getting out about how good they are.