Budget 6 x 9 cm folders?

eli griggs · Apr 12, 2020

I am wanting to try 6 x 9cm format, in a budget folder, before I decide if I want to invest in a Super Ikonta or similar, older camera, for the same travel concaveness as My S.I.B model.

I do have a beater 4x5, but I'd like to see a different approach, possibility.
I do no need a meter, and would like a competent photo maker.

If you can include some cost estimates, that would help as well, keeping in mind a Super Ikonta is no that expensive of a camera itself, relative to any of the new cameras.

Cheers and Best Easter Wishes to all of you and yours,
Eli

Alan9940 · Apr 12, 2020

I haven't looked at 6x9 folders for many years, but my guess is that the Moskva series Russian folders are probably the most budget friendly. The Moskva 2,3,4,5 are knock-offs of the Zeiss Super Ikonta C.

ic-racer · Apr 12, 2020

If you live in USA, you should be able to get a Kodak Tourist for about $20.

abruzzi · Apr 12, 2020

Some of the earlier Voigtlander Bessa cameras are relatively cheap. You won’t get a Bessa II but if you’re ok with scale focus, there are a lot of sub $100 cameras.

BAC1967 · Apr 12, 2020

There’s a lot of cheap Kodak 6x9 folders but many of them are 620 film so you’ll have to re-spool. There are many pre-620 Kodak folders that take 120 film like the vest pocket Autographics. Anaconda Vikings are cheap and take 120 film.

pentaxuser · Apr 12, 2020

ic-racer said:
If you live in USA, you should be able to get a Kodak Tourist for about $20.

View attachment 243779

OK it was new at $61.50 plus tax and I have no idea of the date of this advert but what is $61.50 then in today's money compared to $20 secondhand in today's money? A lot of room for a CLA in the difference between then and now I'd imagine

Boy, were cameras expensive back then!

pentaxuser

AndyH · Apr 12, 2020

pentaxuser said:
OK it was new at $61.50 plus tax and I have no idea of the date of this advert but what is $61.50 then in today's money compared to $20 secondhand in today's money? A lot of room for a CLA in the difference between then and now I'd imagine

Boy, were cameras expensive back then!

pentaxuser

If that price is from the year it was introduced (1951 - a year before I was introduced), it would be $610.54 in 2020 cash. I have a 1955 Montgomery Ward photography catalogue and I am consistently amazed at the prices some "ordinary" models commanded back then. An Argus -3 (without case or accessories) was $66.50 in 1955, which would be more than $647 today. At $449, a Leica M-3 would have cost $4,324 in 2020 dollars. Photography was an expensive hobby!

Andy

Rick A · Apr 12, 2020

I'm partial to Kodak Tourists, but you need to mind which one you get. Some are very basic, some have slow lenses. There's one I would buy if I were to own another. Here's a link to it, you should inquire if the shutter functions properly though.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1948-51-Kodak-Tourist-Folding-Camera-f4-5-105mm/274326016020

MattKing · Apr 12, 2020

This is from my Kodak Tourist loaded with re-spooled T-Max 400:

Mine is one of the mid-level models. Unfortunately the shutter needs to be serviced.

PS I paid $25 CDN for mine

eli griggs · Apr 12, 2020

Somewhere here, I have what was a clean Tourist, but I reversed the lens, after reading an interesting review of the resulting photographs that will result from the change, and for the life of me, I have no Idea where it is or even if it is reversible (no pun) to the original state.

I also have a pocket folder, but somewhere is it's place of residence now, as I have no clue about that one or for that matter, Jupiters 35mm, and 50 and 50, all damn good lenses.

I guess I'll have to keep a look out for a 120 Folder from Kodak or find a clean Moskva_5 or or older, though from what I've read, the 5 seems to be the best quality for a working camera that can take the Misadventures of the Road, especially when I have no the room to carry the Hasselblad kit.

Of course I am still open to other suggestions until I actually come up with a camera.

Rick A · Apr 12, 2020

Here's a couple from my last Tourist

eli griggs · Apr 12, 2020

MattKing said:
This is from my Kodak Tourist loaded with re-spooled T-Max 400:
View attachment 243821

Mine is one of the mid-level models. Unfortunately the shutter needs to be serviced.

PS I paid $25 CDN for mine

That's a beautiful photograph, do you use filters on this camera, and if so, what sizes/types?

Eli

eli griggs · Apr 12, 2020

Rick A said:
Here's a couple from my last Tourist

eli griggs · Apr 12, 2020

Rick A said:
Here's a couple from my last Tourist

That's outstanding photography, which Tourist did you use?

Do you use filters with this camera, as I asked Mattking, and what kind/type?

I think the one I have hiding somewhere has a very simple lens, and would either be an older example or lower consumer camera.

Cheers.

MattKing · Apr 12, 2020

eli griggs said:
That's a beautiful photograph, do you use filters on this camera, and if so, what sizes/types?

Eli

Thanks.
I don't use a lot of filters, and haven't any for the Tourist which, IIRC, uses Series filters.
That is a scan, but it prints well on 11x14 and larger.
Here is another from the same roll:

eli griggs · Apr 12, 2020

abruzzi said:
Some of the earlier Voigtlander Bessa cameras are relatively cheap. You won’t get a Bessa II but if you’re ok with scale focus, there are a lot of sub $100 cameras.

Thank you, I'll keep an eye out, as zone focusing is no hardship for a photographer carying another rangefinder or slr.

Eli

Rick A · Apr 12, 2020

eli griggs said:
That's outstanding photography, which Tourist did you use?

Do you use filters with this camera, as I asked Mattking, and what kind/type?

I think the one I have hiding somewhere has a very simple lens, and would either be an older example or lower consumer camera.

Cheers.

These were taken with the same model I gave a link to on ebay. Unfortunately, the shutter was in dire straits and gave up, I never replaced it. I didn't use any filters with it, and (IIRC) these were shot on Efke 25 The models with the 105/4.5 Anaston on flash kodamatic shutters are best.

eli griggs · Apr 12, 2020

MattKing said:
Thanks.
I don't use a lot of filters, and haven't any for the Tourist which, IIRC, uses Series filters.
That is a scan, but it prints well on 11x14 and larger.
Here is another from the same roll:
View attachment 243822

Do you know if any of the Tourist line carried coated lenses?

I have a number of series filters and adapters, as well as FSU push-ons, which I like, but for the sheet metal thin edges

eli griggs · Apr 12, 2020

Rick A said:
These were taken with the same model I gave a link to on ebay. Unfortunately, the shutter was in dire straits and gave up, I never replaced it. I didn't use any filters with it, and (IIRC) these were shot on Efke 25 The models with the 105/4.5 Anaston on flash kodamatic shutters are best.

Thank you, do you know if all the Tourist carried the 105mm lens, or no?

Eli

Rick A · Apr 12, 2020

eli griggs said:
Thank you, do you know if all the Tourist carried the 105mm lens, or no?

Eli

not all, many used a 100mm, but in the 6.8 or slower range. I don't believe the Anaston was coated, but super sharp as you can see.

eli griggs · Apr 12, 2020

BAC1967 said:
There’s a lot of cheap Kodak 6x9 folders but many of them are 620 film so you’ll have to re-spool. There are many pre-620 Kodak folders that take 120 film like the vest pocket Autographics. Anaconda Vikings are cheap and take 120 film.

Thank you.

I suppose I would normally head off to the Thrift Stores, resellers and Value Villages, Good Wills and The Army, but for now I'll stick to the web to see what I can learn, and youtube will be a good start so fare as user features of each 6 x 9cm folder I look at.

Be Safe and Stay Well.

Eli

eli griggs · Apr 12, 2020

Rick A said:
not all, many used a 100mm, but in the 6.8 or slower range. I don't believe the Anaston was coated, but super sharp as you can see.

Cheers!

MattKing · Apr 12, 2020

Mine has a 100 mm f/8.8 Anaston lens - most likely a triplet.
EDIT: There are a few different manuals on the internet. It wouldn't surprise me if like several of the models with Anaston lens, the filter size is Series VI.

eli griggs · Apr 12, 2020

The Quality of the images, of some of these Kodak Cameras, seems to be quite high, and they seem to be very budget friendly.

eli griggs · Apr 12, 2020

MattKing said:
Mine has a 100 mm f/8.8 Anaston lens - most likely a triplet.

Are you re-rolling films or does it take 120 out of the box?

Budget 6 x 9 cm folders?

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