... Macfred's GA645 looks surprisingly thin for a non-folder, and a good suggestion ...
Some TLR's are not very easy to focus especially in low light. I have a Yashica D that is not to bad for my tired old eyes, but I still miss the focus from time to time. If you want to stick with "affordable" TLR's, my solution was a Mamiya C (any of them pretty much, but the one I have right now is a C220) and fit it with a Mamiya chimney finder. It blocks out any extraneous light and has a flip-up magnifier for critical focusing. It has been an negative saver for me. I don't even own a waist-level finder for the camera anymore....hard to get pictures exposed and in focus (which could be user error).
I really like my Plaubel Makina 67 - but it is not a 'sub 400' budget in good condition.
For the ultimate in lightweight and compact folders, the pre-war Zeiss Ikontas are great (520 and 521 models). But no rangefinder (you'll have to zone focus), no double exposure prevention, and uncoated (but still great) lenses. Get one with a Tessar lens and add a series VI filter adapter with a lens shade and you're in business. Simplicity is very good, especially in an old camera like this. Very light and compact package. Complexity, size, and weight started going up after the war.
A lovely little camera.I have a Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta A 530 from around 1935. This is very compact and fits in a jacket pocket. It has a uncoated 7cm Tessar lens and the fastest shutter speed is 1/500s (Compur shutter). A very practical small camera for 6x4.5 with a coupled rangefinder.
A lovely little camera.
do not rule out the sub-medium MF camera by weight but not format. a Mamiya 6 is light, folds together,therefore not bulky but delivers a full 6x6 format with excellent pics;very much worth to consider.Hey gang,
Recently after a recent roll through my Yashica Mat 124 I was curious about looking for another "compact" medium format camera and wanted to see what you guys think. I like the Yashica Mat but seems like it takes more bad pictures than good and is hard to get pictures exposed and in focus (which could be user error). I have a mama rb67 which I love but isn't the easiest camera to carry around. Was curious if you guys had any advice on a more budget friendly (sub 400) and a compact medium format camera that don't mind carrying around anywhere.... Thanks
if you want a comparison of compact 120 film cameras, mostly folders, you may have a look on my website http://www.120folder.com for those I have tested.
Folders are pretty dang groovy, but if you're not into googling and repairing and patching bellows, look for a restored one.
...
The 82 year old bellows on mine are still going strong. No sign of cracking or holes. It's a Zeiss Ikonta 520.Nice site - thanks.
A pocketable 6x6 or 6x9 is highly appealing. Just how durable are the bellows? My camera-repair friend said the Nettars and Ikontas, like the Speed Graphic, are less prone to bellows leaks than other folders he's encountered.
I like my pre-war Voigtlander Bessa 66 (Baby Bessa), the ancestor of the Perkeo -- same super-compact size. I can't identify the lens but judging from the results it might just be the top-rated Skopar. An exceptionally well-designed camera.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?