Folder madness...

skinnyvoice · Jul 31, 2009

This time last week I had a Voigtander Bessa 6x9 got cheap(ish) off ebay. Just to dip my toe in the waters of folding cameras...

Now I have three more folders! What is going on? Seems I absolutely love the folding format, I couldn't have imagined 6x9 in my pocket before.

What happened was that I bought a Voigtlander Bessa with a Voigtar lens (6.3/125) just to see what the folder madness that APUG seems to promote was all about. I loved it! The VB was a *bit* basic and s-l-o-w, but I loved the photos it produces, the 6x9 negs look like playing cards and the Voigtar isn't bad!.

However, I really prefer 6x6 so I got a Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 532/16. Wow! Heft, design, ergonomics *and* a coupled rangefinder *plus* the Tessar f/2.8. Can it get better?

It did, because I then aquired a Voigtander Bessa RF with the Heliar lens, pre-WW2 & uncoated. Lovely! It even has the 'weather' filter and is a joy to use. I'll be carring both the VB & the ZI with me.

The Isolette was less expensive and had the rangefinder out of alignment. Really chuffed that I could take it apart and fix it. Just about to scan the images I took yesterday so hopefully I won't be disappointed - the negs look good. The Isolette is also a joy to use and is so small compared with the other two, *really* pocketable. Here's hoping the Solinar lives up to its reputation. To me it looks like a minimalist classic. Lets hope the bellows are intact - I have shined a torch through them in my darkroom & all looks OK.

OK, so I've 'fallen' big-time for folders...

Sirius Glass · Jul 31, 2009

skinnyvoice said:
OK, so I've 'fallen' big-time for folders...

Thy doom by GAS is sealed.

Steve

mgb74 · Jul 31, 2009

If you remember, there was a Star Trek episode many years ago that was titled "The Trouble with Tribles". Tribles were these small, cute, animals that reproduced exponentially.

Folders are the same. You can never have too many.

In fact, I just picked up a Kodak Tourist II (6x9, 620 film) yesterday. Need to respool some film tonight and shoot this weekend.

Terence · Jul 31, 2009

Now you just need a Perkeo II. The size of the Isolette, but with a Color Skopar lens. Oh, and one of the cute 6x4.5 Zeiss Ikons. And then maybe . . .

Terence · Jul 31, 2009

And whatever you do . . . don't go to Jurgen Kreckel's website www.certo6.com . . .

ntenny · Jul 31, 2009

Yes, I think the comparison to tribbles is apt. There are reliable reports of folding plate cameras breeding when left alone in a cupboard!

I am totally in lust with that Super Ikonta. I've gotten all my folders through bottom-feeding, so I've never been able to afford one with a coupled RF (let alone an RF *and* a Heliar, you lucky so-and-so!), but I love the 6x6 format, and ZI just made sexy cameras in that whole era.

The great thing is that GAS with folders is actually a pretty affordable compulsion.

-NT

skinnyvoice · Jul 31, 2009

Terence said:
And whatever you do . . . don't go to Jurgen Kreckel's website www.certo6.com . . .

After reading the comments here that is probably the *last* place I would go!

elekm · Jul 31, 2009

You have some fine cameras there. Just a few more months and a lot more money, and you can be as cash poor and camera rich as the rest of us.

I've found that if you hold the Super Ikonta like a regular 35mm SLR, it's surprisingly easy to handle. And of course, it's a great camera.

There's always the argument that front-cell focusing lenses give poorer results than unit-focusing designs. I'm not a believer in that.

Either way, you'll have a lot of fun. You need a Super Ikonta C.

skinnyvoice · Jul 31, 2009

ntenny said:
Yes, I think the comparison to tribbles is apt. There are reliable reports of folding plate cameras breeding when left alone in a cupboard!

I am totally in lust with that Super Ikonta. I've gotten all my folders through bottom-feeding, so I've never been able to afford one with a coupled RF (let alone an RF *and* a Heliar, you lucky so-and-so!), but I love the 6x6 format, and ZI just made sexy cameras in that whole era.

The great thing is that GAS with folders is actually a pretty affordable compulsion.

-NT

I use digi because I have to on assignments (Nikon), but for less than the cost of *one* of those lenses I've been able to breed several folders LOL, AND have some desirable folders as a result.

I absolutely adore them. It feels like coming home. 6x6 in a really portable format, 6x9 just the same (bigger pocket though). I've just run some FP4+ dev'd in Rodinal through them and *loving* the results. Scanning as we speak.

elekm · Jul 31, 2009

Many of the Zeiss Ikon folders were either Hubert Nerwin designs or based on his work. Hubert Nerwin found beauty through simplicity.

I think that his work was outstanding. I wonder how he would have designed a digital camera.

Some of my favorites:

- Mess Ikonta 524/16 (6x6)

- Mess Ikonta 524/2 (6x9)

- Super Ikonta III 531/16 (6x6)

- Ikonta 520/2 (6x9)

- Super Ikonta B 532/16

- Super Ikonta C 530/2

Agfa, Voigtlander and others also made very good folding cameras.

ozphoto · Jul 31, 2009

Like Charles, I to need to use digi for my business, however, I always take my little Kodak Junior 620 folder along on every trip I take.

It just allows me to *enjoy* photography after the rigours of shooting commercially for (at times) up to 6 weeks on end. Whenever I get the chance (ie:day off) I take this little baby out with me, and shoot what I see and then can't wait to get into the darkroom to process and proof the resulting images.

Unfortunately, that is sometimes another 6 weeks later! Using one of these lets me think about photography for "me"; exactly what I need after weeks of shooting for clients. I am thinking of getting a more "updated" version - I think this one is a 1912 model - so maybe one from the 20s or 30s??

Anastigmatic · Jul 31, 2009

skinnyvoice said:
It did, because I then aquired a Voigtander Bessa RF with the Heliar lens, pre-WW2 & uncoated. Lovely! It even has the 'weather' filter and is a joy to use. I'll be carring both the VB & the ZI with me.

OK, so I've 'fallen' big-time for folders...

Your folders are multiplying at an incredible rate! enjoy!

Not sure I have ever heard of the swing away fliter holder on the Bessa RF called the 'weather' filter before, I like it kinda sounds like battening down the hatches on a ship, closing the portholes

I cant see that well on my screen but has yours been replaced with clear glass, they came out standard with yellow filter installed. I am lucky to have an original kit of other colors to change them over

cknapp1961 · Aug 1, 2009

I started buying Franka Folders a few months ago, had never shot 6x9 before. Bought a couple of Franka Rolfix with the Schneider-Kreuznach F4.5 Radionar lens from about 1951, mainly because my first camera was a Kodak Retina IIIC with a Schneider lens that I inherited from an Uncle in the mid 1970s, plus the fact I had visited the Schneider Werks factory in Bad Kreuznach, Germany while stationed in Baumholder, Germany from 1990-1994. Then I learned that Franka's were made in Bayreuth, Germany and I had visited that town in the late 1990's while stationed just 6 miles away in Bamberg, but I was not aware of the brand at the time (of course the company no longer existed). I ended up on the Certo 6 web-site, bought a Franka Solida IIIE 6x6 with an uncoupled rangefinder that is in like new condition, with an F2.8 Schneider lens, shot just one roll through it...did I mention I have several Schneider lenses on my Beseler 23CII? I really like the 11x14 prints I can get from the 6x9 Franka's, the Solida stays on the shelf, it is my only "collector piece". Even managed to find Series VI filters and adapters to work with the 6x9's to control contrast, with Fuji Acros 100 I am a happy guy, always keep one in my bag for personal use and fulfillment...but I wonder why they keep multiplying behind my back.

skinnyvoice · Aug 1, 2009

Anastigmatic said:
I cant see that well on my screen but has yours been replaced with clear glass, they came out standard with yellow filter installed. I am lucky to have an original kit of other colors to change them over

It has the original yellow glass - didn't know there were other colours. How does that work?

P C Headland · Aug 1, 2009

You've only just begun.....

Anastigmatic · Aug 1, 2009

skinnyvoice said:
It has the original yellow glass - didn't know there were other colours. How does that work?

Pretty straight forward really, the standard yellow filter pops out and one of the other color filters press fits into the swing away holder, its a pretty good set up for shooting B&W film.

nsurit · Aug 1, 2009

Do you have a "Semi" yet? More images with the same amount of film. Dang, I wish I could find a reasonable Semi-Olympus. Have a nice Semi-Leotax and a few other folders (Bessa RF, II, Olympus Chrome Six, etc.) Where is that elusive Semi-Olympus. No GAS here . . . Bill Barber

Neanderman · Aug 1, 2009

Been there, done that. They are addictive! I love the Isolette's and the Zeiss's that I've been able to find for the price I'm willing to pay. Mine are mostly 6x6, but I do have some 6x9 and 4.5x6's.

Ed

John Koehrer · Aug 2, 2009

nsurit said:
Do you have a "Semi" yet? More images with the same amount of film. Dang, I wish I could find a reasonable Semi-Olympus. Have a nice Semi-Leotax and a few other folders (Bessa RF, II, Olympus Chrome Six, etc.) Where is that elusive Semi-Olympus. No GAS here . . . Bill Barber

I've got a Semi First. What weird names.
645 no rfdr, compact. If I remember correctly it needs a CLA.
One day.

pschauss · Aug 3, 2009

What you need now is a Super Ikonta A (6x4.5). You won't believe how small it is. At last, here is a medium format camera that actually WILL fit in your pocket.

ntenny · Aug 3, 2009

pschauss said:
What you need now is a Super Ikonta A (6x4.5). You won't believe how small it is. At last, here is a medium format camera that actually WILL fit in your pocket.

In my experience the size of 645 and 6x6 folders usually isn't that different. IMHO, between the two, preferred format should carry a lot more weight than the size of the camera.

Then again, these are folders; who says you need to choose "between" anything?

-NT

BetterSense · Aug 3, 2009

I'm depressed and unsure what to do about my folder situation. I have a fine-working Isolette I but the bellows is shot. I love the camera but a new bellows from cert6 costs $70 and for $85 I can buy a completely refurbed Isolette I from the same source. And if I'm going to spend $85, why spend it on a basic camera with basic lens and shutter and zone focusing? So basically it's just sitting there gathering dust.

The key for me is that an Isolette I fits in my back jeans pocket. I have to shop for other cameras over the internet and it's hard to tell size. What's a cheap <$150 folder that compares well with the Isolette I but is absolutely no bigger or pokier? I would just buy another one but the bellows is probably just as bad on any other used example.

Sirius Glass · Aug 3, 2009

ntenny said:
In my experience the size of 645 and 6x6 folders usually isn't that different. IMHO, between the two, preferred format should carry a lot more weight than the size of the camera.

Then again, these are folders; who says you need to choose "between" anything?

-NT

I may case the 6x6 folder is exactly the same size as the 645 folder ...
because they are the same camera! The 6x6 does not use a mask and the viewfinder is set for 6x6 and when a 645 the mask is inserted and the viewfinder is set to 645.

Dyrbr

elekm · Aug 3, 2009

BetterSense said:
I'm depressed and unsure what to do about my folder situation. I have a fine-working Isolette I but the bellows is shot. I love the camera but a new bellows from cert6 costs $70 and for $85 I can buy a completely refurbed Isolette I from the same source. And if I'm going to spend $85, why spend it on a basic camera with basic lens and shutter and zone focusing? So basically it's just sitting there gathering dust.

What you want to do is to buy an Ansco Speedex 4.5. It's made by Agfa but it should have leather bellows. The bellows on the Agfa Isolette are very easy to replace. You lose a camera (the Speedex), but the cost should be only about $20 or so.

seawolf66 · Aug 6, 2009

The Medium format 6x9 is a death trap for people who just get one they then you need others , I know , I now four or five of them : [LOL]
Plain Bessa 1949 and Bessa I a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/2 and a Franka Rolfix with a 105mm F.4.5 Radionar lens and it has film it hum wonder how long thats been sitting : Old age sure makes life fun at times [LOL]
Forgot just Bought another 6x9 a vintage kodak camera kodak model no.1 anastigmat 102 mm

Folder madness...

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