Folders & Box Cameras - Which have been your favorites?

[DannL.]

When it comes to 120/620 folders and box cameras, which have been your favorites? Several makers and formats have come to mind . . . Kodak, Zeiss, Voigtlander, 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x9, etc. There must be some of these cameras that are a real joy to own and operate. And some that produce decent negatives also.

I recently acquired a Kodak Dou Six-20 Series II, and now the desire to try other folders and even 120/620 box cameras has been reinvigorated. It's been quite a few years since I've used a box camera. If I can avoid some of the truly awful cameras along the way, that would be nice.

Many Thanks. DannL.

 

[DWThomas]

I've been quite pleased with a Perkeo II (80mm f/3.5 Color Skopar) that I acquired. It's 6x6 format and very compact when folded. I also have an Ercona II, that's an East German Zeiss Ikonta with a CZJ Tessar that takes nice pictures. But it's bulkier, heavier, and at 6x9 only gets 8 shots on a roll! The 105mm f/3.5 on that is a relatively awesome sight as to cool factor.

I have a Kodak Brownie Target Six-20 that I got new as a kid back in maybe 1948 or 49. It still works, but I wouldn't consider it for "serious" use (whatever that may be) and the 620 film situation is a PITA.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Folders? They're not always thought of as folders and they're not really pocketable but I've been quite happy with my 2x3 Graphics.

I'd really like my Perkeo II, which is a joy to use, if I could get sharp shots with it. 80/3.5 Color Skopar, in collimation, shot well braced at f/11 or f/16 and still ...

 

[removed account4]

box cameras for me,
all formats small and large ( mf + lf)
just plain fun to use

 

[DannL.]

I've been re-rolling 120 onto 620 reels now for the Duo, without a hitch. So, 620 is definitely an option.

Years ago I used a Kodak Tourist which I thought had serious problems. I couldn't get a sharp negative if I tried. Eventually I learned that I needed to support the bed of the camera with the open palm of my hand when shooting. My negatives started to look better immediately.

How about these Zeiss Tengor box cameras? Never had one, but they look interesting.

 

[gone]

Anything w/ the names Voigtlander and Heliar does the trick for me. Bessa RF, Bessa II, and Inos were three folders that produced great shots for me. If you consider a TLR a box camera w/ a moveable lens, then the Brillant w/ Heliar that I stupidly sold was, well, brilliant. It was the best of the bunch.

 

[02Pilot]

Folders? They're not always thought of as folders and they're not really pocketable but I've been quite happy with my 2x3 Graphics.

I'd really like my Perkeo II, which is a joy to use, if I could get sharp shots with it. 80/3.5 Color Skopar, in collimation, shot well braced at f/11 or f/16 and still ...

I had a similar problem with my Perkeo II - the left side of the frame often seemed unreasonably blurred. I finally tracked the problem down to weak pressure plate springs. I supplemented the existing springs, making the pressure exerted along the plate much higher, and the problem went away. Not saying it's the issue you're seeing, but might be worth checking out.

On the original question, I'm more a folding camera guy, though I have a couple boxes that are fun every now and again. The Perkeo II is great and tiny - a perfect MF travel camera. I picked up a Certo Super Sport Dolly recently, which is a pre-war folder with a coupled RF and an 80/2.8 Zeiss Tessar (dual format, 6x4.5 or 6x6, though mine only has the 6x4.5 mask) - pretty interesting camera, though heavy and a bit ergonomically challenged. I'm still thinking about a 6x9, but the right one hasn't come my way yet.

 

[Two23]

My favorite cameras are box cameras and folders. I have a nice little collection:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/96826069@N00/14780777005/

I just bought a Zeiss Super Ikonta 531A today. My favorite folder is my Century No. 46, but that's a 4x5. My favorite 120 is the Voigtlander Bessa RF with Heliar lens. Mmmmm--Heliar! Camera has a coupled rangefinder and is just an all around outstanding camera. Mine is from 1937. I have 20 or so box cameras and have used each one. My favorite is probably my oldest, and Kodak Brownie No. 2 from about 1904. I'm just amazed something that old is still working like new! My fanciest is the Gevabox. It has a lot of nice features and I think mine is from about 1938. The Tengor is nice as well. The Kodak Brownie No.2 came in different colors around 1930. These are fun little cameras. I have about three. If I could have only one box camera, it would be a Art Deco Brownie that takes 120 film, again from the 1930s:
Dead Link Removed


Kent in SD

 

[mike c]

Voigtlander Bessa I is what I have with the 105mm Color Skoper. What a camera and fun to use, no range finder and focuses turning the front element which has a distance scale engraved in Meters no less. It is a six by nine neg so only 8 frames but is good for hand held with 400 film. That Skoper is just as sharp as the xenar on my Rollie. It will fit into a large coat pocket but not as compact as the 6x6 folders, great camera once you learn to zone focus and guesstimate distance. Those are great photo's you got there Dave.

Mike

 

[Peltigera]

My favourite folding 35mm camera is my Voigtlander Vito II and my favourite folding 120 camera is my Zeiss Ikon Nettar 515 half-frame.

It is quite hard to decide on a favourite as my Balda Baldina is a very close second to the Vito II and for picture quality my Nettar 515/2 is the best - just too expensive to use a lot.

 

[removed account4]

dann
for boxes i have used a sureshot, delmar, cyclones, kodak 1a, unmarked ones that took glass plates,
polaroid 500 ( multi shot portrait cameras ) as well as a handful of hand made ones i made myself ... their simplicity is what i like
sometimes it is rough finding the sweetspot but they are still fun ...

 

[pgomena]

Zeiss Box Tengors are fun and reasonably priced. Lens is quite sharp, sharpness falls off in the corners. Nice look and feel to the images. They are a bit clunky, and you need to use a cable release with a throw of 2cm. Fun cameras.

For more funk, try an Agfa Clack.

For information on a variety of folders, see Certo6's website: http://www.certo6.com/

I own a Franka Bonafix 6x6/6x9 folder I bought right here on APUG. It's fun to use and produces a decent image. I don't enlarge any pictures from any of my "garage sale" cameras more than 6x9" with few exceptions. The emphasis is on fun when I use them. I pull them out when I've been much too rigid/serious in my work and feel the need to loosen up a little.

 

[2bits]

I have several folders, all 120. My favorites are a Franka Solida ll and a Agfa Isolette L. I use a Voightlander rangefinder with both camera's. I get great photo's from them.

 

[ntenny]

My first folder was a 6x9 prewar Wirgin---I think it's an Auta, but their model names are haphazard and their history unclear---with a Rodenstock triplet lens that punches way above its weight. You know how some lenses just have that je ne sais quoi.

Nettars seem to be absolutely indestructible; they generally have Novar lenses, which vary in performance, but a good one is damn good; and they tend to go cheap. The postwar "signal" Nettars have an interlock that prevents accidental double exposures, which is a nice little feature.

In 35mm, IMHO it's all about the folding Contessa; but I'm a Hubert Nerwin fanb0i.

-NT

 

[nosmok]

For folders, Welta Welturs are my go-to camera. Cheap enough, rugged, great pix.

If you don't mind scale focus and 620 film, the Kodak Monitor will give you outstanding pix, but you must make sure the bellows isn't shot.

Cheaper semi-sleepers-- Franka Solida (esp with Rodenstock trinar-- a wonderful lens), Hapo 66.

For shear photo excellence, the Ensign Autorange 820 reigns supreme among any folder I've had, but it is no bargain and kind of a pain to use (literally-- the double-exposure prevention hurts!).

--nosmok

 

[Kyle M.]

I was very happy with my 6x9 Ikonta 521/2, I know the shots I got with it were every bit as sharp if not sharper than I get with my RB67, and that was with a Novar not a Tessar. I don't really know why I got rid of it. I'm sure I'd be every bit as happy with my 6x6 Mess Ikonta 524/16 if I could just find that damn light leak, I'm almost positive it's not in the bellows, but it almost has to be. I've only run one roll through the Kodak Retina IIIc that I inherited from my great-grandfather, because the shutter release is jammed and I have to push the release on the shutter itself, and I could buy another working one for cheaper than I can get this one fixed. The images I got from it were pretty good though, the only lens I have for it is the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 50mm F=2.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

My fiance´gave me her dads old Zeiss Super Ikonta IV. I and it CLA'd and it's a wonderful camera. The selenium meter still works on it. It's accurate too.

 

[xya]

my favorites have all automatic film advance and a range finder: old: 6x6: zeiss super konta (III and IV), 6x4.5: konica pearl III. "new": plaubel makina 67, fuji gs 645 and fuji ga645w. the latter is wide and fully automatic, just love it.

 

[DannL.]

Wow, this is surprising. Looks like everyone and their granny has one or more folders. That's kinda neat (60's slang for 70's "cool") when you think about it. I can envision some sort of shoot-off or photo-contest, just for folders, in the near future.

I expect I will go through several folders and box cameras before it is all said and done. I like what I've heard. A lot of happy camera owners on this forum. I guess that's what makes this crowd unique.

For anybody that is interested, here's the publication listing Kodak's offerings over the years. There are quite a few cameras listed there. I'm sure I'll never be able to get to them all, unless I start soon.

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/aa13/aa13.pdf

 

[Sennexd]

I'm kinda fond of my Coronet 6x9. it may not be special but it does a nice job of being a camera.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Wow, this is surprising. Looks like everyone and their granny has one or more folders.

Its a phase that many of us pass through.

 

[Del Boy]

Its a phase that many of us pass through.

Not me! Folders are just too cool and so much fun to use!

My favorite is my Super Isolette.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I still regret selling my Bessa II RF with a Color-Skopar years ago. I have a Bessa RF from before the war with the Helomar. I also have a Welta Weltur 645 with a Zeiss Tessar lens. The prism desilvered though so it works by guesstimate now. Fun cameras to use. Rarely do though.

 

[ozphoto]

Love my Kodak 620 Junior folder; can't believe the contrast in the lens and when it's focussed correctly (still getting my head around ft.), the sharpness astounds me!!

No meter, just the sunny 16 rule and respooling 120 onto 620 spools.

Only hassle I have is that I only have 2 spools, the 3rd has some major wear and it slips very badly when winding on; need to find some "new" ones - the "trim down a 120 spool" option doesn't work for me unfortunately. Don't ask how I know . . . . .

The attached image was one of the first images I shot with it - my (awful) experience with a trimmed 120 roll is rather evident, this is one of only 2 images that survived.

 

[removed account4]

Its a phase that many of us pass through.

maybe, but this phase has lasted 15+ years for me ( box cameras ) ...