Folding 6x9 recommendations.....

[Paul Howell]

I have a Kodak Tourist and a Rodenstock Clarovid. The Tourist, despite costing me all of $10, is in perfect condition and is very solidly built and braced. There were many versions, some with cheap Kodet meniscus lenses and one shutter speed, and the top of the line with a 4-element coated Anastar lens. Mine is the middle of the line with 3-element coated Anaston f6.3 lens. Modification for 120 film requires a grinding tool like a Dremel, which I don't have, because the area around the spool is solid metal. So I respool onto 620 spools, which is not too difficult. The Tourist is front-element scale focus, but the viewfinder is relatively big for a folder. There is a shoe (not the right sized shoe to hold a flash) that was designed to hold an accessory Kodak rangefinder. I generally only use it stopped down to f16 and it's quite sharp there. The camera has strap lugs and is comfortable about the neck. So, don't be afraid of respooling; it's just time-consuming.

I consider both of my folders as toys, and for more serious work I generally use a modern 6x6 Bronica. I think coming from an RZ you may be disappointed by the limitations of old folders and their lenses. You should consider a modern non-folding 6x9 rangefinder like the Fuji "Texas Leicas".

I agree, I have a 2 Tourists, both with the 4 element Anastar lens, one with the standard shutter, the other with the super with a top end of 1/800 of a second. Tourist used Series V push on filters and hoods I shoot landscapes at infinity so not having a rangefinder is not an issue for me. At F11 or F16 the images are quite sharp. Although the Tourist does not replace my Mamyia Universal it is easy to carry along with LF gear. I don't re-spool, I clip the edge of a 120 spool top and bottom with nail clippers and sand the top and bottom of the spool until it fits, it is time consuming.

 

[Tom Cross]

Thanks for all the replies. Based on information here and on the Internet in general it's seems that most 6x9 folders suffer from film flatness problems of some kind. If I were to settle for a 6x7 folder I have always wanted a GF670 but they are expensive, if available at all. I've never seen a bad image from one of these, I believe they were still being produced quite recently.

 

[Paul Howell]

In terms of a folder that keeps the film flat, although not a 6X9 think about a Mamyia 6, not the modern version, the 50's version. It has a plate that keeps the film very flat, the camera focuses by moving the film rather than the lens. I have one that need some attention, has always been very sharp.

 

[ic-racer]

most 6x9 folders suffer from film flatness problems of some kind.

Even the Pro Horseman cameras can have this issue. Most users know that if a half-used roll of film has been sitting in the 6x9 rollfilm back for some time, that area of film that was bent over the rollers can bulge outward from the pressure plate when it is advanced to be exposed.