Franka Solida 6x6

[Harry f3]

New to this forum and finding a wealth of info. Shoot 35mm but have a chance to get Franka Solida lll at a very good price and just wanted to get info about the camera. Can't really find a lot of info on the internet. Ease of use are they built well. This will be my first attempt with med format. Also what is a good B&W film to start with. Thanks Harry

 

[Donald Qualls]

Based on my reading, the Solida is a decent folder. The examples I see on eBay have the Radionar lens, which is a well made triplet -- when stopped down past f/8 it'll produce results almost indistinguishable from a Tessar. There's little to go wrong, with no frame counter (red window only) and no RF (so no linkage, no half-silver to go bad, etc.). It's scale focus, but with a little practice you can learn to hit the focus within a couple inches at distances where it matters.

 

[edzer]

I have one and use it regularly, often when the hassy is too heavy. Shoots great pictures, built like a tank, easy to carry. Mine has a decoupled RF (in a separate view finder window) which I never use, I guess the distance and use that (scale focus). I use Tri-X film, and it's always an adventure to not miss the number on transport when looking through the red window.

 

[outwest]

I have one with the Radionar and it is a well made and "solid" camera. The lens is quite capable as Donald said just past f/8 and scale focus is easy to use. Not sure what a "very good price" is these days but they used to be an incredible bargain. Of course, as with all old folders, just check the bellows for pinholes (which are easily fixed with a drop of black hobby enamel) if there are any. I've found the European folders to have much better bellows than their contemporary Kodaks. I prefer to use 100ish speed film like Kodak T-Max 100 or Ilford FP4 Plus. Just keep direct sunlight off the lens when shooting. Have fun!

 

[Alan9940]

I've never owned a Solida, but I do have a few other folders. They are all great fun to shoot with. Like @outwest, I tend to use medium speed films in mine. The challenge with some films is seeing the markings through the red window because the printing on the backing paper is so light/faint.

 

[Donald Qualls]

The challenge with some films is seeing the markings through the red window because the printing on the backing paper is so light/faint.

On top of price, that's another good reason to use Fomapan or the Freestyle rebranded Arista .EDU Ultra.

But to give some idea how good even a very simple lens can be on a 6x6 folder, I've had a couple Speedex Jr. cameras (6x6 folder with a double meniscus lens) that produced images in which I could count bricks or leaves at a block away. A Radionar ought to be at least that good.

 

[Harry f3]

Thanks for the info. Will get some Fomapan to start my learning curve. The I'll move up to Tri X and Ilford. Also downloaded the manual from Butkus site to guide me on the ins and outs. From what I can tell it is going to be fun using this camera. Also keep the advice and personal info coming in. Thanks Harry

 

[blee1996]

I have its bigger brother, Franka Rollfix 6x9. They are simple yet solidly built camera, and I like the Radionar lens a lot. Wide open (if you get the scale focus right), it produces very interesting out of focus rendering. Stopped down to f/11 and it can be very sharp. Enjoy yours!

 

[Vetus]

Using and choosing an old folder - Film and Darkroom User

Using and choosing an old folder Articles

www.film-and-darkroom-user.org.uk

 

[loccdor]

I have a Franka Solida I with Frankar 75mm f/3.5 triplet lens. Its rendering is something between a Holga and a quality folder. Soft corners or field curvature. The film advance mechanism gives me trouble. I don't use it often. However I do like its pictures.

It's likely they've solved all these problems with the later model which is more popular among seasoned photographers.

f/11?

f/16

f/3.5

f/8 or f/11

 

[halfaman]

I have a Solida with the 80 mm Radionar and it is a very capable camera. It is very compact and its simplicity is an advantage sometimes. Corners sharpness is problematic even stopping down, but the coated triplet gives excellent contrast wide open and it has a nice bokeh.

I tend to use more the Isolette III due to addition of the uncoupled rangefinder and the better correction of the Solinar. Its price is not very far from the Franka Solida's.