Franka SOLIDA II Ennagon 75mm F3.5 ProntorSVS

[Radost]

Hi,
Just purchased franka solidaII with ProntorSVS and Ennagon 75mm F3.5.
A few questions:
The lens has a red C like zeiss T*. Does “C” mean coated?
The focus is understandably very stiff. Anybody service those in the USA?
I don’t see camera seals on the camera. should I put some?
What can you tell me about the camera? How good is the lens compared to color-skopar on perkeoII?
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmW1HsB5

 

[JPD]

Yes, the red C means that the lens is coated. The Ennagon is a three element lens and should be sharp enough if stopped down to 8 - 16. Do a search for Ennagon on Flickr, there are many photos there taken with this lens there. Many of these folders don't have light seals in the back, but have effective light traps instead that prevent light leaks. The Voigtländer Perkeo with Color-Skopar is a higher quality camera with a better lens.

 

[Radost]

Good to know. Would there be a giant difference at f11 f16 between the colorskopar and the ennagon?

 

[JPD]

Good to know. Would there be a giant difference at f11 f16 between the colorskopar and the ennagon?

I haven't seen a comparison between these two particular lenses, but triplets can be very good stopped down. I suggest that you try the camera with a test roll, preferably on a tripod, to see if you like it.

 

[John Earley]

I have the same camera, a Franka Solida I with an Ennagon 75mm/3.5 lens although mine is in a Vero shutter. I have a Telex shoe mount rangefinder mounted on mine and it makes it a bit more convenient to use though you don't really need one. The lens may not be of the same quality as the Color-Skopar but it's no slouch either.
Here is a shot from mine:

B&W film test- expired TMax and old tmax developer-2 by JOHN EARLEY, on Flickr

 

[Radost]

How do you wind the camera. It has a mechanism that turns the dot red but it is very unconstistant I pretty much dont know when the camera is winded.

I have the same camera, a Franka Solida I with an Ennagon 75mm/3.5 lens although mine is in a Vero shutter. I have a Telex shoe mount rangefinder mounted on mine and it makes it a bit more convenient to use though you don't really need one. The lens may not be of the same quality as the Color-Skopar but it's no slouch either.
Here is a shot from mine:

B&W film test- expired TMax and old tmax developer-2 by JOHN EARLEY, on Flickr

 

[bripriuk]

The film is wound on using the little round window on the back. Pull back the shutter and wind on until you see the number '1' in the red window - you will see arrows and dots first. After the shot wind on until you see '2', etc.

Brian P

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hi,
Just purchased franka solidaII with ProntorSVS and Ennagon 75mm F3.5.
A few questions:
The lens has a red C like zeiss T*. Does “C” mean coated?
The focus is understandably very stiff. Anybody service those in the USA?
I don’t see camera seals on the camera. should I put some?
What can you tell me about the camera? How good is the lens compared to color-skopar on perkeoII?
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmW1HsB5

I'm using theSolida II version (very similar design)for over 50 years now. never a light leak problem and as long as the lens is focussed properly, images are sharp and clean. I've bought a stereo focus aid for it.

 

[John Earley]

How do you wind the camera. It has a mechanism that turns the dot red but it is very unconstistant I pretty much dont know when the camera is winded.

https://www.cameramanuals.org/pdf_files/fw_solida_i_ii.pdf