franka solida with a triplet radionar - I'm impressed

[mr rusty]

Just fixed up a Franka Solida (pic of it in the camera repairs forum).

Just developed and printed some negs from the first film. These are scans from one of the prints. As you see the reg plate on the middle car is readable. Not bad for a '53 folder with just a cooke triplet!



Delta 100 in adonal

 

[bernard_L]

Did you try the Radionar at full aperture? I did, and find the results dreamy, to say the least. I believe the f/2.9 aperture was dictated by marketing, not engineering. This said, this triplet (and likewise the Trioplan) is impressive at f/8 or smaller aperture. Don't know precisely where lies the limit between "very nice" and "dreamy-awful".

 

[mr rusty]

Yes, tried it wide open, and it's going to be interesting. However DOF is tiny, and my test print at 2.9 isn't worth reproducing. If I was shooting it wide open for real I would definitely be bracketing the focus. The print above is @ F11

 

[gzinsel]

IMO the zeiss, schneider, voigtlanders, all great! the folder of 6x9 are true sleepers! very cheap to buy with great results, even compared to the fujinon gw690III. Particularly in B+W.

 

[Peltigera]

I have a Franka Solida III with the Radionar f/2.9 lens. I generally shoot at either f/5.6 or f/8 and that lens is excellent at those apertures.

Bernard, is 'dreamy' good or bad? It actually means nothing to me.

 

[mindthemix]

I love my Pentax 67II and the Rollei but the Franka Solida is just an amazing camera and a real joy to use. I was extremely lucky to find one in like new condition and WOW me every time a use it. Needs some practice with the uncoupled rangefinder but not a big deal.

Some recent shots and photos of the camera.