just the right camera

[chriscrawfordphoto]

Jnanian,

You agree with him as you haven't bought one yourself? Hardly compelling logic, especially as others here have documented their experience in doing exactly what Christopher has (in 2 separate posts) said is not possible.

Having a few people say they did something doesn't mean it is going to be even remotely possible for anyone else. My grandpa bought a lottery ticket once that won him $1000. 99% of lottery ticket buyers will never win that much. To go around saying that one can realistically win $1000 buying lottery tickets is simply delusional and, i'll go so far as to say, unethical.

Realistically, the original poster is not going to find a usable medium format camera for $40. Sorry, kiddo, but life ain't fair. Get over it.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

yes no yes no yes no yes no yes no yes no yes no yes no

Will you re-sell?

 

[removed account4]

Jnanian,

You agree with him as you haven't bought one yourself? Hardly compelling logic, especially as others here have documented their experience in doing exactly what Christopher has (in 2 separate posts) said is not possible.

i have never bought a camera myself for 40$ ?
i have bought quite a few for 40$ or less ....
folders, faux rangefinders &c they were all a waste of money.

i never said it wasn't possible, i said it is possible, but more trouble than they are worth.

i would rather use a box camera for medium format.
single shutter speed, sometimes B, sometimes a yellow filter, sometimes dual format.
simple and maybe costs 10-20$ and if the shutter doesn't work it can be fixed in 10 mins.
i have a rolleicord, but would rather use my agfa sureshot.

 

[moose10101]

The old Bessa, with the Voigtar lens, usually goes for $25-35. It sometimes comes with the original 6x6 mask. You can also get lucky sometimes and find one with the Skopar lens within your budget.

The 6x9 Ikontas with the Novar lens may also be available in that price range.

You'd have better luck with a camera that uses 620 film, as long as you're willing to respool. A Kodak Monitor with Anastigmat Special, or the Kodak Tourist with the Anaston lens are commonly available for $40 or less. Don't get the Tourist with the top-of-the-line Anastar, because the Synchro 800 shutter it's paired with can be unreliable. Neither of these will have a mask.

It's kind of funny that someone would push (yes, that's the correct word) someone toward a $500 kit when they clearly want something simple, with one adequate lens and the ability to make aperture setting changes.

 

[Storyteller]

yeah I am looking at the old Bessas and the Ikonta 520/2 series. I also found the Frankas, which seem about right too. Ideally, I want a 4x5 camera with 6x9 rollfilm backs and some plates, but its $250-400 to get into that range. A horseman 985 maybe. Im also looking into a Busch Pressman D series, which has enough movements to keep me busy, but again, a couple hundred bucks.

So, right now, Im looking for a cheap 6x9, that has more power than my Agfa Clack, that I bought for under $10, and going for something just a step above it, to tide me over until I can get a better camera system. Im pretty sure it will be a Bessa or Ikonta or something very similar, the Bonafix looks ok, so does a Certix... I was just wondering if there was a recommendation on these.

I may skip the extra format and get two cameras, but it seemed like having two on one cam would give me more range, more ability to experiment in MF. My clack just has one shutter speed, Id like to get faster than 1/200, it only does 1/30. Only has two apertures and a yellow... so somethin I can make adjustments with and better take good photographs.

Thank you guys, it looks like Im on the right track.

 

[Bill Burk]

Again good luck Storyteller,

I waited years for those deals - luck played a big part... From some recent threads, I think a Ricohflex might be a good idea for a good $40 camera that you could get right now... a TLR would be easier to focus than a scale focusing folder camera...

Don't forget to post a "Want to buy" thread and watch the for sale's here... the Adox Golf for $100 is close to a good camera if the buyer doesn't come through... Maybe you will find an APUG member with a good deal.

 

[Storyteller]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221165390525?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

just missed this one...

 

[Pioneer]

I have an older Zeiss Ercona 1 6x9 folder that works well as well as a Balda Baldalux 6x9 folder that works just as well. Neither have rangefinders, coupled or otherwise, so I either shoot at infinity or use one of my old golfing rangefinders to guesstimate a distance. The Balda produces slightly better images only because the lens is a bit better but both can produce really nice images if the photog is willing to take his/her time. Both of these cameras were a little over $40 at the time but they both work great. I also have an old Agfa 6x6 that works as well. I got it for $10. The shutter speeds seem to be just fine. It does have some bellows problems but a little silicone and shoe polish keep things light tight and the lens is beautiful. The film transport is pretty simple but works just fine and there are no light leaks. The problem is with the focus, as with many Agfa/Ansco folders. For someone with less shaky hands than I, who is willing to disassemble the lens and clean the old green grease out, I am positive it make a very good shooter.

It all depends on what you want. Money does not make good images and a Leica is not necessary. I think the OP has a great idea and I applaud his gumption.

For $40 I recommend that you stay away from Agfa/Ansco folders unless you can live with temporary bellows repair and cleaning hardened grease from focus helicals. A new bellows will run about $70 so that blows your budget completely. Also, stay away from anything with a more complex film transport. The old red window is best for what you want. Look for one with two or three windows and ask if the seller still has the film mask, as the multiple window was usually a sign that a film mask was available. A sliding cover on the red window is nice but plain old electrical or gaffers tape will work just as well. Usually the simple shutters are less likely to have problems. 1 second through 1/200 or 1/300 seconds is pretty good for what you want to do I personally like the Prontor shutter but the Compur was usually considered a little more upscale. Coupled or uncoupled range focusing is nice, if you can get one at your price point, but again, that introduces more complexity and repair, though I find rangefinder adjustment easier to do than shutter repair. Besides, closing down your aperture to f8, f11 or f16 covers up a lot of small focus errors caused by guesstimation, and fits in perfectly with landscapes and cityscapes. The 6x6 format is a bit more economical as you get more shots on a roll. The film usually stays a little flatter as well because it isn't stretching all the way across that 9 centimeter acreage like a 6x9. Finally, most of these cameras will have a tripod socket though they may be 3/8 rather than 1/4 like the more modern tripod sockets. That's not an issue since adaptors are available. Besides, I have a little wooden platform with a quick release on the bottom that I attach to my tripod. Once leveled I can sit my folder on top of it and take my pictures at my leisure using a cable release.

Remember, a good 6x6 or 6x9 negative from a $40 folder will almost always put a good 35mm negative. Don't let anyone BS you, size does count. Good luck and have lots of fun.

 

[Yashinoff]

I really would not bother with multi format cameras. There is really no point unless you're actually too poor to buy a second camera. When these were new that probably was the case with a lot of buyers, but it is kind of pointless today.

 

[LJH]

Having a few people say they did something doesn't mean it is going to be even remotely possible for anyone else. My grandpa bought a lottery ticket once that won him $1000. 99% of lottery ticket buyers will never win that much. To go around saying that one can realistically win $1000 buying lottery tickets is simply delusional and, i'll go so far as to say, unethical.

Realistically, the original poster is not going to find a usable medium format camera for $40. Sorry, kiddo, but life ain't fair. Get over it.

With all the people that have posted that they have been able to buy a camera for $40, there appears to be a lot of people here who have won the $1000 lottery you obliquely referred to.

Guess yet another of your condescending arguements has been shot down in flames, Kiddo. Try to get over it.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG, Storyteller.

You stepped on a hornets nest at first, but now you have recovered.

I had a circa 1935 folding camera that used 120 film. It was a Certo Super Dolly with a Zeiss lens, no range finder, and an extinguishing light meter. It took 6x6 and had a mask for 645. It took some amazing photographs. This photograph was take at Union Station in Los Angeles. A 5"x5" print showed what looked like dirt on the glass panes. When I printed it 30"x30" the "dirt" turned out to be etching on the glass. The wonders of film photography. On the print the blacks are black; in the digital scan, not so much; please read line three of my signature.

 

[georg16nik]

Good luck with finding $40 6x9 (with 6x4,5 mask) folder with "faster than 1/200" on the bay that does not require at least ~ $100 for CLA.
$40 sounds ok for mold, fungus, sticky shutter soup served in corners cracked bellows.

 

[Ian Grant]

Having a few people say they did something doesn't mean it is going to be even remotely possible for anyone else. My grandpa bought a lottery ticket once that won him $1000. 99% of lottery ticket buyers will never win that much. To go around saying that one can realistically win $1000 buying lottery tickets is simply delusional and, i'll go so far as to say, unethical.

Realistically, the original poster is not going to find a usable medium format camera for $40. Sorry, kiddo, but life ain't fair. Get over it.

Just because you don't think you can find a camera that meets the OP's requirements in good working order for around $40 there's no reason to keep claiming it isn't possible. In fact with a little patience it's easy.

Using lottery tickets as an example is way off the mark because the odds are stacked heavily in favour of those who go looking in the right places. I've picked up quite a few good cameras around $40 or less and up that to $50 and I have no problems finding good working post WWII 6x9 cameras with no shutter issues, coated lenses, and some have 6x6 masks built in

Ian

 

[emjo]

The (pre war... WWII not the Boer Agfa Billy Record (I or II) is a 6x9 which works well (mine do anyway). The 1950's Zeiss Ikontas are 6x6 but run surprisingly well. Optically neither of them are bad! It is the handling of them that leaves something to be desired (by todays standards). If you want some pure 6x9 fun then the Fuji rangefinders (GW690 etc) are fun but way off your price tag. You get what you pay for, and photo quality wise an old 1930's Agfa Record can still do stunning pictures. Flickr or http://jabcam.wordpress.com/2012/01/11/agfa-billy-record/ have examples.

 

[cliveh]

Hello. I am Storyteller.
I have begun doing photography again, film, mostly 35mm and some 120. I am trying to find out what camera I want to buy. I only know the specifics of what I am looking for.

It uses 120.
It shoots in 6x9 format.
It has a tripod mount, for landscape orientation. This would mean a bolt hole on the bottom.
It has an alternative format or 6x6 or 645.
It has a lens that can focus at least to some degree.
It has some aperture settings for different lighting conditions.


I have looked into the Bessa, the Ikonta 52(x)/2 and a few others.

Any pointers in the right direction would be appreciated. I am trying to spend under $40 on ebay, which is very doable these days. I want to use the camera to take landscapes and cityscapes..

thank you,

Storyteller

As you are a Storyteller, may I suggest you read “The Box” by Günter Grass? I believe all cameras and lenses have their own personality and different ways of recording. To experiment with this is a life’s work and in itself and a truly exciting visual story.

 

[Pioneer]

As you are a Storyteller, may I suggest you read “The Box” by Günter Grass? I believe all cameras and lenses have their own personality and different ways of recording. To experiment with this is a life’s work and in itself and a truly exciting visual story.

"Peeling the Onion" is an even better tale, but not strictly related to photography.

Storyteller, your little post has caused me to pull out some of my poor little orphaned 6x9 folders again and put them to use. Thank you.

 

[cliveh]

"Peeling the Onion" is an even better tale, but not strictly related to photography.

Storyteller, your little post has caused me to pull out some of my poor little orphaned 6x9 folders again and put them to use. Thank you.

Thanks, as I haven't read this, but soon will.

 

[Yashinoff]

I have one of these and I love it. Really fun, light, compact, and capable of making good photos. Mine has a minor intermittent light leak problem that I'm struggling with, I think light is getting in through the green window and bouncing around behind the pressure plate.... I expect to figure out how to fix it eventually. The bellows are fine.

Oddly enough, I started reading this thread because I'd also like a camera just like OP, and would love to hear other's experience with the different choices. I really like the 6x9 format and don't care about inserts for smaller frames. The foldex 30 has a tripod mount in portrait orientation but not on the bottom for landscape. For slower film, a tripod mount would be a really really good thing to have. I'm looking to add one to mine. The camera was very much made for handheld operation and has a neat feature that lets you trigger the shutter without having to reach out to the lens. I guess that's why they left the tripod mount off the bottom...although I find that hard to understand since so many other details seem well thought out.

Mine was about $20 on the goodwill auction site and it is in very nice condition. At the moment it's my favorite camera for just carrying around. I hope some more people will chime in with experience with different 6x9 folders... for example I think there are some Agfa models where the scale focus winding gets stuck... these are the sorts of things that newcomers like myself need to know to watch out for!

I've had several 6x9 folders, and the Foldex one is my favorite for the most part. It would be nice if it had a faster lens, but it is super sturdy and simple and the Steinheil lens is sharp. I think thy get overlooked because of the slow lens and because of the fact that the other Foldex models all have single element lenses and are basically just folding box cameras.

 

[Steve Smith]

Sorry, but you cannot get a good 6x9 camera for $40.

Of course you can if you know what you are looking for and have a bit of luck.

I bought a very nice Rolleicord V for £35 which didn't require any work. A fully working 6x9 camera could easily be bought for under $40.

Obviously there is a bit of a gamble with Ebay and equally you could spend that much on something which doesn't work but that doesn't mean it can't be done.


Steve.

 

[Storyteller]

just scored a promaster tripod + monopod combo for a dollar, plus 22 shipping, so 150-200 worth of support gear for under 25 bucks... keeping my eye open for a folder, tlr or speed graphic or other press camera. my local camera store said they have a baby press with roll back for about 125 complete... I think that might be the way Im heading. I can buy gift cards in any amount and save up for a few bucks at a time.

 

[NedL]

I just this morning found an Ansco Viking for $25 + $13 shipping. I guess it's a gamble if the scale focus ring is stuck, but I might have a use for the shutter in another project if the camera can't be cleaned up and and used. Either way I'll have fun seeing if I can get it to work...

 

[Storyteller]

Im kinda getting to that point, what can I get out of the camera.

The camera my folks got me is a Century, with the 103mm Trioptar. It has a rollfilm "23" on it, so no ground glass. No rangefinder either, so its definitely 'entry level' Stil, its one of the most basic MF 'system' I can get and I am sure will be miles above my 35mm. I am expecting it in a few weeks, when they drive up to visit, also bringing me a little gift from a very nice person here.

Im excited about it and what I can do with it, Im sure its a project that will keep me busy until I can afford a 4x5 view camera.

 

[Steve Smith]

If it has a lens, somewhere for film and a space between them in the form of a box to keep the darkness in, you can use it to make pictures. Extra features are nice and can help you get to the taking stage but at the time you press the shutter, all that matters is the lens and the film.

I think the important thing is to just get something and start to use it - even if it's not exactly what you want (assuming you know what that is at this stage).


Steve.