Me to!! ---> Just bought my first 120 folder

As my Fuji RF needed to go to the camerarepair shop (BTW, in Bergen, close to Ole's residence) after just 4 rolls, for who knows how long, and I have a huge stockpile of assorted (new, expired, b/w, E6, C41, ISO 50, 100, 400 ) 120 film to play with...

OK, so I needed a 120 camera to play with ASAP! Right ?

After several near misses at ebay (my snipes got sniped! I got this baby..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7557204096&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

No other bids ?? Hummm.. a dud ? But it will be a nice display camera if so...

Any information on this camera ? Fixed focus or zone focus?? it said rangefinder in the text but I assume that its only a viewframe ? Any (simple) home CLA which should be applied?

I know it cant compete with my Fuji GS645S, but can be expected in terms of image quality?

Thanks!!

It looks like a guess focus camera, no rangefinder.

There's no information as to shutter or lens, but stopped down and held steady it should be capable of reasonable results. Smooth rather than ultra sharp I would expect.

Paul

Nice little camera, but... Note that the seller had "checked both speeds"!

If I'd known, I would have loaned you one

Ole said:

Nice little camera, but... Note that the seller had "checked both speeds"!

If I'd known, I would have loaned you one

Click to expand...

Yes, looks like my "metering" from now on will be only High or Low and a few other combinations ;-) I'm been unable to find a simular camera/lens close-up to determine its make, focallength, f stops etc.. Time will show....

Thanks, for your kind offer! I might just do that if the repair takes to long time.... (Camera & Videoteknikk as )
(Jeg er i Bergen i overgangen november / desember..)

But the most important project is to finish off my darkroom to do 5x7 ++ contact copies though... the last 20% of work takes 80% of the time???? MF (RF / folders) is to be the play thing on the side, me think.. But as this has progressed in the last year I need to reserve space for that 5x7 enlarger inluding MF masks...

Ole said:

Note that the seller had "checked both speeds"!

Click to expand...

Looks like the lens/shutter is the same as the one on this.... http://www.kameramuseum.de/1franka/solida-record.html Close to a Holga?? May perhaps be used as a threat for self-punishment when I screw-up with the 5x7??
OK.. Back to the auction site... for a fresh look... And This time read-all-investigate-before-bid and follow advice on APUG..

mmmmm

Does this mean I will have to buy a 4x5 format this is terrible this all consuming passion for the shutter, my wife asked is bigger better dear, I replied , put that question to the forum

Jurgen Kreckel used to sell these from time to time.
Pretty good cameras in his opinion.

The worst of the German 6x6 folders is better than the best Holga, if you're after evenly illuminated images that are in focus across the entire frame. Even if it's "just" a triplet, it'll look great at f/8 or smaller.

No, it's not going to be fixed focus, probably scale focus -- and might well be in feet, rather than meters (one foot is 305 mm, near enough). There'll be anywhere between three and eight shutter speeds, plus B and possibly T. No double exposure protection, most likely, and red window advance (so no 220 for this one).

In other words, it's very similar to the Speedex 4.5 (aka Isolette I) and Nettar 6x6 folders I have, both of which make perfectly acceptable images if you can set the focus accurately and hold them steady. Take a vacuum cleaner to the inside of the bellows, and you'll get rid of most of the junk that would otherwise land on your film (and in any case, the stuff thins out after 4-5 rolls).

Donald Qualls said:

The worst of the German 6x6 folders is better than the best Holga, if you're after evenly illuminated images that are in focus across the entire frame. Even if it's "just" a triplet, it'll look great at f/8 or smaller.

Click to expand...

Thats good! I'm looking forward to get it and test it.... While I was waiting for the seller to contact me, I found this low end Voigtlander Bessa 6x9
which should be on its way already according to the seller

Think (hope) that these cameras hold their own place and signature as picturemakeing devices, as my larger formats also have...

Are these 120 or 620 cameras? I have an Ansco that when the feed side has the metal roll "holder" taken out has enough room for a 120 roll. The take up side takes a 620 spool. When I shoot and the film is on the 620 spool I take it out and respool it back on the 120 spool. It's not that hard but it's not that fun either.

The Bessa, at least, takes 120 film.

Curt said:

Are these 120 or 620 cameras?

Click to expand...

To the best of my knowledge, all Franka Solida Records take 120. Regardless, the seller states that it's a 120 camera, so if it take 620 then it could be returned.

I believe the two shutter speeds were 1/8 and 1/30, which should be usable outdoors with negative film...just match your film speed to the weather conditions. On sunny days you can shoot slower films (ISO 50) and on overcast days get out the faster film (125 or 400, depending on the light). This particular camera is probably limited to f/8, f/11, and f/16, but with ISO 50 film on a sunny day you could shoot 1/30 at f/16 and be close enough to get very usable negatives. On overcast days ISO 100 or 400 film will allow you to shoot with the provided shutter speeds often enough that I wouldn't worry about the lack of versatility.

Yes, it would be nice to have a shutter that went from 1 sec. to 1/400 sec., but people made extremely nice pictures with cameras like this one for a long time. Just remember that films tended to be slower in the 1950s than they are today, don't plan on shooting much ISO 400 outdoors, and this camera will be a joy. Being a little limited might actually help the craft side of your photography, as you'll have to work the image to the limitations of the camera. (I say this based on my experience when I first started using LF cameras...their limitations really helped me with all of my photography, even 35mm.)

Assuming the bellows are in good shape (which they tend to be on the German folders) and that the lens is in good condition, you got a very usable camera that will help you make great images. Best of luck to you...and don't give up on the camera due to the limitations it provides. Remember that people are making well-exposed negatives with Holgas, which have one shutter speed. You'll do just fine with the Franka.

Be well.
Dave

When I got the Nettar someone in PN suggested that I put a piece of paper about the size of the negative and cover it with double-sided sticky tape
Then put the sticky tape side towards the bellows, and open and close the bellows with the camera pointing up.... dust got in the tape not in the film (at least in theory)

Donald Qualls said:

The worst of the German 6x6 folders is better than the best Holga, if you're after evenly illuminated images that are in focus across the entire frame. Even if it's "just" a triplet, it'll look great at f/8 or smaller.

No, it's not going to be fixed focus, probably scale focus -- and might well be in feet, rather than meters (one foot is 305 mm, near enough). There'll be anywhere between three and eight shutter speeds, plus B and possibly T. No double exposure protection, most likely, and red window advance (so no 220 for this one).

In other words, it's very similar to the Speedex 4.5 (aka Isolette I) and Nettar 6x6 folders I have, both of which make perfectly acceptable images if you can set the focus accurately and hold them steady. Take a vacuum cleaner to the inside of the bellows, and you'll get rid of most of the junk that would otherwise land on your film (and in any case, the stuff thins out after 4-5 rolls).

Click to expand...