I have had focus issues from day one of owning the camera.
I think, perhaps, hope! that it is an intermittent issue with the focus wheel slipping on the shaft that connects to the film
back/ pressure plate.
May I ask: what kind of problems are inherent in the Mamiya 6 Automat?
IIRC, the Mamiya 6 Automat is relatively unique in that it focuses by moving the film plane, rather than moving the lens or moving elements of the lens.
So it at least works differently, and most likely experiences different issues when worn, damaged, or servicd by anyone unfamiliar with it - where some of that damage might come from.
Hello, I have a Konica Pearl iii. Which is a very compact 645 folder with a rangefinder and four element hexar lens. You can’t beat this one for pocketability, and the lens is really good around f8-11. Portraits will include some environment (no parallax compensation) but it’s my choice for an MF street shooter. BTW I also have a Moskva5 and I don’t find it useable off the tripod due to the shutter kick. That may just be my example though.
There are no 6x9 folders in your budget which are not clumsy old antiques.
At 78. I've looked at a lot of MF folders and owned more than a few. My reasoning, first noting that they are all in the range of 70 years old, and by their folding nature, have been vulnerable to more wear and tear, as well as physical injury, than any other type of camera:
Skip the Super Ikontas. They use a complex optical rangefinder system which is imposed by its front lens cell focusing, is rugged, but difficult to clean and repair. Front cell focusing isn't a dealbreaker, but is an optical negative, everything else being equal. Durable build, but very heavy for the type of camera.
Mamyia Six. Many variations over a ten+ year production with many subtle variations in desgn of functions, shutters and lenses. Stick to the later (Automat) versions, with square rangefinder window replacing the earlier round window with bezel. Get one with the Sekor lens. The Olympus lens has some brand attraction, but the stories about their lens failures are quite true. For Mamiya, Oly used an inferior grade of glass and coatings which failed with age. They develop a heavy haze which cannot be cleaned off, making photos which look like they were shot through a gauze screen. There is a terrific YT video where a new purchaser of one such Mamiya Six shot his Mediterranean vacation, getting a cross-section of such photos. Very sad.
Much better option in a folder: Konica Pearl III, 645 format; 75mm 3.5, in the middle of your budget. Nearly the perfect 645 folder behind the Pearl IV, which is vastly beyond your budget.
Much better option, non-folder:: TLR: Rolleicord (post-war). Ricoh Diacord G or L (not the 225 model or earlier Ricoh TLRs); [Absolutely Not a Yashicamat, any model, no exceptions.]
There are no 6x9 folders in your budget which are not clumsy old antiques.
Carbine No.6; That's 2¼x3¼ inch. It's only a few years older than the Certo, but much slower to use. It has Ensigns own anastigmat lens, and a dial-set Compur with speeds to 1/250 second. It has either a wire-frame finder or a brilliant finder (I more or less never use a brilliant finder if there's any alternative), and scale focus with a radial lever on the side.
Thanks for that -- nice reference.If it's about a comparison of folders, have a look at my website https://www.120folder.com/ I have tried and described quite some of these...
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