Medium Format Folder suggestions

[Yobo57]

Hello,
I need some help selecting a medium format folder camera. I love shooting MF with my Yashica 635 TLR but would like something more portable as a sort of everyday for fun camera.

A rangefinder is highly preferred but I’ve done well with scale focus cameras before. Also I’m aiming for the ~$200ish range, definitely sub $400 if possible.

What is making the decision hard is Ideally I would like one with some portrait abilities. Does the 105mm focal length on a 6 x 9 make an important enough difference in portraits compared to 75mm-85mm on most 6x6s? Can’t really find much portrait work done with folders to help me out.

Also I’ve heard of the Pleasant Auto Up close focusing attachment, would the universal model be useable on any lens that fits, or is focal length a factor?
Ex: could I use it on a Moskva-5 or am I better off getting let’s say a Mamiya Six with the specific auto up made for it.

Speaking of the Mamiya Six, I’ve heard to avoid the Zuiko lenses as they tend to degrade and haze up easily, is this true?

I’ve wasted so much time considering all the options, some help would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to hearing your inputs!

 

[GregY]

I wouldn't choose a folder w scale focusing for shooting portraits. I've used most MF formats. 645,6x6,6x7,6x8,6x9.
I find 6x9 too long for portraits since i don't care for vertical shots. I use my Rolleiflex for that kind of work.
W/ a scale focusing camera i think you'll miss a lots of shots especially at wider apertures. Most folders i've used (with the exception of the Plaubel Makina 670) have simple finders.....I find the TLRs more accurate. I think you get more problems than you solve with a folder....although i am very fond of my Perkeo ll.....it's not a camera i use for portrait work.

 

[ntenny]

I’ve taken portraits I liked on scale-focus folders, but I’ve missed focus on a lot of attempts, too. All you get is a normal lens, so portraits will be either closer than might be comfortable or a bit loosely composed—think upper body with environment, rather than headshots.

For reliability in a cheap-and-cheerful camera, it’s hard to beat a Nettar, and while I’ve never shot a Super Ikonta, I would expect them to have the same virtues but with a rangefinder and a Tessar. They push or exceed the limits of your price range, though. There’s a model called a Mess-Ikonta that has an uncoupled rangefinder, and I think someone was selling one in the classifieds not too long ago—they go cheaper than the coupled models if you can turn one up.

-NT

 

[nosmok]

Plenty of older folders without RF's will have a depth-of-field table on the back-- it's a great help, and a lot of casual shooters are scared away by the idea, so prices can be lower. The cameras with these will generally have uncoated lenses, so softer color rendition and possible flare issues. As for portrait shooting, how about the old-school practice of getting an old-school "portrait" accessory lens? They are plentiful and cheap-ish, and one designed for one 105mm lens should work on any of them.

 

[Alan9940]

As others have already said, any folder with scale focus (that is, uncoupled front-cell focus) would be tricky to nail focus, especially when shooting at wider apertures. If you go the folder route, I would highly recommend a camera with a coupled rangefinder like the Zeiss Super Ikonta III or an Agfa Super Isolette. The issue here is that these cameras are generally beyond your stated budget.

The Zeiss Mess-Ikonta is a great camera (I have one), but it is uncoupled with front cell focus. If you go with any Agfa folder, pay very close attention to the bellows. Unless it hasn't been replaced, it will most likely need to be as these bellows are notorious with pin holes.

You may want to look at a Mamiya Six Automat, too, though, again, this camera can be pricey.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I had a Certo SuperDolly circa 1933, with a very sharp crisp Zeiss lens. I could shoot 6x6 or 645. It did not have a focusing cell, so one had to estimate the distance and use the focusing scale. One problem was that the window for 645 exposure numbers did not align with the present day film papers.

 

[Vetus]

Perkeo

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

I second the Zeiss Nettar suggestion. The Novar lens works better than it has any right to.

You might want to consider a +1 close-up lens for portraits. You will need a slip-on to series adapter.

If you are taking portraits a rangefinder is superfluous. The sitter is sitting down and the camera is on a tripod. Use a tape measure and/or knotted string to get the right distance. Depth of field will take care of any slight error.

If you are taking moving-around portraits a folder may not be the best choice.

 

[darinwc]

The Mamiya is a good option. There is nothing wrong with a Zuiko. Any lens of that vintage could have problems. Just make sure to be able to return.
Another good option is the Super Fujica Six.
I recommend these two over the harder to find Japanese folders. Both of these have a larger selection on the market so you can find a good working model.

 

[GregY]

I second the Zeiss Nettar suggestion. The Novar lens works better than it has any right to.

You might want to consider a +1 close-up lens for portraits. You will need a slip-on to series adapter.

If you are taking portraits a rangefinder is superfluous. The sitter is sitting down and the camera is on a tripod. Use a tape measure and/or knotted string to get the right distance. Depth of field will take care of any slight error.

If you are taking moving-around portraits a folder may not be the best choice.

You're making the assumption of a particular kind of formal portrait. If i'm using a string to measure i'd be inclined to use an LF camera. The OP also suggested the folder because it's "more portable" (than his).....
This seems at odds with the formal portrait idea.....

 

[Ben Hutcherson]

There are lots of great options in the Zeiss Super Ikonta range. Years ago I had a 532/16. It was a 6x6, but teally a lovely camera-coated f/2.8 Tessar in a Synchro-Compur shutter and automatic frame spacing after you lined up the first frame in the ruby window. Only downside was the frame counter only went to 11-apparently this was "insurance" to correct for any errors in frame spacing. Mine left enough space at the end for a 12th frame, and someone told me a way to get it to 12-I did it but I'd still sometimes end up with only a partial 12th frame.

At the moment, I have a Super Ikomat(apparently they used that name in some markets in place of Ikonta for a period of time) 530/2. It's a 6x9 camera, ruby window advance, but honestly might be right along the lines of what you're looking for(not a sales post, just mentioning the camera). It has an uncoated 10.5cm f/4.5 Tessar. Tessars in general are well behaved uncoated, especially the slower ones. You lose some contrast, but this was one of the reasons why it was such a popular design. The 530/2 is ruby window advance and has a Compur-Rapid. To me it straddles old and modern nicely. The 532/16 I had honestly gave results that as long as you weren't looking too closely and stopped down a bit weren't noticeably different than what I'd get with an 80mm Planar on a Hasselblad. The Planar wins at larger apertures(I've never used a Tessar that didn't have weak corner wide open) but at the same time the 5 blade aperture on the Planar can make some funny OOF highlights when stopped down.

If you don't mind the bulk, a press camera isn't a terrible choice either. You have a lot of lens options, and do have a rangefinder although composing with anything other than the standard focal legnth(often 90mm or so) may need the ground glass. You do get lens interchangebility and often some movements, though.

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

I have a late model Mamiya 6 Automat which has spent more time at the repair shop than in use.
I defer to a Minolta Autocord for 6x6 use plus it's reliable.
The other alternative in a newer state of the art!!! Fuji 645 in it's many reincarnations.
That said, I really like 6x6.

 

[SalveSlog]

I hardly take portraits, but I love my Zeiss Ercona II (6x9). I'm lucky to have the 6x6 insert. The 105mm lens on a 6x6 frame probably makes it slightly more suitable for portraits?

That camera lacks a rangefinder but that makes it less expensive. And my accessory rangefinder (Präzisa) is not so expensive either and does it's job nicely if the object is not running around.

I admit the 6x6 insert may be difficult to find and perhaps expensive. But I don't think it is impossible to make one from some sort of paper. The red window for 6x6 is in the camera waiting for it/you, anyway!

Some 6x9 Zeiss Ikontas - and perhaps Nettars - may the same 6x6 frame ability, too.

 

[MattKing]

What is making the decision hard is Ideally I would like one with some portrait abilities. Does the 105mm focal length on a 6 x 9 make an important enough difference in portraits compared to 75mm-85mm on most 6x6s? Can’t really find much portrait work done with folders to help me out.

The 105mm lens on a 6x9 is the standard lens and, depending on the aspect ratio of your final print, should give you similar results as an 80mm len. The working distance will be approximately the same - which is what determines the perspective.

 

[blee1996]

I have both TLRs and folders, and would go with TLR for portrait any day. That is just personal preference of looking at the big beautiful image on ground glass popping in and out of focus, compared to RF window.

On the other hand, I do have a Mamiya Six Automat with RF calibrated which could work as a environment portrait camera. But close-up portraits have never been a strong point of any folders.

 

[Paul Howell]

A 6X6 when cropped is a 6X45 so it depends if your final image is square or a rectangle. I have Mamiya 6 with 75mm 3.5 lens, it is a tessar style lens, very sharp in the F11 to 16 range. My rangefinder is well calibrated, a not too tight portrait is quite doable. It will take a series 6 slip on filter holder and hood. The lens is single coated so a lens hood would be helpful. On the larger size I have a Kodak Tourist, it has the better 4 element lens and shutter. Without a rangefinder for close up work you need a tape measure. It is 6X9, the 100 mm lens is normal for 6X9, like the Mamiya good for waist up portrait For head and head and shoulder you need a camera with interchangeable lens. In your price a non folder Mamiya 645 with standard and short tele in your price range is possible. On the large and heavy side a Mamiya Press with 90mm and 150mm lens can be had for $400.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hello,
I need some help selecting a medium format folder camera. I love shooting MF with my Yashica 635 TLR but would like something more portable as a sort of everyday for fun camera.

A rangefinder is highly preferred but I’ve done well with scale focus cameras before. Also I’m aiming for the ~$200ish range, definitely sub $400 if possible.

What is making the decision hard is Ideally I would like one with some portrait abilities. Does the 105mm focal length on a 6 x 9 make an important enough difference in portraits compared to 75mm-85mm on most 6x6s? Can’t really find much portrait work done with folders to help me out.

Also I’ve heard of the Pleasant Auto Up close focusing attachment, would the universal model be useable on any lens that fits, or is focal length a factor?
Ex: could I use it on a Moskva-5 or am I better off getting let’s say a Mamiya Six with the specific auto up made for it.

Speaking of the Mamiya Six, I’ve heard to avoid the Zuiko lenses as they tend to degrade and haze up easily, is this true?

I’ve wasted so much time considering all the options, some help would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to hearing your inputs!

You can get a decent folder for much less than $100. A good rangefinder, such as the Mamiya 6MF, will cost you much more but is also much more flexible than a simple folder.

 

[BrianShaw]

I have a late model Mamiya 6 Automat which has spent more time at the repair shop than in use.
...

May I ask: what kind of problems are inherent in the Mamiya 6 Automat?

 

[bud007]

I went with a Perkeo II a few years back as I wanted something I could easily travel with. Found it to be a bit quirky (Querkeo?) with all it's various mechanical safeguards that kept kinda annoying me. Shot maybe 5 or 6 rolls on various trips with it. No real issues with the negatives... just too many times when I was scratching my head trying to figure out why it wouldn't fire. On a lark this past year, I picked up a pretty clean ("near mint"... that was somewhat overstated not surprisingly) Fujica Super 6 on the bay from a seller in Japan for $200. Took a few weeks to arrive, but other than a minor bellows leak (tube of wet suit sealant fixed that right up), it was in fine operating condition and I like using it a lot better than the Perkeo. It's a little bigger, but I didn't find that material when travelling with it.

I also recently dug out an old Moskova 5 that I had acquired on the cheap years ago, and ran a roll through it. Images were suprisingly good. I wouldn't travel with it, but really liked those big 'ol 6x7 negs.

Both of the recent positive experiences I had with folders were ones equipped with built in rangefinders. So maybe that was subtly also, in my case, why I didn't care as much for the Perkeo. I have a 35mm scale focus camera and I find myself not using that much either.

 

[Alex Varas]

If portraits are important I would stick to couple rangefinders so you can do f/5.6 without much trouble.
Super Ikontas have minimum distance quite large, from 1.2 to 1.6 meters but the rangefinder is usually accurate.
Super Isolette is above 400$ sadly.
Welta Weltur series already went expensive or hars to find in good conditions.
Balda Super Baldax or Super Pontura (expensive).
Certo Sports Dolly if it’s in good shape.
Japanese coupled rangefinder I can’t talk about them, quite rare in EU.

I find 6x9 challenging for portraits but if you are good in framing they are lovely.
I think your best best is Super Ikonta, if you go big 531/2 or 532/16, newers 531/16 or 534/16 are usually more expensive but it doesn’t mean they are better.

 

[Dan Daniel]

How about a 6x4.5 Super Ikonta? I don't even pretend to know Zeiss's naming system, but it's a common pre-WWII camera. Very compact and goes in a jacket pocket easily. The rangefinder is accurate if set up properly. The camera naturally sits in portrait format, although landscape is also comfortable. The pre-war uncoated Tessars have a great quality. And they are unique enough that people are relaxed if you are doing portraits.

 

[Alex Varas]

The small one is Super Ikonta 530 or Super Ikonta 531, 530 has shutter release next to the shutter and 531 at the left of the viewfinder.
Really good cameras for portraits, coated or not.
Really hard to find in good condition and/or good price.
I tested one recently and it was great and I don’t like the format…

 

[ntenny]

The small one is Super Ikonta 530 or Super Ikonta 531, 530 has shutter release next to the shutter and 531 at the left of the viewfinder.
Really good cameras for portraits, coated or not.
Really hard to find in good condition and/or good price.

Igor’s has several of them listed at the moment, claiming Ex- to Ex++ condition (whatever that means in practice). Prices in the US$200-300 range.

-NT

 

[Yobo57]

Thanks everyone for all the insight. Think I’m leaning towards a Super Ikonta or Mamiya Six, I’ll take a look at the market and see what I can find 🫡

 

[guangong]

Don lump all folders together. I yearned for a 6x9 camera, but soon returned one that I bought because I found it awkward in practice. I have a 67 Fuji, but that is way beyond your budget. I also have a Zeiss 645 A camera, but have found shooting landscape rather than portrait is a bit clumsy. I would put a few more dollars into a piggy bank and get a Zeiss Super Ikonta B. Compact, but heavy, with a reliable rf system. The negative is 66, like your TLR. Those with a now defunct meter are usually a bit cheaper. I recommend Zeiss also because their lens erecting system is the most durable. There is/were some Japanese cameras that used the Zeiss lens erecting system after the war, but I can’t recall which ones. By the way, a 69 camera would be much larger than your TLR.
All of this comes down to personal taste, as you probably noticed while reading this thread.