Some of the very early ones shot 6x4.5cm I think these had two red windows in the rear of the back. Some of the early ones shot 6x6cm for sure as I have a couple. I have not found an exact way to tell them apart from online pictures of these cameras. I usually ask the seller to confirm. I mostly switched my interest in them to the later Pilot 6 Super.
I plan to replace the mirror and change the focus screen to a modern one.
I guess the quality of the lens depends on what you're trying to do with it. If one looks at it as a nice little reflex Holga or at least embraces its limitations then that can be different. I've seen images made by these cameras online that look pretty nice.
Robert
Thank you for this clarification. It is interesting that two red windows are so common on half-frame cameras. I checked the backing papers on Kodak Verichrome, Verichrome Pan, Super-XX, Agfa Isochrom, Ilford Selochrome and HP3 and they all have numbers for 16 half-frame exposures. Apparently, not all films had them when Pilot 6 was designed and it was safer to rely on 6x9 numbers.
I am a bit puzzled by the horizontal orientation of the frame. A square format in my opinion would be more convenient. Folding cameras usually have vertical orientation, but there orientation is not a problem as you can turn them left and right and upside-down if you want. I am not sure how one would shoot a portrait with Pilot 6. Probably, focus using the ground glass and then use the wire frame for framing.
As for the lens, I am quite happy with the f6.3 KW Reflex-Box Anastigmat on my KW Reflex Box and expect the 4.5 Anastigmat on my Pilot 6 to be of equal quality. I would not compare this lens to Holga, it is way better. It appears to be a triplet design which I like a lot. Faster and more expensive lenses could be of Tessar type and I believe this is the best you could get on Pilot 6 / Reflex-Box cameras.
I find camera shake to be a real problem with these cameras, which is a shame. If you have to use a tripod, you might as well get a folding plate camera and focus on the ground glass.
The information on these cameras is scarce and scattered. Can you recommend any reliable sources on early KW cameras? I saw books in German but they are out of print and seem to be difficult to find even in Germany.
I have an instruction manual for Pilot 6 and can send you a scan if you are interested. Though, you probably have several already.
