most compact 120-camera

[maarten m]

so what do you think is the most compact 120-film camera around?
i know the holga/diana but are there any others?

thanks,
mm

 

[Jeff Bannow]

One of the many folders, which are small enough to fit into your pocket. Such as these:

http://www.certo6.com/

 

[CGW]

The Fuji GS645 folder with the 75mm lens isn't exactly huge.

 

[removed account4]

i have a few mamiya 6 folders
they are tiny and can fit in a pocket ..

 

[Chazzy]

The Super Ikonta A is quite small for a 120 camera.

 

[agfarapid]

You might want to try one of the Zeiss Nettars. Very compact, fairly cheap ($30 to $75) and nice image quality.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Well not compact, some of the TLRs are not bad.

Jeff

 

[keithwms]

Mamiya 6 folder or similar. There is an older Fuji folder that is very compact, I don't recall the number, maybe gs645 or such that CGW mentioned.

The "modern" Mamiya 6 has a collapsible lens attachment; it is quite compact and great for travel; I often take two of them and all three lenses and put them in a small bag. Altogether the kit is actually more compact than a typical 35mm body + 3 lens kit.

The newest fuji folder is compact but pricey.

 

[removed account4]

i saw a kodak tourist a few days ago that was pretty small
the only thing is it took 620 film ( almost 120 but not quite ) ...

 

[maarten m]

wow! so many answers in just a few minutes ...
i should clearify my quest: i have TLR, and VH ...
folders are okay, but when unfolded, not so much any more.

i'm more looking for something that easily fits in my coat and doesn't need hours to prepare before taking a shot
just take it out of the pocket, take a shot and gets back in.

thanks,
mm

 

[R gould]

I have a Voightlander Bessa 66, form 1938, and it is smaller than most 35mm cameras, even 35mm folders, yet takes 6x6 negatives,Richard

 

[removed account4]

if you can find a graflex or other brand roll film back
you can make a hyperfocal superwide angle camera
that is barely bigger than your roll back ..
( like a p/s camera but better ) ...

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Another vote for Nettars. Some models of the Ikonta (not 'Super') are as light (er, stripped down) as the Nettar but come with Tessar lenses -- however, the standard 3-element Novar lens on the Nettar is surprisingly good.

 

[Rick A]

I dunno, my Isolette folds up and slips in my back pocket, and opens at the touch of a button. It doesn't take but a couple of seconds to set aperture and shutter speed aim and shoot. If you have a good working feel for exposure you can even do away with a light meter.

 

[polka]

The prewar 120 folders are indeed most pocketable, they open "click" and close "clack", but then you have to manually transport the film, set the aperture, speed and distance, and cock the shutter before shooting. Does it take "hours" ? For me, I like them, and have always one in the inside pocket of my ski-suit (preferably, either a 6x9 Super Ikonta or a 645 Rodenstock "citonette").

Paul

 

[rawhead]

I was on a similar quest until recently, with the added demand that the lens has to be faster than f3.5. I finally got, and am very pleased with, a Solida III with an uncoupled rangefinder, and an 80/2.9 Schneider lens: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawhead/5278831077/

It literally fits in my jacket's inner pocket, and pretty much goes with me everywhere

 

[bblhed]

IMO folders are not that bad to open and close, at least no more complicated than a ready case is to open and close. My other 120 camera is a Pentax 6X7 and I will tell you that given the choice I would rather unfold a pocket camera than lug the 6X7 around, the pocket-ability and light weight far outweigh the picture quality sacrifice.

 

[2F/2F]

Get bigger pockets...then a Hasselblad.

 

[Sirius Glass]

One of the many folders, which are small enough to fit into your pocket. Such as these:

http://www.certo6.com/

My 1935 Certo Dolly SuperSport with a Zeiss lens is an example of a small folder. It has a coupled range finder and can shoot 6x6 or 645.

 

[agfarapid]

wow! so many answers in just a few minutes ...
i should clearify my quest: i have TLR, and VH ...
folders are okay, but when unfolded, not so much any more.

i'm more looking for something that easily fits in my coat and doesn't need hours to prepare before taking a shot
just take it out of the pocket, take a shot and gets back in.

thanks,
mm

Sounds like you could use one of the Fuji GA645 cameras. They are autofocus, rigid (non folding) and compact. Expect to pay between $400 to $525 for a GA645 wide angle with 60mm lens, auto focus & exposure. Excellent optics and quick. You might even consider the GA645zi, I believe that's the one with a zoom, auto focus & exposure in the same price range. I have the Fuji folder and a Nettar myself which meet my needs for size & portability. Good luck on your quest for the perfect camera!

 

[36cm2]

Perkeo II. Small and awesome. Not as sharp or contrasty as a hasselblad, nor the one I reach for when doing serious work, but perfect for travel and fun shots. In the last year I used it more than any other camera (rolleiflex, hassy, 4x5, F100 and XA2), because it's the one I'Ll grab for any weekend with friends. Take your time looking for one. They're often broken in one way or another. Ken Ruth at Bald Mountain is great for CLAs. I'm not a fan of Certo6, but he does have many satisfied customers. Best of luck.



Leo

 

[phirehouse]

Get bigger pockets...then a Hasselblad

ha ha, love it...

 

[Moopheus]

just take it out of the pocket, take a shot and gets back in.

thanks,
mm

Agfa Clack? Weighs almost nothing and easy to use. Not super-compact, though, kinda squarish, need fairly roomy pocket.

 

[Alastair_I]

Ensign Selfix 820 Autorange special, very nice folding 120 with a choice of 6x6 or 6x9 negative (must be decided before loading the film). I have the older and less sophisticated 420 model as a drop into a pocket MF camera. The 820 could perhaps be considered the pinacle of MF folding English cameras. The Autorange version tends to command a premium.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Ensign Selfix 820 Autorange special, very nice folding 120 with a choice of 6x6 or 6x9 negative (must be decided before loading the film). I have the older and less sophisticated 420 model as a drop into a pocket MF camera. The 820 could perhaps be considered the pinacle of MF folding English cameras. The Autorange version tends to command a premium.

Alastair, you're mad. Completely mad.

I have a Selfix 820, plain vanilla without the rangefinder so not as high as yours. It won't fit in a pocket. It is a monster, is not in the running for "smallest camera that shoots 120 film." Its only virtue is that it shoots 2x3. The highly touted 105/3.7 Xpres is nowhere near as good as the 101/4.5 Ektar I use on my 2x3 Graphics. The UK doesn't have real mountains, that may be why you see a camera that doesn't stand tall as "the pinnacle."

For a pocketable camera that uses 120 film, I concur with the posts recommending the Bessa 66 (made until 1949, I think, the one I gave away was post-WW-II) and its successor the Perkeo. My Perkeo II, again plain vanilla without the IIe's uncoupled RF, goes easily into a normal pants pocket, more easily than my Retina Ib. Nice camera, a joy to use. Mine has a Color Skopar, said to be a good lens. Not mine, I've never got a satisfactorily sharp shot with my very congenial little Perkeo II. The late Charlie Barringer had one like mine, told me he'd tested its lens carefully and found it to be not very good.