older 6x9 folders - still up to scratch on modern colour film?

[Frank R]

You could buy a Voigtlander Bessa II with a Color-Skopar lens. You should be able to get one for under $200 if you are patient.

That would be nice. I always see them sell for $400 and up.

 

[pellicle]

That would be nice. I always see them sell for $400 and up.

I know ... its really frustrating. I'm seriously thinking of spending the extra few dollars and getting a GSW690 (although they're up to nearly US$700 for the series 1 now!).

sigh

 

[elekm]

A coated lens should do better with color films, although an uncoated lens should be adequate. An uncoated lens generally will be lower in contrast than a coated lens. This isn't necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Ole]

... An uncoated lens generally will be lower in contrast than a coated lens. This isn't necessarily a bad thing.

And sometimes it's a great thing: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[sanking]

And sometimes it's a great thing: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

One folder I have not seen mentioned is the Seagull 6X6 or 6X4.5 folder. It has a rangefinder, very nice 75mm f/3.5 lens, and is quite compact and sturdy. I have a couple of them, one purchased new a long, long time ago, and another one I picked up in China last year. They are very common there, though I don't see too many come up for sale in the US.

Sandy King

 

[sanking]

Pellicle,

There is of course the Super Ikonta C (with coated Opton tessar) which is 6x9 and has quite a passable lens particularly at apertures smaller than f8. It is lightweight and folds up into a tidy package. It can be focused by it's coupled rangefinder, which is handy. I have used mine with good success up to 12" x 18". The prices for these seem to be all over the place but it is a very nice camera if you get a good one. I always use a tripod, lens hood and cable release. I will often take mine with me on backcountry hikes.

There is another camera that is often overlooked and that is the Moskva 5, also 6x9. The lens is coated, the shutter is very robust and accurate and the coupled rangefinder works well. The camera will sell for less than $150.00 on Ebay. Search: (moskva,moscou,moscow,moskba,mockba) 5 Camera.
It is a FSU camera and may be easily available to you. I have one of these and I'm very impressed with the utility of it. If you get a good one, you will be pleased. It is more rugged than the Super Ikonta but if it did get lost or broken it is easily repaired or replaced.
Again use a tripod and lens hood. This is worth a try.

I believe the Moskva folders are the best values out there, and the ones I have owned give performance on a par with the Zeiss cameras that they imitate. The best ones in my opinion are the Moskva 4 and the Moskva 5. The Moskva 4 is almost an exact copy of the Super Ikonta C. The later Moskva 5 is not a copy of anything but does incorporate features of the earlier Zeiss and Voigtlander folders.

The lenses on these cameras are fairly long, about 110mm, so unless the rangefinder is well calibrated they will not give good performance at close distances. For this reason they don't test well with resolution targets. However, on a tripod with the lens stopped down to f/16 the Moskva 4 and 5 folders are very impressive performers for most landscape work.

I have several of these cameras and would use them more often but for the squinty viewfinders. Would be nice if some inexpensive bright line finders were available.

Price wise, Moscow 4 and 5 cameras in EX condition can often be found on ebay for $100 or less. By contrast, a Super Ikonta C in like condition will go for $400 or more.

Sandy King

 

[Paul Goutiere]

I have several of these cameras and would use them more often but for the squinty viewfinders. Would be nice if some inexpensive bright line finders were available.

Sandy King

I second this. It would be, however, an easy camera to modify. I've considered installing a flash/accessory shoe to the top and then finding an appropriate finder to fit. I've also given some thought to installing strap lugs on the camera as well.

 

[sanking]

I second this. It would be, however, an easy camera to modify. I've considered installing a flash/accessory shoe to the top and then finding an appropriate finder to fit. I've also given some thought to installing strap lugs on the camera as well.

I installed a shoe on my Moscow 5 and can now use it with a Russian Imarect Finder, similar to the Leitz universal finder that was made for the Leica screw mount cameras. I also have a 35mm bright line finder (for a 35mm camera) that gives a nice view but is wider in angle than the lens on the Moscow 5. But the view is much better than through the viewfinder of the 5.

Sandy King

 

[Chazzy]

If I added an accessory shoe to the top of my Moskva 5, would the top plate of the camera be sturdy enough to support a flash?

 

[sanking]

If I added an accessory shoe to the top of my Moskva 5, would the top plate of the camera be sturdy enough to support a flash?

The top plate is metal and seems pretty sturdy so I am inclined to think that it would support a small flash.

On the other hand, why not use an L-bracket and place the flash to the side and away from the center of the lens where it will give some light modeling?

Sandy King