What is a good rugged everyday carry?

Mewael

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I'm transitioning into 120 only and I'm looking for an everyday carry.

I want something rugged and compact; that is, a camera that I can throw into a domke wrap and into my backpack. I have Rollei's and I love them, but they feel a bit delicate to be honest.

Ideally it would be all-mechanical but a battery would be OK too. No autofocus. Options that I am considering:
-Classic folder: Agfa Super Isollete, Zeiss Ikonta's, and etc.
-Modern folders: Fuji GS645, Fuji GF670, Plaubel Makina 67/670
-Non-folding: Mamiya 6 (the 7 is more bulky).

1. Anyone have a size difference between the Mamiya and the Makina?
2. Do you think these cameras are equally sufficient for every day carry use? My thinking is that the classic folders are the most rugged but worst ergonomically.
 

thegman

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I had a Zeiss Super Ikonta III, I think it is a pretty outstanding camera, my only beef was the act that you've got to somehow thicken the film to allow adequate frame spacing. The advice I read here is to apply a few inches of duck tape to the paper backing. That works great, but it's a pain on the move.

I use a Rolleiflex GX right now, and don't find it at all delicate, but it's a matter of opinion really.

My brother used to have a GF670, and it's IMHO maybe the best new camera made in the last 5 or 10 years, I doubt you'd find it more sturdy than a Rollei though. It is a wonderful camera though, in pretty much every regard.

For rugged, I'd probably say Rolleiflex. The older folders, well, I've had the Ikonta and Bessa I, and they both had their issues. Solid enough, but we're talking cameras over 50 years old.

If was to buy another medium format camera, I think it might be a GF670. Or if I was after wide angle lenses, a Fotoman dMini.
 

AgX

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A simple, lightweight, compact type-120 camera is the the Agfa Isola in its version with the Agnar triplet lens.
 

Regular Rod

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Folding for sure. There are some fantastic old folding cameras out there that are hardly used, have spent the last 50 or 60 years in an ever ready case, hung up in a wardrobe and they come up for sale on places like eBay for not a lot of money. Your Domke wrap may not even be necessary if you get one with its case. Agfa made folders to vie with the much more expensive Voigtlanders and these can still be had for sensible money. If you prefer to keep the same 1 to 1.5 ratio format that 35mm gives then the Agfa Record III takes some beating. The Solinar lens produces the finest quality but the cheaper Apotar is not far behind.


Solinar


Apotar

They are very safe when folded. The only time they are vulnerable is when you are using them, but that is true of all cameras...


RR
 

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Nicholas Lindan

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I am a fan of Zeiss Nettars, which can be picked up pretty cheap - though not as cheap as in the past. Slightly more up-market is the non-super Ikonta. The bellows on the Zeiss folders have stood up with time, unfortunately Agfa's bellows develop pinholes/sieveholes.

The 3-element lens on the Nettars works awfully well, as does Agfa's Apotar.

Whatever folder you get, see if you can find one with a Prontor or Compur shutter - the 3-speed Pronto (25-75-200) can be a bit limiting though covers most hand held shooting.
 

MDR

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I have a Zeiss Super Ikonta 531 (6x4.5) for just that purpose it's very small and extremely well built did I mention that it is super small super portable and all around great. It's available with aTessar or a Novar lens both are great. Agx is also right the Agfa folders are very underrated and for carrying around they are great they just lack a RF. Also don't dismiss the postwar japanese folders like the minon six super cheap uncoupled Rf and good triplet lens.
 

AgX

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The one I refered to is very simple: only two short times and two apertures...
But really lightweight. Shutter cocking and film wind are coupled. Release on the body. Double-exposure safety lock. No lens cover but fairly recessed lens.
 
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elekm

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The Rolleiflex was used by the press at one time, so durability wonn't be an issue. However, I do understand not wanting to knock it around and have it end up with unsightly dents and dings.

There are a lot of 6x4.5 and 6x6 folding cameras. A nice little Agfa, Zeiss Ikon or Voigtlander would fit your needs. The 6x6 Agfa Isolette III has an uncoupled rangefinder and either an Apotar (triplet) or Solinar (Tessar type) lens. The folding mechanism is extremely sturdy.

An early 6x4.5 Ikonta folds very flat and is perfect for slipping into a backpack or the pocket of a jacket.

The Voigtlander Perkeo is a well-made lightweight camera.
 

removed-user-1

polyglot said:
one of those little Fuji rangefinders would also suit.
Click to expand...

Yes! The OP mentions the Fuji GS645 folder (with the 75mm f/3.4 lens) but not the rigid-body GS645s (60mm f/4, rangefinder focus) or GS645w (45mm f/5.6, scale focus). These are all great travel cameras. I regret selling my GS645s.
 

removed account4

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you might also keep in mind an an OLD post war
mamiya 6 folder. while they have a fixed lens, they have a
bright rangefinder focus system.

http://silverbased.org/mamiya6-folder/

they are well worth the $$ asked for them.
i had one for years and loved it ( still wish i had it at times ! )
its only flaw is the wind-knob, unless it is protected ( your wrap should do fine )
it may sheer off. they sometimes come with everyready cases, which alleviate
the problem as well

good luck !
john
 

Regular Rod

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Absolutely right! I nearly recommended the Mamiya 6 Folding but they are not as easy to find in fully useable condition as the Agfa Record III cameras are. The Olympus Zuiko lens is a fine thing too. The focus system is very clever on the Mamiya, moving the film plane rather than the lens. For square format the Mamiya 6 Folding makes a perfectly suitable "go-to" camera.



Mamiya-6 Folding


RR
 

Pioneer

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The best I have ever owned is an Ansco Super Speedex, also sold as the Agfa Isolette III. This is a very light 6x6 folding camera with an uncoupled rangefinder. Mine has a Solinar lens but the Apotar is a very good lens as well. They will often be found with holes in their bellows and frozen focus but neither problem is that tough to fix. Once up and running they make awesome little cameras, quite literally fitting in your pocket.
 

k.hendrik

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troyholden

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Fuji GA645 is slightly smaller than a FF Canon DSLR. I don't carry it everyday, but bring it when I travel. You can find them used for $300-$400. I've heard this model called "the poor man's Mamiya" a few times
 

Bob Marvin

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Another vote for a Zeiss Super Ikonta A 531, or an Ikonta A 521, if you can do without a rangefinder. These are about the smallest quality medium format cameras ever made and are quite rugged when folded.

I just finished printing a number of 16 X 20s for a show next month. Most negatives were made with my Rolleiflex 2.8E (Xenotar) but a few are from my Super Ikonta A, with a Tessar. I doubt that anyone could tell which camera made which image.
 

Regular Rod

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You may like this free "human range finder" that is the size of a business card. http://tomchuk.com/misc/rf/ It's actually more accurate than any rangefinder fitted to or built into a camera, because your eyes are further apart than the windows of a rangefinder.


Make a few up for each of your lens and format combinations...


RR
 

AgX

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You won't need special versions. Aside that it is beneficial to have the same markings on the lens and on the card. But one likely has to interpolate anyway.
 

Bill Burk

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Clever... would make a good tattoo, like on the back of your index finger...
 

Salem

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Whichever folder you get, make sure to get a lens hood. It makes all the difference.
 

TheFlyingCamera

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If you're thinking about folders, a Moskva 5 makes a great coupled-rangefinder folder, for not very much money. But I'd still use the Rolleiflex. They're very durable (whenever I'm tempted to think about them as being delicate, I remember this anthropologist/botanist who took one with him into the Amazonian rainforest where he lived with a tribe that was essentially unknown to modern society for three years, back in the 1950s. I forget his name but he worked for National Geographic).
 

L Gebhardt

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I have an Ansco Super Speedex (Agfa Super Isolette) and a Mamiya 7 kit. The Ansco is much smaller, but doesn't have a meter or auto exposure. The lenses on each are excellent, but the Ansco has a totally different look - more classic vs the Mamiya's modern. The range finders on each work well enough, but the Ansco's isn't as easy to see as the Mamiya. The Mamiya hardly ever goes with me when I'm not setting out to take pictures. The Ansco frequently finds its way into my computer bag or backpack. I use a light meter app on my phone to avoid carrying a lightmeter. There are no strap lugs on the Ansco, so it isn't a camera you can hang around your neck. I have the leather case that has a fraying strap, but it adds considerably to the bulk.

I also have a Zeiss Super Ikonta 532 (6x6) that has an uncoated lens. It is also a nice camera, but it's much heavier than the Ansco. Also a good choice, but you only get 11 shots on a roll.
 

Joe Vitessa

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I had folder GAS for a while but then I got a modern Mamiya 6 and was totally blown away by the quality of the lenses. The 6 with its collapsible lens mount makes for a very compact package and the quality of the images outshines by far anything I ever got from a folder. I found it a lot easier to shoot, too. Many more keepers.
 
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