snap decision

[scorpius73]

if you had to choose. which one would you choose? zeiss super ikonta III with novar lens, super baldax or iskra II? im leaning to the super ikonta because of zeiss quality. i contacted certo6 about a balda 3 days ago. no answer. anyone know how long he takes to answer email?
anyway, what would you pick? im budget is about $300.

[kmack]

It really would depend on the condition of each. My personal preference would be the Ikonta.

To throw a little more GAS on the fire.
How about the Perkeo 1 currently in the classifieds?
(That way I don't have to buy it.)

[scorpius73]

It really would depend on the condition of each. My personal preference would be the Ikonta.

To throw a little more GAS on the fire.
How about the Perkeo 1 currently in the classifieds?
(That way I don't have to buy it.)

i want a coupled rangefinder. i looked at that perkeo though.:)

[dazedgonebye]

Depending on the lens, I'd go with the Balda. Not just to be different either.
The baldax is small, light, very capable and has a neat film indexing method that pretty much eliminates the need for the red window.

Check out this guy's work: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebias/tags/balda/

[furcafe]

Don't forget the Agfa Super Isolette (a.k.a. Ansco Super Speedex). Excellent lens (equal to Zeiss) & very easy loading (like a Rollei Automat), but a bit bigger & heavier than the Super Ikonta, closer to the older Super Ikonta B (but you won't have the overlapping frame problem like you do w/the Super Ikonta, either). I believe the Iskra is the Soviet copy of the Super Isolette, so the original in good shape is going to be closer to the top end of your $300 limit. Since you're in DC, I have an extra I could easily sell to you (just email if you're interested).

if you had to choose. which one would you choose? zeiss super ikonta III with novar lens, super baldax or iskra II? im leaning to the super ikonta because of zeiss quality. i contacted certo6 about a balda 3 days ago. no answer. anyone know how long he takes to answer email?
anyway, what would you pick? im budget is about $300.

[Ben Blacket]

I'd base the decision on availability or a good deal at the time. You'll end up with more than one!

[Ben Blacket]

A good deal like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=001&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=110138278829&rd=1&rd=1

[scorpius73]

A good deal like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=001&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=110138278829&rd=1&rd=1
thats hilarious!!!!! am i being watched? :eek: my woman bought that for me. it should be at her house in a few days. :cool:

[Ben Blacket]

Bargain!! I would've gone for it myself, but already have one, so couldn't justify it! Got mine for US$165, missing the winder dial. CLA & replacement dial by Certo6 cost $145. The dial broke off mid-roll, so it cost a further AU$40 to re-attach. My local repairer quoted AU$88 to fix frame overlap, so this CAN be fixed, contrary to what others might tell you. Beautiful quility build, sturdy, compact - the photo quality is amazing for a camera this compact, & so easy to use. I like the small rangefinder patch, but my viewfinder is dull & hazy. Good luck with it!

[furcafe]

Did you actually have the frame overlap problem fixed? If so, I'd be interested in finding out how your local repairer did it; I wonder if it involves swapping out some parts . . .

My local repairer quoted AU$88 to fix frame overlap, so this CAN be fixed, contrary to what others might tell you.

[Ben Blacket]

Nah, I haven't had it done, I think I like the overlap! I have to call them tomorrow anyway, so I'll ask what it involves.