View Full Version : New Fuji / Voigtlander folder on Voigtlander's German website
My apologies if this has been posted before, but I didn't see it anywhere here...
On the home page of Voigtlander's German website, there is a feature on the new Voightlander Bessa III folder, click on it for some specs (no price yet) and click on the small pictures for some very nice, very large high resolution shots of the camera.
http://www.voigtlaender.de
If you're typing it, be sure to include that 'e' after the 'a' in Voigtlaender.
Gabriel M.A.
11-20-2008, 09:14
Cool. Although...the rangefinder base, from what I see on the photos they provide, is remarkably short, given that it's medium format rather than 35mm. I predict a lot of "is my new Voigtlaender back/front-focusing?" questions in the future...
Okay, so I'm a relative newcomer to RFs, so I don't quite understand the terminology... Are you saying that the RF windows look like they are too close together?
What struck me was the rather plain and industrial looking struts of the folding mechanism... I guess I'm just used to the nice pretty chrome bits on the older folders.
It looks very good. I wonder what sort of price tag it's going to carry...
Hiromu
steverett
11-20-2008, 10:02
English Version:
http://www.voigtlaender.de/cms/voigtlaender/voigtlaender_cms.nsf/id/pa_home_e.html
2 things concern me. The little dial for changing formats is directly under the center of the film path, so it must be well recessed and also looks to need a tool to change it. I don't like putting my fingers and other things in the area where the film goes, too much chance of dust, damage, oils, etc. affecting the film. and... although it may just be me, or my monitor, it appears that the lens standard is not perfectly parallel to the back of the camera, therefore the film plane. This was always a concern of the older Bessa cameras due to their floating lens holding mechanism, I wonder if it will be a future concern?
Cool. Although...the rangefinder base, from what I see on the photos they provide, is remarkably short, given that it's medium format rather than 35mm.
Medium format is irrelevant. Given a normal lens with moderate aperture, that base width should be adequate - there are plenty of accurately focusuing folders that did with the same or less. And it would cover a wide angle even better.
If they should ever intend to release a tele version, they won't be able to share the top, though - but then, that would be a bizarre beast in any case, the only MF fixed lens tele rangefinder ever, so we need not hold our breath for that...
Sevo
2 things concern me. The little dial for changing formats is directly under the center of the film path, so it must be well recessed and also looks to need a tool to change it. I don't like putting my fingers and other things in the area where the film goes, too much chance of dust, damage, oils, etc. affecting the film. and... although it may just be me, or my monitor, it appears that the lens standard is not perfectly parallel to the back of the camera, therefore the film plane. This was always a concern of the older Bessa cameras due to their floating lens holding mechanism, I wonder if it will be a future concern?
It would be very hard to determine if it were not perfectly parallel just from looking at it on your monitor, even given the size of the pictures. I can say that, looking at it, the edge furthest from the door tapers a little, making it look as though the whole thing may be leaning back... Could that be what you're noticing?
monochromejrnl
11-20-2008, 11:11
Cool. Although...the rangefinder base, from what I see on the photos they provide, is remarkably short, given that it's medium format rather than 35mm. I predict a lot of "is my new Voigtlaender back/front-focusing?" questions in the future...
isn't the plan to have a fairly slow (f4) and relatively wide (60/75mm) lens on this camera? would that make a relatively short RF baseline length sufficient given the lens parameters?
i owned and used a Super Ikonta B with a 80/2.8 Tessar without much focusing difficulty so i've gotta believe that VC will ensure that the RF baseline is more than adequate...
isn't the plan to have a fairly slow (f4) and relatively wide (60/75mm) lens on this camera? would that make a relatively short RF baseline length sufficient given the lens parameters?
i owned and used a Super Ikonta B with a 80/2.8 Tessar without much focusing difficulty so i've gotta believe that VC will ensure that the RF baseline is more than adequate...
Take a look at the pictures...
80mm f3.5
Very interesting photographs but would love to be able to hold the camera to try and get a feel for the quality of construction.
Does anyone know:
The construction - is it all metal?
What is the slot on the base of the camera between the tripod and battery cover - could it be for an SD card :p
Harry
Gabriel M.A.
11-20-2008, 19:28
Medium format is irrelevant.
A lot of people use Medium Format film, specially by those who refuse to get sucked into the "Digital Age". I don't think it's irrelevant.
Gabriel M.A.
11-20-2008, 19:30
isn't the plan to have a fairly slow (f4) and relatively wide (60/75mm) lens on this camera?
It has an 80mm f/3.5 lens. I think that's not fairly slow for a Medium Format camera, compared to a 50mm f/2 in 35mm format.
A lot of people use Medium Format film, specially by those who refuse to get sucked into the "Digital Age". I don't think it's irrelevant.
I think what they meant was, "it doesn't matter that it's medium format" (regarding the rangefinder).
i hope they announce it before christmas. what's taking them so long?
it does mater indeed that it is a medium format rangefinder, anyone who has used a mamiya 6 and tried to focus on things with the 75mm lens wide open at 3.5 will tell you that.
Ernst Dinkla
11-20-2008, 23:42
The specs + some (German site) picture measurements by me (ED), give or take 1 mm.
Technical specifications.
Folding camera with coupled rangefinder
Film choice 120/220 film
6x7 cm (56x68 mm ED)(120-10 exp. / 220-20 exp.)
6x6 cm (56x56 mm ED)(120-12 exp. / 220-24 exp.)
Switch for frame sizes inside the body (ED)
80 mm/f3.5 (4 groups 6 elements)
7 rounded aperture blades (ED)
Bright frame-type viewfinder.
Physical rangefinder base 37 mm (ED)
Automatic parallax compensation
Integral LED exposure metering indications
Electronically controlled lens shutter. 4-1/500 sec, B
Exposure control: SPD Sensor
Center-weighted averaging system
Aperture priority AE and manual switchover
Exposure compensation approx 2EV in 1/3EV steps
Film speed: Manual setting, ISO25-3200 (1/3EV step accuracy)
Manual film wind by winding knob
Mechanical-type counter
120/220 (changeable)
6x7/6x6 (changeable)
CR2 (3v) lithium battery
Outer dimensions: 176x111x63 mm folded (ED)
Ernst Dinkla
i am really keen to get one!
it really depend on the price tag!
CK Dexter Haven
11-21-2008, 07:20
A lot of people use Medium Format film, specially by those who refuse to get sucked into the "Digital Age". I don't think it's irrelevant.
I don't think it's quite "irrelevant" either. I want one. But, it's either naive or insincere to suggest that it's a fight against being "sucked into the 'Digital Age.'" That's sorta like rallying against computers. Or, fire, for that matter. Digital is here. It's not a trend or 'movement.' There's nothing to get "sucked" into.
Hard to believe you're the 'survivalist' living in a cabin in the woods, resisting the cheap, easy allure of ELECTRICITY. How, exactly, are you not already "sucked" when you're posting on a web forum via computer?
rogue_designer
11-21-2008, 07:28
The "medium format is irrelevant" statement - was a clumsy way of saying, "the format doesn't matter to the required rangefinder base-length - the focal length of the lens is the important factor. 85mm is 85mm regardless of whether it is used on 35mm or 120."
For what its worth - this is a gorgeous camera. If the build quality is even half what the old bessas were, it will be worth it to me to have.
As long as the price is within reason, I will certainly buy one.
German Voigtlander website updated with availability date information for Europe:
May 2009
No price yet.
vincentbenoit
02-20-2009, 10:57
it does mater indeed that it is a medium format rangefinder, anyone who has used a mamiya 6 and tried to focus on things with the 75mm lens wide open at 3.5 will tell you that.I have, and I won't.
Vincent
luketrash
02-20-2009, 11:13
I like the look of it. The big picture I looked at shows the black paint already coming off of the metalwork in places though. Also, I noticed the photos were made with a Nikon D300.
Not that any of this matters.. I just think it's interesting to see what cameras people use for product photography.
I just pray that thing drops about 700 dollars in value by the time it hits the USA as compared to the Japanese fuji version's price.
Edit: I'm totally enamoured with that thing. I have absolutely no need for it, but the aquisition desire is painfully high.
LeicaFoReVer
07-01-2009, 09:52
I am new to medium format RF, does this body has other lens options?
Fotohuis
07-23-2009, 11:12
Its a fixed 3,5/80mm lens (Fuji design).
BTW the change of the format between 6x6 and 6x7 is done by a coin. The format is also changed in the very bright view finder and right down on the corner marked : 66 or 67.
The only important thing to remember is that for closing the door the focus must be marked on infinity.
The loading of the roll film is very easy by the two retractable pins under the camera. There are two markers for the arrow: 6x6 and 6x7 clearly indicated on the cover.
The (leaf) shutter is very quiet, even more more in silence then my Leica M7 camera. The weight is 1035 grams incl. battery, (CR2) and strap.
My Leica M7 is 1005g (with 50mm summicron) so not really a light weight MF camera but certainly not heavy. All parts are made from metall.
Here a first impression on 6x7cm, Rollei Super Pan 200 (E.I. 160) in AM74/RHS developer.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3724413826_170c4170f4.jpg
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