First Folder - bit of advice needed...

[gregnz]

Hi Everyone,

This is a first time post re: well, my first folder. I have short listed the options to the following:

Zeiss Mess Ikonta 524/2

Agfa Record iii

Moskva 5

Bessa i with finder.

Lense will probably be Skopar, Novar or Tessar (if lucky). Budget $100-200.

Which of these has the best viewfinder / rangefinder in terms of view and ease of use? Is there another option I should be considering?

Is the Moskva 5 a real risk re: mechnical reliability. Ease of use? I have very slight leaning for the Moskva for price / features.

So many options in the 120 folder market. Ahhh..... might consider the 6x6 format in the same options but I like 6x9. I will be photographing street, landscape and the odd portrait. Any help would be appreciated.

Many thanks, Greg

[FrankS]

My favourite folder is the Perkeo ll. You my want to add this camera to your list.

[GaryLH]

Originally Posted by FrankS

My favourite folder is the Perkeo ll. You my want to add this camera to your list.

+1

In this price range Perkeo w/ Skopar can be found with some hard looking, but even a Vaskar maybe fine...

OP... Of the ones u mentioned the Moskova can be had in that price range. I have heard the earlier ones are better than the later ones, but I have no personnel experience with them.

The Zeiss are going to be harder to find in that price range, unless like the Perkeo, u are willing to do w/o built in rf.

In most cases, from about 15 and closer or shooting close to wide open do u really need a built in rf. Zone and hyper focal focusing methods will cover u...

Good luck,
Gary

[GaryLH]

Some blogs that may help

http://arukucamera.net/folders.html

http://www.pibweb.com/ross/Campix/folders.htm

Gary

[je2a3]

Re: Agfa Bellows

I have 3 different types of Isolettes and all had serious leaks in the bellows, compared to 2 x Zeiss Nettars + 1 Perkeo I with original bellows that are light tight.

Chances are a similar material was used on a 6x9 Agfa, you may want consider the cost of replacement bellows...folders are fun, good luck!

[fraley]

I have a Zeiss Ikonta-M, Agfa Isolette III, and Hapo 66E. The Zeiss has the clearest range-finder and has been the most reliable.

[gregnz]

Thank you for your feedback. Can i ask another question re: ideal print output size using a folder? 8x10? 11x14? 16x20? max assuming a normal / comfortable viewing distance.

[FrankS]

In my experience, 11x14 is easy for medium format. 16x20 with some care.

For 35mm, 8x10 is easy, 11x14 with care.

It all depends on your subjective assessment of technical quality.

[pakeha]

welcome Greg.If you are seriously thinking about the moskva 5 consider also the 4.If you have concerns about shipping etc. send me a PM. I have purchased a few out of russia/ukraine.
The 5 is considered by some to have weaker struts - but this will probably depend on how much use the camera has had. They are all well built and solid.One consideration is the weight for shipping -the 4 is lighter than the 5.They are all relatively easy to use but understand that the whole process is a bit more `involved'. Agfa known for weak bellows.
In our currency my 4 in very good condition and everything working well - $125.00 including shipping.
regards

[citizen99]

I like the Agfa Record III very much, but as several people have already pointed out, you would need to be able to check the bellows before buying, and a replacement would take it outside the budget. You would expect the lens to be the Apotar, an excellent triplet, or the Solinar, an excellent tessar-class lens.

[jnoir]

I think the OP is looking for a 6x9 folder (all the names he mentions are 6x9) so I'd say the Perkeo does not qualify, being 6x6, like most of the names mentioned.

If neg size is not a constraint, then some of the names already mentioned are OK. The Perkeo is one of the most pocketable folders indeed, and the Perkeo II can be found with 4-element Skopar lenses. The Perkeo I is usually fitted with 3-element Vaskar lenses.

I'd just add another 6x6 name: Franka Solida, which is usually fitted with a unit focusing, 3-element Radionar lens but with uncoupled RF models, both combined and uncombined.

A coupled RF in 6x9 for under 200USD leaves you with not too many options. I think with a bit of patience is possible to find a Bessa RF with Skopar for just that budget here in Europe.

Since you are digging your toe on folders for the first time, maybe you can also consider the excellent Ensign 820 with 4-element Ross Xpress lens. It is a great camera, feels sturdy and I love its design, and on top of that is dual format, 6x9 and 6x6. The Ensign AutoRange 220 with 3-element Ensar lens is also within your budget, it is a CRF folder and also dual format, 6x6 and 6x4.5 in this case. For little more than 200USD you could probably have both of them.

[Roger Hicks]

Go for whatever comes up at the right price and in the right condition. With cameras that may well be over 50 years old, this often matters more than exactly which camera you choose.

On enlargements, an idea you might want to examine is the 'fake contact print'. Just a 3x enlargement should give a picture that is all but indistinguishable from a contact print. OK, that's only 16.8 x 25.2 cm, or around 7x10 inches, but you may be astonished at what the prints look like.

Cheers,

R.

[bigeye]

A 6x9 would be a pretty handy camera for travelling NZ...

All of them are good at f8/f11, which is where you shoot them, mostly (outdoors). Filters can be weird/hard to get.

I really enjoy shooting them and hope you find one that suits you.

-Charlie

[citizen99]

Originally Posted by citizen99

I like the Agfa Record III very much, but as several people have already pointed out, you would need to be able to check the bellows before buying, and a replacement would take it outside the budget. You would expect the lens to be the Apotar, an excellent triplet, or the Solinar, an excellent tessar-class lens.

I've just remembered, I should also have said with an Agfa of that era you also need to check that the grease in the lens helicoid has not stiffened into 'glue'. If you ever get one like that it's not too difficult to fix; if it's your first time there's advice on-line in forums such as this.

+1 to jnoir's endorsement of the Ensign Selfix 820 and Autorange 220. I have had great results from both. And don't be put off by a triplet to get within budget, you mention the Novar, I had great results from one in a Super Ikonta III, ditto the Ensar, ditto the Voigtlander Helomar which you might find in the original Bessa Rangefinder.

[gregnz]

I'd like to thank everyone for their feedback. Thats what i like so much about this forum is the support and friendliness. I have bought a Ensign Selfix 820 as my first for several reasons. Like buying a house their is always a compromise to be had somewhere. It appears in excellent condition so for $89 pound it seemed right.