Trying out a low spec folder..

fidget · 11-06-2007

Whilst I am thinking of fixing my Moskva 5 (lens not parallel to the film plane) I had an urge to try out some of the simple folders I had bought. From down near the bottom of the "shouldn't-have-bought-that" box, I dug out my Kershaw 450 6x6 folder (sorry, not rf). Cheaper than the cost of postage, and a very neat, well made camera, I couldn't get rid of it.
So on a nice day I popped in a roll of HP5+ and took a short walk on the moors. I shot all 12 exposures at the top speed of 1/200, handheld. They were all around f11. When I developed them, I was surprised to say the least. Very detailed images with no signs of leakage or other nasties.
I will try this camera out at different settings.
I wonder what other modest glass gives nice results at small f's? ( I have read, and was energised into trying this after reading comments here about how small a difference there is between good glass and ordinary glass at f8....thanks!)
Kershaw 450, f4.5 Otar lens, Vario shutter.

attached full neg scan and enlargement of detail area.

Dave

shadowfox · 11-06-2007

That's medium format for you

I am also blown away at the results from what supposed to be a third-tier glass on some of the more "economical" lens (usually paired with an economical shutter assembly

)

I have an Ansco Viking with Agnar 105/6.3 (??) that produces 6x9 negatives with amazing details and tonality. To bad it has some pinholes on the bellows that needs to be patched. (And I need to get an MF scanner, sigh...)

bcostin · 11-09-2007

I've never heard of a Kershaw before. Very sharp indeed.

I've also been pleased with the old folders I've tried, both the sharpness and the quality of the bokeh when opened up a bit. Here's a shot with an inexpensive 4.5x6 format Welta Perle (sorry, another scale focus camera). This was about f5.6, I think. I'm pretty pleased with its performance:

fidget · 11-09-2007

Very nice shot, you did well to get that focus right on a scale focus camera. Perhaps we should now carry a 10ft tape measure for those close up shots!

oftheherd · 11-10-2007

bcostin - that is a great shot. Do you have other Weltas or have you been able to avoid the bite of the bug?

Malcolm_J · 11-11-2007

I think the simple ones are the best. I can't see why complications like rangefinders (esp coupled ones) and auto wind-on really add anything. I would actually prefer if my 523/16 did not have double-exposure prevention, as I have managed to lose a frame through releasing it without taking the picture - I had instantaneous second thoughts, my mistake and not the camera's. Estimating the distance is a habit once you have used 35mm rangefinders for a while.

Very much in praise of simple cameras and cynical about how Japanese marketing, combined with sympathetic journalism, has been able to herd the market towards excessive, expensive gismo-photography.

fidget · 11-15-2007

Before I managed to run another film through the Kershaw, I won an Ensign 420. This has the Ensar lens, a triplet I believe. Will run a film through this at weekend and dev rolls from both. I wonder if they give the swirly bokeh described in another thread.

Krosya · 11-18-2007

Weltas are fantastic cameras and the early ones with coupled RF are superb! Those pre-war cameras really show the type of craftsmanship that hard to find today. I have one that's from about 1937 or so and after simple CLA it's an outstanding folder. Gives me a 6x6/645 option, fast 2.8 lens thats even good wide open. If you get one of these in a good condition - it's a wonderful camera.

and here is a photo taken with one:

Krosya · 11-18-2007

It does with colour as well, and it's an uncoated lens:

fidget · 11-19-2007

That's very nice. Great detail in the subject and what looks like smooth bokeh in the highlight to the right. Is this a four element lens?

Krosya · 11-19-2007

Thank you. It's a 4 element Xenar lens. I suppose similar to the Zeiss Tessar one.

kully · 11-27-2007

I bought a Kershaw 630 from a bloke who did them up and sold them on.

I've never developed a film from it though, you've given me the impetus to go out with it tomorrow.

Does the 450 have a rangefinder? I'm a bit worries about the focussing as the 630 doesn't have a rangefinder at all.

fidget · 11-28-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by kully

I bought a Kershaw 630 from a bloke who did them up and sold them on.

I've never developed a film from it though, you've given me the impetus to go out with it tomorrow.

Does the 450 have a rangefinder? I'm a bit worries about the focussing as the 630 doesn't have a rangefinder at all.

No, it has the usual distance scale focus in feet. I've yet to finish a further film from this (poor weather and no time). On the strength of the first film, I've bought a couple more folders, a Kershaw King Penguin and an Ensign 420, both 6x9.
The Penguin could well be in a category even lower than "low spec", so will wait (and wait..) for an outing. The Ensign arrived in near mint condition and was immediately tried on a wet and overcast weekend in the English Lake District. On a tripod at f11 to f22, 1/4 second or longer, it gave very impressive results (looking at scans of the negs). I guess that this camera will show poorer performance when tried at larger apertures or in sun, but is very promissing and enjoyable to use.
At one place visited by quite a few tourists (even in the rain), a crowd stood back whilst I wrestled with the tripod, aim, shutter and aperture settings (need glasses on for this). A picture of the crowd, standing back, digi's poised, would have made a much better image than the one that my outfit was pointed at..........I missed the opportunity again....

Show us some of the shots from yours too.
Edit: I just saw a 630 on Feebay, it's identical to the 450, but with a smaller lens. good luck...
Dave