[Leica] Speaking of medium format, I've picked up a 1954Rolleicord...

[ruben at rhodos.dk (Ruben)]

When I am in 6x6 mood I usually pick my rolleiflex automat 3,5 75 mm tessat 
and not my Super Ikonta bx 533/16 even thoug the ikonta has a 2,8 80 mm 
tessar - the rolleiflex is easier to handle somehow.

Someone told me the rolleiflex was better because the tessar on the Ikonta 
was fromnt element focusing but to my eye the ikontas tessar is the 
sharpest.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Langer" <langeratcarleton@gmail.com>
To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
Sent: Monday, July 04, 2005 2:39 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Speaking of medium format,I've picked up a 
1954Rolleicord...


> Without taking anything away from the virtues of the Rollei, I'm
> surprised that people on a Leica Users Group wouldn't be waxing poetic
> over the virtues of medium format folders, rather than TLRs.  Folders
> just seem to be more in tune with the Barnack ethos.  Folders have the
> Leica virtue of compactness (certainly by comparison to a TLR) and
> many of them are equipped with coupled rangefinders, which also puts
> the cameras in the same league as a Leica.
>
> A Bessa II (mine has the Color Heliar lens, but they also come with
> the great 4 element Color Skopar and the legendary Apo Lanthar)
> collapses to the size of a M body without the lens.  It yields
> fantastic 6x9 images, yet you can slide it into a jacket pocket.  My
> Super Ikonta B 6x6 has a very nice Tessar lens, that although uncoated
> (there are later coated versions) is remarkably resistant to flare.
> Also can be carried in a jacket pocket.  For the ultimate in
> compactness, I use a Perkeo II.  It lacks a coupled rangefinder, but I
> love the Color Skopar lens on this, and the camera can be carried in a
> shirt pocket.  This is the medium format equivalent of the Rollei 35.
>
> I'm not trying to start a flame war with the Rollei fans, but my
> fondness for rangefinders leads me to prefer engaging with my subject
> through a direct finder, rather than through a ground glass.  Added to
> the reversal of directions on the focussing screen of a TLR (which I
> find distracting), I am too conscious of focussing on the glass,
> rather than on the subject.  I just feel more connected to the subject
> itself when using a rangefinder or viewfinder.   I'm surprised that
> other Leica users are not drawn to medium format folders for the same
> reason.
>
> The other great virtue of the folders is that it is important to me to
> have a camera with me as often as possible.  I'm not as likely to slip
> a TLR into a pocket as I am to carry a folder.  Perhaps I'm just too
> worried about  people asking "Is that a TLR in your pocket, or are you
> just glad to see me."   When the decisive moment comes, if you don't
> have your camera, you don't have your picture.
>
> Finally, medium format folders make superlative travel cameras.  Sure,
> a Rolleicord is light, but not particularly copact.  Folders take up
> very little space and tend to be light -- this may be relative, but
> even the heavy Super Ikonta B is a featherweight compared to some
> TLRs, like the Mamiyas or the Kalloflex.  When you are schlepping your
> luggage by yourself, every pound saved is a blessing.
>
> Is anyone else a medium format folder maven?
>
> Mark
>
>
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