Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/07/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Mike, The Ikonta A, B and C (for 4.5x6, 6x6 or 6x9 negs) with Tessar lenses are sturdy and reliable cameras with a viewfinder. Like all Zeiss cameras, they are prone to Zeiss bumps. Among the rangefinder Zeiss cameras, I'd suggest that you go either for the Mess Ikonta, which has an uncoupled rangefinder, or for a coupled rangefinder the Super Ikonta B, BX (a B with meter), or the more compact postwar Super Ikonta III or IV. Zeiss folders before 1948 will have uncoated lenses. Those after have coated lenses. The non-rangefinder Voigtlander Perkeo II with the Color Skopar lens is a real favourite of mine. A similar but cheaper camera is the postwar Bessa 66 -- if you can get one with the coated Color Skopar, it will be much cheaper than the Perkeo. Great and incredibly compact cameras. The 6x9 Bessa II with either the Color Skopar or Color Heliar lens is a great camera -- much better than the Super Ikonta C IMHO. But check carefully for front standard rigidity before buying one of these. I have great respect for the Agfa lenses - particularly the 4 element Solinar, but find that the camera are among the most trouble prone of the common folders. An Isolette III or Record III is a nice uncoupled rangefinder camera, even with the cheaper three element Apotar. For 4.5x6, the Zenobia tends to be a bargain. Others have recommended the Welmy, but I haven't had a chance to use one. Prewar Certos and Weltas with the uncoated 80mm f2.8 Schneider Xenar or Zeiss Tessar are great bargains -- this is basically the same lens as on the Super Ikonta B for a fraction of the price. I prefer the Welta to the Certo as the Welta has a body shutter release and seems better constructed. Lots of people have good things to say about the early Mamiya 6 folder, and the early Konica 120 rangefinders are rare and desirable. I haven't had experience with either. I have used an Olympus 6x6, and they are well-built tanks. Even the accessory shoe looks like it would weight half a pound. And I have a special fondness for the Ansco Titan, which looks much like an early basic Isolette, but has real leather covering instead of the Agfa fabric, real leather bellows instead of the synthetic Agfa bellows, and comes with heavy chrome plate, rather than the fragile Agfa nickel plate. The camera is a class act. Mark On 7/4/05, jon.stanton@comcast.net <jon.stanton@comcast.net> wrote: > "I would like to be a folding medium format owner, Any suggestions as to a > list of folders to look at? Mike" > > > I've done well on 'that auction" with Ikonta..... > > Jon > Oly, Wa > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >