Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/07/06

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Subject: [Leica] Re: Speaking of medium format, I've picked up a 1954Rolleicord...
From: firkin at balhpl01.ncable.net.au (firkin)
Date: Wed Jul 6 18:03:49 2005
References: <NEBBJDFBIKOBILIKPPBNMEMPCDAB.red735i@earthlink.net> <2f4901c57fb4$7aa0da50$3201a8c0@AUG01> <ceb1a56505070405394b1ef9bd@mail.gmail.com> <42CAA640.7080901@cox.net>

I'll also give a nod to my Bessa II: it works well in tough conditions: eg 
Nepal. I only use it really for set tripod shots, and if I ever get the 
proper lens for the enlarger, I"m sure the images will be great ;-) 

Mike Durling writes: 

> I will have to second (or third) the praises bestowed on the Bessa II. I 
> happened upon mine in a consignment-type antique shop.  Knowing almost 
> nothing about it its quality was immediately apparent.  Nice clear 
> rangefinder, solid build, clear and coated large-aperture lens (color 
> Heilar 105/3.5) etc.  The lens turned out to be very sharp with bokeh to 
> die for.  I love 6x9 and my best camera for that format before this was an 
> old Busch Pressman.   After I got the Voigtlander I couldn't be bothered 
> with trying to deal with 6x9 sheet film. 
> 
> I have a few other folders, mostly old Kodaks.  I once displayed them on 
> my mantle, but found - sadly - that the bellows disintegrated after being 
> exposed for a while. 
> 
> Mike  D 
> 
>  
> 
> Mark Langer wrote:
>> 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 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Leica Users Group.
>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information 
>> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
 


Alastair Firkin
www.afirkin.com
www.familyofman2.com 

Replies: Reply from durling at cox.net (Mike Durling) ([Leica] Re: Speaking of medium format, I've picked up a 1954Rolleicord...)
In reply to: Message from red735i at earthlink.net (Frank Filippone) ([Leica] Speaking of medium format, I've picked up a 1954Rolleicord...)
Message from ruben at rhodos.dk (Ruben) ([Leica] Speaking of medium format, I've picked up a 1954Rolleicord...)
Message from langeratcarleton at gmail.com (Mark Langer) ([Leica] Speaking of medium format, I've picked up a 1954Rolleicord...)
Message from durling at cox.net (Mike Durling) ([Leica] Speaking of medium format, I've picked up a 1954Rolleicord...)