| E-Mail Generated by the article: Medium Format In Your Pocket | ||
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Join The International Folding Camera Club (IFCC) |
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| From: Richard
Deuell To: darrell@cleanimages.com Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2001 6:59 AM Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com This was a very interesting and informative Article. I am just getting into the medium format cameras realm. Bought my first Agfa Isolette on eBay and am waiting for shipment. Still much to learn, and your article helped me with the process. RLD |
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| From: rgivan@cix.compulink.co.uk To: darrell@cleanimages.com Sent: Friday, December 14, 2001 3:56 PM Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com Hi Darrell, Just thought I'd email you to say how much I enjoyed your article on folding cameras. I was also interested to read all the info/interview with Jurgen Kreckel. I'd come across mentions of this guy in passing and had seen his restored cameras on ebay - but didn't know any more. Also thanks for the couple of links to our pages. I'll try and return the favour next time I do an update. :-) Bye for now, Roland. www.rolandandcaroline.co.uk |
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| From: "Peeter Vissak" pv@hot.ee To: darrell@cleanimages.com Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2001 5:42 PM Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com Hi, I enjoyed Your article and must admit I've discovered this type of cameras in about 1979-80. Alas, I didn't have any opportunities to get hands on western equipment, but I used a russian Iskra quite extensively, even for AGFACHROME slides as much as I could afford. Mainly of course B&W stuff. This camera (copy of something better, of course) gave very-very sharp b&w negatives and I got quite large blow-ups, although the previous owners had given it a hard time and the lens was not the cleanest one. I still have it, but I prefer chromes right now and it is not so good as some other cameras. Your article evoked the interest again and I began to think seriously about a German version of such pocket-size thing. I do appreciate very much the small weight and small room it takes, especially on non-photographic trips. With best regards, Peeter Vissak Puhtu-Laelatu Reserve Virtsu 90101, ESTONIA pv@hot.ee Gallery: http://my.tele2.ee/pvissak |
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| From: Todd To: darrell@cleanimages.com Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2002 2:05 PM Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com I'm very pleased that I found your article and I am sending the website on to others. I bought a Zeiss Nettar with a Tessar lens from Jurgen and I'm trying to think and work with it in a different frame of reference than I do with my 35mm! Takes practice. I keep forgetting to cock the shutter and then the shutter button locks up...I then need to trigger the shutter at the shutter itself. The steps are almost like using a view camera. Makes me think. Even with the Tessar, however, my best results are at f/11 up. I have a few other folders that I am cosmetically restoring, and your article was very helpful. Jurgen is also a good man to talk with. Thanks.. Todd Frederick |
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| From: Bill
Brant To: darrell@cleanimages.com Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2002 3:28 PM Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com Darrell — I just wanted to tell you how timely and informative your article on medium format folders was to me. I have been shooting with my Bronica for a couple of years now, and recently purchased a Holga so I could experiment with toy camera photography. While I have enjoyed the funky images that the Holga produced, I was surprised at how much I liked the combination of compactness and low cost of the Holga which allows me to always carry the Holga in my car. However, the Holga is maybe too much of a bad thing <grin>; I started wanting a camera that combined the portability of the Holga with the picture quality of my Bronica. I started thinking about getting a Fuji rangefinder for travel, but there was no way I could justify the expense for what amounted to a convenience. While the Fujis might be small in size, they are (relatively) expensive, so I would not be as comfortable taking the Fujis everywhere like I do the Holga. Would a Fuji rangefinder replace my Bronica? No! However, I came to the conclusion that it could probably handle most shots, most of the time — an acceptable tradeoff considering the differences in size and weights of the 'kit'. I started thinking of the Fuji rangefinders as an 80% solution; they could handle 80% of my shooting needs, which would be all that I would need for business and local photo opportunities. Why 80%? My Bronica has interchangeable lenses. However, I have found that I use the normal lens for — say 80% of my shots. The normal lens on a rangefinder would therefore be capable of handling 80% of my compositions. My Bronica has removable backs. However, I need just one back for 80% - 90% of my shooting situations, so a rangefinder could handle those, too. I then read your article and Jurgen's interview; it seemed that a classic folder might be an answer. The issues of the fixed lens and lack of removable backs would be the same as with the Fuji rangefinders. The image quality and 'ease of use' issues needed to be addressed, but a classic folder might just be good enough for most of my (non-photo) travel and casual shooting. Plus it looked like they were inexpensive enough to take a chance on. My Bronica has superior lenses to a folder. However, the biggest enlargement I am currently making from my Bronica negatives is 11X14, nowhere near the largest that my negatives could stand; I suspect that 11X14 enlargements are well within the limits of a good 4-element lens in a folder. Ease of use? I don't think it will be a big deal; I already am used to using a handheld light meter, and am used to using 'guess' focusing and looking a red window for winding film in my Holga. Besides; I am somewhat of an anti-automation kind of person. The low cost of some of the folders is a real plus, too. You don't have to be quite so paranoid about where you take them and how you treat the camera. I decided to give classic folders a try — I ordered one from Jurgen. Thanks for the article! Bill Brant wm_brant2@msn.com |
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| From: ken rockwell To: darrell@cleanimages.com Sent: Friday, January 04, 2002 11:02 PM Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com Thanks for the great data! I've been using these guys for years. I used to shoot neg film and just GUESS at the exposure. My lab guy thought I used a Hassy. I also have a SUPER isolette with Solinar and coupled rangefinder. it's great, but a lot heavier than the scale focus models. Ken Rockwell www.kenrockwell.com |
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| From: John Elstad To: darrell@cleanimages.com Sent: Monday, January 07, 2002 3:56 AM Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com Hi, I somehow came across your article on the old folders and thought I’d drop you a line to thank you. Currently I’m using a Minolta Autocord for my medium format needs (6x6). However, I must admit that a pocketable 6x9 (especially for less than $200) is very alluring. I’ll keep a look out for auctions by Jurgen. Thanks again, John |
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From: BPatterson@envirosys.com Brian 'Mule' Patterson
Agfa Record III 6x9 Folder as Repaired by Jurgen Kreckel |
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| From: Jason
Tay To: darrell@cleanimages.com Sent: Friday, January 11, 2002 4:35 AM Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com Hi Darrell, I just want to thank you for writing that article and posting it on photo.net! I got a recent intro to MF with my Dad's Yashica-Mat LM, but the camera shop wasn't able to get it properly cleaned up. I'm sure it could be done, but it's a bit big and of course, high sentimental value, so I didn't want to walk around everywhere with it. So, I was looking for something else in medium format (main camera now is a Nikon CoolPix 995) that was smallish (e.g., roughly between 35mm SLR size and the TLR size), and by American standards, don't have much to spend, and couldn't quite find anything that fit. Until I read your article, I was starting to think that I'd have to go the Kiev 88 route! I remember seeing a number of folder cameras around Kuala Lumpur, so I'm going hunting tonight! Thanks again! Even if it isn't in full working order (I think these ones have been restored), I'll consider sending it to Jurgen if he's still restoring these things. Jason |
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| From: besk To: darrell@cleanimages.com Sent: Friday, January 11, 2002 8:18 PM Subject: Folder Article on Cleanimages.com This is a great article. I have had an Ventura 66 Deluxe Agfa Isolette folder with 85 F4.5 Solinar for several years now but haven't used it but something kept me from getting rid of it. This encourages me to try it out. Recently I got a Perkeo II with the Color Skopar and want to try it out! Bob Eskridge |
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| From: Hodson,
Martin, Recycling UK To: darrell@cleanimages.com Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 8:22 AM Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com Hi Darrell I have just read your article, it is most informative and your enthusiasm for these camera's really shone through, it has provided me with the answer of how to get into medium format on a budget. I am going to look out for one of these camera's to give it a try, I will let you know how I get on. Many thanks Martin Hodson |
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| From: Todd
Walker To: darrell@cleanimages.com Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 2:01 PM Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com Darrell, I really enjoyed the article. I have been looking around on eBay for a folder for a couple of months now. I usually look for the ones restored by Jurgen. I'm trying to decide which type I want, either an Agfa Isolette III, a Zeiss Ikonta M, a Balda or a Voigtlander. I think I want to get one with a built in rangefinder, doesn't matter to me if it is a coupled or uncoupled type. I shoot with a Mamiya 645 Pro-TL system and a Canon EOS Elan II system. I have taken the Mamiya on two trips so far and always bring back good photos from it, but it is a bit big for traveling, not to mention the stress it puts me under should it get damaged or stolen while on a trip. I have been considering getting one of these folders for a travel camera. I'm just not very satisfied with 35mm prints unless it is kept to 8x10 size or preferrably smaller. I saw an German made Balda I'm going to bid on today. It has a 80mm Schneider 2.9 lens and a Prontor SVS shutter. If I win the auction I will probably contact Jurgen to get him to overhaul it. They said the camera works, but the slower shutter speeds are off. Anyway it is a beautiful 6x6 folder with a rangefinder. I really want to get a good reliable medium format folder before my wife and I take our next trip in April. Thanks for the info and pictures. I forwarded your article to a few of my friends. Thanks, Todd Walker |
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| From: Robert
Lai To: darrell@cleanimages.com Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2002 1:31 AM Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com I must say that your article did more than anything else I have read, to fuel desire to get a folding medium format camera. My brother got bitten by the medium format bug first. When he bought a Yashica-mat, I thought he was crazy. Now he has two of them. I had used a Rolleicord when I was in University, but I always thought of TLRs as too bulky. I planned to be happy with my Nikon F3 forever. After reading your article, and corresponding with Jurgen, I decided that I've got to get a folder. Your article seems to have pushed up the price of Agfa Isolettes and Records! Especially the ones with rangefinders (III) and Solinor lenses - these are really expensive now on ebay. So much so, that I found it cheaper just to purchase a Zeiss Super Ikonta B with Tessar f/2.8 lens and Synchro-Compur shutter! The one I bought has not been used for decades due to the death of the previous owner, so I requested that the seller send it directly to Jurgen for service. I'll hear from Jurgen whether or not I made a foolish decision. What started all this was that I found my old Rolleicord negatives from 20 years ago. When I enlarged them, the quality of detail was astonishing! The camera didn't belong to me, but one of my professors who liked me, and let me take the camera out for a spin. When I mentioned this to my brother, it triggered off a latent TLR desire in him, then in chain reaction back to me. I have been using Pan F at ASA 50, and Kodak Tech Pan at EI 12 using Xtol 1+5 developer, for my standard 35mm films. After a while it dawned on me that perhaps I should just get a bigger negative if I want that much detail! I wonder with the increase in demand why Agfa just doesn't start building an Isolette "IV". The tooling must still be around somewhere. At any rate, thank you for providing in one spot all of the information I needed to get started in medium format using folding cameras. Robert Lai |
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| From: Benny
Stevens To: darrell@cleanimages.info Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 5:36 AM Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com Hi Darrell, My name is Benny and I live in Belgium. I am a Nikon user, but desperately seeking to re-discover the pleasures of photography as I find myself buying stuff on eBay but not using it... so it was time to do something about it. On a Japanese website I learned about the Konica Pearl IV (645 format) camera from the mid 50s, and that camera seemed to respond to my desire for an affordable (hence old) but usable MF camera. However, the Pearl seems to be hard or impossible to find, as is a late version of the Mamiya Six. Then, two weeks ago and totally unexpected (and in a local store!) I stumbled upon a pretty Agfa Isolette III with Apotar 85/f4.5 lens and Prontor-S shutter. I had read about Isolettes on the web and I figured I could not go wrong with one of these, especially for the price they asked for it : the equivalent of US$22.00 only!! I have only shot one roll with the Isolette until now and although the results were rather poor, it has been tremendous fun. The problems I encountered with the Isolette are the following : - When I took out the exposed roll I immediately noticed that it was wound up too loosely, hence light leaking onto the film (especially on the borders) when taking out the film - perhaps a sluggish pressure plate, or perhaps I should pull hard on the paper end to take up slack before removing the roll from the camera (I'm not used shooting 120 film yet). - When cocking the Prontor-S shutter, the shutter briefly opens up halfway (exposing the film) and then closes again when completing the cocking action. - The bellows look as new, but after a more thorough check I spotted two pinholes on the corners of the first fold behind the lens ass'y. I suspect that these are fogging the film and thus responsible for the big washed out patches on the pictures. - The rangefinder is a tad off vertically and the distance indication is also off at the far end. The parts of the pictures that are unaffected look very promising though and I already love that camera. It was long ago since I last had so much fun photographing and being able to literally pocket the camera afterwards! After reading your article 'MF in Your Pocket' I definitely want to have this camera fixed (and brassed and fitted with a red bellows) by Jurgen Kreckel and I will be sending him my Isolette soon! I am looking forward to my as new Isolette and great 6x6 pictures to scan on my Epson flatbed scanner. Good heavens, I am already dreaming of 6x9 pictures with a Voigtländer Bessa II (expensive) or an Agfa Record III, can you believe that? (BTW, which one would you recommend?) Thank you so much for the nice article which helped stirring up the photography fire inside me. Best regards, Benny |
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| From: Ken
Lee To: darrell@cleanimages.info Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 9:38 PM Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com Darrell - I just got an Agfa Record II 6x9 from Jurgen and shot some photos in the woods on a cloudy day - an excellent way to test out to see how a camera/film combination performs....I am really delighted. Scanning 100 speed Ektrachrome slide film, tiny leaves in the distance are tack-sharp, and the tones are smooth like velvet. JPG files on the web fail to convey the resulting quality. I carried all my equipment in my pocket, as advertised! ... except for my old 1960's tripod, which I previously discarded as too light-weight for my other "medium format" equipment. Best wishes, Ken |
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| From: Jason
Tay Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2002 7:33 AM To: darrell@cleanimages.com Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com Hi Darrell, I e-mailed you sometime ago about your article and you forwarded my message to Jurgen...the result of which since last Friday I am the proud owner of one of Jurgen's 6x6 folders! I bought a Welta Weltur 6x6 folder, Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 75mm f/2.8 uncoated lens. I've just run the first roll of film through it. I am also interested in the International Folding Camera Club, and will send an e-mail to the IFCC e-mail address separately. Best regards, Jason S Tay |
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| From: MICHAEL
AMENT Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2002 5:28 AM To: darrell@cleanimages.com Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com Darrell, Just read your great article on medium format folders. I'm currently in the market for one. I've been using an Agfa Solinette II with an f3.5 Solinar on a Synchro - Compur for 39 years now. It is a 35mm folder. I like it for many of the same reasons you like its bigger brothers. It is compact, simple to use, very sharp and ultra reliable. One of the best features is never having to worry about a battery. It is smaller, but heavier, than most 35mm point and shoots but the picture quality is far superior. I've been shooting medium format for years with a "23" back on my 4x5 Crown Graphic and I love it, but have you ever tried to put a Crown Graphic in your pocket? So now I'm in the market for a medium format folder and it wasn't hard to decide on an Agfa/Solinar/Compur combination after such a long and great experience with my Solinette II. I don't see "square" so I'll probally go for a Record III. Thanks again for a great article. I'll be watching your auctions. Mike |
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| From: "Suparerk
Supasith (Gio)" Sent: Friday, March 22, 2002 2:10 PM To: darrell@cleanimages.com Subject: Folder article on Cleanimages.com and IFCC Dear Mr. Young, I've been a classic cameras collector for couples of years, I have TLR, RF and folding cameras in my collection. Your article is very good and inspiring, I agree with you on the quality, convenience and the footprint. I'm building some page about it, you can find it in photo section of http://info.in.th/ My favorite brands of folding camera are Voightlander and Zeiss, maybe differ from your preference in Agfa, but they are all cool, didn't they? I'm living in Bangkok, Thailand and would like to join your IFCC [International Folding Camera Club] Rgds, Gio. |
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| From: Andrew
Amundsen Sent: Friday, April 19, 2002 1:30 AM To: darrell@cleanimages.com Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com Dear Darrell, What a beautiful site you've created. Great info, I'll definitely be checking into replacing various of my bellows soon! I am a new fan of folding cameras such as the Voigtlander Vitessa, Autographic Kodak 3A and the Kodak Vest Pockets. I recently posted a list on Topica.com called the 'Folder Fellowship' and would like to invite you to join: http://www.topica.com/lists/folderfellowship/subscribe Frankly I'd like to find someone like yourself to possibly help promote the list if you're interested. I think it could be a great forum for all of us 'f'older' fans to gather, share info, and images. Contact me with any questions about it and I hope to communicate with you again soon! I'm going to post a link to your site on the list, I want anyone who joins to check it out! Yours Truly. Andrew Amundsen |
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| From: Gordon
Laird Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2002 10:55 PM To: darrell@cleanimages.com Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com hi, great page on folding rangefinders! It's got me wondering about old Fuji folders, especially the Super Fujica-6 (currently on ebay). Do you know anything about their reputation? Still cheaper than a GW 690... thx, Gordon Laird -- www.gordonlaird.com grlaird@interlog.com |
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| The e-mail below is from a frenchman named Mario Groleau, who has translated
the folder article into french. Here is the link to his excellent work:
http://www.mgroleau.ca/cleanimages/index.html From: Mario Groleau Sent: Monday, June 03, 2002 7:05 AM To: darrell@cleanimages.info Cc: jurgenk@epix.net Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.info Hello Mr. Young, I bought a camera from Mr. Kreckel, he gave me excellent after sale service on the camera. And I want to do someting for him. I think that if I translate to french the article you write about him it will be a good thing for the french camera collector community. I will put it on my WWW camera collector site indicating clearly that you are the source of the article. I need your permission to do that, I have write to Mr Kreckel and he find it very good. Thank you very much for the time you will take to read and answer to my message. This is the message he sent to me: Hi Mario, Great. That would be "cool", translated into french Check with Darrell, I'm sure he would be "tickeled Pink!" Regards, Jurgen ________________________ Au plaisir de vous lire! Best regards ________________________ Mario Groleau ing. 3070 Talbot, Trois-Rivières (Québec) Canada G8Y 2J5 WWW: http://www.mgroleau.ca WWW photo: http://www.mgroleau.ca/photo |
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| From: John
Stewart Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2002 10:43 PM To: darrell@cleanimages.com Subject: Folder Article on CleanImages.com Glad you mentioned the three levels of quality in many folders. Most shoppers will have to look a long time before they find the upper levels. I have mint Ikonta with the good lens and shutter and the simple uncoupled rangefinder. I'm keeping it! John Socha (writer for eDigitalPhoto and Shutterbug magazine) |
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