I really want an old folder

[5stringdeath]

What's still good that will take 120? Ansco Pocket or something similar?

[Ian Grant]

My experience is that pre-WWII uncoated lenses can vary depending on how they've aged. I have a 1930's Novar that's unusable due to low contrast and flare despite looking very clean, then the other extreme good Tessars with reasonable contrast. Post WWII coated lenses are a safer bet.

Ian

[R gould]

I Agree with Ian, go for a post war model, with a coated lens, any 120 vogitlander with a color skoper,(coated), balda,Zeiss Ikon netter or 1konta, with perhaps a coated novar, I would leave Agfa alone as there bellows are pretty well always suspect,Richard

[R gould]

I could add that there are some very good British 120 folders,especialy the Ensign range, such as the Selfix models, look for one with a Ross xpes lens, the equal or better than the Tessar, I have 2 and use them all the time,Richard

[gandolfi]

Bergheil! with Heliar or skopar - interchangable lenses - roll film back...

[Fotoguy20d]

What's your budget? What features do you want? There are a lot of good, but relatively expensive options that have been put forth already. $5 + shipping on ebay will get you a Kodak Autographic 2-C (I think that's the one that takes 120). For something that old, read descriptions and check photos carefully. I have one that looks brand new and another that looks like its been through a blender. The Ihagee Ultrix is a nice basic range-guesser - There are versions that are dual format - 6x6 and 6x9 on 120 film - assuming the removable plate is still there. The Ihagee will go for around $25.


Dan

[Rick A]

Agfa Isolette's are great little cameras, I have one that needs a knob, you can have it for postage. Shouldn't be too hard to fit something to it, it functions very well in all other aspects.

[Fotoguy20d]

To push the definition of folder a bit, how about a 2x3 speed/crown/century graphic. Adjust the rangefinder to match the lens, remove the ground glass panel, slap a 120 roll film holder on the back and you're set.

Dan

[bblhed]

I have a thing for folders so here is what I have.

I own a Kodak Brownie Autographic 2 that takes 120 film, this is a really fun to use pocket camera, it takes a good photo, it fits in my pocket, and I think I paid about $10 for it, on the down side it doesn't have coated lenses and I had to paint the bellows with liquid electrical tape to seal some pinholes, I filled the autographic door to seal it, and I have to cover the ruby window with electric tape to seal the light out of it.

I have a Kodak Tourist II, with the multi speed shutter and I really like that camera as well, but it is a 620 camera.

If you want a nice folder in the $100 range there is a guy on ebay that sells Agfa Billy cameras and Zeiss folders that have been restored and work quite well, look for his stuff, I have had really good luck with him, but Kodaks are more my thing.

[DWThomas]

"Old" is a relative term -- I'm sure to many people my 1950s vintage Perkeo II with Color Skopar and Ercona II with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar would seem "really old." They take doggone nice pictures and I bought them to use, partly for traveling light. I envision the pre-1940s vintage stuff being a little bit of a crap shoot as to condition and reliability, I guess it depends on your projected use and how much patience you have (and how lucky you get).