Voightlander Bessa L folding 6 by 6 camera, anybody using one?

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Bill Mcdonald - 29 Dec 2003 16:56 GMT

Bought one on ebay last night and now of course scrambling to find out
any info:)

Bill Mcdonald in Joshua Tree.
Olympus E-10, Olympus IS-3 DLX.
Vivitar V3800N.
Amateur.

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KFritch - 29 Dec 2003 17:49 GMT

Maybe a Bessa 66, but not a Bessa L which as far as I know is 35mm and made by
Cosina.

With any folder you will need to check the front standard for rigidity after it
is open an locked. Check the bellows for light leaks. And, of course, you
results will depend on what type of lense you have on the camera.

I have not used the voigtlander Bessa 66, but have used their 6 x 6 Perkeo with
Skopar which I found prone to flare.

Play around with it, and see how you like it. I've used a number of 6 x 6
folders and finally settled on a Mamiya 6 Automatic. Your choice may be
different.

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Bill Mcdonald - 30 Dec 2003 17:48 GMT

>Maybe a Bessa 66, but not a Bessa L which as far as I know is 35mm and made by
>Cosina.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>folders and finally settled on a Mamiya 6 Automatic. Your choice may be
>different.

Thanks very much for the info here. I have no knowledge of this
camera, too be honest, I'm sure the "wow" factor went into my buying
decision. It is a neat looking,little jewel!
Bill Mcdonald in Joshua Tree.
Olympus E-10, Olympus IS-3 DLX.
Vivitar V3800N.
Amateur.

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Lassi =?iso-8859-1?Q?Hippel=E4inen?= - 30 Dec 2003 18:44 GMT

> Maybe a Bessa 66, but not a Bessa L which as far as I know is 35mm and made by
> Cosina.
>
> With any folder you will need to check the front standard for rigidity after it
> is open an locked. Check the bellows for light leaks. And, of course, you
> results will depend on what type of lense you have on the camera.

Voigtländer has a reputation of good lenses, but a bit flimsy mechanics.
They had to compete with Zeiss, and they decided to compete with price.
But they compromised mechanics rather than optical quality.

> I have not used the voigtlander Bessa 66, but have used their 6 x 6 Perkeo with
> Skopar which I found prone to flare.

That's true for all folders. Since the mechanics need to be as flat as
possible, there is no room for a lens shade. Just shoot without letting
the sun shine on the lens. Or get lucky and find a fitting shade.

> Play around with it, and see how you like it. I've used a number of 6 x 6
> folders and finally settled on a Mamiya 6 Automatic. Your choice may be
> different.

Folders are charming in their own special way...

-- Lassi

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