None of the dual MF camera setups I've seen so far have used folding cameras.

Some of the 40's-50's folders were said to have pretty nice lens (Tessars, etc. 4 to even 6 elements). I'd think the weight and size advantage of them would make them much more practical for hikes and climbs. If used for distant landscape and hypers, you wouldn't need precise framing or rangefinder focusing.

The one drawback is that many need the hardware and bellows restored and it can get as expensive as affordable, later model TLR or SLR cameras.

Lattie wrote:

>
> None of the dual MF camera setups I've seen so far have used folding
> cameras.
>
> Some of the 40's-50's folders were said to have pretty nice lens
> (Tessars, etc. 4 to even 6 elements). I'd think the weight and size
> advantage of them would make them much more practical for hikes and
> climbs. If used for distant landscape and hypers, you wouldn't need
> precise framing or rangefinder focusing.

A bunch of years ago it was more common for folks to join pairs of MF
folders. Today every body seems to be buying the 3D World camera, or
using Sputniks.

> The one drawback is that many need the hardware and bellows restored
> and it can get as expensive as affordable, later model TLR or SLR
> cameras.

Although I've never dealt with him personally, the guy who runs this
web site has a good reputation:

<http://www.certo6.com/>


He also sells refurbished cameras on ebay.

--
Brian Reynolds | "It's just like flying a spaceship.
reynolds@panix.com | You push some buttons and see
http://www.panix.com/~reynolds/ | what happens." -- Zapp Brannigan
NAR# 54438 |

Oh yeah, Certo6 is where I got my info about these cameras!

I'd just as soon use my Spud than trying to siamese average folders (and of course, who wouldn't prefer to use a TL-120?!).

But for a 2 camera hyperstereo setup - some of those TLRs and SLR's are quite a handful to lug around!

Of course, my sharpest slides yet came from a Koni Omega-Rapid cha-cha experiment. ...Now...twinning...two...of...THOSE..... <:-0

>
> A bunch of years ago it was more common for folks to join pairs of MF
> folders. Today every body seems to be buying the 3D World camera, or
> using Sputniks.
>
> > The one drawback is that many need the hardware and bellows restored
> > and it can get as expensive as affordable, later model TLR or SLR
> > cameras.
>
> Although I've never dealt with him personally, the guy who runs this
> web site has a good reputation:
>
> <http://www.certo6.com/>
>
>
> He also sells refurbished cameras on ebay.
>
> --
> Brian Reynolds | "It's just like flying a spaceship.
> reynolds@... | You push some buttons and see
> http://www.panix.com/~reynolds/ | what happens." -- Zapp Brannigan
> NAR# 54438 |
>

lattie_smart wrote:

> None of the dual MF camera setups I've seen so far have used folding cameras.
>
> Some of the 40's-50's folders were said to have pretty nice lens (Tessars, etc. 4 to even 6 elements).

I had an isolette that gave me pretty good pictures. I sold
it after only a few rolls, however. I was thinking I'd use
it for cha-chas and maybe get a second for hypers, but in
the end, I gave up on the idea. The reasons were:

A) It was another camera to keep current on. Each camera I
use has different quirks and workflow. Do I cock the shutter
before or after advance? Do I _need_ to cock the shutter? On
which side of the camera is the film advance? Does this
shutter run slow or fast and where did I tape the
speed-translation chart?

B) It was another camera to keep in running order. When it's
time to go shoot, I wanna grab gear I know is ready rather
than gear for which I've misplaced the lens hood.

C) I didn't look forward to working through a dozen cameras
to find a matched pair of lenses (for hypers). The focal
lengths on these old cameras can vary significantly.

D) The weight savings wasn't going to be as great as I
expected. Before buying a pair of folders for hypers, I'd
certainly consider buying a second Sputnik. I can then shoot
them as singles (with a cover on one lens) or as stereos and
get in-camera dupes of each hyper.

--
John Thurston
Juneau Alaska
http://stereo.thurstons.us

Metal folders prob. wouldn't save much weight over a Bakelite Spud. But they'd take a bit less width in a backpack!

You'd certainly want cameras closely matched to spec. - like from the certo guy.

I've read someone compare those nicer folder lens to his Hassies...just the ideal that you could carry one like that in your (coat) pocket!

Yeah, I'd still rather be able to afford a big TL-120...even if it makes kids cry ("Look Mommy, it's Darth Vader!"):-)

--- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, John Thurston wrote:

> D) The weight savings wasn't going to be as great as I
> expected. Before buying a pair of folders for hypers, I'd
> certainly consider buying a second Sputnik. I can then shoot
> them as singles (with a cover on one lens) or as stereos and
> get in-camera dupes of each hyper.
>
> --
> John Thurston
> Juneau Alaska
> http://stereo.thurstons.us
>

lattie_smart wrote:
. . .

> Yeah, I'd still rather be able to afford a big TL-120...even if it makes kids cry ("Look Mommy, it's Darth Vader!"):-)

But having a TL120 isn't going to help you make hypers. Even
owning two TL120s isn't really going to help you much. This
is the voice of experience speaking... a pair of TL120s
makes for a _very_ heavy backpack :P
--
John Thurston
Juneau Alaska
http://stereo.thurstons.us

> But having a TL120 isn't going to help you make hypers. Even
> owning two TL120s isn't really going to help you much. This
> is the voice of experience speaking... a pair of TL120s
> makes for a _very_ heavy backpack :P

I'm unloading my complete Kiev 88 system on ebay uk at the moment.

Twinned Kiev 88's make TL120's feel like a fluffy pillow. Explains why the Russian rockets are so large.

M

>Twinned Kiev 88's make TL120's feel like a fluffy pillow. Explains why the Russian rockets are so large.
>
>M
>

Rockets, large ???

How about a pair of Kiev 6s
or a pair of Mamiya Presses?

Best,
John Billingham

Two pieces of advice for folding cameras: 1) make sure you get coated lenses - lens coating is more important than lens design for stereo, since you'll be stopping down, 2) for hypers you might consider using a 6x9 folder to give you more cropping room, but if you do go with 6x9 try to get the shortest focal length possible. Folders are very light compared with SLRs and TLRs, but the viewfinders on them are nearly useless and the placement of the tripod socket can make mounting on a twin bar difficult.
Steve