🟡 Cheap Film Cameras! | Leica Size 6x9 Folding Cameras (Bessa I, Moskva 5, Agfa Billy Record II)
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- The cheapest "High Res" Film Negatives I Know! 6x9 Folding Cameras + 6x9 Photography Intro'..
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Comparing my 3 6x9 folding film cameras - Voigtlander Bessa I, Moskva 5, Agfa Billy Record II. How to operate a 6x9 film camera, basic settings, 6x5.4 film mask for Bessa 1, 6x9 camera compared to Leica M for size, 6x9 roll film back photos using 4x5 cameras and the Fuji GW690 (Texas Leica) gets a brief mention as a modern alternative!
✅ Check price on eBay
6x9 Folding Cameras - (US) ebay.to/2ZD5Ddm (UK) ebay.to/3eBqKkN
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6x6 Folding Camera - Voigtlander Perkeo - • 🟡 Smaller than Leica M...
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📝 Full written review with more images:
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#filmcamera # filmphotography #6x9film #foldingcamera #vintagecameras #bessa1 #moskva5
The best buy for the buck you get a 4 Element High End French coated Angenieux 3.5 100 lens on a 6x9 folder if you get a Pathe Kodak Model 40 or 42 from France
OK noted thanks!
Hi Matt, great video per usual, and thanks so much for mentioning my channel (14:10). I'm a fan!
Film Photography Channel thanks Eric, sorry it took longer than expected to post!
Thank you Matt. I'm exactly choosing a 6x9 camera in those three, this video is very useful for me. Film Photography is getting popular these years in China, I was started last year and having much fun with films and old cameras. Thanks again.
Great! Thanks for comment and happy shooting!
I have the Bessa I and a Moskova IV and both are fun once you figure out the way to hold them that works for you. Good video.
Thanks! Yes fun cameras!
eBay tips for vintage camera buyers would indeed be a great vid topic 📸😁
Greg Ritter Thanks Greg, I’m not an official expert but I can share my years of personal experience to give a few pointers. Will do!
Thanks for referring me to this video Matt! Very interesting and a joy to watch!
Thanks Lucy, i'm glad you found it OK and enjoyed it. I will try to do more with such old cameras in the future if and when I ever get through my todo list haha :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks Matt! I understand how busy your schedule is. :)
@@LucyS565 thanks, selling my car currently so that’s taking time and receiving lots of lovely things to review! 😅
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Good luck!
@@LucyS565 thanks Lucy! it sold :)
Matt keep an eye on the condition of the bellows especially around the folds, I'm seeing rubbing on the ones your showing which could lead to eventual light leak, also try and avoid cameras with rust on them, been out in the rain etc. The bellows and case can be cleaned with Pure Neatsfoot oil which will make then almost like new.
Thanks! Yes one of these cameras was returned and another had full CLA. Great tips thanks
✅ Check price on eBay - (US) ebay.to/2ZD5Ddm (UK) ebay.to/3eBqKkN
▶️ Watch Next: 6x6 Folding Camera - Voigtlander Perkeo - ua-cam.com/video/2kdbTCaukFI/v-deo.html
⭐️ Patreon: Support the channel from as little as £1 a month - www.patreon.com/mrleicacom
Always a pleasure to watch!
Thanks Ingo!
Nice vid matt. I love folders, I have a Ferrania falco 2 6x9, lovely camera. I recently dropped on a Ikonta M 6x6 which I've used once and was blown away by the quality, love it to bits, and also a Bessa 2 6x9, one roll through so far and again very very impressed. These latter two cameras will be well used for certain.
Thanks Paul! Yes these old folders can be a lot of fun. See my Voigtlander Perkeo video. Another amazing camera!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom already seen it mate cracking wee camera
Very good advice, I don't understand why anyone would give you a down vote, specially when your advice saves us money, while bringing life back to classic cameras.
Pedro Meza thanks 🙏🏻
Great video 👍 thanks for sharing your knowledge on these folding cameras.
Film Camera Reviews thanks mate, thanks for stopping by! I hope to do a Nikon related video I’m the next month 👍🏻
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom always a pleasure. Half made a quick video on Polaroid stuff.. will try and upload that soon.
Film Camera Reviews great no rush. I know myself how hard it can be to get videos out! 👍🏻
I use two 6x9cm film cameras for landscape photography:
1. Fuji GSW690 III rangefinder with fixed 65mm f/5.6 wide-angle lens (28mm equiv.)
2. Ansco Viking folding camera with fixed 105mm f/6.3 normal lens (46mm equiv.)
Very cool!
Good tips here! I have a 6x9 Mamiya Press Super 23. It's very versatile as I can shoot 6x9 and 6x7 with different backs and I can use masks to shoot 6x4.5 and 6x6. It's not an expensive system and I just love it!
Thanks Luis! yes I hear they are nice cameras. Thanks! I tend to use my 4x5 camera with 67, 69, 612 backs :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I have a MPP 4x5 but it's not practical to use its roll back as we need to unscrew the ground glass. So I just sold the roll back and I am using just the holders!
@@fotolookconde ah mine has Graflex back so works ok..but folders are easier of course :)
I don't have a Bessa, my 6x9 folder is a Moskva-4. It has a built in rangefinder with a pop up viewfinder. The lens is sharper than a comparable lens for by Mamiya c330, and I love the huge negatives. One huge advantage to folding 6x9's over say a Fuji G690, is that you can fit the folders into a front pocket and take it everywhere
Thanks ! Yes some of these old cameras have great lenses. I have a folder away for servicing but I'll be using it once it comes back and will make a video.
Beautiful pictures👍
Thanks!
Once again superb
Thanks! This is an old video
My next camera is either a lubitel or a moskva. I just bought my first 6x6 folding camera and I’ll probably get the latter when I find myself wanting a 6x9, but right now I just have a 6x6 and I’m happy with that
Nice! Yes they are a little addictive haha. My Moskva-5 has taken some nice photos. The little Billy Record is tiny so I love the size.
Some of my negs taken with old 6x9 cameras have superb resolution. Some makes have more stable lens erection systems than others. Agfa and Ensign are good. The Solinar lens is remarkable. Moskva is based on the Zeiss Super Ikonta.
Henry Law thanks Henry! Yes I plan to get my Agfa repaired to use the lens, thanks! (I’m post quite a lot of additional content to Patreon now if I can tempt you. Less gear reviews and more fun / BTS stuff so you may prefer my YT I guess.
I recently acquired a Bessa 1 and found a shoe fitting rangefinder which incorporated a much larger viewfinder.
I also have an Ensign 820 and 16 20, both with Xpress lenses and an old 1935 Voightlander Avus.
Ah very nice! Yes I use larger viewfinders on my small Leica iii cameras for wider than 50mm and it does make a big difference! I was using my Billy2 last weekend after getting it serviced together with my Voigtlander Perkeo 2 (See that video)(Great camera!) :)
With the BRAUN camera case of the Voigtländer you look like a German.
Do not forget the Zeiss Ikon 6 x 9 with the Tessar 1 : 3,5 - 105 mm.
An 4,5x6 insert in a 6 x 9 camera makes a nice portrait camera with a
105 mm "tele".
In 1956 the Mamiya 6x6 had an Olympus Zuiko 80mm lens.
Thanks Jaco, haha, yes I like the insert options for 6x9 folders if can find them. I have the more modern Mamiya 6
I've got many folding cameras. They are really impressive.. a little pocket camera and large negatives... but the problem is the focusing. It is very hard to have a perfect focus... so the lens seems not very sharp.. but It's not true. Really at the time in the 50th it was usually the contact printing so it wasn't necessary to have a perfect focus. I think this kind of cameras are perfect for contact printing. Enlargement is another thing.
Hi thanks, yes agree re. contacts prints! I hope to find time to do that one day!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Adox Lupex is the right paper. No Enlarger. Only a white lamp. It is very slow.
@@astore3757 thanks!
If you use box cameras these are fitted with Meniscus lenses (all distance lenses) these are only good for contact printing. The lenses of many folding cameras focus by turning the front cell to the correct distance.
The Agfa folder with the Solinar seems to be very, very good, but...rare, of course. I bought the East-German Zeiss Ikon clone, with the Zeiss Tessar 3,5/105mm, a number of years ago, the Ercona ll. Outstanding results (see Flickr). 6x9 an almost forgotten but superior format!
Thanks Les!
The Ensign cameras from the '50's feature Ross Xpres lenses, superior quality, exceeding the Solinars and Tessars. The Ensign cameras have internal baffles to switch to another taking format.
Hey Matt
I’d love to see a video on your advice on buying on ebay
Great video
Ronald Sand thanks Ronald, OK I will put on my list. Thanks for asking.
Using a Zeiss Icon Nettar 517/2 and it’s one of my favourites. The 6x9 format is much more useful then 6x6, I reckon.
Thank you! I always worry with the film cost of 6x9 but otherwise I like it! :)
I have a few of these folders. The best one out of the bunch are the Ensign Selfix 820 with the Ross Xpress F3.8 lens and my Franka Solida IIIe with the 3 element Schneider Radionar F2.9 lens. The e version has onboard rangefinder. I also bought a Franka Solida iii L with a light meter that had a faulty shutter. I have managed to get it going but the slow speeds are a little too slow. The most handy on ethat I have is a Voightlander Bessa 1 or Baby Bessa. This one is so small and handy and has a winding mechanism that onec set , it will wind the film to the next frame without the use of the RED peep window. The results from the Ensign and the Franka Solida are amazing.
Thanks! I nearly bought a Franka a few times! :) If I get chance to get/ use these cameras I will be sure to share the results. Thanks for sharing!
Great video Matt.
Please note the "Mockba" is cyrillic for "Moskva" or Moscow 😉
Ah thank you!!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Yep and pronounced [mɐskˈva] ;)
which in ruZzia
I recently bought a mint condition Bessa one , but no matter the condition the grease still gets old and sticky. Mine is going off for a CLA soon.
Yes most of my vintage cameras have had to go for a CLA since buying. They are so good afterwards though! My 1931 Leica is like new.
Hey Matt, first: great photos you got on flickr! I was wondering if you could explain how you develop the film at home for very cheap? that would help me a lot :)
Thanks Eduardo! There is a video showing my developing on Patreon and step by step guide download + info on the blog too
Would love to have a Ricohflex and a Moskva for landscapes.
They are very affordable compared to say a GF670
Great video as usual 👌🏼 I noticed that you generally prefer smaller cameras but I think you should give the GW690 a chance. On the other hand, being mr Leica you never spoke about the m5... I would like to hear your thoughts on it if possible 🙏🏽
Hi Toni, thanks! I've never shot the M5 actually. I have nothing against them but seemed to prefer the others at the time I bought my cameras. Maybe I will test one at some point to share my thoughts if I get the chance. I dont think I like 6x9 enough to get a high end body. I love the classic folders and their size but I only plan to use for fun and travel and to create artistic rather than perfect images. I think the 690 with slide film will look like digital! :) ..probably amazing in a nice landscape but i;m not sure ai can afford the film to feed it ha :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom it will be great to see your thoughts about it after owning most of the other Leica's... mmm slide film 🤔 ...I've never considered it before
@@negativemoments treat yourself to one roll for a special trip/ location shoot!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom i definitely should 👍🏼 thanks for the suggestion 🤙🏽
Brilliant Matt. I have a chance to bring home 1 of these. I do like the Russian camera, used some b4, I found a Moskva-2 but w/ f4.5 or the Bessa ii Color Sokar f3.5. Most of the 1s I see was typically f4.5. What's your input on the Moskva02 f4/5 if about 140 quid?
Thanks! Russian cameras tend to be more hit and miss BUT they can have great optics. Conor Skopar lenses are known to be good but for £140 maybe try the M'02 if it's film tested etc.
@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom cool. What is the lens on your M'01 u mentioned is the nicer ?
@@khanscombe619 mine is a M05, I’m not sure actually, maybe an Industar
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom oops. I mean the Besse I f3.5 lens you said was a nicer option?
My camera repairer told me that Agfa Billy lenses are known to suffer from dried out grease that acts like a glue preventing the lens from focusing. The lens may rotate when turned but it is not focusing - the lens is unscrewing from the shutter rather than focusing.
My Agfa Billy solonar lens could not be unstuck. Bummer
Thanks Robert and sorry to hear that. I had mine serviced so it’s ok but good to know.
Looking forward to see how you get the juice out of this Vaskar 105mm f/4.5 lens for making portraits. They seem made to close the aperture at f/8 or f/11 and aim at landscapes with G1 or G2 yellow filters.
I got my Bessa I with your Voigtlander Rangefinder and an odd but wonderful shoemount **Kontur** (view)finder 6x9 -with lines for 6x4.5 in case you put the mask inside the camera. You use both eyes, and if you wear glasses there is no need to take them off. Then you look through this vintage Kontur-called-finder with one eye and keep the other eye open. This would create and optical ilusion where you would see the reality framed with white lines and parallax marks for 3 feet or 1m close focus. The downside of the Kontur 6x9 is when you have to rotate the camera in portrait, where it hurts maneuvering around. But other than that I liked it, and I bought the 6x6 and 35mm versions.
Mateu Matheu Hi as yes I use these more for non-portraits. Ah yes I have one of those finders, 6x6 version, on my Perkeo 2. I was a little confused looking through it so interesting to hear you say that. Thanks!
Great video Matt,what is the quality like of the lens on the Moskva 5 ?
Actually very good. Search my blog for sample photos, see the train carriage shot for detail. www.MrLeica.com
Yes, I've 'caught a cold' a few times! 'Untested' is fair enough, if the seller has no knowledge of film cameras.... but it's also a great 'cop out' - pleading ignorance!! On the other hand, I've found some real treasures for 'pocket money' prices.
100% agree. Sometimes we can get lucky (and if really bad I return it!)
I guess you would like the Bessa II (coupled rangefinder)
Thanks Hugo! I have a few cameras without the RF and that usually makes them smaller and lighter but yes cameras with it make life easier!
been looking for that agfa record, hard to find a good one with that solinar lens!
Yes especially working! Mine is still waiting to be fixed. I hope you find one
I was always wondering why these larger media formats were so popular back in the day because the film was never cheap. Then a friend told me that contact prints were also often used in these times. Enlargers became popular with the 35mm format. That makes sense, and I found a lot of pictures in that format in old family albums. It's not that important anymore, but I'm always interested in the history of cameras. The predecessor of these cameras were the cheap box cameras. But these cameras are almost entirely gone today.
Alexander Kirsch thanks yes great point. I’d like to do contact prints one day when I have more time. That’s also why photos looked very sharp even though the camera might be cheap as not enlarged.
I remember back at the start of the 50s, my father showing how to use printing out paper with 8 on 120 negs, in a little wooden frame.
grahvis ah very cool! Thanks for sharing.
Careful. An accessory shoe is only a hot shoe if it synchronises and fires flash. Most bellows cameras with leaf shutters that do synch do so at the shutter. A simple shoe is a cold shoe.
JM Tubbs thanks JM, sorry yes that was a slip of the tongue. I don’t thing anyone looking at these cameras will be thinking to use speedlights but thanks for spotting my mistake. My other videos often say coldshoe so I just messed up on this one.
Matt, Matt, Matt, you have to stop this! I bought a couple of 6x6's, one a Perkeo II Color Skopar on its way from NZ. Now this ... I need an intervention, for I seem to view your newest videos (like this one) in Northern California during my vino hours. During Covid-19, my vino hours have expanded and I am at risk, I am sure (from Vino). 4x5 next? l may need to ask for help. Seriously, God Bless you, I really enjoy this stuff!
Nolan Snook Haha thanks Nolan! I know what you mean personally as I too find those late hours dangerous. That’s when I’m usually researching gear, looking for example photos and then checking eBay! I should try to get this Patreon thing setup soon as if others watch my videos during the vino hour and find something particularly value add it might work out better than I expected ha! In seriousness congrats on your 6x6s and yes I will do 4x5 but have other stuff planned first so you should be safe for a bit longer! Thanks for your comment! :)
Ill probably get a russian 6x9 ive only gone as far as 6x8 in medium format i have the fuji gw680 iii . If i was rich id probably have the bessa iii folder but thats not gonna happen anytime soon .
Raziel 680iii, nice! Yes Bessa iii are expensive.
P Maitra thanks 👍🏻
"if you want to you your 6x9 camera in economy mode" 😂😂😂
:) :) contradiction I know haha :)
I want one!!!
Marlon Crutchfield Thanks Marlon! Get one they are cheap! :)
They are not HOT shoes Matt lol
Yes sorry Tom, haha slip of the tongue, apologies!
Did he pronounce Moskva5 as Mos K B A 5? 😂
Ha no I tried to say KVA 5 :)