Released 1925
I’ve long fancied a 6×12 good-quality panoramic camera. The best option seems to be a 6×12 roll film back for a large format camera (such as my Horseman 45HD) but these are very expensive. Even more expensive are most of the dedicated 6×12 cameras from the likes of Fuji, Horseman and Linhof.
I managed to pick up this camera which takes obsolete 116 film for the price of two beers. It should be a fairly straightforward conversation to make it use 120 film and then I can start shooting 6×11, which is almost as good! The 12cm Tessar is not particularly wide on this format but it should be fun anyway.
At a glance
| Lens | Tessar 12cm 1:4.5 |
|---|---|
| Film | 116 |
| Focus | Zone focusing |
| Meter | None |
These old folding cameras are a great way into medium format. My partner bought me a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 520/2 a couple of years ago. They were available with a choice of lenses and shutters and I’m really fortunate that my sample has the best lens and shutter. The 120 size film is still readily available and a wide variety of emulsions are obtainable. I picked up a leather case to carry mine in that also holds spare rolls of film and a cable release. Having extensively researched the serial numbers on body and lens, I’m sure mine was made in 1931. Now all I need is the Derby Bentley to keep my camera in its glovebox.
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