6x9 vs 645... on the same camera! New shots from the neighborhood with my Voigtlander Bessa RF.

[@Narsuitus]

Thanks for the video. I shoot 6x6, 6x7, 6x9, and 6x12 medium format images. My personal favorite was 6x6 until I tried 6x7. I have never shot 645. Your video has reinforced my lack of desire to try 645.

[@PhilKnall]

I actually really enjoy 645 on my gs645. On the Bessa i probably won't do it again 😅

[@PhilKnall]

And thank you so much for watching and commenting!

[@lensman5762]

These cameras would have been great had it not been for the ridiculously high asking prices, plus the fact that in 95% of cases the RF has to be properly recalibrated by a competent technician. For not much more money, one could buy a fuji GW690 which has far superior optical viewfinder and EBC coated lenses, a fully functioning RF and suffers from non of the faults and weaknesses that these folders suffer from , old mechanical shutters with inaccurate speeds is just one of them. I have three 6X9 and three 6X6 folders ( the 6X9s are non RF ), two of which have the famous Ross Xpress 105mm F3.8 lens, and they are truly fun to mess with, but be in no doubt that when it comes functionality, image quality and reliability, they are no match for a more modern RF camera. Very good video BTW, thank you

[@PhilKnall]

Thanks for the comment! The Bessa RF (non- II) is actually not that ridiculous in the price department. I got mine for about $200. I own a GW690III too, and once did a comparison video about the two (my first on this channel). The Bessa held up surprisingly well, although it of course has less contrast. And in terms of portability, it cannot be beat!

[@randallstewart175]

Voigtlander designed use of these adapting format masks on several of their pre-WWII cameras. In one case (at least), the the camera had built in flexible masks which deployed along with a similar masking of the view finder at the turn of key. Over the years, it's been my experience that cameras having the add on masks almost always are missing them. In my case, the camera is/was a Konica IIIM, which converted from full 35mm frame to half frame format. I looked at a lot of those and bought one, but I've never seen the half frame mask in the flesh.

[@PhilKnall]

Yes... It took me a while to find that mask! It came with a Bessa I I purchased long after my Bessa RF. I'm glad it works well!

[@ZoneFocused]

Man your so lucky you don't wear glasses and can enjoy these old cameras. They would murder my glasses with the metal eyepiece lol. Its cool you can change formats roll to roll like that.

[@PhilKnall]

Haha so true, hadn't even thought of that. Viewfinders definitely weren't manufs' strength back then...

[@NorbiWhitney]

Really interesting video. I love how well the camera was made to adapt to 645. The double frame window is really clever!

[@PhilKnall]

Thanks Norbi! Fully agreed, it's so simple it's genius. I was surprised by how snugly the mask fits in, too. Doesn't even wobble.

[@olafwDE]

Phil, the more videos you do about this Voigtländer gem, the more my G.A.S. is kicking in, big time. I recently had bid on a Voigtländer Bergheil for (old format) plates and sheet film, but unfortunately the seller retired the offer because his minimal price had not been met. It would have come with a double format roll film back, so even one format more. I will keep searching. Thanks for sharing your photography endeavors and for *using* the camera versus just putting it on a shelf.

[@PhilKnall]

Thank you for the comment, Olaf! Yes, I feel the camera should be used... Judging from the nice condition it's in it may have been sitting on a shelf for a few years. On the other hand, I feel a lot of responsibility to not be the one who broke it after all these years!

[@olafwDE]

@@PhilKnall I think of a camera like of a cherry tree: Treat it right (which is what you do) and it will gratefully reciprocate with cherries for you and many birds (viewers). Once it has dried out and died, you can still timber a cradle from its wood. For a camera, that would be the retirement in your memorabilia shelf.

[@PhilKnall]

Wonderful analogy!

[@PhilKnall]

@John ok The Bergheil is a lovely looking camera too, glass plates would be a bit intimidating for me though!

[@alfredbarten4901]

One thing I like about 6x9 is that I'm shooting primarily in landscape. I guess if I were doing more portrait work I would find the 645 more convenient.

[@PhilKnall]

For portrait work it would definitely come in handy. For one, the camera orientation would be in the natural "landscape" way while providing a portrait frame, but also the focal length would work well I think. It's a shame I also never do portraits...

[@rockhills]

Woah that's so interesting that the focal length changes! I just assumed the crop would be the only difference. I would then imagine if shooting with a 645 back on an RZ67 the crop factor also changes...hmm.

[@PhilKnall]

Hey, thanks for the comment! I might have oversimplified by saying focal length. Obviously the optical qualities of the lens will not change thus the focal length is the same, but because of the crop it appears as if it did. It's the same as with full frame vs. Aps-c sensors for example. It definitely makes you look at the scene in a different way!

[@YoYoYo]

Great videos. Thank you!

[@PhilKnall]

thanks!

[@Antron89]

It's so great to see these videos and learn from your experiences! I have not used the 645 mask on my Bessa yet, but your video really inspires me to go out and give it a try. I'll definitely keep your conclusions in mind and try to think of a good way to utilize the tighter crop with the mask.

[@PhilKnall]

Thanks Jonathan! The crop is a challenge, but it's fun to have a challenge once in a while 😉

[@AveryDelMiller]

Really good video!

[@PhilKnall]

Thank you, much appreciated!

[@obscuragraffitica]

Great vid. I just ordered mine. Im hoping to pair it up with my Leica m4. it'd be the perfect German duo.

[@PhilKnall]

Thanks for the comment! That indeed sounds like a dream combo.

[@krzysztoff386]

What about the sharpness of the photo? The mask increases the distance from the lens to the negative. Minimally, but still! I wonder if it is noticeable and whether the rangefinder should not be adjusted again after putting on the mask ...

[@PhilKnall]

I understand why you think so but multiple cameras use this system and none mention having to readjust the RF, so I think it's fine. The mask is really really thin so I don't think it's an issue. As you can see in my video there's definitely some other issues with it though 😅

[@AnaloguePhoto]

Would be great to be able to use the RF for 6x4.5, if I'll run into a mask... Would make the whole camera become a bit more flexible and economical fitting 16 images per roll. On the other hand, finding a Zeiss Nettar or similar, made for 6x4.5 is probably easier and cheaper. Don't get me wrong, I'd buy a mask too if I found one 😀

[@PhilKnall]

Yeah! To be perfectly honest i haven't used it much at all since making this video. Specialized 645 cameras will be superior. The viewfinder inaccuracy was particularly annoying.

[@AnaloguePhoto]

@@PhilKnall Just making it possible, was a to give the camera buyers back in the day an opportunity to save money on film. But then again, sinse most masks seams to have been lost, it can't have been any users most valued accessory...

[@PhilKnall]

@@AnaloguePhoto hah, good point. But i agree it's a great idea in principle.

[@williamgardner2739]

@@AnaloguePhoto I agree with your comment, and I can add maybe at the cost of film today, the mask would cut the cost of film. I have a Zeiss ikon 6x9 and mask to fit it. It took me a few years to find a mask on Ebay, as soon as i saw it i bought it. sometimes you have to be quick on Ebay.

[@christopherhowell3209]

You seem to have a film alignment problem?...which is a problem with these cameras.

[@PhilKnall]

Thanks for the comment! It certainly has its quirks. Are you referring to the vertical alignment (which i am aware of) or a focus plane issue?

[@killpop8255]

You could tape some thin cardboard in there if you didn't have the genuine mask?

[@PhilKnall]

You probably could! That's the beauty of these old cameras where everything is mechanical and no failsafes. Just make sure to choose the smoothest kind available, as it will be in contact with the more sensitive emulsion side of the film.

[@Martin_Siegel]

I am looking for the 645 mask for ages. Where's a good place to look? Until I have it i use my Bessa 46 (645 only) but the 105 lens option would be nice to have (and my Bessa RF has the nicer lens). Thanks for doing this. Regards, Martin in Austria

[@PhilKnall]

Hi, thanks for the comment! I think the best bet is to look for a Bessa RF that includes the mask on ebay. Masks by themselves are ludicrously expensive, but the cameras that happen to have them inside are often cheap because people just don't notice or look for them. In Austria it might also pay off to put a search alert on willhaben, They pop up quite often. Don't search for the mask, just look at the pictures and see if the mask is inside.

[@Martin_Siegel]

Thanks for the reply, ​ @Phil Knall . I will keep looking. Best wishes, Martin

[@PhilKnall]

@@Martin_Siegel good luck, hope you find one!

[@Martin_Siegel]

@@PhilKnall Danke