Pentacon 6 Medium Format SLR Camera
Pentacon 6 Medium Format SLR Camera
Photo thanks to Gary Cullen
[email protected]
Related Links:
170-320mm f/4 Zoomar For Pentacon 6 (Stephen Gandy)
Avoiding Frame Overlap Problems Tip (Thanks to Stacey!) [8/2003]
Praktisix and Pentacon 6 Pages (Nathan Dayton) and
Kiev Taiwan (Tips Thanks to Paulus Susilo Tjahjadi!)
Pentacon 6 TL manual (English) (Tip Thanks to Omar!)
Pentacon 6 Pages (Thanks again to Omar!)
This Pentacon 6 is one of a series of historically interesting medium
format cameras that shared a common lens mount. See History of the Medium Format SLR for more
details. See Pentacon and Exakta 66 links at
the medium camera library pages.
Photo notes:
Pentacon 6 with 80mm Biometar 2.8 lens and pentaprism finder. 6x6
SLR with focal
plane shutter speeds from 1- 1/1000 second,and auto lens diaphragm.
Camera is in
very good condition, all functions seem to be working properly.
From Medium Format Digest:
From: Stefan Dalibor [email protected]
Subject: Response to How Good is the Pentacon 6TL
Date: 1998-08-11
To avoid problems with overlapping frames, you shouldn't let the film
advance lever flip back after advancing (says the manual). Referring
mirror vibration as well as repair/replacement bodies, note that Kiev
makes a Pentacon compatible system that offers mirror lockup and is rather
cheap. I'd say the Pentacon system surely isn't made for a pro, but if
treated gently, it works fine for amateurs and it is certainly the
cheapest entry into a MF system - the lenses are really good and where can
you get e.g. a 500mm MF lens for $400??
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: Nathan Dayton [email protected]
[1] Re: Pentacon six
Date: Mon Mar 15
It does not always work(you could have a mechanical problem). However, many
times the problem is incorrect film tension and therefore frame spacing
variations. Put the film the camera and wrap it once around the take up
spool. Hold the roll of film gently and with your other and advance the lever
in short racheting strokes without letting it return to lock position until
the pointer on the film reaches the dot on the film gate. This is the only
time you should ever do this partial advancing procedure. When you advance
the film with short strokes the film tension varies and so will the spacing.
Nathan Dayton
Spencer Childs wrote:
> Hi,
> I have heard that the old "overlapping frame" problem can be fixed on the
> Pentacon Six if I learn how to load it properly - can anybody tell me the
> secret?
>
> Spencer
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: [email protected] (RJPalace)
[1] Re: Pentacon six
Date: Mon Mar 15 16:25:55 CST 1999
The Pentacon Six is simular to the Practisix and maybe this will work,
Load the film normally, bringing the arrow to the dot in the camera. Then
close the back and there is a reset button on the right side of the camera
near the rewind, pushing the button resets the film counter and that is
what determines the frame spacing, at least on the Practisix. Give it a
try. Don't have much to lose,
Dick
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: [email protected]
[1] Re: Pentacon six
Date: Mon Mar 15 21:53:56 CST 1999
"Spencer Childs" [email protected] writes:
>I have heard that the old "overlapping frame" problem can be fixed on the
>Pentacon Six if I learn how to load it properly - can anybody tell me the
>secret?
All that I can do is advise a semi-fix for a similar camera.... the Kiev
60. My Kiev 60 has frame spacing that results in frames that "kiss" but do
not overlap when used with Kodak take-uo spools. Simply switching to the
newer Fuji spools with the inverted "T" in the film slot for take-up
results in real frame "spaces". I suspect that Eastern European films that
these cameras were designed for had a thicker film base which makes the
designed gear ratio a mismatch for Western film substrates....but I could
be wrong. why do the Fuji spools work better? I suspect that tyhe "grab"
of the inverted "T" pulls the film more tautly across the film gate so
that it does not slip back causing the frame edges to be double exposed.
*If this is correct* It implies using Fuji spools will increase film
flatness and as a result resolution figures should jump upwards for any
given lens. Anyone care to test this theory? I suggested this test to
Popular Photography and the "editor" (Keppler ???) was not interested and
apparently did not pass it along to Jason Schneider who I would have
thought it interesting to be able to "turbo-charge" the non-coated or
single-coated lens on ancient MF cameras simply due to the take-up spool.
BTW, Fuji offered this technology (pretty low and low-cost) free of charge
to Eastman Kodak, et al. Apparently no one was interested in a better
mousetrap.
Wayne Catalano 504-271-1507 (voice & fax)
[email protected]
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: john [email protected]
[1] Re: Pentacon six
Date: Sat Mar 20 04:55:57 CST 1999
I had the same problem when I first got my Pentacon 6.
I found that (in my case) I wasn't paying enough attention to getting
the paper leader tightly wrapped around the empty take up spool. I guess
being brought up with those 35mm sprocket holes had made me lazy!
I proved it was this (and not some mechanical fault with the gearing) by
loading a new film and applying a little bit of tape to the leader to
hold it on the take up spool. With the tape in place the film couldn't
slip, and I had perfect spacing from that roll.
After that I got really careful about loading new film leaders really
tightly on the take up spool, and I really like my Pentacon 6 now. It
might not have the kudos of the up-market makes, but the Zeiss lenses
and "tank" build make it a good camera to take around and not worry
about...
Good Luck
John
Spencer Childs wrote:
> Hi,
> I have heard that the old "overlapping frame" problem can be fixed on the
> Pentacon Six if I learn how to load it properly - can anybody tell me the
> secret?
>
> Spencer
rec.photo.misc
From: [email protected] (FLEXARET2)
[1] Re: pentacon 6
Date: Mon May 03 23:09:28 CDT 1999
from: [email protected] 5-3-99
I have several of these cameras in various guises (Pentacon 6 TL, Praktica
66 and Praktisix II) and have had others. Cuttently the camera is sold for
$1000 plus wrapped in heavy rubber as the Exakta 66/III - which is the
same thing, under the sheep's clothing.
This is a delicate camera and you must hold the wind lever coming to its rest
point after winding or you risk destroying the camera. It is capable of
excellent 6x6 cm results and great lenses and many have been made for it, the
Exakta and the Ukranian Kiev 60.
Check the Medium Format websites for information on it. Handle it with
care and you will be rewarded with fine photographs. I have used these
professionally for over 20 years. However, keep your lenscaps on when not
shooting on this and all cloth curtain shutter cameras. I thought I knew
it all but burned a hole in the shutter in the California desert back in
the 70s. Luckily at that time I had a repairman who could put in a new
shutter curtain, it will be hard to find someone today who can do this
work.
Good luck - Sam Sherman
From: "Michael Liczbanski" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
Subject: Re: Experience using Kiev 60 MF lenses on M42 threadmount 35mm?
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 1999
I can only talk about the mid '70s vintage of this lens used with B&W
films - never used it with color.
For 6x6, it was good in terms of resolution when stepped down to 8-11, but
was rather weak in the contrast department. It had a heavy, long barrel
surprisingly hand-holdable while mounted on a Pentacon Six body, but not so
with a Practica: It did require a heavy tripod with a light body.
Then (in mid '70s) I was happy with the results, although my crappy Canon
FD 100-300/5.6 zoom (mid '80s vintage) produces sharper and contrastier
images at 300 mm.
Overall - quite useable with either 6x6 cm or 35 mm setup. Keep in mind
that the quality of these - and other E. German - lenses vary considerably
from sample to sample. In my opinion Mayer was a tad better with QC than
Zeiss Jena, but still not up to par of the W. German Zeiss. And if the
sample you bought is bad - and you got it cheaply enough - it makes a great
paperweight :-)
Michael
...
>Michael,
>How did you find the quality of the meyer Orestgor 300mmF4.0 on your 35mm? I
>just recently purchased one of these baby for my Exakta 66 and also for my
>Nikon.
>I couldn't find any photographer's results nor opinion on this lense. Is it a
>quality lense or is it a peice of junk if you compare it against the Kiev
>Kalimar 150mmF2.8. I might be able to swap my 300mmF4.0 for the 150mm and
>would appreciate any input on your experience with any of these lenses.
Date: 07 Dec 1999
From: [email protected] (FLEXARET2)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Exakta 66?
The Kiev 60 (formerly 6S or C) is NOT based on the Pentacon 6.
It uses a similar (not eactly the same mount) and looks similar, but there
it ends. The Kiev camera is made with sturdy steel gears and the wind will
go on indefinitely. The original camera was made for the Soviet space
program (yes, its true!) as an improvement on the East German Pentacon 6
which was being used by the cosmonauts.
The Kiev 60 is a great bargain and can be repaired. The Pentacon 6 is an
excellent camera if treated gently and is difficult to find repairmen in
the US for this camera. The Exakta 66 is a Pentacon 6 in Sheep's (rubber)
clothing. I have no idea if anybody in the US actually repairs them or
broken cameras are sent to the factory. It is relatively expensive, but a
good example of it is a nice camera to have.
I have used Pentacon 6 and Kiev 60 and Kiev 6S for many years
successfully. If you plan to bash the daylights out of a camera, buy a
stronger Pentax 67 instead..... but it is more expensive!
Date: Tue, 07 Dec 1999
From: Woody Kamena [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Exakta 66?
I'm going to jump in here only because of the comment about the 60's
"notorious" reputation for film advancing. Having two that that get a lot
of use, I have had no problems. Also, ever time I run across a person who
actually owns a 60 and says they have problems, a quick lesson on film
loading and winding solves it. There are a lot of comments from people
"who heard" or "who has a buddy that saw one once." It's second and third
hand - actually owners tend to be pretty happy. You do get duds, but I've
had to return new canon equipment, too!
I've also get a Pentacon 6 and Practisix, which are nice novelties, but
don't work. Almost nobody wants to try and fix them (the keep mutter
something about stampted gears) and when I do get somebody that will quote
me to fix them, it's cheaper to by another Kiev 60!
Woody Kamena
Date: 31 Aug 1999
From: [email protected] (FLEXARET2)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: R: Pentacon 6 vs Kiev 60 by weight?
I don't know what all this talk is about Pentacon 6 not working, and not
holding up under hard pro use. What "pro" would choose that camera for
hard news or other heavy duty use? The camera was popular in England for
studio and movie still use. British photo mags published shots taken with
it and they were standouts- technically and otherwise.
I have had these cameras apart, the wind is lightweight and will not hold
up to hard use. Still, the entire works pulls up out of the body shell and
the camera is a miracle of precision and design. So much is going on in a
small shutter unit. But, it will not stand up to hard use.
I have used these cameras for years for light professional and some
amateur use and they have generally been fine. Sometimes needing some
service or adjustment.
The Kiev 60 is a heavier camera with steel wind gears and will probably
take more abuse than Pentacon 6. These K60s are out there now and are
cheap and they work!
I have never abused equipment into the painful shape worn equipment can be
found in at photo trade fairs. I have no idea how cameras get that way,
unless combat photographers were using them in the field during a war.
Heavier duty 120 cameras include Koni-Omega, Pentax 6x7, and Norita (a/k/a
Warner, Rittreck). All of these have also crashed under hard use. I would
say that a Nikon F and some of its successors are the heavyweight
photography champs. These should be employed for hard, rugged conditions.
Why injure a poor Pentacon 6? ........ It hasn't done anything.
- Sam Sherman
[Ed. note: Thanks, Andrey, for these tips!!!]
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999
From: Andrey Ilyin [email protected]
To: Robert Monaghan [email protected]
Subject: Re: Pentacon 6 focusing screen
Hi, Robert!
Thank you for your detailed answer in particular and your excellent
megasite in general. Keep going!
I woul like to share trick I use to fight with reflections in Pentacon 6TL
focusing screen: inexpensive and effective.
The source of troubles - light, getting on focusing screen. Standard WL
finder supplied with Pentacon 6 has odd design, not protecting f-screen
against scattered light. Just by chance I had Kiev 60 WL finder. With
minor modification (drilling four holes and replasing the spring) WL
finder fits perfectly to the Pentacon body. The problem almost gone.
Though I'll try to find brighter focusing screen, of course.
Best,
Andrey
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 99
From: [email protected] (Ralf R. Radermacher)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Pentasix
[email protected] (Wes Kinard)
zu: "Pentasix":
> An earlier post pointed to the website of a German dealer that reworks Kiev
> 88s and sells for a good price.
>
> The English version of the website is not available yet but from the little
> I can make out (or think I can) it appears they in fact sell a Pentasix
> camera which looks to be a German model based on the Kiev 88 or perhaps the
> other way around. A search on the web for Pentasix came up with only the
> German website I had been on.
>
> Does anyone know of this camera? Is there anywhere I can get some
> information about it?
Wes,
I presume you're referring to one of my messages and you have obviously
visited the site of Richard Wiese in Hamburg, Germany.
The Pentasix cameras are Kiev 60 or 88 which have been reworked
substantially by Wiese and which are sold under the Pentasix label.
The main model is a K88 with Pentacon bayonet, cloth shutter,
Wiese-built shutter timing mechanics, mirror pre-release, H'blad style
winding crank and a few cosmetic changes. Also, the magazines are
guaranteed to fit.
Optionally, the camera can be had with a Rollei 6008 viewfinder screen.
Prices here in Germany are 900 USD without and 1000 USD with the Rollei
screen.
An all-black version is available for an additional 150 USD.
A have bought a 'normal' re-worked K60 from Wiese, a few weeks ago, and
all I can say so far is that the camera has gone through some 20 rolls
without any problem except some flare which I'm working on, right now. He
grants a 12 month guarantee for the K60 and it appears that he knows what
he's doing.
The usual disclaimers apply.
Cheers,
Ralf
Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG
Koeln/Cologne, Germany
Date: Sun, 16 Apr 2000
From: "Shinichi Hayakawa" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Need Strap for Pentacon Six
John Coan [email protected] wrote
> Anybody know where I might find a neck strap for a Pentacon Six?
The strap for Mamiya 645 Pro TL will fit Pentacon Six just fine.
Shinichi
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: [email protected]
[2] Re: Frame Spacing Re: Need Strap for Pentacon Six
Date: Tue Apr 18 03:41:12 CDT 2000
....
> Perhaps you can help me with another problem.... I got my first roll of film
> back today and the frame spacing was off.... but instead of overlap it was
> advancing too much. I got ten shots out of a roll of 120. Is this an easy
> fix? Do you know of a good Pentacon Six repair person?
Try tape the film leader to the takeup spool with a piece of tape...
and don't let the film advance leveler back spring back by itself
because that will wear out the film advance mechanism.
Does anyone here have a spare wl finder for pentacon for sale? I'm
thinking about purchasing one.
Thanks.
Wei
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: Nathan Dayton [email protected]
[2] Re: Frame Spacing Re: Need Strap for Pentacon Six
Date: Wed Apr 19 19:37:35 CDT 2000
John,
Gary Camera Repair
228 Hett Avenue
Staten Island
NY 10306
718-987-0278
Gary does good work and is inexpensive.
Leonid Treskunov
9A Poplar La.
Old Bridge
New Jersey 08857
[email protected]
732-679-5805
Leonid is a little more expensive but does exqusite work. He repaired 2
Pentacons for me and they are better than the new cameras that I have. I
can not say too much good about his work.
hope this helps,
Nate
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: Lotus M50 [email protected]
[1] Re: pentacon six tl
Date: Mon Jan 08 21:14:49 CST 2001
[email protected] (Ralf R. Radermacher) wrote:
> C.L.Zeni wrote:
>
> > What's the coverage on the Kiev finder?
>
> About 88 percent. Rollei 6000 screens do fit.
Rollei screens will also fit the Pentacon 6 TL with little effort. I
have one in mine. It makes a big difference. I would have to say the
Pentacon 6 Tl is better made and less clunky than the Kiev 60. I never
liked the feel and shape of the Kiev. The Pentacon is much better in
this regard. This , of course is subjective opinion.
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2001
From: "Kumba" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: pentacon six tl
"Jan Matthews" [email protected] wrote
> Can anyone give a bit of general info/advice on the pentacon six tl?
Decent cheap MF camera. Excellent cheap Carl Zeiss Jena lenses. Excellent
cheap Arsat 30mm fisheye. Some will argue about this, but i have 4 CZJ
lenses and 3 of them are great. With cheap adapter you can use these
lenses later on Mamiya 645 and other MF cameras. Some people report frame
spacing problems (including me) but i solved that problem very easily:
each time i turn the crank, after it has reached the end point, i release
it just a little and than get it to the end point again and after that
bring it to the rest position.
Kumba
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2001
From: [email protected] (Ralf R. Radermacher)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: pentacon six tl
Kumba [email protected] wrote:
> Decent cheap MF camera. Excellent cheap Carl Zeiss Jena lenses. Excellent
> cheap Arsat 30mm fisheye. Some will argue about this, but i have 4 CZJ
> lenses and 3 of them are great.
The 4th being the 80 mm Biometar? Try a Arsat. With the usual caveats
about quality variations, most are a lot better than the Biometar.
> With cheap adapter you can use these lenses
> later on Mamiya 645 and other MF cameras.
As well as with most common 35 mm SLR's. Put the 2.8/180 mm Sonnar on
any 35 mm camera and you won't want to use anything else again. :)
> Some people report frame spacing
> problems (including me) but i solved that problem very easily: each time i
> turn the crank, after it has reached the end point, i release it just a
> little and than get it to the end point again and after that bring it to the
> rest position.
The P6TL, however, is no fun. A Kiev 60 is much less problematic and it
has a really good, big and bright viewfinder. One of the major drawbacks
of the P6 is its viewfinder which shows a mere 65 percent (!) of the
image and is as dark as a medieval dungeon.
Add to this the notoriously bad film flatness and a rich history of
transport problems which are due to failure with the P6 and can't be
cured by a simple adjustment, as can be done with the Kiev, and there
isn't much left which speaks for the P6.
So, get a K60 with the 2.8/80 mm Arsat (better than the CZJ Biometar and
all are MC), a 50 mm CZJ Flektogon, a 120 mm CZJ Biometar or a 120 mm
Vega for portraiture as well as a CZJ 2.8/180 mm Sonnar as a tele lens
and for self-defense, and laugh all the way to the lab. ;)
The 30 mm Arsat is one hell of a piece of glassware. Trouble is the
stunning effect wears off rather quickly.
And, for good measure, here's a few warnings. Some of the old non-MC CZJ
lenses can be awfully yellow. Fine for B/W but a real pain with slides.
The 3.5/45 mm Mir is nothing to shout about, with its rather noticeable
distortion and a strong tendency to flare (there's no MC version). And
so are the Ukranian tele lenses, especially when one compares them to
the legendary CZJ Sonnars.
Ralf
--
Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - K�ln/Cologne, Germany
http://www.free-photons.de
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2001
From: [email protected] (Ralf R. Radermacher)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: pentacon six tl
C.L.Zeni [email protected] wrote:
> What's the coverage on the Kiev finder?
About 88 percent. Rollei 6000 screens do fit.
Ralf
--
Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - K�ln/Cologne, Germany
[Ed. note: note the W A R N I N G !!! on how to
break your P6!]
From Pentacon Mailing List:
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001
From: Javier Perez [email protected]
Subject: Re: Pentagon Six
Hello
No think it just needs a good CLA. Any competent tech can do it.
Just stay away from hacks. It's a great user camera and the lenses are far
cheaper than anything for a Rollei otr Hasselblad..
Just one
precaution: Never allow the advance lever to snap back. This can break the
film advance mechanism and cause frame spacing problems. Always ride the
advance lever home!
Javier
......
From Pentacon 6 Mailing List:
Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2001
From: Javier Perez [email protected]
To: pentacon [email protected]
Subject: Re: Looking for Pentacon 6TL Fresnel Screen with Microprism and
Ground Glass Ring #207251
Hi Stephen
Dr. Hans Roskam
[email protected]
sells a Rollei screen that will work on the Pentacon 6.
I bought one for my Praktisix and the improvment is
astounding. It's bright, even and has a split image.aned microprism
collar.
He also has a website:
http://www.roskamoptics.nl/
Javier
Stephen Foyle wrote:
> Hello everyone, I am looking for a Pentacon 6TL Fresnel Screen with
> Microprism and Ground Glass Ring #207251 for my camera. If anyone out
> there has one and is willing to sell it please write me at
> [email protected]
From: [email protected] (FLEXARET2)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Date: 08 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: Kiev models - Film Flatness
Many years ago there was a Pentacon 6 club in the USA.
In their newsletter they advocated putting an optical flat glass
plate in the film plane and that solved the film flatness problem.
I would like to have someone do that adaptation on one of my cameras.
- Sam Sherman
From: Marv Soloff [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Kiev models - Film Flatness
Date: Sat, 09 Feb 2002
... (quote above post)
Sam you may not need optically flat glass for this - try to find an old
glass slide (2 x 3 or 3 x 4), clean it down to the bare glass, cut to
fit, and glue it (use double sided tape) to the pressure plate.
Should work.
Regards,
Marv
From: Stephe [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Newbie: Pentagon Six question
Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002
eMeL wrote:
> Franck Maubuisson [email protected] wrote
>> by the way, how are the schneiders ? I've never seen many user comments
>> on
> them
>> anywhere...
>
> Lemme take a wild guess...due to the lack of users...?
>
> Seriously - I have yet to see a Schneider lens mounted on a *user's*
> Pentacon Six (Exakta...)
And this answers his question exactly how emel?
http://www.pentaconsix.btinternet.co.uk/
A site (from a USER) with tests of almost all the lenses for the P-6 mount.
Several of the USERS on the delphi forums have these schneider lenses and
all rave about the sharpness.
The main reason why almost no USERS of these camera's freqent this group
(and there is no information) is due to coments like the ones emel and
others make continually about these cameras. Why be abused because a few
people here love to attack any post they see on the subject?
Photo elitism at its worst...
--
Stephe
From: [email protected] (FLEXARET2)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Date: 22 Feb 2002
Subject: Re: Newbie: Pentagon Six question
Michael,
Some information for the record re- my Kiev and Pentacon cameras -
not 100% perfect- (Look at the record)-
Pentacon 6TL - Have had this since the late 70s with no repair problems.
Hanimex Praktica 66 - Had since the mid 70s - some speeds are off and
now needs repair and adjustment. Have had a lot of use from this.
Praktisix II - Speeds need adjust now- I burned a hole in the shutter curtain
in the desert and had one curtain replaced.
Kiev 6C - Have since l985 - no problems
Kiev 60 - Have since 1988 - no problems
Salyut-C (since early 2001) - Had several defective ones from dealer
until I found one good one, now using it just fine.
Kiev 88/Crank -(since mid 2001) Had original defective crank replaced with
better "Hartblei" crank - everything else fine - now getting good use from
camera.
Kiev 88CM - Now using "Hartblei-Upraded" camera just fine - had earlier
cameras with minor problems, but dealer replaced the cameras rather
than fixing them - although the mechanics were generally fine.
Similar history with Kiev and Zeiss Jena lenses - although all are working fine
now.
So, you can see that none of this is 100%, but well within reason of how
all types of camera equipment can need repair/adjustment/cleaning etc.
I will have the few needing adjustment worked on. The others work just
fine and I am getting good results from them.
- Sam Sherman
From: [email protected] (FLEXARET2)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Date: 09 Mar 2002
Re- Pentacon 6 spacing.
Try opening the back and slowly bending up those two spring fingers
(but not breaking them!) than press the film onto the inside counter roller.
Then to get more space between shots - look at the post that the wind lever
hits when it reaches the end of its travel. Remove the leather
spot on top of it and loosen its screw- this is an eccentric post and can be
turned so that its near edge is further away from the end of the wind lever
when it hits this post. Then tighten the screw - the space between
shots will increase. Reglue the leather spot. That is it.
- Sam Sherman
From: [email protected] (Ralf R. Radermacher)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: advice on pentacon 6 tl
Date: Sat, 9 Mar 2002
FLEXARET2 [email protected] wrote:
> Remove the leather
> spot on top of it and loosen its screw- this is an eccentric post and can be
> turned so that its near edge is further away from the end of the wind lever
> when it hits this post. Then tighten the screw - the space between
> shots will increase. Reglue the leather spot. That is it.
This may work with a Praktisix but are you really sure it also applies
to the transport mechanism of the Pentacon Six? As the service manual
explains it, the P6 measures what it thinks is the excess amount of film
transported on frame n, reduces it accordingly on frame n+1 and so on...
The only way to transport more film in such cases would be letting the
lever return a little and then moving it forward again.
Cheers,
Ralf
--
Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - K�ln/Cologne, Germany
NEW URL!!! private homepage: http://www.fotoralf.de
From: Frank Lasse [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Questions about medium-format vs. 35mm
Date: Tue, 12 Mar 2002
[email protected] says...
> For some years I've been thinking from time to time about trying
> medium-format photography, but there are questions that continue to
> arise in my mind. Perhaps someone from here can help with these
> questions. Here's a list (some of them are quite na�ve, I'm sure):
>...
Hi
I only got into MF fotography very recently and I'm definitly hooked.
I'm far away from being an expert, since I have only short time
experience but perhaps my experiences with MF might help you a bit.
I purchased a Pentacon Six (now, many people will probably wrinkle their
noses) together with a 2.8/80 Biometar (160 Euro), a 2.8/180 Sonnar (120
Euro) a 4/50 Flektagon (150 Euro) and, as Ralf Rademacher and Stephe
recommended, I got the Rollei Screen with a gadget Pentacon Dresden
calls a "Schaltrad" (to fix the transport problem) for 180 Euro. Total
610 Euro or 530 USD.
Making Fotographs with this equipment is far more interessting than with
35 mm (my EOS 3 practically stays at home), you will be amazed of the
quality of the prints /slides, the brilliance, the colordepth, etc.
My lab offers to develope the film first, then lets me have a look on
the film and I decide which negativ I would like to print. It takes
longer that way to get the prints eventually but you only pay for what
you realy want and that makes it rather cheap.
I use MF format for landscape and portraits (Portraits are wonderfull -
the DOF is that amazing that I'll probably never use 35 mm again for it).
My recommendation would be to buy a cheap MF camera with a standard 80
mm lense and shoot the hell out of it. If you really like it you can
still go for something more pricy. Look on ebay for some affordable
equipment - you'll be suprised how many people sell the stuff.
The equipment is rather bulky and heavy but then again, when I carry my
EOS 3 with booster, a couple of lenses, filters, film, etc. I hardly
notice any difference to the P6.
You may bear in mind that only very view laps do 6 x 9 format - I found
an old Agfa syncro box and tried to get prints from it - turns out to be
impossible in my area, they only do cropping and never use the whole
film. That is a total waist and it shouldn't be done. I do contacts with
my 6x9 in my dark room but that is not the real McCoy.
Go for it
Frank
From: Stephe [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Newbie: Pentagon Six question
Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002
Frank Lasse wrote:
> I'm not entirely convinced whether the camera is worth an
> investigation in new lenses or a light metering prism.
Skip the prism, the pentacon prisms are dim and not that useful IMHO. The
kiev prism can be adapted and is much better if you really need a metering
prism. I use the waist level finder 99% of the time.
The whole deal is how much money do you have to spend on your hobby? For
what a 50mm 'blad lens costs, you can get a whole set of CZJ lenses and a
couple of bodies. Also the factory will rebuild your camera using the
latest exacta 66 parts for not a whole bunch of money. Another good upgrade
is a better focusing screen.
Like someone else said, as old as these CZJ lenses are, some have been
abused, repaired wrong and/or might not have been great to begin with
samples. I've found the late MC versions I've bought to be fantastic
performers. If you do buy a dud off of ebay, it's not hard to just resell
it and try another. I'm using a 2001 version kiev-60 and it has been fine
so far and for $300 is a deal.
Like I said it depends on how much you have to spend, if you like the
camera (I love using a focal shutter 6X6 in the shape the P-6 K-60 is) and
if you are willing to MAYBE deal with some repairs from time to time. That
said any camera can give problems so I say if you like the way the camera's
handles, get some good glass you can use for it. You can always sell it
later.
Have fun!
--
Stephe
From: [email protected] (Ralf R. Radermacher)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Newbie: Pentagon Six question
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2002
Frank Lasse [email protected] wrote:
> What focusing screen would you recommend for the P6? I admit that the
> original one is a little dark and I could do with a brighter one.
After having one in my K60 for years, I've had Rollei 6008 screens
mounted in my two Exakta 66's by Pentacon of Dresden. Cost about 100
Euro. Very pleased.
Ralf
--
Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - K�ln/Cologne, Germany
private homepage: http://www.free-photons.de
from kiev88 mailing list:
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001
From: kelvin [email protected]
Subject: Re: Praktisix / Pentacon 6 ground glass replacements
Some people have had luck with installing Hassy Accumatte screens,
Rollei screens and even Bronica SQ screens, which are brighter. But
all these will require recalibaration.
Hartblei sells some multicoated screens which may not be a bad
alternative at US$15+ each.
from kiev88 mailing list:
Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2001
From: Kevin Kalsbeek [email protected]
Subject: Re: Praktisix / Pentacon 6 ground glass replacements
Hi,
The normal replacement screen for P-6 is the Rollei screen.
See: http://www.baierfoto.de/
Kevin
From russian camera mailing list:
Date: Fri, 19 Apr 2002
From: "Joshua Chan" [email protected]
Subject: Kiev 60 Vs P6.
Hi list,
I compare to both the above Cameras and obviously the Kiev60 have much
brighter viewfinder.
What is the cause of the dim finder in the P6 ? Is it the focusing screen or
the prism ?
As regard to the film spacing problems , which camera is more prone to that
? I read conflicting news and now I am confused!
Thanks everyone,
Ray Chan
From russian camera mailing list:
Date: Fri, 19 Apr 2002
From: Kevin Kalsbeek [email protected]
Subject: Re: Kiev 60 Vs P6.
Ray,
The P-6 focusing screen seems to be the culprit, but the camera can be
retrofitted with the Rollei screen which is a great improvement.
The frame spacing on the K60 is iffy, especially if it not loaded
correctly, but this is easy to learn to do. I would go with the K-60 as
it is easier to get repaired should it become necessary. Sopmetimes the
frame spacing requires partial disassembly of the camera to correct.
There is a DIY site, but I prefer to have a good repairman do such
things. Both my k-60s required some work, but not for frame spacing!
Kevin
From: fotocord [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Working around the pentacon 6/exakta 66 film spacing flaw.
Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2002
It's a well known issue that the pentacon 6 and exakta 66 cameras develope
problems with film spacing. Sometimes attempts at repair are either futile
or don't last. I'm a fan of these cameras and besides this seemingly fatal
flaw, they work quite well. The first one of these I bought worked great
but the second one was well worn and had severe spacing problems. I'm not
posting this to start a "east german cameras are junk" debate but to inform
anyone using these what the design flaw is and how to work around it with
no repair needed.
I opened this camera up and what I found was interesting. The film spacing
is controlled by the right side film gate roller turning a cam that is
reset when the shutter is fired. It depends on the film keeping slight
tension in the roller so when the shutter is depressed the cam turns
slightly and this lever doesn't go back into the slot in the cam when the
shutter is released. Then as you turn the film advance, the roller rubbing
on the film turns this cam until this lever can fall back into this slot.
As the camera gets some wear, when you depress and release the shutter,
this lever falls right back into this slot in the cam and when you wind the
film, the roller can't turn to "count" the film spacing. After looking at
it, I think the gear train and the roller bushings have a little too much
wear and everytime I tried it, the lever fell right back into the slot in
the cam and there is no chance the spacing will be right.
This page shows the mechanism.
http://www.baierfoto.de/Messengl.html
The problem is lever #8 falls back into slot #10 in gear #9 when the
shutter is released. The tension on the film is expected to rotate gear #11
a touch so the lever #8 ends up on the high point of the cam on gear #9
next to slot #10 instead of just falling back into it. When the camera gets
worn this doesn't work like it was designed to and the measuring mechanism
fails to work.
Then I remebered someone posting the winding procedure that Baire photo
wrote and it made sense. (BTW they are a great place to get pentacon to
kiev prism adapters and kiev flocking kitts etc.....)
http://www.baierfoto.de/Transport.html
http://babelfish.altavista.com/ to translate to english (sorta )
I think they made it a little too complex in that all I needed to do was
slightly change how I worked the camera. After you fire off a shot, don't
release the shutter button until you start winding and feel the wind lever
move the film just a touch, then release the shutter button and wind it
through. This allows the slot in the "spacer" cam to rotate out from under
the lever and then it can do it's job.
I have a feeling this cam and slot is the film spacing problem that many of
these develope and making this slight change in how you operate your
pentacon or exakta 66 would solve this and keep it from ever becoming a
problem. It's not a great design but a very slight change in how these are
operated can eliminate this one design flaw from ever even being an issue.
Also might make a camera listed as having spacing problems worth looking
into as this might be all it takes to have a very usable camera for next to
nothing!
And yes I tested it with two different rolls winding it this way and it
works perfect now! 13 perfectly spaced frames on a roll.
--
Stacey
From: Stacey [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Pentacon 6 Info
Date: Sat, 12 Oct 2002
p bear wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Anybody had any experience with the Pentacon 6 out here, I am considering
> giving one a try but it seems to me that I had heard something about real
> dark focusing screens. Any comments would be appreciated.
A couple of issues these have. First and formost is a bad design on the
winder/counter. Do a google search for a recent post of mine about how
to avoid having problems with this using a special technique while
winding the camera. Also you are right the focus screen is pretty dark
but the main problem is that the waist level finder is junk (doesn't
shade the screen at all) and the prism causes a bunch of light loss as
well. The fix is to use either a exakta 66 WLF or a baire foto adapter
and a kiev-60 prism/WLF. I have both and the exakta 66 WLF is great. I
also upgraded the focus screen to a maxwell hilux to get past this dim
screen issue. Another "problem" is the focus screen is smaller than
most. It's 51mm instead of the more normal 56mm so you don't get all of
the image on the screen, not a big issue to me but it is for some
people. That said, it's probably the best solution to be able to use the
CZJ/arsenal optics that are so reasonable. Look up cupog on ebay and
get one of his CLA'd samples. I have two and both work fine.
Stacey
From: [email protected] (FLEXARET2)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Date: 16 Oct 2002
Subject: Re: Pentacon 6 Info
Kiev 60 solidly mounted on a good tripod should not have camera shake at 1/15
second.
On the other hand the mirror does not have a soft landing at the top
and deeds a spring device (Roskam Optics - Netherlands) does this
to held it land softer.
I designed such a spring but cannot keep being involved with this
upgrade. If someone would like to take this modification over (repair person) I
will help them set this up.
- Sam Sherman
From: Andrew Price [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Pentacon 6 Info
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002
The Man Who Sold The World Yoomp N. [email protected] wrote:
>> > Have you found the Exacta 66 to be better in this respect?
>>
>> Considerably. Even more so since I've had it fitted with the MLU.
>
>Which I why I ordered my K60 from Hartblei with the MLU...they also
>claim to have improved the mirror braking system. No idea if this is
>actually true...
I've read in a number of places that Roskam of the Netherlands build a
mirror brake into the Kiev 60s they sell, which apparently is quite
effective.
From: Andras Toth [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Pentacon 6 Info
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2002
Andrew Price wrote:
> I've read in a number of places that Roskam of the Netherlands build a
> mirror brake into the Kiev 60s they sell, which apparently is quite
> effective.
Actually Hans Roskam wrote when was asked about mirror lock-up:
> Our Kiev-60 bodies are modified. We don't deliver MLU-options,
> factory-made because these are flawed. We make simple modifications
> which exclude mirrpor shaking completely.
---
> further info: www.roskamoptics.nl
From: Stacey [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Where to get a rear cap for Pentacon-6 mount?
Date: 24 Nov 2002
[email protected] (Stephan Goldstein) wrote:
>Subject says it all - who sells these?
A good one? That's a very good question. The "normal" caps supplied by
kiev are junk. They fit very loosly and depress the diaphram pin which
can lead to the lens mechanism getting sticky if stored for very long.
The newer style kiev caps that are supplied with the fisheyes are
better but very hard to find and still slightly depress the pin. The
best were the original P-6 caps on the later MC lenses.
Stacey
From: [email protected] (FLEXARET2)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Date: 13 Oct 2002
Subject: Re: Pentacon 6 Info
I have used Pentacon 6 and Kiev 60 type cameras for over 25 years and have a
great deal of experience with them.
The Pentacon 6 is a better more precise camera but lighter in construction and
must be properly handled, not man-handled.
The Kiev 60 is a stronger camera, but poor samples can be less precise.
Buy either type in Mint or New condition from a good dealer who will
warranty the camera and exchange or repair one not working.
I advise buying the latest model Pentacon 6 with Black lens ring in
as close to MINT condition as possible. Or a NEW Kiev 60 without mirror
lockup or other added features.
You will be surprised how GOOD these cameras can be.
- Sam Sherman
From: [email protected] (Ralf R. Radermacher)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Pentacon 6 Info
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 2002
FLEXARET2 [email protected] wrote:
> The Pentacon 6 is a better more precise camera but lighter in construction and
> must be properly handled, not man-handled.
>
> The Kiev 60 is a stronger camera, but poor samples can be less precise.
Quite so. Some of the gears in the P6 are made of rather soft brass
whereas the Kiev gears are made of steel, crude but solid.
Then again, there's the Exakta 66, a P6 assembled in West Germany and
later in Dresden after Mandermann took over the former East German
production facility.
Someone in this thread has been claiming that they're just ordinary P6's
with a rubber coating. This is not true. All the main problems of the
P6, most of all its rotten film flatness, have been cured for good. The
film channel is a completely new design. In fact, the entire main body
frame had to be changed to achieve this. The transport has also been
improved. The few remaining instances of overlap that I've had could
clearly be traced to sloppy loading.
I've put a lot of film through two Exakta 66, over the last 18 months.
They've been CLA'ed by Pentacon and I've recently had them fitted with
the mirror pre-release (actually rather a shutter post-release). They
also have the Rollei screen and K60 prisms fitted through the Foto Baier
adaptor.
Both have been through about 100 films each. No, I'm not treating them
like raw eggs. They've been to a number of really scruffy places,
abandoned coal mines, steel works, coke plants, old factories, and
they've travelled thousands of miles by car and plane. So far, no
trouble at all.
My main problem with the K60 is the fact that it's been designed for
people with hands the size of toilet seats. The Exaktas fit a lot better
into my hands.
Other differences to the K60 are the *much* smoother and quieter release
and the perfectly regular transport with all kinds of film from Fortepan
with its cardboard-like backing to the very thin stuff such as Konica
IR.
I'm currently working on an update of the technical pages of my website
to reflect the experience with the Exaktas as well as a few tips on
their use.
Oh, and I can't wait to try the 2.8/80 mm Xenotar I've just bought on
ebay. More on that later.
Cheers all,
Ralf
Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - K�ln/Cologne, Germany
NEW URL!!! private homepage: http://www.fotoralf.de
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002
Subject: Re: [Russiancamera] Kiev 60 lens doubt
From: Bob Shell [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Per Backman at [email protected] wrote:
> I tried to buy an Exakta66, which is a Pentaconsix, but it turned out that it
> was not possible to get a working one. Then the workshop assembling them ran
> out of parts and
> stopped building them. I was offered a P6 cheap later, but bought a
> Super-Ikonta III in stead. Kiev88 is a copy of Hasselblad, which makes it a
> reliable source of trouble.
The very late model Pentacon Six, also sold as Praktica 66 TL, is much more
reliable than earlier ones. I have one which I have had for five or six
years and it works flawlessly. This is the model that the Exakta 66 was
based on.
Kiev 88 is neither a Hasselblad copy nor necessarily a source of trouble.
Bob
From: "Roland" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Impressed with Pentacon
Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2003
I just got a Pentacon Six TL and I am mighty impressed with it and its
standard CZJ 80mm f2.8 Biometar lens and the CZJ 50mm f4 Flektogon
wide-angle lens. The camera is simple and has a familiar SLR feel to it. And
the sharpness of the lenses through the viewer takes my breath away. This
has surely got to be one of the most underrated cameras judging by the price
you can get them at. I bought it with the two lenses plus a WLF and prism
finder all for $260. How come such high quality goes for such a low price?
From: [email protected] (Ralf R. Radermacher)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Impressed with Pentacon
Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2003
Roland [email protected] wrote:
> How come such high quality goes for such a low price?
It's the reliability........
While it's working, a Pentacon 6 may indeed deliver a very high picture
quality. The question is just for how long.
It will work nicely under the 'right' conditions, e.g. just the right
air humidity, neither too dry nor too humid to cause the film flatness
probs so typical with this camera.
Keep it out of the cold. The original lubrication will make your shutter
stick at temperatures as 'low' as +5 deg c.
Never trust it to work on the next shot. Often, you won't even notice
that the shutter stays open until next time you re-arm the camera.
Your beautiful P6 may at any moment and without warning mutate into a
3.5 x 6 camera because of the dreaded overlap.
You'll come to hate those occasions when you discover it takes a dozen
strokes of the transport lever to get the film completely on to the
take-up spool, after frame 12 (5 to 6 strokes would be normal).
Ralf
...whose two Exakta 66 failed within minutes of each other, last week,
in spite (or probably even because) of regular factory maintenance.
--
Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - K�ln/Cologne, Germany
private homepage: http://www.fotoralf.de
manual cameras and photo galleries - updated Nov.26, 2002
Contarex - Kiev 60 - Horizon 202 - P6 mount lenses
From: [email protected] (Hartmut Krafft)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: CZJ 80mm vs Schneider 80mm
Date: 24 Mar 2003
[email protected] (Ralf R. Radermacher) wrote:
> Does anyone know of another place in Europe where they carry out service
> and repair work on P6 type cameras according to _Western_ standards?
Do you know about Mr. Olbrich in G�rlitz (must be a residuum of
Meyer/Pentacon)?
His leaflet says he will repair Pentacon Six (but doesn't mention
Exakta66). I have had *very* good experiences with his lens
service (for my Praktica lenses) and can recommend him without
any doubts.
Foto-Service G�rlitz (7-Bit: Goerlitz)
Dipl.-Ing. Peter Olbrich
Emmerichstr. 17
D-02826 G�rlitz
03581-401241
Mo-Fr 8...12 and 12:30...17(Di 18)
(not affiliated!)
Just try and give them a call.
Hartmut
From: Bob Crownfield [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: 10 & 20mm extension rings on Pentacon-6
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2003
Ralf R. Radermacher wrote:
>
> I wrote:
>
> > Now, if only I could find the darned thing.
> >
> > Stay tuned....
>
> Ha! :-)
>
> compensation factor
>
> Extension mm f=80 mm f=120 mm
>
> 10 1.3 1.2
> 20 1.6 1.4
> 30 1.9 1.6
> 40 2.2 1.8
> 60 3.0 2.3
> 120 6.0 4.2
>
> The exact title of the little booklet is "Pentacon Six - Praktisix,
> Ger�te f�r Nahaufnahmen". No idea if it exists in English.
the real answer is that the exposure compensation
is a function of magnification, or reproduction ratio.
Multiply the marked f-stop by (1 + M),
where M is the magnification.
or check:
http://www.salzgeber.at/disc/index.html
for a neat way to do it.
> Hope this helps.
>
> Cheers,
> Ralf
>
> --
> Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - K�ln/Cologne, Germany
> private homepage: http://www.fotoralf.de
From: [email protected] (Ralf R. Radermacher)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: 10 & 20mm extension rings on Pentacon-6
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2003
I wrote:
> Now, if only I could find the darned thing.
>
> Stay tuned....
Ha! :-)
compensation factor
Extension mm f=80 mm f=120 mm
10 1.3 1.2
20 1.6 1.4
30 1.9 1.6
40 2.2 1.8
60 3.0 2.3
120 6.0 4.2
The exact title of the little booklet is "Pentacon Six - Praktisix,
Ger�te f�r Nahaufnahmen". No idea if it exists in English.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Ralf
--
Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - K�ln/Cologne, Germany
private homepage: http://www.fotoralf.de
From: Stacey [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: The sad story of the EXAKTA 66 - last episode: They'll never learn...
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2003
Andrew Price wrote:
> Stacey [email protected] wrote:
>
> [---]
>
>>Trust me I understand your frustration and I always carry =something= else
>>(or multiple spare bodies) as these are not very reliable. It's something
>>I've learned to live with as I do LOVE the optics and the 6x6 format. If I
>>needed total reliability AND couldn't tinker with them myself, I'd never
>>use these.
> You also have a K-60, don't you, Stacey? Why do you bother with the
> P6 if it's so unreliable - what does it do better than the Kiev?
Smaller, lighter and seems to work better at high shutter speeds 1/250 and
up, never have the banding I've seen on some K-60's. Plus K-60's aren't
that reliable either! ;-)
--
Stacey
From: [email protected] (FLEXARET2)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Date: 27 Jun 2003
Subject: Re: The sad story of the EXAKTA 66 - last episode: They'll never learn...
Hi Evan,
I have had my Pentacon 6 cameras restored by independent technicians in
the US for reasonable cost. I am sure that in Germany that Baier and others can
do a fine job at a fair price.
Just as Pentacon failed to market these cameras properly I have read that their
restoration is expensive and not effective. Several users have
reported the speeds being way off on cameras Pentacon restored.
Both Exakta 66 and Pentacon 6 can be excellent cameras and need periodic
service by fair and honest repairmen.
- Sam
From: Stacey [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: 0.42x Semi fisheye
Date: Fri, 06 Jun 2003
Andrew Price wrote:
> Stacey [email protected] wrote:
>>Buy a K-60 or a pentacon-6 and the arsat 30mm. You've never had so much fun!
>
> Do you consider the K-60 and the P-6 to be more or less equal, or are
> there occasions when you would prefer one to the other?
Different is a better word. IMHO the pentacon-6 has a more reliable shutter
but the winder is more delicate. The P-6 has a smaller focusing screen
(51mm) vs 56mm on the kiev which is the same as a blad. The factory WLF and
prism on the P-6 leaves something to be desired. Also the stock focusing
screen on the P-6 is pretty dim.
All that said, I've installed Maxwell screens in my P-6's, use a baire foto
adapter for prism use (it adapts a K-60 prism) and use an exacta 66 WLF.
With these upgrades a P-6 is a wonderful camera, is a little
smaller/lighter and just feels more quality of the two.
I also have a hartblei modified K-60 (and several others stock ones) and
this hartblei camera works great. I've heard really good things about the
ARAX modified camera's but have yet to try one. I'm planning to send one of
my broken K-60's to them and see how good their work is.
--
Stacey
From: Andrew Price [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: All that Kiev88 stuff for sale on ebay
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
Stacey [email protected] wrote:
>Besides not allowing the wind lever to snap back (bad for a K-60 and a P6)
>
>http://www.geocities.com/kievgurl/pentaconfix.html
>
>This avoids the counter/spacing issue that gave the P6 a bad name (and made
>the optics cheap!)
>
>I've bought a couple of P-6's real cheap that had "overlapping frames" and
>all I do is wind them like this and they work perfectly. The film speed is
>a K88 thing.
Many thanks to both Ralph and yourself for that - there's a P-6 I've
had my eye on for a while, but I was unsure of the true nature of the
winding problem. If it's only that, then I think I'll give it a try.
From: "Allan W. Bart, Jr." [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: In Praise of Pentacon 6X6 Cameras
Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2003
Hello,
I have purchase 2 of these cameras and I have to say that although they are
rather dated in their design they do merit consideration by newbies to the
medium format.
There are many older excellent East German lenses; Sonar 180, 300, and
Russian ones as well. The lenses do not require you to mortgage your house
and they are still capable of awesome images.
I have purchased almost everything on ebay and I have been very happy.
Allan Bart
From: [email protected] (Ralf R. Radermacher)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: In Praise of Pentacon 6X6 Cameras
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2003
Roland [email protected] wrote:
> Thanks for warning me. Is there a better body I can use the Biogon lens on
> and the Flektogon? These strike me as excellent lenses. But I want to see
> what I am getting through the viewfinder. I was thinking of taking this
> system with me to Switzerland but if what I see through the viewfinder is
> not what I get then of course this is highly problematic.
There are the usual options: the Kiev 60, the Exakta 66, and, if you
feel really adventurous, the various Kiev 80 derivatives with a P6
mount.
While ach of those has its own 'charm', the K80 offers the added thrill
of more complicated mechanics and exchangeable backs that will or won't
fit.
If it weren't for the horror I've been living through, over the last
months, when I lost count of the times I had to return my Exaktas to
Dresden after just another messed-up repair attempt I'd recommend an
Exakta 66. But that clearly is due to the fact that even 13 years after
German re-unification the Pentacon service people still don't have a
clue about the basic notions of quality control.
If you can get a decent working example that hasn't been in the hands of
the dreaded Pentacon factory service you get the benefits of the P6
without some of its more annoying quirks. Fit it with a Rollei 6000
series viewfinder screen and a K60 TTL prism and you'll have one of the
best and brightest MF viewfinders around. The visible area of about 89
percent is in line with many other MF cameras.
The Exakta also has a modified pressure plate that does away with the
P6's eternal film flatness problems.
My second choice would be the Kiev 60 if you can get a working example.
Oh, and do take a second camera system to Switzerland. ;-)
Ralf
--
Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - K�ln/Cologne, Germany
private homepage: http://www.fotoralf.de
manual cameras and photo galleries - updated Apr. 11, 2003
Contarex - Kiev 60 - Horizon 202 - P6 mount lenses
From: [email protected] (Ralf R. Radermacher)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: In Praise of Pentacon 6X6 Cameras
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2003
Roland [email protected] wrote:
> Photographers would be singing the praises of that system the world over if
> it weren't for the frame overlap.
The transport problem can be tamed by a variety of measures.
Farse worse, because there is no cure, are the film flatness problems,
the reliability issues, the viewfinder that shows only 69 percent of the
actual frame, the tricky little locking tab on the side that tends to
get entangled in your clothing and pull open the camera back, and a few
minor issues.
All in all a rather negative balance for a camera that's been in
production for over 30 years.
A word of warning: NEVER send your camera to Pentacon of Dresden for
repair or maintenance.
Ralf
--
Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - K�ln/Cologne, Germany
private homepage: http://www.fotoralf.de
From: [email protected] (FLEXARET2)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Date: 29 Jul 2003
Subject: Re: In Praise of Pentacon 6X6 Cameras
I have been using Pentacon 6 type cameras for over 30 years and
have never had a problem with film flatness. I have also never had overlap
problems.
The spring fingers that hold the film on the toothed counter wheel
get compressed from the back being closed and gently bending them up
helps the film not to slide over the counter roller.
Adjusting the eccentric wind lever stop also allows you to wind the film
further and give more space.
I still have Pentacon 6TL, Hanimex Praktica 66 (Pentacon 6) and
Praktisix II - all capable of excellent photos.
You must not manhandle these cameras and load and wind properly
but they can last a long time and give great results.
- Sam Sherman
From: "Sherman" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: In Praise of Pentacon 6X6 Cameras
Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2003
"Stacey" [email protected] wrote
> Andrew Price wrote:
> > [email protected] (Tony H) wrote:
> >
> >>>There are many older excellent East German lenses; Sonar 180, 300, and
> >>>Russian ones as well. The lenses do not require you to mortgage your
> >>>house and they are still capable of awesome images.
> >>>
> >>All very true, but then I guess you haven't hit the frame overlap
> >>problem yet....... but you will eventually.
> >
> > Stacey posted a winding technique to get around this problem:
> >
> > http://www.geocities.com/kievgurl/pentaconfix.html
>
> Yep and works 100% of the time. Shame (or a good thing for me?) that this
> winder problem was never fixed.
> --
> Stacey
I have just purchased a Fed 5C (Russian 35mm Leica screw mount rangefinder)
and though there are no frame spacing problems using your "easy wind, slow
release" technique seems to ensure that a single wind of the lever fully
advances the film and cocks the camera. Letting the lever go too quickly
can result in the shutter not being properly cocked requiring another 1/2
swing of the lever (though film spacing is strangely unaffected).
Maybe Russians just have a kinder, gentler winding technique? Anyway the
technique seems good even for cameras without spacing problems.
Sherman
http://www.dunnamphoto.com
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