My journey into Medium Format Folding Camera's started a couple of decades ago with an article called "Medium Format In Your Pocket". See the original article that piqued my interest here:

http://darrellyoung.blogspot.com/2011/09/medium-format-in-your-pocket-circa-2004.html

The article revolves around folding bellows camera's that use 120 roll film and fold out the front struts on a bellows for capturing images. I will let the article speak for itself as it only applies to one segment of the folding camera realm.... camera's that were made and used from the 30's to the mid-fifties. The film... 120 roll film is still available, as it processing and printing, as evidenced by the prints and negatives I received back from Walmart about a week ago. Processing and prints came to about $13, and ten days for send in, processing, and delivery back.

The camera I used is a Voigtlander Bessa RF (rangefinder) built in about the mid thirties. I have had four of these Bessa RF's and keep buying them as I can find progressively nicer examples. This is the nicest of the four and with a high grade lens of the period. The bellows is light tight and the lens is clear. All the covering is intact. I paid $200 for this because of it's cosmetic condition. There are a couple of flaws. The rangefinder needs cleaning and calibration, and the shutter needs a CLA. I will send this to Jurgen Kreckel (Certo6 on eBay) for service, ranging from $150 to $200. I have used Jurgen a number of times, as I have owned a significant number of these folding vintage camera's.

They are unique, fun to use, and rewarding image producers.

This camera is not for sale, but I have bought, cleaned up a number of them in my sales of film camera's. For the more involved work, I use Jurgen, as a reasonable repair person. He also sells these on eBay as Certo6.

Here are some pics of my Bessa RF. It has a removable mask internally so that I can shoot two formats..... 6X4.5 (645) and 6X9 Cm (690) The reason for the two ruby windows on the back is to align images using or not using the mask for the two formats.

Again, the best example of this 1934 camera I have seen/acquired. It's a keeper once serviced. I'll have about $400 invested. It will rise from there. These are becoming hard to find in such condition. I'm on the wrong computer to post pics from this camera tonite, but will do so in the near future.

Thanks for the reply GC-FineArt ! And for the links and information too. Very interesting reading. The inside back cover states that the camera is a Model B-3 and this was noted in one of the articles you sent through the link. Looks like they made bunches of various models. You are right, there are many advertised on Ebay as well for rather small prices too, IF they sell that is.

Definitely going to follow the link for cleaning restoring, although I'm not sure about the restore part, definitely the cleaning areas.

Still, an interesting camera and one to put in a curio type cabinet.

Thanks again for the information!
Dave

Bought this at a grage sale eariler in the year....
Really, what i am asking is is "rare" and is it valuable?

The shutter seems to be operating OK, the slide is OK, just a bit sticky perhaps, but works. The bellows appear to be in good shape, no leaks or holes or tears.

Photo 2 & 3 the view finder... the cover does open and function properlt. I do not know what the small "cup" beside the view finder is. It appears o have a small bb that would cover a pin hole in the bottom .. perhaps if it were level? however, I cannot get the bb to move around in the cup continer.

There are three patent dates stamped inside the back cover; December 8, 1898, October 8, 1901 and January 21, 1902.

Have not done any research as i felt you guys would have a pretty good idea if pursuit needs to be advanced.

Thanks!!

I am looking to see if there is a small monitor of sorts that I can use during shoots so that I can see the pictures as they are shot. I know about thetering to the laptop, but was looking for something smaller that I could use. It does not necessarily have to save the photos cause that would be on my memory card which I would then transfer to my desktop for editing and such. Could I do that with a good version of a Samsung pad??? Not a Apple user so Ipad is out of the question. Thanks in advance.. Connie