I have the exact same setup and I absolutely love it. They get many looks, and the pictures dont underperform at all, they're sometimes so good that people almost dont believe they were shot on a camera this old.
I had a friend who had one of these cameras which green bellows and glass plate holder and roll film holders in a leather fitter carrying case. A beautiful camera!
Thank you for this extensive and highly informative video. I'm about to shoot my first photos with my newly acquired Voigtlaender Avus, on some 40 years old 6,5x9 film sheets I've managed to put hands on. Best of health to you, good sir!
I just picked up a Voigtlander AVUS, seems to be in good condition other than someone sheared off the screw in mount for the cable release. Any DIY idea on how to put one back on. I can alway depress the button inside with a ball point pen, but that defeats the purpose of using a cable to not shake the camera. Great video by the way, thanks for the tips.
Thank you Martin! I do love your videos! And your pictures amaze me again and again! With your knowledge of the cameras, your experience in making good exposures, and your knowledge & experience with developing and printing, the experience of watching you is exciting and fills me with wonder and hope that I can learn to make wonderful pictures too.
@@martinhensonphotographyYou are welcome! I too love the old cameras and want to keep them alive. My wife used to live in York and we visited many times when we lived in Berlin doing missionary work for the past six years. I did pickup a few cameras while we were there, and ones that I want to definitely shoot with! My 6x9 is a Zeiss but I don’t remember now the model. It will be one of the first I want to work on to get it up and running. I am excited to start soon as we had to move back to the USA to help with my wife’s parents, and I finally have a desk and my own corner to work on fixing my projects! Thanks again, and I hope to meet you in Yorkshire someday and maybe even make some pictures with you!
good video, and good tip, to treat the 6x9 format as a panoramic one, ie: use odd numbers only, makes sense, as the counter is in the CENTRE of the back, NOT the left/right hand sides!!, so use the odds, this advances the edge of frame 2 to the format edge of the magasine; Mamiya press (k backs, esp.) use this, and you don't connect the winding counter!!, you go by THIS 'red_window' paper numbering instead ( for using 6x7 & 6x6 format pictures); the Rapid Omega also does this, but you must ALWAYS PULL the winder rod fully, otherwise you get this overlapping condition MID roll, as no mechanical sync is furnished with these, a totally manual wind on.
I have the same film back and a Voigtländer 6x9 cm but the film back stops at the velvet fitting when I try to put it in. What am I doing wrong? How do you get it all the way down?
The Rada isn’t like other camera backs (eg the Suydam one) as the “6x9” frame advance window aligns over the 6x4.5cm film numbers, hence advance by two numbers for each 6x9 frame. The centre window is for 6x6, if you can ever find the right mask!
Beautiful shot and wonderful video explaining how the film back works with this camera! Do you know if the Rada film back will work on a Zeiss Ikon Maximar 207?
With 'Old Cameras; using 1/25th instead of 1/30th I find i cn stop down a fraction more especially as the shutter usually runs 'slow. ' same as when hyo get a reading of 1/125 you have to use 1/100th and can stop down a fraction more.
Amazing video, truly. I have Agfa Standard 204 6.5x9, 208 9x12 and another no name german 9x12 plate cameras. Bergheil is amazing camera, but what I really want to have in my collection, is 4.5x6 Bergheil, that one pretty rare and also expensive. You can with no problem buy 6.5x9 sheet film today, Fomapan for example.
A great video Martin. I do enjoy watching these old cameras in use. I did have a Voigtlander 6x9 a few years back but stupidly sold it. I do keep an eye on eBay every so often but haven't gone for anything yet, but I will definitely. Mind you, you have probably just help to increased the value on classic cameras. Just wondering how much adjustment you do to your scans to get the results you do. Certainly, this one is beautiful.
Thanks, all I do in editing is make sure the scan has no blown or blocked shadows, this results in a rather flat file to edit, I only use selective contrast adjustments much like working with multigrade filters in a wet darkroom, I call it Contrast Grading
Dear Mr. Henson, Thank you for the inspiring video of the Rada back! I have a question: since the back comes in different connection types, can you tell me which one you use? I think it is the "Normalfalz" no. 1130 ( from Old Rada catalog ) Best regards, Michael
Another fascinating and instructive video! Thank you. Coincidentally, I was looking at Bergheils on eBay today, because I’ve been considering getting one and a roll film back to replace my late 1930s Voigtlander Bessa rangefinder camera with Heliar lens. The Bessa is in pristine condition, and I’m nervous of causing wear and tear by using it. A 6.5 x 9 Bergheil in used but sound condition would be ideal, I think.
I have a couple of Bessa 6x9 rangefinders both with Heliar lens, they are nice cameras, I think one of the worst things you can do with vintage cameras is not to use them, especially the shutters, I fire my shutters on a weekly basis just to keep them moving freely, the Bergheil is not as easy to use as it has no rangefinder but it’s still fun to get out and take pictures with
Martin Henson. I do exercise the shutters, but I’m uncomfortable using a 70-plus year-old camera which is in new condition. I tend to use my quite scruffy late 30s Bessa RF with Skopar lens, because adding a scratch to the finish won’t cause me the distress it would with the mint Heliar model! I shall use it occasionally, though, but very carefully. Having watched this video and your other one discussing the Bergheil, I’ve taken the plunge this afternoon and bought one on eBay. (I intend to blame you as a bad influence when I work up the courage to confess the purchase to my wife). It’s very like yours, black, with that early Compur shutter. The lens serial number is 583919, which appears to date from around 1929-1930. Now I need to find a roll film holder - they’re asking extortionate prices on eBay, and I’m not keen on paying more than half what I paid for the camera just for a roll film back. No doubt one will turn up at the right price sooner or later.
Blame me I can take it, sounds like the same camera to me, uncoated Heliar lens f4.5, I cant understand why the Rada backs have shot up in price, suppose supply and demand, I bought two last year at reasonable prices, no were near as expense as on ebay at moment
Martin Henson Yes, it has the uncoated f4.5 Heliar. It also comes with its leather case, a push-on Focar lens with its leather pouch and a push-on yellow filter with its leather pouch and original Voigtlander cardboard box. I’ve bought the camera from a dealer in Austria, at what seems to be a very reasonable price, especially considering what’s being asked on eBay for very tatty Bergheils. I’ve tracked down a Riteway film back at an affordable price. I’ve never heard of them before, so maybe they aren’t as good as the Rollex and Rada backs. It has an interesting feature, though:- a lever-operated pressure plate to hold the film dead flat. This has to be released before winding on to the next frame (the Butkus site has an online instruction leaflet) and then applied again for the next shot. Perhaps the extra complexity of operation made it unpopular.
Well Martin, my Bergheil arrived this afternoon. What a superb quality instrument! Some paint loss and rubbing to the leather here and there on the outer body, but when it’s opened up, it’s pristine. It would benefit from a service - the shutter is slow on the 1 second setting - but the lens is in a1 condition. As a bonus, I don’t even have to blame you - my wife wants to pay for it as a belated 70th birthday present! Now to study your Bergheil videos again! (By the way, I’ve made a donation via your PayPal link - hope you receive it ok). Neil
Hello Martin, I have watched this video a few times and a thought came to me. When you were metering the flowers you used spot metering instead of incident. Since this was done under pretty constant light, which I believe you mentioned, why didn’t you use an incident reading. As a suggestion for a future video you might consider a ‘metering contest’ between spot and incident and go through the process to see what differences, if any, evolve. Just a suggestion. Keep doing the great job of informing and entertaining your viewer. Thanks for considering my idea.
I think the answer to your question is knowing where the highlights and shadows will fall on the negative,, spot reading help in that scenario, with incident the exposure would have near enough, however , it would have not given me the required exposure info of the spot reading
They were cheap 2 years ago, I have two, one cost £25.00 the other £50.00, but like you say the cost has risen over the last year or so and are really expensive, supply and demand is probably coasted this large price increase
Martin, Sorry to trouble you with another question. What do you use to process the 6x9 sheet film? Is there any special holder to fit into a Paterson? Also, do you know if a Linhof 6x9 Rollex Roll Film back be used on the Bergheil? To find a Rada over in the States is rare and what they want for it is outrageous. Thanks for your help. Andrew
I holder was for roll film which uses standard 120 film which in turn will load into the Patterson spiral, If it were sheet film which would be slightly wider than 120, just move the spiral slightly wider and tape it at the setting, then load as normal As regards the Rolex back, they can be used on the Bergheil as long as the flange side that slides onto the camera is the correct size
This is the second time around watching this video still learned things thank you: I have a zeiss ikon and just purchased a film back which cost just under $300 Australian: I’m really hoping that film back will fit this camera. From what have seen these cameras are same size just different names: Can’t see any levers to hold shutter open on the lens though like yours. Do you know anything about these? Also where did you get that huge loop from I haven’t been able to find a large one: Thank you again
My shutter can be opened on the lens for focusing , if your camera does not have that then I assume you have a bulb setting on the shutter, open the lens wide open and use a cable release to lock it open. The loupe is german made Schneider and was quite expensive when I bought it. Film backs have different flange sizes on the sides to fit various cameras, hope that yours will fit, was it a Rada back you bought ?
Martin Henson it’s a Rafa plaubel: and I really hope it fits as well: Have Horseman 970 , I have to use bulb setting and cable release to hold the shutter open: Thank you for your time
Thank you for this video it was very helpful: Beautiful photos: I just went onto ebay in Australia and they want $400 for a film back: How much are the in England? I have a Zeiss Ikon camera I’m presuming the film back will fit it as well?
Hi. Maybe you could help. I opened my Voigtländer and I can’t close it again because the two side stabilizers do not retract in any way. Could you tell me how to do it? Thx in advance.
Ignore that comment, I thought your we’re talking about the Bessa, for the camera to close it has to be fully pushed back and the front standard needs to be centred
@@martinhensonphotography hey. That was fast. Thx so much. I did not push back enough because I didn’t want to brake it. Now it is a simple task. 😄 thank you so much for helping me.
Does anyone know where to get bellows replacement for these 6,5x9cm cameras ? I just bought a Voigtlander Avus which is the exact same camera as this Bergheil 659 and I’m looking for bellows replacement in case I happen to have light leaks in the future. I searched everywhere on the web, I can’t find anyone giving an answer..
I have the exact same setup and I absolutely love it. They get many looks, and the pictures dont underperform at all, they're sometimes so good that people almost dont believe they were shot on a camera this old.
I had a friend who had one of these cameras which green bellows and glass plate holder and roll film holders in a leather fitter carrying case. A beautiful camera!
im so happy, you're keeping our old technology alive for the modern world
I must get my old 6x9 camera out . thanks
Thank you from’France...great presentation...very Nice photo.
very helpful as I wasn't sure how to load/unload the Rada back on my new to me Zeiss Maximar. Thanks for great content
Glad I could help, thanks for watching the video ,
Thank you for this extensive and highly informative video. I'm about to shoot my first photos with my newly acquired Voigtlaender Avus, on some 40 years old 6,5x9 film sheets I've managed to put hands on. Best of health to you, good sir!
Just beautiful!
Excellent video, very helpful for those that want to purchase this type camera.
Yes I always look for reviews before buying cameras
Excellent! Thank you for the street and forward explanation.
I just picked up a Voigtlander AVUS, seems to be in good condition other than someone sheared off the screw in mount for the cable release. Any DIY idea on how to put one back on. I can alway depress the button inside with a ball point pen, but that defeats the purpose of using a cable to not shake the camera. Great video by the way, thanks for the tips.
Thank you for the presentation- these are lovely and still useful cameras.
Thank you Martin! I do love your videos! And your pictures amaze me again and again! With your knowledge of the cameras, your experience in making good exposures, and your knowledge & experience with developing and printing, the experience of watching you is exciting and fills me with wonder and hope that I can learn to make wonderful pictures too.
Your welcome and glad you enjoy my videos and pictures , thank you
@@martinhensonphotographyYou are welcome! I too love the old cameras and want to keep them alive. My wife used to live in York and we visited many times when we lived in Berlin doing missionary work for the past six years. I did pickup a few cameras while we were there, and ones that I want to definitely shoot with! My 6x9 is a Zeiss but I don’t remember now the model. It will be one of the first I want to work on to get it up and running. I am excited to start soon as we had to move back to the USA to help with my wife’s parents, and I finally have a desk and my own corner to work on fixing my projects!
Thanks again, and I hope to meet you in Yorkshire someday and maybe even make some pictures with you!
good video, and good tip, to treat the 6x9 format as a panoramic one, ie: use odd numbers only, makes sense, as the counter is in the CENTRE of the back, NOT the left/right hand sides!!, so use the odds, this advances the edge of frame 2 to the format edge of the magasine; Mamiya press (k backs, esp.) use this, and you don't connect the winding counter!!, you go by THIS 'red_window' paper numbering instead ( for using 6x7 & 6x6 format pictures); the Rapid Omega also does this, but you must ALWAYS PULL the winder rod fully, otherwise you get this overlapping condition MID roll, as no mechanical sync is furnished with these, a totally manual wind on.
Another great presentation and beautiful image.
Thank you Jim, appreciate your comment
Sehr schönes video ddie bergheil ist so gut wie in meiner Tasche
Danke
I have a Bergheil myself and Im really happy with it, great vid, cheers from Poland
Thank you
This is a wonderful content! I love it!
Love This video thank you Martin
You Sir, are a gem. Subscribed
I have the same film back and a Voigtländer 6x9 cm but the film back stops at the velvet fitting when I try to put it in. What am I doing wrong? How do you get it all the way down?
The Rada isn’t like other camera backs (eg the Suydam one) as the “6x9” frame advance window aligns over the 6x4.5cm film numbers, hence advance by two numbers for each 6x9 frame. The centre window is for 6x6, if you can ever find the right mask!
I was fortunate to get the 6x6 mask with my Rada back.
Lovely presentation Martin and excellent result. Cheers from Nova Scotia, Canada.
Thank you for taking time to comment, always appreciated
Beautiful shot and wonderful video explaining how the film back works with this camera! Do you know if the Rada film back will work on a Zeiss Ikon Maximar 207?
With 'Old Cameras; using 1/25th instead of 1/30th I find i cn stop down a fraction more especially as the shutter usually runs 'slow. ' same as when hyo get a reading of 1/125 you have to use 1/100th and can stop down a fraction more.
Very true and good advice, Peter
Amazing video, truly. I have Agfa Standard 204 6.5x9, 208 9x12 and another no name german 9x12 plate cameras. Bergheil is amazing camera, but what I really want to have in my collection, is 4.5x6 Bergheil, that one pretty rare and also expensive. You can with no problem buy 6.5x9 sheet film today, Fomapan for example.
Did not realise fomo did that size, thanks for the information, never to old to learn lol. Thanks
And of course, Ilford has their annual ULF special order opportunity.
A great video Martin. I do enjoy watching these old cameras in use. I did have a Voigtlander 6x9 a few years back but stupidly sold it. I do keep an eye on eBay every so often but haven't gone for anything yet, but I will definitely. Mind you, you have probably just help to increased the value on classic cameras.
Just wondering how much adjustment you do to your scans to get the results you do. Certainly, this one is beautiful.
Thanks, all I do in editing is make sure the scan has no blown or blocked shadows, this results in a rather flat file to edit, I only use selective contrast adjustments much like working with multigrade filters in a wet darkroom, I call it Contrast Grading
Muchas gracias por tu tiempo, me ah sido muy útil su video.
Great video, Martin, I really enjoyed it.
your welcome
Dear Mr. Henson, Thank you for the inspiring video of the Rada back!
I have a question: since the back comes in different connection types, can you tell me which one you use? I think it is the "Normalfalz" no. 1130 ( from Old Rada catalog )
Best regards, Michael
Another fascinating and instructive video! Thank you. Coincidentally, I was looking at Bergheils on eBay today, because I’ve been considering getting one and a roll film back to replace my late 1930s Voigtlander Bessa rangefinder camera with Heliar lens. The Bessa is in pristine condition, and I’m nervous of causing wear and tear by using it. A 6.5 x 9 Bergheil in used but sound condition would be ideal, I think.
I have a couple of Bessa 6x9 rangefinders both with Heliar lens, they are nice cameras, I think one of the worst things you can do with vintage cameras is not to use them, especially the shutters, I fire my shutters on a weekly basis just to keep them moving freely, the Bergheil is not as easy to use as it has no rangefinder but it’s still fun to get out and take pictures with
Martin Henson. I do exercise the shutters, but I’m uncomfortable using a 70-plus year-old camera which is in new condition. I tend to use my quite scruffy late 30s Bessa RF with Skopar lens, because adding a scratch to the finish won’t cause me the distress it would with the mint Heliar model! I shall use it occasionally, though, but very carefully. Having watched this video and your other one discussing the Bergheil, I’ve taken the plunge this afternoon and bought one on eBay. (I intend to blame you as a bad influence when I work up the courage to confess the purchase to my wife). It’s very like yours, black, with that early Compur shutter. The lens serial number is 583919, which appears to date from around 1929-1930. Now I need to find a roll film holder - they’re asking extortionate prices on eBay, and I’m not keen on paying more than half what I paid for the camera just for a roll film back. No doubt one will turn up at the right price sooner or later.
Blame me I can take it, sounds like the same camera to me, uncoated Heliar lens f4.5, I cant understand why the Rada backs have shot up in price, suppose supply and demand, I bought two last year at reasonable prices, no were near as expense as on ebay at moment
Martin Henson Yes, it has the uncoated f4.5 Heliar. It also comes with its leather case, a push-on Focar lens with its leather pouch and a push-on yellow filter with its leather pouch and original Voigtlander cardboard box. I’ve bought the camera from a dealer in Austria, at what seems to be a very reasonable price, especially considering what’s being asked on eBay for very tatty Bergheils. I’ve tracked down a Riteway film back at an affordable price. I’ve never heard of them before, so maybe they aren’t as good as the Rollex and Rada backs. It has an interesting feature, though:- a lever-operated pressure plate to hold the film dead flat. This has to be released before winding on to the next frame (the Butkus site has an online instruction leaflet) and then applied again for the next shot. Perhaps the extra complexity of operation made it unpopular.
Well Martin, my Bergheil arrived this afternoon. What a superb quality instrument! Some paint loss and rubbing to the leather here and there on the outer body, but when it’s opened up, it’s pristine. It would benefit from a service - the shutter is slow on the 1 second setting - but the lens is in a1 condition. As a bonus, I don’t even have to blame you - my wife wants to pay for it as a belated 70th birthday present! Now to study your Bergheil videos again! (By the way, I’ve made a donation via your PayPal link - hope you receive it ok). Neil
Another great video. Would a Corfield 66 back fit the camera?
Hello Martin, I have watched this video a few times and a thought came to me. When you were metering the flowers you used spot metering instead of incident. Since this was done under pretty constant light, which I believe you mentioned, why didn’t you use an incident reading. As a suggestion for a future video you might consider a ‘metering contest’ between spot and incident and go through the process to see what differences, if any, evolve. Just a suggestion. Keep doing the great job of informing and entertaining your viewer. Thanks for considering my idea.
I think the answer to your question is knowing where the highlights and shadows will fall on the negative,, spot reading help in that scenario, with incident the exposure would have near enough, however , it would have not given me the required exposure info of the spot reading
1:35 / Sorry, Rada backs are not cheap to buy.😕
They were cheap 2 years ago, I have two, one cost £25.00 the other £50.00, but like you say the cost has risen over the last year or so and are really expensive, supply and demand is probably coasted this large price increase
@@martinhensonphotography Two years ago they cost less for sure, but still not cheap.I'm just poor I guess.🙂
Martin,
Sorry to trouble you with another question. What do you use to process the 6x9 sheet film? Is there any special holder to fit into a Paterson? Also, do you know if a Linhof 6x9 Rollex Roll Film back be used on the Bergheil? To find a Rada over in the States is rare and what they want for it is outrageous. Thanks for your help.
Andrew
I holder was for roll film which uses standard 120 film which in turn will load into the Patterson spiral, If it were sheet film which would be slightly wider than 120, just move the spiral slightly wider and tape it at the setting, then load as normal
As regards the Rolex back, they can be used on the Bergheil as long as the flange side that slides onto the camera is the correct size
Wow, great work! May I ask what is that loupe you were using?
Its a Schneider 4x Multicoated Magnifying Loupe
@@martinhensonphotography Thank you for the reply =)
And are you placing the loupe directly on the glass when checking focus or do you have to hold it off a bit?
So is it a 6x9 or 6.5x9 rada. I’m a bit confused.
It’s a 6x9 rada back
This is the second time around watching this video still learned things thank you:
I have a zeiss ikon and just purchased a film back which cost just under $300 Australian: I’m really hoping that film back will fit this camera. From what have seen these cameras are same size just different names:
Can’t see any levers to hold shutter open on the lens though like yours. Do you know anything about these? Also where did you get that huge loop from I haven’t been able to find a large one:
Thank you again
My shutter can be opened on the lens for focusing , if your camera does not have that then I assume you have a bulb setting on the shutter, open the lens wide open and use a cable release to lock it open.
The loupe is german made Schneider and was quite expensive when I bought it.
Film backs have different flange sizes on the sides to fit various cameras, hope that yours will fit, was it a Rada back you bought ?
Martin Henson it’s a Rafa plaubel: and I really hope it fits as well: Have Horseman 970 , I have to use bulb setting and cable release to hold the shutter open: Thank you for your time
Will we see more videos on Carl Zeiss 180mm?
Yes will be doing more, I have bought a ND filter to get the exposures down so I can use it in bright light wide open, thanks
@@martinhensonphotography , I cant wait to see it. I love your content!
Awesome! I am excited to watch it too!
Thank you for this video it was very helpful: Beautiful photos: I just went onto ebay in Australia and they want $400 for a film back: How much are the in England?
I have a Zeiss Ikon camera I’m presuming the film back will fit it as well?
They are asking a lot, I have bought two over the last year, they were £40 and £25 so keep looking until you get one at a sensible price , thanks
Hi. Maybe you could help. I opened my Voigtländer and I can’t close it again because the two side stabilizers do not retract in any way. Could you tell me how to do it? Thx in advance.
Are you pressing the lever below the lens at the bottom front of the camera
Ignore that comment, I thought your we’re talking about the Bessa, for the camera to close it has to be fully pushed back and the front standard needs to be centred
@@martinhensonphotography hey. That was fast. Thx so much. I did not push back enough because I didn’t want to brake it. Now it is a simple task. 😄 thank you so much for helping me.
Your welcome
Does anyone know where to get bellows replacement for these 6,5x9cm cameras ? I just bought a Voigtlander Avus which is the exact same camera as this Bergheil 659 and I’m looking for bellows replacement in case I happen to have light leaks in the future. I searched everywhere on the web, I can’t find anyone giving an answer..
👍👍👍