I have the Perkeo II with Scopar lens. I also have 3 Yashica TLRs and a Rolliecord. My Perkeo produces the sharpest pics of the bunch. It's only a bit bigger than my 35mm Retinas and as you say, can be closed with the lens focused at any distance. The Retinas have to be at infinity, which discourages fast shooting. I don't need a rangefinder or a light meter (except in very low light situations)..
I picked up a Perkeo 1 last month. I own several TLRs including Yashica and Rolleiflex. I must say that I prefer the size of this camera for 120 films. It is easy to carry around with a rangefinder and creates beautiful photos. The only challenge is loading film which is easy but feels like a struggle.
Thank you Kenneth for another intersting journey into vintage gear photography. The Perkeo seems to me like successor of the Voigtländer Bessa 66 (DeLuxe) or sometimes better known as Baby Bessa.
What time it is - It Time for Wajda Photo! And today's History Camera is - Whatever, Your videos make me Happy to watch History. It Really Cheers Me Up. Thank You..
Also, thank you for the tip regarding settings for street photography. I walk around Annapolis, Md on occasion and use this camera to take photos. One individual came up to me and wanted to hold the camera and then took my picture! I have to see how it came out.
I just bought one, pick it up tomorrow. It comes with a yellow filter and case. Can't wait to wander around with it. In the meantime I'll keep an eye out for one of those cold shoe rangefinder thingos that come up occasionally
These folding cameras are very nice. They are so charming, like collapsible lenses. Such as the old Leica 50mm f/2.8 Elmar. And you are now the second photographer I have seen speaking good things about these Perkeo cameras. Matt Osborne being the other.
I've been using my Perkeo (trans: "pygmy") III or E for about 25 years. It's a 1957 build and has the built-in uncoupled range-finder. The range-finder is adjustable for fine tuning and is very accurate. Zone focusing is good enough for some landscape work but closer up shots always benefit from precise distance measurement. The leather case you have has a non-Perkeo brand of front cover; the Perkeo case covers closely match the convex shape of the protruding lens cover. Some users recommend damping fine movements of the lens assembly by placing a finger underneath it but I cannot see any difference when that is done. The Perkeo III came with a press-on Voigtlander lens hood (mine is the Color Skopar 3.5) to match and that is very worthwhile using if frontal light is present. The points about easily carrying a 6x6 camera in your pocket are well made. "Surprise!".
Sorry to say, Perkeo is not a translation of pygmy. It was the "stage name" Clemens Pankert (maybe also Giovanni Clementi) jester and court dwarf of Elector Palatine Charles III Philip in Heidelberg. Although small in stature he was no Pygmy but born in today's Salorno, South Tyriol then Salurn, County Tyrol. Otherwise a great summary. Source for Perkeo: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perkeo_of_Heidelberg
I purchased a Mamiya 6 iv for about 50 USD on eBay and the baffle has no light leaks.! The.had sent Dan Daniel camera for a CLA and had a new baffle installed because I knew it was a camera I would use daily. It’s subject to light flairs but when all light conditions are ideal, boy does it render stunning images! So with the CLA, new baffle and.camera purchase, I was out about 250.00 USD. I don’t consider that cost prohibitive given the age of the camera and that it’s compact medium format. One day some one else can benefit from the investment.
Very nice camera 👍 Mine have Vaskar 75mm f4.5 lens and it's not so good, pictures are pretty soft, but nice camera nevertheles 🙂 Sorry if Google translate translated this text poorly.
I’ve come to prefer folders without rangefinders. They are simpler and puts you into the habit of, and train you to judge distance. Build in rangefinders are slow and often not as precise as you’d think. You can calibrate your hand as a human rangefinder, if you really think you need it: Grab one wrist with the other hand, to form a stabile triangle and stretch your arms all the way out in front of you, at a right angle to your body. Point one hands index finger to either side and use the knuckle folds as measuring marks in the next step. Switch between your eyes and notice how the object you a trying to measure the distance to jumps from one place on your finger to another. Note how much it jumps at two or three set, often used distances, and train the use of than until it sticks. You can accurately interpolate between these set distances with a bit of experience. Now you can measure distances accurately within a margin of about ten centimeters. Great camera. The only weak thing about the Voigtländer folders is the standard for keeping the lens and film parallel. It was a patent thing, I believe. But take good care of it, and it’s s better than most.
I have the Perkeo II with Scopar lens. I also have 3 Yashica TLRs and a Rolliecord. My Perkeo produces the sharpest pics of the bunch. It's only a bit bigger than my 35mm Retinas and as you say, can be closed with the lens focused at any distance. The Retinas have to be at infinity, which discourages fast shooting. I don't need a rangefinder or a light meter (except in very low light situations)..
I need to get mine out more! Thanks.
I picked up a Perkeo 1 last month. I own several TLRs including Yashica and Rolleiflex. I must say that I prefer the size of this camera for 120 films. It is easy to carry around with a rangefinder and creates beautiful photos. The only challenge is loading film which is easy but feels like a struggle.
Thank you Kenneth for another intersting journey into vintage gear photography. The Perkeo seems to me like successor of the Voigtländer Bessa 66 (DeLuxe) or sometimes better known as Baby Bessa.
Thanks for watching! And good info, thanks!
Voigtlander had a nice little rangefinder that goes on the cold shoe if you really need it.
What time it is - It Time for Wajda Photo! And today's History Camera is - Whatever, Your videos make me Happy to watch History. It Really Cheers Me Up. Thank You..
Awww, thanks, Alex. You're very kind to say so. Glad you enjoy!
Also, thank you for the tip regarding settings for street photography. I walk around Annapolis, Md on occasion and use this camera to take photos. One individual came up to me and wanted to hold the camera and then took my picture! I have to see how it came out.
Definitely a good conversation starter! Let us know how it looks.
Love it! I have just got in to these little 120 folders - really beautiful and so portable. Thanks.
Nice!
I just bought one, pick it up tomorrow. It comes with a yellow filter and case. Can't wait to wander around with it. In the meantime I'll keep an eye out for one of those cold shoe rangefinder thingos that come up occasionally
Perfect. Hope it works well for you!
These folding cameras are very nice. They are so charming, like collapsible lenses. Such as the old Leica 50mm f/2.8 Elmar. And you are now the second photographer I have seen speaking good things about these Perkeo cameras. Matt Osborne being the other.
Sweet. Try one. You'll like it.
I've been using my Perkeo (trans: "pygmy") III or E for about 25 years. It's a 1957 build and has the built-in uncoupled range-finder. The range-finder is adjustable for fine tuning and is very accurate. Zone focusing is good enough for some landscape work but closer up shots always benefit from precise distance measurement.
The leather case you have has a non-Perkeo brand of front cover; the Perkeo case covers closely match the convex shape of the protruding lens cover.
Some users recommend damping fine movements of the lens assembly by placing a finger underneath it but I cannot see any difference when that is done.
The Perkeo III came with a press-on Voigtlander lens hood (mine is the Color Skopar 3.5) to match and that is very worthwhile using if frontal light is present.
The points about easily carrying a 6x6 camera in your pocket are well made. "Surprise!".
Excellent write up. Thanks for all the info. Would love to find a hood for mine!
Sorry to say, Perkeo is not a translation of pygmy. It was the "stage name" Clemens Pankert (maybe also Giovanni Clementi) jester and court dwarf of Elector Palatine Charles III Philip in Heidelberg. Although small in stature he was no Pygmy but born in today's Salorno, South Tyriol then Salurn, County Tyrol. Otherwise a great summary.
Source for Perkeo: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perkeo_of_Heidelberg
I purchased a Mamiya 6 iv for about 50 USD on eBay and the baffle has no light leaks.! The.had sent Dan Daniel camera for a CLA and had a new baffle installed because I knew it was a camera I would use daily. It’s subject to light flairs but when all light conditions are ideal, boy does it render stunning images! So with the CLA, new baffle and.camera purchase, I was out about 250.00 USD. I don’t consider that cost prohibitive given the age of the camera and that it’s compact medium format. One day some one else can benefit from the investment.
Great find and yes, good to get it set up for shooting for a long time to come!
Very nice camera 👍
Mine have Vaskar 75mm f4.5 lens and it's not so good, pictures are pretty soft, but nice camera nevertheles 🙂
Sorry if Google translate translated this text poorly.
Translated perfectly. Thanks for your comment.
My old Super Ikonta III is similar, with a coupled rangefinder.
But bigger, right?
You have a Rolleiflex to sell? :)
No, I need my Rolleis!
August 3 2023 Voigtländer doesn't have the letter H in it.
Thanks.
I’ve come to prefer folders without rangefinders.
They are simpler and puts you into the habit of, and train you to judge distance.
Build in rangefinders are slow and often not as precise as you’d think.
You can calibrate your hand as a human rangefinder, if you really think you need it:
Grab one wrist with the other hand, to form a stabile triangle and stretch your arms all the way out in front of you, at a right angle to your body.
Point one hands index finger to either side and use the knuckle folds as measuring marks in the next step.
Switch between your eyes and notice how the object you a trying to measure the distance to jumps from one place on your finger to another.
Note how much it jumps at two or three set, often used distances, and train the use of than until it sticks.
You can accurately interpolate between these set distances with a bit of experience.
Now you can measure distances accurately within a margin of about ten centimeters.
Great camera.
The only weak thing about the Voigtländer folders is the standard for keeping the lens and film parallel.
It was a patent thing, I believe.
But take good care of it, and it’s s better than most.
I can see the allure of the no-rangefinder cameras. Distance judging and zone focusing work really well. Thanks, Helge.
Yeah but its not a Perkeo 2
Alas!