Quote: I could buy a vintage camera and have it serviced for considerably less.
I'd been looking into that myself, but the only realistic folder option (for me) has been a 6x6 Super Isolette with a Solinar, etc, or a (rare) late model 6x7 Super Ikonta with coated Tessar. Good S/Isolettes usually cost anywhere between £100 and £200 and the Super Ikontas easily cost as much as £300 today. Servicing both would be around £70-ish. Other high quality compact folding cameras exist, but are more difficult to find in really good condition, and many break easily.
While an Isolette is fairly compact, the big Ikontas and Super Ikontas aren't. They are second-hand 50~60~ year old cameras capable of the best results available in their class and time. Both have rather good, single-coated very well-corrected lenses, evolved from the original formulation patented in 1902, but capable of excellent results (except for corners) from f8 onwards.
In comparison, results from a modern multicoated lens in a comparable price range - even a re-formulated "very simple" Tessar - will invariably be quite significantly better and the cameras more generally suitable for life in the digital age. Ikontas cost a small fortune when new - hopefully a new Fuji 67 will be much cheaper, comparatively. Older cameras are analogous to 1950's cars - great for a Sunday afternoon drive, great fun, 'loveable old workhorses', etc, but handling and performance is outclassed by anything made today.
But it's "horses for courses" as they say.
.T.
Footnote:
Quote: I think the point of the poll was with regard to people who would be interested in buying the camera. Obviously if it's not something you want at all then participating merely clouds the issue.
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