6x6 SLR

[time4d]

Since my last post, I have decided to take a leap by selling all my MF gear to buy a Mamiya 7. I now have US$477 in spare change and I thought I might as well grab a 6x6 SLR or TLR for portraits.

Some of the likely candidates:

Bronica SQ-AI
Rolleicord
Rolleiflex
Autocord

Which on this list would be the best for portraits (I don't mind using extension tubes)? I've shot with all 4 types of MF cameras (folders, rangefinders, SLR and TLR) but I really haven't had any experience with the above cameras. I'm mainly concerned about image quality. I shoot in studios and outdoors. If there is something better which isn't listed I don't mind suggestions

 

[Sirius Glass]

How about stepping up to a Hasselblad V Series. I will take you a bit longer to save for each additional lens. On the other hand there are plenty of parts, lenses and accessories available, and it is easy to get good service work done. I will be the last time you will look for a new camera. Time to join the big time. Like the Packard advertisements said, "Ask the man that owns one."

 

[msbarnes]

I prefer Rolleiflex, but I also prefer the 2.8E versions with Rolleinars. That combination is more expensive and you're "stuck" with a normal lens.

If you're budget is fixed, then I would get a Bronica. Else, I would spend more money on a Hasselblad or a Rolleiflex.

 

[baachitraka]

May you get a Rolleicord II(b). Swirly boken and fits so beautiful for portraits.

I shoot @f/4...

 

[ruby.monkey]

Add a Mamiya C220 or C330 to that list. You'll find a superb system for a very reasonable price.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Another vote for the Rolleiflex. With a little patience, you can score a 2.8E for not much more than your $477. I have a pair of 2.8E models, neither of which I paid more than $600 for.

 

[pbromaghin]

Another vote for the Mamiya tlrs. The interchangeable lenses offer a lot of flexibility.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

But the Mamiya C220/330 is a bigger, heavier camera than the Rollei - they're a pain to hand-hold. If you don't mind that level of headache, then go whole hog and get an RB67 with the 180mm lens. That's a perfect portrait combo.

 

[mweintraub]

No love for the Bronica?

SLRs are great for framing, especially if you use extension tubes to get closer.

 

[Alan Gales]

In my opinion the absolute best medium format camera for portraiture is the Mamiya RZ67. My next choice would be an RB. I used to own an RZ with the 110mm and 180mm lenses. Mamiya also made a Soft Focus 180mm for the RZ and a 150mm SF lens for the RB which will work on the RZ if you are interested in soft focus.

For 6x6 I would prefer an SLR so I could use a normal and a slightly long lens. A mild wide is nice also for when you don't have room to back up or shooting a large group photo.

 

[Alan Gales]

No love for the Bronica?

SLRs are great for framing, especially if you use extension tubes to get closer.

There is nothing wrong with Bronica's. Blads are nicer if you can afford them.

The Mamiya 6x7's which I prefer for portraits, have close focussing bellows focus so there is no need for extension tubes.

 

[erikg]

So you want something to compliment the 7? Or is that no longer an I want? I'd think I'd get familiar with one before taking up another.

 

[mweintraub]

There is nothing wrong with Bronica's. Blads are nicer if you can afford them.

The Mamiya 6x7's which I prefer for portraits, have close focussing bellows focus so there is no need for extension tubes.

I would have gone with a Hassy, but the lenses are so expensive. I've got a full SQ-A kit for about the price of a hassy with one or maybe two lenses.

I love 6x7. It's fantastic for portraits in my opinion. I'm still working on using the RZ for more portraits.

 

[Alan Gales]

I would have gone with a Hassy, but the lenses are so expensive. I've got a full SQ-A kit for about the price of a hassy with one or maybe two lenses.

I love 6x7. It's fantastic for portraits in my opinion. I'm still working on using the RZ for more portraits.

Well, you have a great set-up then. The 6x7 for portraits and the 6x6 for carrying around. My RZ was a tripod queen. They get heavy, especially if you carry around 2 or 3 lenses with them.

 

[gandolfi]

In my opinion the absolute best medium format camera for portraiture is the Mamiya RZ67. My next choice would be an RB. I used to own an RZ with the 110mm and 180mm lenses. Mamiya also made a Soft Focus 180mm for the RZ and a 150mm SF lens for the RB which will work on the RZ if you are interested in soft focus.

For 6x6 I would prefer an SLR so I could use a normal and a slightly long lens. A mild wide is nice also for when you don't have room to back up or shooting a large group photo.

oh - and I am opposite... never seen a RZ that didn't break down... don't trust them.. RB on the other hand...

But the best? Rolleiflex SL66 beats all in my book - no need for bellows - if "E" or "SE" models with built in lightmeter - going very close - and even closer if lens is fitted reversedly...

And most important: with the built in bellows and shutter in camera, I can fit any old petzval - soft focus - crazy lens with a bit of tape...

 

[Alan Gales]

oh - and I am opposite... never seen a RZ that didn't break down... don't trust them.. RB on the other hand...

But the best? Rolleiflex SL66 beats all in my book - no need for bellows - if "E" or "SE" models with built in lightmeter - going very close - and even closer if lens is fitted reversedly...

And most important: with the built in bellows and shutter in camera, I can fit any old petzval - soft focus - crazy lens with a bit of tape...

Hello Emil, I never had a problem with my RZ but if you had problems I can understand. As you well know, the SL66 is considered by many to be the best medium format camera ever made, period. A very good friend of mine owns one and has never had a problem with it. They are getting long in the tooth though and he tells me that parts are getting hard to find here. How is parts availability in Europe?

Alan

 

[johnha]

Of the OP's preferred cameras I've only used the Mamiya C330 & Bronica SQ-B. I considered a used Hassy when buying the SQ-B in the '90s but the prices for additional Hassy lenses were _way_ above my budget.

The Bronica SQ offers SLR viewing and an Ai with a metered finder would compensate for any extension tube. Lens wise, the 135mm probably focuses close enough (a 150mm might need a short extension tube for tightly cropped head shots). It offers a large range of available lenses/accessories at reasonably affordable prices.

The bellows focusing of the C330 etc. acts like a built in extension tube (the 80mm will go to almost 1:1), with the right lens - possibly a 135mm - it would be a very usable choice. If just for portraits, this is a good option, for more general use, an SLR with interchangeable backs is probably a better choice.

The RB/RZ give you the option of a revolving 6x7 back but with the extra bulk of effectively a 7x7 camera. I've haven't used any Rollei's so can't help other than to comment that the 6xxx series used bespoke NiCd batteries which put me off at the time.

 

[gone]

The best for portraits is something that you could put a portrait lens on. Fixed lens TLRs won't get it, unless you're willing to crop. There was a Kowa on the classifieds recently w/ a 150 lens. I'll bet that would take great portraits. I like 35mm for this sort of thing. Some of the best lenses in photography for that purpose are in this format, you can stand far enough back to let your subject breathe, the shutters won't wake the dead (like a 'blad), the gear is small, you can get 36 shots to a roll of film, and you can fire off shots quickly w/ motor drives. I use a Nikon N8008s w/ a Leica R 90 lens. Can't be beat, especially the spot metering. Well, if I could afford a Summicron, that would beat it, but the Elmarit is no slouch.

If you just want big, big prints, get a LF camera w/ a Heliar lens on it. There's an art to portraits. You need a great lens, great lighting, and the ability to have your subject relaxed and trust you. Or, some nuts or other treats in your pocket.

 

[btaylor]

If you don't need the reach of a longer lens for portraits I really think the Rollei for a TLR is hard to beat. I don't know why people are stuck on the f2.8 models, I prefer the f3.5 because it is noticeably lighter-- as well as being quite a bit less expensive.

The Mamiya 220/330 is very versatile and inexpensive. The lenses are first rate too. Bulkier than a Rollei though.

There are many that swear by the Autocord, though I haven't used one.

 

[RattyMouse]

Get a Fuji GF670 and then you have both 6 x 6 AND 6 x 7.

 

[btaylor]

Ha! That was my Kowa in the classifieds. The Six with the 150mm lens is a great combo and inexpensive ($300= Kowa Six body, 80mm and 150mm lenses- if you want to get really close there is a 250mm available too).

 

[elekm]

One of the TLR's advantages is that it has a very quiet shutter, compared with all medium format SLRs. Plus, it has that cool factor that puts people at ease.

My opinion, of course.

 

[k.hendrik]

I use 330, RZ and sl66se; love them equally. but only the SL has the opportunity to use any "crazy glass" and this can give the SL kind of 'holga' results which I like most about 'writing with light'.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Happy hunting

 

[film_man]

I just don't see how you can do a tight head portrait with a TLR (ie waist finder). You just end up shooting up people's noses. So I'd go for the Bronica. I had one, it is a nice system. Swapped for a Hasselblad eventually. The Hasselblad is more refined and has a different look to the photos but the Bronica will do just fine. You can build an entire Bronica system for the price of a single Hasselblad lens.

 

[Dr Croubie]

No love for the Bronica?

SLRs are great for framing, especially if you use extension tubes to get closer.

No love for Pentacon 6 either, but man that Zeiss MC glass is hard to beat...