6x6 SLR's?

[ChristopherCoy]

Why are there no 6x6 SLR's?

When it comes to 6x6, the modern cameras seem to be either TLR's, or modular systems like Hassey/Rollei. There are no SLR's that are all-in-ones. At least I have't found one.

I like TLR's because I have to, and I like the modular systems if I can afford them. But I'd like to have something that didn't require me buying a back, and a lens, and a viewfinder, and a crank, or requires the use of a parallex adapter, or sever neck pain from the cinder block hanging off your neck.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Once Victor Hasselblad produced a 6x6 slr modular camera, others took advantage of his breakthroughs and built on them. Why reinvent the wheel?

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Once Victor Hasselblad produced a 6x6 slr modular camera, others took advantage of his breakthroughs and built on them. Why reinvent the wheel?

Exactly

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Once Victor Hasselblad produced a 6x6 slr modular camera, others took advantage of his breakthroughs and built on them. Why reinvent the wheel?

I'll expand it a little.

There's only one 6x6 rangefinder that I can think of, and that's the Mamiya 6. Are there any others?

 

[Horatio]

You can still buy used Pentacons.

 

[Horatio]

I'll expand it a little.

There's only one 6x6 rangefinder that I can think of, and that's the Mamiya 6. Are there any others?

Fuji produced several MF rangefinders.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Fuji produced several MF rangefinders.

Not many 6x6's though.

6x7, 6x8, 6x9.... are all plentiful.

 

[removed account4]

You can still buy used Pentacons.

YES !
and its 1st cousin the ARAX 60 mlu I have one of those LOVE IT. East German breech load glass is beautiful, and the Arsat 30mm / Distagon clone used with it doesn't cost $6000.00 !

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Holy chit. The graflex Norita.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Graflex-NO...317141?hash=item28926d2095:g:GI8AAOSwiuFefMAJ

 

[MattKing]

My Baby Bessa is a 6x6 scale focusing rangefinder.
And there
The Mamiya 6 is a wonderful interchangeable lens rangefinder.
The Bronica 6x6 SLRs are great - but system cameras.
The older Mamiya 6 was wonderful as well.
With respect to folders, you might find the certo6 website useful: https://certo6.com/camera-archive/

 

[ChristopherCoy]

With respect to folders, you might find the certo6 website useful: https://certo6.com/camera-archive/

I need a MF camera like I need a hole in the head. Essentially this thread boils down to a rough afternoon of quarantined boredom and pent up frustration.

 

[MattKing]

I need a MF camera like I need a hole in the head.

Sure you do - Baby Bessa that, IIRC, cost $40.00 CDN with a warranty - one of the best cameras for a left handed person I have ever found:

 

[moto-uno]

Kowa Six ? I was already beaten to the Pentacons ! Peter

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Christopher, the Exacta 66 would fit your definition of an all-in-one SLR. Mike Johnston wrote about his 66:

https://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2017/02/heres-mine.html

 

[Paul Howell]

As mentioned Kowa 66, although had interchangeable finders and focusing screen when I see them for sale they are sold as a unit, not body then add for a finder and back. The later model 66 had interchangeable backs as well, still when I've seen for sale they are usually sold as a complete kit with 80mm 2.8. I have both a 66 and super66, lens are very good, viewfinder are bright, and backs are fairly straight forward to load. You can check E bay for current prices. Downside is that out of production for + 40 years, only a couple of folks repair them. There are Russian 6X6 SLR, in Hassy style Kiev 80 or like a oversized 35mm, Kiev 60, but unless you are very good at campera modification buy a body that has been rebuilt as the straight from the Factory often have light leaks, issues with spacing, and shutter problems.

 

[runswithsizzers]

YES !
and its 1st cousin the ARAX 60 mlu I have one of those LOVE IT. East German breech load glass is beautiful, and the Arsat 30mm / Distagon clone used with it doesn't cost $6000.00 !

The <ARAX-60/MLU standard kit> looks like a bargain at $500! (assuming they take good photos and are at least moderately reliable)

Not sure it meets the OP's requirements, tho' - may be heavy?

 

[removed account4]

The <ARAX-60/MLU standard kit> looks like a bargain at $500! (assuming they take good photos and are at least moderately reliable)

Not sure it meets the OP's requirements, tho' - may be heavy?

naaah not too heavy. extremely reliable takes great photographs, and the glass is magical. probably one of the best camera purchases I have ever made.

 

[4season]

I'll expand it a little.

There's only one 6x6 rangefinder that I can think of, and that's the Mamiya 6. Are there any others?

Yes if you consider folding cameras with uncoupled rangefinders, then the list includes Mamiya, Agfa, Olympus, Fuji, Zeiss Ikon and many others.

 

[runswithsizzers]

naaah not too heavy. extremely reliable takes great photographs, and the glass is magical. probably one of the best camera purchases I have ever made.

I was interested enough to put the Arax-60 my list of potential medium format cameras. Thanks for mentioning it. Their website shows the weight as 1.9kg (4.2 lbs). Which is a pound more than the Mamiya 220 I carried a for a one-semester photo class. Another pound probably wouldn't kill me, but that is getting up there for me.

When you say "the glass is magical" which lens(es) are you referring to?

 

[mshchem]

If you want a giant 35mm like camera buy a Pentax 67

 

[k.hendrik]

Nobody shoots with a Dacora Digna anymore ? Back is included also a lens/viewfinder & crank on board. Parallax adapter? just look tru the little window! and light as a feather...

 

[jtk]

My first 6x6 slr was an Exacta.

 

[Pioneer]

Both the Arax 60 and the Pentacon Six are terrific cameras if you have the need to shoot a 6x6 SLR but cannot afford a Hassie. It is real hard to beat the price of a brand new Arax 60 kit, even if you are thinking of buying used.

The best part of these cameras are the lenses, and they really are not that terribly expensive either.

I still use my Pentacon Six TL fairly regular but if I were buying something today I would go for the Arax 60. Pentacon Sixes can have frame spacing problems and it can be hard to find a used one that doesn't need some repair. I had mine overhauled a few years back and now I have so much invested in it that I could never sell it for what it cost me. Therefore...I use It and get my money back that way. But the Arax 60 is brand new with a nice little warranty to go with it.

 

[removed account4]

When you say "the glass is magical" which lens(es) are you referring to?

I think they are sonars .. im terrible with names.. they are old and east European I think I got them from some dude in Lithuania or something they have a nice signature .....

 

[ChristopherCoy]

More 6x6 SLRs (generally different form factor than the Pentacon, Graflex Norita, and Pentax):
- Rolleiflex SLX and 6000-series

That Rollei is definitely peaking my interest.