Affordable Compact 6x9 Not A Folder

wjlapier

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What would be the most compact 6x9 camera, not a folder, and relatively affordable. What about a modified camera. Not Mercury for now.

See if you could start with the Horseman 8 EXP back or similar and build from there if you know how to. The Horseman Convertible comes to mind, but the lens is fixed and has mixed reviews.
 

ic-racer

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These are 'compact' compared to 4x5 cameras, but actually pretty big. Mostly because of the ability to focus and for the use of non-retrofocus lenses. Otherwise the Horseman Convertible is about as small as one might get. If I were really going 'compact' I'd use 6x4.5.

Brooks
Plaubel
Mamiya Press
Linhof 70
Graflex XL
Rare modern Horseman 6x9 (looks like the 6x12)
 

darinwc

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Honestly.. 6x9 cameras are just not what anyone would consider compact.

Consider that a normal lens is 105mm. That is quite a long length. Not something that fits in a pocket.

Any 6x9 camera is going to be much larger than a hasselblad or Rolleiflex.

I have a century graphic. The lenses are very compact.. so as a kit, it makes a very compact package. And not very heavy. But then I moved up to a 4x5, which is a bit larger but I find it much easier to deal with 4x5 film than curly 120 film.

Really, if you want compact medium format, go with 645. The quality is fantastic. The film is held much flatter, you get twice as many exposures, and the lenses on the mamiya, Pentax, Fuji, and contax cameras are modern marvels.
 

DWThomas

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Hmmm -- maybe a Fuji "Texas Leica" -- although that might stretch the affordability issue.

Dunno -- I could probably buy 3 or 4 duplicates of my Ercona II 6x9 folder for what those Texas guys go for.
 

darinwc

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The Fuji 6x9 is hardly compact.. the gw690 iii had was pretty big.. though that was some time ago maybe my standards have changed..
 

cooltouch

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I did a search at eBay just now for 6x9 cameras and, apart from a few ancient box cameras, all the ones listed were folders -- except one, which might jut be the ticket for you. It's a Mamiya Universal Press with a 6x9 rollfilm back. This particular one is listed at $139, which seems to me to be a very good price. No lens is included, but still, that's not a bad price for a press-style body with a back. I found another one that includes a 100/3.5 lens, polaroid back and a roll-film back that can be formatted for 6x4.5, 6x6, and 6x9. It's going for $299.
 

David A. Goldfarb

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I’d look for a 2x3 press camera like a Graphic or B&J Watson.
 

Dan Daniel

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Here you go! That's a 47mm Acugon hacked into the helical from a 50mm f/2 Pentax lens. Then hacked onto a B&J Pressman or such back cut down and a 120 6x9 back. Not sure you could get much more compact than this. Well, there are some rollfilm backs that are flatter, but then much longer as you move the spools to the sides.

This might give you an idea of what 'compact' means in 6x9. And no, this does not go into a pocket.

The Kodak Medalist is probably about as compact as you can get.

 
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guangong

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My core is for the Medalist. Rugged. Great lens. Just be sure to read manual before using.
 

barzune

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Mamiya C3 has an accessory sheet-film back, which uses 6X9 single sheet holders. This back may also fit on the C33.
 

DREW WILEY

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Other than my infrequent use of a 35mm Nikon, my Fuji GW690ii is the smallest camera I own. It's easily han-holdable if necessary, and compact enough to fit in a relatively small shoulder bag. It's also got very crisp modern optics. What on earth do you expect if you want 6x9 capacity? It's like whining that you need to carry a canteen, and wishing that someone made freeze-dried water instead!
 

John Koehrer

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Not compact at all but Milwaukee CL had a Koni Omega w/6x7 back & 90 mm lens. Pretty in pictures
and was tempted but logic struck!!
 

Huss

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I much prefer my Brooks Plaubel Veriwide 100 over my Fuji GW690iii.
Sure it’s 6x10 vs 6x9 but it’s smaller, much smoother shutter release and with a much wider lens.
 

moto-uno

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And remember that as great as the Medalist is, and it might be considered compact by some standards , but it's still a brick , Peter
 

Dan Daniel

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moto-uno said:
And I forgot to mention , Dan , I love your camera ! Peter
Click to expand...

Thanks, Peter. It's rather fun shooting large format with what is about a 21mm equiv. view. So far I've been pretty relaxed with it and Delta 3200, but I'm going to try it with some more detailed film soon.
 

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