Any 6X9 SLRs?

f/16 · Mar 18, 2015

Right now the only format I have larger than 35mm is my Pentax 645. I love it, but want to go larger. I had a Pentax 6X7 MLU, but wasn't using it and sold it to fund other gear I wanted at the time. Now I miss the 6X7, but may as well go as large as I want. I DON'T want large format. I want something that can be put into a camera bag, set up on a tripod quickly(or used handheld), and allow me to get several shots without having to change film. Also I like eye level finders and don't like waist level. Don't care if it has autofocus or meter. I see there are the Fuji 6X9 RFs, but I prefer an SLR. Any out there?

Dan Quan · Mar 19, 2015

I asked (there was a url link here which no longer exists) and ended up with several P67s. And it has taken this long to get close to the system I wanted so I am almost ready to start shooting them.

Dan Daniel · Mar 19, 2015

Fuji has the 6x8 GX680.

There are 6x9 field view cameras. A Horseman VH-R, for example, has an integrated rangefinder. Maybe these are better called press cameras? Well, they fold down relatively compact.

Nokton48 · Mar 19, 2015

The Plaubel Makiflex is not easy to find, but has an eye level Porrofinder and takes 6x9cm film.
See my avatar.

MattKing · Mar 19, 2015

If you were considering rangefinders, the 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 Kodak Medalist cameras give you a negative of essentially the same size - on 620 film.

Oren Grad · Mar 19, 2015

2 1/4 x3 1/4 Graflex

Musashino Rittreck/Optika SLR

But you'll be restricted to longer focal lengths with all of these SLRs.

PS: I should add, without custom hacks these two are waist-level viewing/focusing only.

Nokton48 · Mar 19, 2015

I have a 120mm Angulon in barrel on a recessed board that focuses to infinity on my Makiflex. But that is really pushing the limits of the camera design. 125mm would probably be better, but I love the old Schneider lenses.

MattKing · Mar 19, 2015

There is a 6x8 option for the RB67, but it isn't particularly easy to put everything together for it, and if you also require eye level viewing, I'not entirely sure the viewing system will give you what you want.

toyotadesigner · Mar 19, 2015

What you want is a Fuji GW or GSW 690 with a flapping mirror box. It has not yet been invented, except for the Plaubel Makina Reflex which is an extremely rare item.

The point is that a pentaprism finder for a 6x9 format has never been manufactured until today.

David A. Goldfarb · Mar 19, 2015

The Fuji GX680 is a really big camera, but very versatile, combining movements on the front standard with an SLR design. There was one for sale recently in the classifieds, maybe still available.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 19, 2015

f/16 said:
Right now the only format I have larger than 35mm is my Pentax 645. I love it, but want to go larger. I had a Pentax 6X7 MLU, but wasn't using it and sold it to fund other gear I wanted at the time. Now I miss the 6X7, but may as well go as large as I want. I DON'T want large format. I want something that can be put into a camera bag, set up on a tripod quickly(or used handheld), and allow me to get several shots without having to change film. Also I like eye level finders and don't like waist level. Don't care if it has autofocus or meter. I see there are the Fuji 6X9 RFs, but I prefer an SLR. Any out there?

I wish.

Ian Grant · Mar 19, 2015

I have a 6x9 SLR

It's quite small, I need to service the shutter.

Ian

Nokton48 · Mar 19, 2015

toyotadesigner said:
The point is that a pentaprism finder for a 6x9 format has never been manufactured until today.

Here is my Plaubel Makiflex Standard with 45 Degree Viewfinder.
I have lenses from 120mm to 360mm that fit it.

Dan Fromm · Mar 19, 2015

Don't forget the very uncommon 6x9 Arca-Swiss Reflex. Practically speaking, OP, if you want to shoot 6x9 with an SLR your choices are very limited.

When I moved from 24x36 to 2.25 x 3.25 I got a 2x3 Speed Graphic, followed by a Century Graphic to allow the use of short -- down to 35 mm -- lenses. I now have a 2x3 view camera as well. All slower working than an SLR. The slow working limits the closeup/macro work I can do in the field; stopping subject movement isn't a problem, that's what electronic flash is for, but preventing the plane of best focus from moving between focusing/composing and taking the shot is.

PCGraflex · Mar 19, 2015

Baby speed for sure!!!

Ian Grant · Mar 19, 2015

PCGraflex said:
Baby speed for sure!!!

But not an SLR.

Ian

fotch · Mar 19, 2015

6x9 Roll film adapter on my 4x5 Graflex RB.

benjiboy · Mar 19, 2015

You can get such good photo-technical quality from 6X7 with modern films and processing chemistry that make the prints in many cases indistinguishable from large format ones I can't personally see any advantage of looking for 6X9 even if you are making mural prints.

Vaughn · Mar 19, 2015

David A. Goldfarb said:
The Fuji GX680 is a really big camera, but very versatile, combining movements on the front standard with an SLR design. There was one for sale recently in the classifieds, maybe still available.

I have used an older version (no front movements). I remember it being as heavy as an 8x10 with lens.

DREW WILEY · Mar 19, 2015

Wish there was 6x9 SLR in existence; but it would probably need such a huge mirror that it would reeealllly big ole clunker of a machine.
The Fuji GX680 is itself a heavy studio camera, heavier in fact than many 4x5's, so I don't see how it would fit any realistic field niche. Even
a P67 kit can weigh as much as a 4x5 field kit. I shoot both, along with 8x10. Once in awhile I think it would be nice to have a Fuji GW690
rangefinder, though it obviously suffers from a lack of lens interchangeability. It is really a pain in the butt in the darkroom to turn wannabee MF negs into prints that resemble those taken with large format. Even when you've got movements, like using a 6x9 roll film back on a 4x5 view camera, size matters. I'd rather print sheet film any day of the week. But sometimes the sheer travel convenience of roll film dictates its use. And even when I've traveled with both systems, there are times where the suddenly changing light or very windy
weather prevent to view camera from getting the shot, while the faster-operating P67 will. Nice to have both options.

Moopheus · Mar 19, 2015

f/16 said:
I see there are the Fuji 6X9 RFs, but I prefer an SLR. Any out there?

You should have a look at the Fujis. They're really quite nice for just walking around with and easy to use handheld. Fixed lens, but it's an excellent lens. Also, can be had fairly easily at reasonable prices.

Nokton48 · Mar 19, 2015

DREW WILEY said:
Wish there was 6x9 SLR in existence; but it would probably need such a huge mirror that it would reeealllly big ole clunker of a machine.

Actually the Arca Swiss and Plaubel Makiflexes are 6x9 SLR's.

Can't say regarding the Arca (no experience) but the Makiflexes are big, but not excessively heavy or clunky IMO. Built with typical Plaubel precision. But they are bulky, I will say that. The mirror even has a unique self-dampening mechanism that really works. Zero vibration when fired. These cameras even have an odometer that counts the number of clicks on the shutter!

Dan Fromm · Mar 19, 2015

DREW WILEY said:
Wish there was 6x9 SLR in existence; but it would probably need such a huge mirror that it would reeealllly big ole clunker of a machine.

2x3 Graflex RB Ser. B. is the most recent 2x3 Graflex and probably the easiest to find. I have one modified to serve as an SLR module on a 2x3 Cambo. The RB Ser B is somewhat limited, not what a person used to a modern system SLR would be happy with.

Arca-Swiss Reflex (6x9, there's also a 4x5 version), Makiflex, Optika and Pecoflex (Makiflex on a rail) are all 6x9 system SLRs.

DREW WILEY · Mar 19, 2015

I already have 6x9 backs for my 4x5 for when a tripod is mandatory. And I know about technical cameras like the Horseman 69 and Baby Technika, press cameras, and Fuji rangefinders. I normally do use a P67 on tripod too; but it can be very successfully handheld at higher shutter speeds with short to normal focal length lenses. No big deal. I'll end up sleeping on the porch with the cats if my wife spots me coming home with yet another camera! But that's precisely the kind of scenario where I prefer med format equip - when we're on vacation together and she doesn't want to wait around while I fuss with a view camera.

Nokton48 · Mar 19, 2015

I have two sliding roll adapters for my Sinar Norma shutters, and when all hooked together, it is as fast to use as an SLR, in many ways. But a completely different experience, of course, a tripod is required. And 6x9cm, too.

I have pretty much switched over to my three Plaubel Makiflexes when reflex LF shooting. Love these cameras!

See Here:

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

Any 6X9 SLRs?

f/16

Dan Quan

Dan Daniel

Nokton48

MattKing

Moderator

Oren Grad

Nokton48

MattKing

Moderator

toyotadesigner

David A. Goldfarb

Moderator

RalphLambrecht

Ian Grant

Nokton48

Attachments

Dan Fromm

PCGraflex

Ian Grant

fotch

benjiboy

Vaughn

DREW WILEY

Moopheus

Nokton48

Dan Fromm

DREW WILEY

Nokton48

Any 6X9 SLRs?

Moderator

Moderator

Moderator

Attachments

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency