Are there any 6x9 cameras out there that aren't folding cameras or boxes?

[TheGreatGasMaskMan]

Anyone know of a 6x9 medium format camera that isn't a box or a folding camera? and if there is one, how much would it cost?

 

[Jesper]

Fuji has a very nice range of 6x9 cameras. Look for Fuji and 690 (there are several models such as G, GL, GW, GSW if I remember correctly).

 

[Donald Qualls]

Fuji GX690 family springs to mind. 6x9 rangefinder in a form factor like a Leica on steroids. Mamiya Press 23 has interchangeable lenses and backs, though it's quite a bit larger than the Fuji.

 

[ic-racer]

Here are some that are not mentioned above. There are more than these if you look.

Graflex XL
Plaubel 69 Proshift
Horseman SW69
Brooks Veriwide
Alpa 12TC

 

[guangong]

Don’t forget Kodak Medalist. Not a box and built like a tank. Since I haven’t used flash for at least forty yrs, I prefer Medalist to Medalist II. The later Medalist, like mine, had coated lenses.

 

[kahlheins]

The Fuji 690 cameras are all excellent. I own a GL690 and a GW690 III. Both are a joy to use and take great images. The GL690 can be had extremely cheap, and the 100mm AE lens even gives it aperture priority.

Fire ahead if you have any questions.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Don’t forget Kodak Medalist. Not a box and built like a tank. Since I haven’t used flash for at least forty yrs, I prefer Medalist to Medalist II. The later Medalist, like mine, had coated lenses.

Of course, do be aware that the Medalist is one of those "very tight" 620 cameras that will not accept a 120 supply roll that's only been trimmed for diameter -- you have to either sand the flanges to correct the length, as well, or you have to respool your film. There used to be a shop that would do the machine work to fully convert Medalists to 120 (including the film advance key), not sure if they're still operating. In truth, they would do that work for nearly any 620 camera, but the Medalist and Medalist II were almost the only ones good enough and expensive enough to be worth paying for this service.

BTW, there were also a couple 6x9 TLR models. One of the oddest looking cameras I've ever seen (in photos), but apparently it worked well. Ontoflex, and Superfekta.

 

[Paul Howell]

Mamiya Press and Universal, wide range of lens, interchangeable backs, I've seen Press models with 90mm or 100mm lens go for under a a couple hundred. A Universal should go under $300 a complete kit with body, 65mm with viewfinder, 100mm and a 150 if in good shape maybe around $600.

 

[narsuitus]

The camera in the foreground is a Fuji GSW690 III. It is a 6x9cm rangefinder with fixed 65mm f/5.6 wide-angle lens. Fuji also makes a 6x9cm rangefinder with a 90mm normal lens.


Landscape Cameras by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[Kodachromeguy]

The camera in the foreground is a Fuji GSW690 III. It is a 6x9cm rangefinder with fixed 65mm f/5.6 wide-angle lens. Fuji also makes a 6x9cm rangefinder with a 90mm normal lens.


Landscape Cameras by Narsuitus, on Flickr

Your beautiful Calumet camera will also take a roll film holder. With that 90mm lens, it's also a great 6x9 field camera.

 

[bsdunek]

Mamiya Press and Universal, wide range of lens, interchangeable backs, I've seen Press models with 90mm or 100mm lens go for under a a couple hundred. A Universal should go under $300 a complete kit with body, 65mm with viewfinder, 100mm and a 150 if in good shape maybe around $600.

YES! I love my Super 23. Have 6X7 and 6X9 backs, good selection of lenses, extension tubes, etc. A very versatile camera and the used prices aren't too bad. It's built like a tank and will last a long time. Shutters are in the lens, so, if a repair is needed, you still have everything else.

 

[gordrob]

The Mamiya Super 23 is a great camera. I like to use either the 50mm f6.3 or 100mm f2.8, each of them give stunning results on a 6x9 negative or transparency. The roll film holders are known for keeping the film flat. Some people think that they are a heavy camera but then they haven't tried hand holding a Linhof 4x5 or 5x7 Super Teknika. There is a fairly large number of accessories for the camera so it can be used either hand held or mounted on a tripod with a focusing screen

 

[Paul Howell]

I have 2 Universal bodies and 4 lens, 6X7 and 6X9 backs, I prefer 6X9. The lens are sharp with good contrast, finding filters for the wide angle lens is a task. The only really expensive lens is the camed 250 which I seen on ebay but never pulled the trigger. .

 

[Dan Fromm]

There are folders and then there are folders. If you want a flexible camera, consider a folder, press or technical camera type. When I moved up to 2x3 (6x9 is a poor metric approximation to the format's actual size, 2.25" x 3.25"), I considered the Mamiya Press and successors, nearly bought a Universal. Instead I got a 2x3 Pacemaker Speed Graphic and have never regretted the decision. There are other brands. Horseman 2x3 cameras aren't particularly expensive, Linhof are also very nice but more expensive, ...

There are also 2x3/6x9 view cameras.

OP, you asked about prices. Look for yourself. Pick some candidates, look for them on ebay.com. Some sellers ask silly money, prices of items that sold are a much better guide to where the market is than are asking prices.

 

[removed account4]

graflex sir's. and there' one in the classy fides right now !

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

Bronica GS-1. Its a modern modular medium format SLR, similar to Bronica's ETR (645) and SQ (6x6) systems.

 

[Ariston]

I just finished developing a roll from my Fuji GW690, and let me tell you, it is definitely not like looking at large format film. That 6X9 negative is tiny. And the lens is terrible. The camera weighs so little that it can't possibly be made well!

I have to give bad reviews on these things, because they are one of the last affordable portable medium format cameras left.

 

[eli griggs]

The camera in the foreground is a Fuji GSW690 III. It is a 6x9cm rangefinder with fixed 65mm f/5.6 wide-angle lens. Fuji also makes a 6x9cm rangefinder with a 90mm normal lens.

What do film holders for this format run for, in general.

Eli





Landscape Cameras by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[John Koehrer]

Bronica GS-1. Its a modern modular medium format SLR, similar to Bronica's ETR (645) and SQ (6x6) systems.

Any of them 6X9?

 

[Paul Howell]

I think 6X7 is the larger back the GS-1 takes.

OP wants info on 6X9, an alternative that falls between 6X7 and 6X9 is the Fuji 680 system 6X9, don't think they made a 6X9 back for it. Very verstila system, really heavy, much of a studio camera than a a field system.

 

[itsdoable]

Plaubel Makiflex, which has it's own thread here...
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/plaubel-makiflex-standard.69178/

 

[Dan Daniel]

I just finished developing a roll from my Fuji GW690, and let me tell you, it is definitely not like looking at large format film. That 6X9 negative is tiny. And the lens is terrible. The camera weighs so little that it can't possibly be made well!

I have to give bad reviews on these things, because they are one of the last affordable portable medium format cameras left.

Interesting. Most people do not find the lenses on these Fujis to be terrible. Any samples? Is the lens clean, free of haze, etc.?

 

[Ariston]

Interesting. Most people do not find the lenses on these Fujis to be terrible. Any samples? Is the lens clean, free of haze, etc.?

Hi Dan - my comment was tongue-in-cheek. It is an amazing camera with an amazing lens!

 

[TheGreatGasMaskMan]

Thanks everyone- I'm actually pretty busy these days (school and a retail job), but I will attempt to look into these cameras sometime soon.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Interesting. Most people do not find the lenses on these Fujis to be terrible. Any samples? Is the lens clean, free of haze, etc.?

I'm one of the dissenters on this camera - not that the lenses aren't sharp- they are- but I find them almost too sharp and clinical, and I'm not in love with the way they render color. I also feel they're a little TOO contrasty for my taste. But this is coming from someone who shoots a Rolleiflex 2.8E and also likes vintage large format glass. But I also have an RZ67 which I very much like the look from. It's still sharp, just not quite as contrasty and not quite as punchy with the color, so it gives me the option to play it up or down as I see fit, rather than starting off with the contrast dialed to 11.