Best 6x7 Camera

[SimonSutcliffe]

My options right now are the Mamiya RB67, Pentax 67, Broncia GS-1 and a 2x3 century grafic with roll film back and grip

 

[CGW]

My options right now are the Mamiya RB67, Pentax 67, Broncia GS-1 and a 2x3 century grafic with roll film back and grip

I've shot all the SLRs listed and own an RB67 Pro S kit. The Bronica is very petite for a 6x7 camera. I like it but gave up trying to find a basic outfit and a few lenses--they seems to be that rare. The P67 and glass are sweet but it's such a tank, especially perched on a tripod in portrait orientation.No swappable film backs can be a pain unless you have an extra body(or two). Love the Mamiya. The rotating back and the ability to close focus are killer. Lenses and accessories are affordable. Huge seller over three models, so they're far from scarce. Its flexibility and optics more than compensate for the weight and bulk.

 

[lxdude]

I The Bronica is very petite for a 6x7 camera. I like it but gave up trying to find a basic outfit and a few lenses--they seems to be that rare.

KEH is the way to go on those, IMO. They have a bunch of bodies right now, and lenses from 65 to 250.
They are hit-and-miss on the GS-1. Sometimes plenty, sometimes very little.

 

[EASmithV]

Mam 7 or an old folder camera

 

[SMBooth]

I think that's about every 6x7 covered now..

 

[ParkerSmithPhoto]

If I can offer some of my work for you, my Rodeo and Swim Team projects are all Mamiya RZ. The Swim Team portraits are all shot with the 180mm, and the Rodeo uses both the 180mm and the 127mm. Most of these were on a tripod, but some hand held.

Here's a scan of TMAX 400 using the RZ 180mm lens (Epson flatbed scanner, 1800 ppi):



Obviously, the eyes are what really counts here. You can see how narrow the DOF is on this lens, at 5.6 and close up. The RZ lenses are really amazing, but I think most of the multicoated designs are really solid, with negligible differences. Your work is going to look like your work no matter what.

 

[EdSawyer]

Another vote for the Mamiya 7 and RZ67. I have both and use them for different things, but if I had to live with one, it would probably be Mamiya 7. Yes, the lenses *are* as good as everyone says, btw.

 

[DREW WILEY]

I was looking at the new Fuji folder the other day - probably the best rangefinder camera ever, but
fixed lens. The Mamiya 7 is wonderfully portable but lacks the long lens capabilities of an SLR. I have
used the Pentax 6x7 systems for many years for those instances when a larger camera was not
practical, and it's a wonderful system in the used equip category these days. But in terms of actual
enlarged print quality, none of these options is as good as my Horseman 6X9 roll film back on a 4x5
with Fujinon A or Nikkor M lenses. Having movements makes all the difference in critical focus. But
we could go up the food chain from there too ...

 

[Klainmeister]

I was looking at the new Fuji folder the other day - probably the best rangefinder camera ever, but
fixed lens. The Mamiya 7 is wonderfully portable but lacks the long lens capabilities of an SLR. I have
used the Pentax 6x7 systems for many years for those instances when a larger camera was not
practical, and it's a wonderful system in the used equip category these days. But in terms of actual
enlarged print quality, none of these options is as good as my Horseman 6X9 roll film back on a 4x5
with Fujinon A or Nikkor M lenses. Having movements makes all the difference in critical focus. But
we could go up the food chain from there too ...

The 210mm for the Mamiya 7 is quite interesting, but a pain to use. I think I might even sale mine since I have only used it for 2 pictures in over a year. That being said, use the 150mm which is pretty much optically perfect and crop down? Just a thought

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Hi I posted a thread a while back about a portable medium format, I ditched that idea and decided that I want a 6x7, I am looking for the sharpest most contrasty lenses that have brighter aperture so I can use in darker situation. I was thinking pentax 67, mamiya 7 and rb67 or the gs-1. Which one has the best lenses for fine art photography, landscapes and interesting things. I am printing my photos up to 20x30, and bigger.( these are for clients)

I use the Linhof ST IV with the Super Rollex back.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Most any of the pro med format camera are fine for generic portrait use. I shoot the Pentax most often just for long pot shots with a 300mm in bad weather or windy conditions when a view camera
just isn't practical, or when the light is just too fleeting. But to keep things in focus with any med
format long lens you've got to be working with the whole scene out there somewhere, preferably at
infinity. A precise roll film back solves all this, and something like a 300mm Nikkor is wonderfully portable in the mtn compared to the cannon barrel of a P67 or RB lens of comparable focal length.
But you have to focus very carefully thru a loupe, so not really a substitute for an SLR this direction
either. The M7 would be a tempting system is I gravitated toward wide-angle lenses, but I don't.

 

[yurihuta]

I am looking for the sharpest most contrasty lenses that have brighter aperture so I can use in darker situation

Hi Simon,

You might want to consider a Fuji Gx680 system. Lovely lenses and a few that are f/3.2 - 115mm, 125mm, 180mm. It has the added benefit of tilt and shift movements in the front standard of the body, rotating film back as well. The maximum negative size is 6x8, but you can get 6x7 mask and screen if you wish.

Pentax 67 has a 105mm f/2.4, a couple of 90mm f/2.8 lenses (one a leaf shutter), a 150mm f/2.8 and a 165mm f/2.8 and last but not least a 75mm f/2.8 AL that is purported to be pretty decent.

I really like my Fuji GX680 kit, but also like my Pentax 67II with the 55-110mm f/4.5

Yuri

 

[olleorama]

I like both my rb67 and fuji gw670III

 

[Brian C. Miller]

The original GX680 didn't have movements, so be sure you look at a GX680II or GX680III. Also, the system is about as large and heavy as a 4x5 field camera. I had one for a while, and I decided to get rid of it for those reasons. Yes, the back rotates, yes, the lenses are excellent, and yes, the motorized film magazine has its own LCD counter.

Simon, what I really recommend that you do is buy a nice Yashica TLR, and then just spend some time with it. These are very cheap cameras with really decent lenses, and you'll see what a MF camera and negative size can do. Shoot some Ilford 3200 film for speed, and then enlarge it as big as you like. I've seen a print 3ft high from Ilford 3200 developed in PMK, from a Fuji 6x9. It was massive, and it looked good.

Once you are done messing about with the Yashica, you can sell it to someone else or use it as a backup. I think that the camera will surpass your expectations, and it will be an excellent learning experience.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

How many 6x7 cameras so far??

 

[tomalophicon]

About 67 of 'em.

 

[Klainmeister]

Did anyone mention the Mamiya Press cameras?

 

[tomalophicon]

68

 

[Klainmeister]

Or Koni-Omega?

 

[Joachim_I]

What's that? Five pages and no one has mentioned the Pentax 67II? It certainly gets my vote.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

What's that? Five pages and no one has mentioned the Pentax 67II? It certainly gets my vote.

Yes, true indeed. So there! The Pentax, in whatever form, shall be declared the overall winner! Now get out there and photograph with a 67.

 

[eclarke]

The one you have with you when you encounter the magic photograph....

 

[yurihuta]

hmmm... the original 680 does indeed have movements (front tilt and shift). There is a "680 IIIS" that has no movements, more robust front and was designed for the heavier lenses. There may have been a "680 S" (read references about it, but have never seen anything for sale or in the literature) that is supposed to also have no movements.

So the "680", "680II" and "680III" all have front tilt and shift abilities.

The original GX680 didn't have movements, so be sure you look at a GX680II or GX680III. Also, the system is about as large and heavy as a 4x5 field camera. I had one for a while, and I decided to get rid of it for those reasons. Yes, the back rotates, yes, the lenses are excellent, and yes, the motorized film magazine has its own LCD counter.

 

[keithwms]

You can shoot 6x8 on the rb too (but not on the rz, it turns out)

 

[Toffle]

The one you have with you when you encounter the magic photograph....

THAT'S the one.

(Though I am partial to my GS-1 with a WLF. I've never grudged the lack of portrait mode. Next to my Rollei, it's my most... elegant camera with which to work.)