Camera suggestion?

[Paul Kierstead]

I've got a bunch of 120 provia to use up, and no MF camera. So, a camera I must get.

Requirements, largely in order of importantance.
-----------------------------------------------
- Not more then $500. Preferably quite a bit less.
- 6x7 or 6x9, preferably the latter
- Excellent optics. I do value bokeh and 'feel' over straight sharpness, but I know that is all a bit fuzzy
- Moderate wide to normal focal length
- hand-holdable action with focusing and composition. So, a rangefinder, or TLR, or SLR, or the like.
- fast enough lens. Let's say 3.5 or the like.
- flash sync

Optional
---------
- Changable lenses, though they don't have to be field changeable.

I don't care much about light meters and the like.

It'll likely be used for environmental portraits, street, that kind of thing.

Ideal would likely be a Mamiya 6 (the more recent one), but the price is beyond my budget. Likewise a Rollieflex.

I have a Crown Graphic with working rangefinder with linhof rollfilm back (which needs lubed, anyone have instructions?), but the 127mm lens is a bit long-ish for what I had in mind, and framing is difficult with roll film (heck, its hard enough with the polaroid back), unless someone had bullet-proof instructions on making a viewfinder mask...

I considered a 2x3 Crown with roll film back, but not sure about prices.

I'd love the new Fuji, but the price makes me cry.

Something like the RB67 seems kinda large.

I would really appreciate some other suggestions, too!

 

[rpsawin]

Check out the Bronica SQb (6x6)...very reasonable and lots of lenses & accessories available.

Best regards,
Bob

 

[archphoto]

6x9, within your budget: the older folders
6x7: the Pentax 6x7 is a great camera but slow flash sync speed, otherwise the Bronica 6x7 and the RB/RZ 67
The Fuji 6x8 is nice but heavy too
A Mamiya Press maybe ? Omega Rapid, tad on the big and heavy side...

There is not much else exept of what you have right now.

Peter

 

[AgentX]

Omega Rapid, older Fuji RF (if it can be found in your price range), Super Ikonta 6x9, Pentax 6x7? Mamiya Press setup?

6x6 opens worlds of options...TLRs, Pentacon 6, Russian cameras, Bronicas, Kowas, more folders, etc. You can certainly find a Rolleiflex for under $500 if you want...maybe not a 2.8F, but plenty of Automats with Tessars or Rolleicords with Xenars or even some of the planars/xenotars. I got my 2.8E for $550. A Mamiya C220 with a chrome lens is also super-cheap.

A folder could give you 6x9, rangefinder focus (albeit not typically very ergonomic for action...), and a classic lens matching what you seem to value in your optics...

 

[keithwms]

fuji ga645zi.

 

[seawolf66]

If you look at Zeiss and Voigtlander and a few other 6x9 folders you will find plenty to pick from and some will even be great 6x9's . Nothing like a 6x9 negative to look at that big from a 120 film ! Of beware this might become hazard's for you, you may get G..A.S. from the first 6x9 [LOL]

the 6x9 foto's are three I have but the Kodak takes 620 film beware make the 6x9 takes 120 roll film:

 

[Paul Kierstead]

Oh, lots of good suggestions already!! Heh, "action" means the person didn't leave during focusing. Or at least move so much that the focus is shot. I've been shooting too much LF I wasn't aware the older Fuji's had gotten more affordable; I'll definitely have to look into that.

The older folders seem a maze of wildly varying reliability and optics, and tends to be where I get frozen with indecision. Some I know seem good, like a Bessa II, go for quite a bit.

I don't mind slow sync, I'd be using it indoors with flash anyway (I don't have any portable flash gear)

I'd really prefer a rectangular format; though who knows, maybe I could learn something shooting square.

 

[nsurit]

Maybe a Voigtlander Bessa RF. Oh, you said Provia didn't you. For $500 you might find a Bessa II if you were patient. Just saw a Rollei 35 black (Singapore) in mint condition go for $25, so who knows. You will love the 6X9 negatives and $500 is possible. Bill Barber

 

[hovis]

Pentax 6x7 with prism and a 90mm 2.8 can be had for $500.00 or a bit less.

 

[Terence]

You can usually find a Bessa I with Color Skopar in good condition for $200-$300. 6x9 with goodresults for color film. You lose some of the nicer bits from a Bessa II, but you also lower the cost.

 

[2F/2F]

A Mamiya Universal would be my first thought. However, you think an RB is heavy, so I don't know. Verticals can also be a bit tough with this sucker.

Personally, I think a 2x3 Crown or Century Graphic would be the closest thing that is not heavier than an RB. It is nice that they fold up. However, putting a "fast" lens on one of these will likely blow your budget.

I would suggest a Fuji 6x7 rangefinder, but they seem to be overpriced, and have a fixed lens.

I think you really ought to reconsider an RB or RZ. They work fine, are really not heavy, are not expensive any more, and are an extremely full featured system. My first suggestion would be an RZ with the 2.8 lens that so often comes on it. I got my RZ with that lens, two backs, three inserts, a Polaroid back, and a busted 250mm lens that I can only use wide open for $500 after shipping off of the APUG classified ads. I am certain you could do better. I love the camera to death, and have used it hand held quite a bit. The 2.8 lens is stellar. IMO it is big, but not heavy, and magazines are great to have, as it the revolving back.

 

[alexmacphee]

For a 6x9, You'll have to go far, and spend a lot, to beat a Super Ikonta C. Mine has a 105mm f/4.5 Tessar, but there are models with the f/3.5 if that extra light gathering is important to you. Reliable bellows, reliable coupled rangefinder, and one of the most reliable lens designs of all time. Hard to go wrong with that. And people smile at bellows cameras.

 

[Paul Kierstead]

I don't believe the Bessa I has a rangefinder?

 

[cooltouch]

Another old classic to consider is the Graflex. The Century Graphic is a medium format camera with interchangeable lenses and movements, and the larger Pacemaker and Crown Graphics also accept a variety of lenses and have large-format movements. They accept MF backs in 2-1/4 x 2-1/4 or 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 (3-1/4 = 8.25cm), and can often be found for quite cheap. Since a Graflex is basically a field camera, there isn't much to break, so it will last dang near forever, if reasonably cared for.

Best,
Michael

 

[PBrooks]

You should have a look at the Fuji gw690, they can be in your range and much more modern lens that is coated.

 

[fotch]

The Baby Graphic or the Super Ikonta are both good choices. For everyday portability, the Ikonta would be first choice, for all around use and flexibility, the Graphic. For your budget, you could get both.

 

[JRJacobs]

Century Graphic - very lightweight 6x9 rangefinder, and you can put just about any type of lens you want on it. Also has interchangable backs.

Best thing about it - it doubles as a mini-viewcamera and has movements.

 

[Paul Kierstead]

Since I am quite familiar with a full sized graphic, I am leaning towards the baby graphic right now .... though, to be honest, Y'all got me wanting a baby graphic, an Ikonta and maybe a TLR for experiminting with square format. Evil stuff. And a Fuji down the road. Ahhhhh if only I had the time to shoot on all the camera's I want to own....

 

[Sirius Glass]

Since I am quite familiar with a full sized graphic, I am leaning towards the baby graphic right now .... though, to be honest, Y'all got me wanting a baby graphic, an Ikonta and maybe a TLR for experiminting with square format. Evil stuff. And a Fuji down the road. Ahhhhh if only I had the time to shoot on all the camera's I want to own....

Consider: Buy a Hasselblad, two A12 backs, either a waistlevel finder or a PME metered back, and a brick of film. Then you will not have any money to spend on other cameras and your GAS will stop ...

... until you start thinking about more lenses.

Steve

 

[Paul Kierstead]

Well, a GW690 should be winging its way towards me shortly. Well, probably floating actually, but so long as it gets here. I also put my Super Rollex in for some CLA and will work up a mask for the crown. Between these I should burn all my Provia and then some. Now I'll be itching for weeks for it all to come together!

 

[seawolf66]

Good Luck and have Fun, I need to go get 120mm B&W Ilford FP-4 for me !