Compact Medium Format

JADoss23 · Aug 20, 2017

Hey gang,

Recently after a recent roll through my Yashica Mat 124 I was curious about looking for another "compact" medium format camera and wanted to see what you guys think. I like the Yashica Mat but seems like it takes more bad pictures than good and is hard to get pictures exposed and in focus (which could be user error). I have a mama rb67 which I love but isn't the easiest camera to carry around. Was curious if you guys had any advice on a more budget friendly (sub 400) and a compact medium format camera that don't mind carrying around anywhere.... Thanks

aparat · Aug 20, 2017

Compact medium format cameras are rare, but they do exist.Of course, that depends on your definition of "compact" but I recommend that you look into the FUJIFILM GA645. It is among the smallest MF cameras, has auto exposure and autofocus, so it should make it easier for you to get good frames than the Yashica.

Another suggestion might be to keep working on your skills with that Yashica. A great many fabulous photos have been taken with this type of camera, and there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to master it, unless your camera is defective.

jwd722 · Aug 20, 2017

You may want to look at the Mamiya 645 system. I sometimes carry two of them (b/w and color) one with waist level finder and one with a metered prism finder and four lenses in a bag that just barely holds my RB67 with one lens. The weight is pretty close to the same both ways. The 645 is fairly compact and size wise is comparable to my Nikon F2a (just shaped differently obviously) and the weight is about the same. The prices are very reasonable as well.

mgb74 · Aug 20, 2017

Since you said "another" compact camera and your other MF is a RB, I assume you're not necessarily looking for something smaller than the Y'mat. I suggest you consider a Bronica ETR or ETRS. With 80mm, standard prism, back, and winding crank it's about the same size as your TLR. The Mamiya 645 is probably similar. Ditch the prism for a waist level finder and you save some bulk and weight (but makes verticals difficult).

Rick A · Aug 20, 2017

"Compact" medium format, try a folder. I carry a Zeiss Nettar 6x6 in my pocket.

bernard_L · Aug 20, 2017

JADoss23 said:
I like the Yashica Mat but seems like it takes more bad pictures than good and is hard to get pictures exposed and in focus (which could be user error).

First things first. Find out whether the Y124 takes bad pictures or whether you take bad pictures with the Y124. Lend your Y124 to a confirmed photographer for him to take one roll. Borrow any other MF camera and also take one roll.
Following results, proceed to next step. Possibly you might have better results with a MF auto-everything like the GA645. Learning to focus and expose is not hard either.

JADoss23 · Aug 20, 2017

Unfortunately not many other film shooters where I live but there's just something about the Yashica I'm not sold on. I've taken some great pictures on it but open to exposing other ideas. I have taken some really nice pictures with my RB67 and really love the quality of it. I can't pinpoint why I'm not happy with it which probably sounds silly but was just curious what else is out there. I've looked at the 645 systems when I was looking at the RB67. Some of those are quite nice. Do most people like the fuji rangefinders?

bestbefore1978 · Aug 20, 2017

Another vote for the Fuji GA645, unique autofocus motordriven camera, super razor sharp lens, built in flash(!) exposure details imprinted outside image area. Fits in a coat pocket.

I've taken mine hiking, up Snowdon, lighter than my Minolta X700

Sirius Glass · Aug 20, 2017

Hasselblad is compact.

Alan Johnson · Aug 20, 2017

I have worked my way through quite a few 120 cameras but never had a Fuji GA645Zi .Currenly I have a Mamiya 645E which is I believe the lightest and most recent of the Mamiya 645 series with interchangeable lenses.

bernard_L · Aug 20, 2017

JADoss23 said:
Do most people like the fuji rangefinders?

I am very happy with my Fujica GW645 for travel/lanscape. Technically not a rangefinder, but with the 45mm focal length (28mm equivalent) guesstimate is good enough. Sharp lens!

guangong · Aug 20, 2017

A folder. I have a Fuji for 645, a Super Ikonta B for 66 and another Fuji get 670 for 69. All are extremely portable. All have rangefinders. The Ikonta is pocketable if you are wearing a heavy duty jacket. There are folders that are not as heavy as the Super Ikonta B but then some structural security may be sacrificed. Your Yashika tlr is about as small as they get. My Hassy is compact for a MF camera but certainly not as compact as a folder. But let's face it...mf delivers superb negatives but for compact think of a different format such as 35mm, Minolta 16 or Minox.

RichardJack · Aug 21, 2017

Compact vs image quality....My choice with regard to both was my Rolleiflex 3.5F. My other favorite and what I prefer lately is a Bronica ETRS with a waist level finder and a 50 or 105mm lens. The latter is about 1/3 the cost of the Rollei.

macfred · Aug 21, 2017

I would go for the FUJI GA645 series (45mm or 60mm f/4 FUJINON lens)

FUJI GA645 by Andreas, on Flickr

or -in a comparable price range- a Rolleiflex T, Rolleiflex 3.5B MX-EVS or maybe a Rolleicord Vb.
Bronica ETRS(i) with WLF is also a very portable kit with a great IQ.

macfred · Aug 21, 2017

Very nice as well - Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta series (here a Super Ikonta III 531/16) :

Super Ikonta III - 531/16 by Andreas, on Flickr

Two23 · Aug 21, 2017

I use a 1937 Bessa RF. It makes 6x9 negs and fits into a coat pocket. RF = rangefinder. With Heliar lens it is very nice.

Kent in SD

Mark Fisher · Aug 21, 2017

Fuji GA645zi here. The optical quality is great....equal to my Hasselblad lenses. The lens speed is nearly as fast as the fixed lens version. The zoom range isn't amazing but it is great camera and goes from reasonably wide to around a normal lens.

Heinz · Aug 22, 2017

I really like my Plaubel Makina 67 - but it is not a 'sub 400' budget in good condition.

chris77 · Aug 22, 2017

love my voigtländer perkeo (6x6) with color skopar lens

puderse · Aug 22, 2017

I have a folding Zeiss 6X4.5 Tessar from a garage sale that knocked my sox off the first roll I shot. Fits in any pocket and has a nice hard leather case (not a neveready). Also have a 6X45 Nettar who's shutter needs to be cleaned. Have yet to shoot it.

Ko.Fe. · Aug 22, 2017

Nettar 515 folder is smaller 645 camera than many 35mm cameras. ISO100 film, S16 and scale focus. At f8 it is hard to miss the focus with this one. Perkeo is next to it in compactness. More fancy and available with coated lens.

Nettar 515 is the second one from the right.

Mainecoonmaniac · Aug 22, 2017

Rick A said:
"Compact" medium format, try a folder. I carry a Zeiss Nettar 6x6 in my pocket.

Great suggestion. My wife gave me her father's old Zeiss Super Ikonta IV. It's compact and the lens is very sharp. I took the camera to South East Asia. So compact, I also carried my Canon 35mm with 2 lenses all in one bag.

Stupas in Siem Riep

Mainecoonmaniac
Jul 27, 2012
2

I was in Cambodia visiting a Buddhist Monastery.

Sewin · Aug 22, 2017

This is my latest folder, a Kodak 66 II, it's much lighter than my previous Nettar and the lens platform is very solid.

Fraunhofer · Aug 22, 2017

+1 on the Zeiss Ikonta, compact, but not light.

Oldwino · Aug 22, 2017

Mamiya-Six folder, with the still-ahead-of-it's-time film-plane focusing. Small, relatively light, very good lens.

Compact Medium Format

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