'Coolest' Medium Format Camera?

[TheToadMen]

I finally got to hold a Mamiya 7II today...and I have to say I think that is the coolest MF for me. I like MF and I like Rangefinders...if only it weren't so dang expensive.

Then you might also like a Bronica RF645. Very nice to handle, excellent glass and not that expensive. A good rangefinder too.
Negative size 6x4.5 cm.

 

[andrew.roos]

Then you might also like a Bronica RF645. Very nice to handle, excellent glass and not that expensive. A good rangefinder too.
Negative size 6x4.5 cm.

Just be aware that when held normally (upright) the RF645 shoots in portrait orientation.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

 

[TheToadMen]

Just be aware that when held normally (upright) the RF645 shoots in portrait orientation.

It does. It was getting used to (a bit) at first, but now I like it. Makes you think about your creative process ...
Alway a good thing.

 

[andrew.roos]

Sure, no problem with it - as a Bronica ETRSi shooter I would love one myself. Just worth mentioning as it is somewhat unusual in this respect.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

 

[elekm]

Exakta 66

 

[TheToadMen]

WOW,
I've never seen this model but it is a beauty!
If you want to trade it for a nice 135 mm Exakta with extras ???

Exakta 66

 

[Roger Cole]

I agree, that camera is beautiful!

 

[cliveh]

WOW,
I've never seen this model but it is a beauty!
If you want to trade it for a nice 135 mm Exakta with extras ???

Now that is cool.

 

[D Olson]

Pzzt. Kodak Medalist II.

 

[Bill Burk]

Pzzt. Kodak Medalist II.

Haaaaaa, I turned one down - didn't buy it - for $15

All these years of regret later now that those are insanely expensive...

I finally got myself an Ektar I can use... in a Kodak Retina I 35mm camera. Had a great time with it.

Developing the film tonight.

---
Once I realized the thread was several years old I jumped so I don't know if anyone voted...

I really like my Ikonta and Bessa II 6x9 folding medium format cameras... 6x9 is a really great format and anyone who shoots 120 film should try it.

Even if the camera optics and precision fall short of the Hasselblad and Rollei... The large pieces of film are wonderful for making prints.

 

[ic-racer]

 

[macgabhan]

Fuji GX680

I have had this tremedous camera for years and love it, and the huge negatives that it gives.

I have a series of videos on youtube which are developing (pun intended ... sorry!) my complete B&W workflow including three on this great camera, an overview of the system, the movements and replacing the film back battery for the mk1 and mk2. The videos are here if you are interested

http://youtu.be/MB4hLCAU6cQ

http://youtu.be/pVsg9RV6WnQ

http://youtu.be/yViibd-Xijw

I would love to know what you think of these videos and of the camera of you do watch

Best

Dave Smith

 

[StoneNYC]

I have had this tremedous camera for years and love it, and the huge negatives that it gives.

I have a series of videos on youtube which are developing (pun intended ... sorry!) my complete B&W workflow including three on this great camera, an overview of the system, the movements and replacing the film back battery for the mk1 and mk2. The videos are here if you are interested

http://youtu.be/MB4hLCAU6cQ

http://youtu.be/pVsg9RV6WnQ

http://youtu.be/yViibd-Xijw

I would love to know what you think of these videos and of the camera of you do watch

Best

Dave Smith

My only comments about the videoes would be that you should present your "presence" to appear not in your garage but frames in a working space of some kind, they would give more of a sense of authority if you yourself were presented more professionally. The info is good though.

They camera seems WAY bigger than my MamiyaRZ67 though, I thought it was a 4x5 when you extended the bellows! Wow. What a beast!

Enjoy shooting!

 

[Regular Rod]

Some excellent folding cameras have been overlooked here!

Going on results for the money and portability, which usually means you get to use them more...

AGFA Record III with Solinar (although the much cheaper Apotars are pretty good too).
Voigtlander Perkeo II
Mamiya-6 Folding

RR

Of course you can always build your own non-folder...

http://freepdfhosting.com/b316cbe2ff.pdf

6x12 for under £200...

RR

 

[wwilliams]

I'm a little surprised there are so few votes for the Hasselblad SWC (particularly with the "torpedo" finder). I think it, along with the screw mount Leica's are the most beautiful cameras ever built with the plain prism Nikon F a close second. I'm an architect and what does it for me is the proportion. The SWC body is almost a perfect cube and the lens just about doubles the length to a 2 to 1 rectangle - very pleasing. The idea that it is easily held in one hand and with zone focusing and great depth of field it becomes a real point and shoot. A nearly silent shutter and a satisfying purr of the gears when you advance the film make it into a great picture taking experience.

 

[ContaxRTSFundus]

I can never agree which I find coolest - so here's my bunch of favourites... They all offer superb images - just depends on the day...

 

[TheToadMen]

SWC

I'm a little surprised there are so few votes for the Hasselblad SWC (particularly with the "torpedo" finder). I think it, along with the screw mount Leica's are the most beautiful cameras ever built with the plain prism Nikon F a close second. I'm an architect and what does it for me is the proportion. The SWC body is almost a perfect cube and the lens just about doubles the length to a 2 to 1 rectangle - very pleasing. The idea that it is easily held in one hand and with zone focusing and great depth of field it becomes a real point and shoot. A nearly silent shutter and a satisfying purr of the gears when you advance the film make it into a great picture taking experience.

I second that!
I recently got me an old SWC (1965) with chrome lens and shot my first rolls with it in Paris. I just got the negatives developed, but didn't have time yet to scan anything. It's a real nice camera to see and handle. It's light, easy to use and has an great angle of view.
I really love it.

BTW: I also just got me a Mamiya RB Pro-S with 4 lenses. Also a great working horse. Can't wait to take it out (when it stops raining).

 

[macgabhan]

Hi Stone

Many thanks for taking the time to look and to comment. It is actually a spare room in my flat in Brussels (my workshop is in North Sweden!) and my intention with the whole series is to show my complete workflow for people new to the process or those who feel that they can't allocate space to the process, but in a way that allows us to make analogue photographs without big fixed fancy darkrooms (I use an ice fishing tent!) and without enlargers. Hopefully to help people at least get started, though I don't use an enlarger. I think that this will become more apparent as the series grows, I am only in the early stages yet!

The Fuji is certainly a beast and the negatives are, I think big enough to contact print - though I intend to do so as diptych and triptychs shooting specifically for that purpose - on 10x8 paper, either an AZO type of paper or using Palladium and/or Carbon Transfer

Best wishes

Dave

 

[nicholaskong]

For me Hasselblad 500 series is the coolest medium format camera. Next will be Contax 645

 

[Vaughn]

I got one of these (and a couple lenses). It is pretty cool....

 

[TheToadMen]

And a beauty it is!

I got one of these (and a couple lenses). It is pretty cool....

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I got one of these (and a couple lenses). It is pretty cool....

That is cool for sure!

Jeff

 

[tessar]

When I want to be ultra-retro-hipster cool, I like using a 2x3 Graflex SLR or 2x3 Crown Graphic with roll-film holders. People like having their pictures taken with one of those.

 

[Vaughn]

And a beauty it is!

The kind of beauty only parents can see in their children!

But what more can one ask for? Ground glass focusing, or built-in cams for the range focusing. Bellows. Sheet film option. Interchangable lenses. Sports finder. German lenses. Oh, my!

Well, not having to use a separate roll film holder would be nice, but who's asking?! LOL!

 

[ambaker]

I'm going with these...