Daft, I say. The man's chasing unicorns - aka portable MF

[Sirius Glass]

And it would sure be nice if there were an SLR 6x9 system as good as Hasselblad
...
And you can't ask for more compact. These two fit in a pocket.

Not in the same league as Hasselblad but an SLR would be a 3 1/4" X 4 1/4" Graflex. But then you would need really big pockets.

Better still the smaller 6x9 Century Graflex, or similar like a 6x9 Busch Pressman, I shoot hand-held with a larger 5x4 Crown or Super Graphic and can work remarkably fast.

For size though I'd go for a post WWII 6x9 like Bill Burk suggests, I have an Ensign Selfix 820 with a sharp 105mm f3.5 Ross Xpres lens, very solidly build - I should use it more often. I'm fine with scale focusing as I use it regularly with my 617 camera as well.

In practice though I use TLRs, a Yashicamat 124 while in Turkey and a Rolleoflex Automat or E2 here in the UK as my main 120 camera, reliable, portable. quick to use, plus I like using the square format.

Ian

I was thinking of doing stealthy street photography with this

 

[frank]

The smallest/best MF camera I have, had, or know of, is the Perkeo ll. Scale focus 6x6 folder.

The Bronica RF645 was easier to use with its auto exposure capability and RF focusing, but it's larger and won't last forever with its electronics. Same with the new Mamiya 6.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

I was thinking of doing stealthy street photography with this

At UCLA I had a Czech friend who used this phrase:

"nenápadný jako třímetrový hovno přes cestu"

(inconspicuous as a three-meter turd on the road)

 

[ColColt]

While definitely not the smallest of MF cameras I have to give high accolades to the Pentax 6x7. I've owned three over the years since the early 80's and can attest to their great build quality. Many thought me crazy for doing weddings with it but if you have an assistant or two, as I did, it wasn't any problem. It weighs right at 5 1/2 pounds with the 90mm lens but a tougher hombre doesn't exist.

I had the camera on a Manfrotto tripod during a home wedding and was shooting indoors with an umbrella and Photogenic lights. somehow one of my assistants got their foot tangled up on one of the legs of the tripod and it all went tumbling over straight down on the floor-lens first. I was afraid of using it anymore that day and went to the other one for the rest of the wedding. Later on I ran a roll of Ektachrome through it with that lens and there was nothing wrong nor did anything get broken. My No. 1 MF camera since then. Again-definitely not the smallest MF camera on the market but my choice.

 

[HiHoSilver]

Frank, That Perkeo just sent me down a rabbit hole, looking up stuff on it. Size is perfect. I'm nervous about scale focus only & particularly noted one reviewer's comment that 'at f8, the scale focus is pretty accurate'. So its a fair weather tool (sunny days). It does look like its an amazing little unit.

 

[frank]

400 speed film, and Bob's your uncle.

 

[Bill Burk]

There are a number of Bessa II on eBay right now. Some that are bid up to a reasonable price but will probably finish unreasonable. Some "Buy it now" for a "going" price. Too bad you can't get one for $35 like the good old days.

 

[HiHoSilver]

jimjm & Bill Burke - just an update. You both spoke well of the Ikonta. The gallery shot of the downtown park is from a 532/16 I picked up last Monday. Tank? Yup. But not that big (I take size XL gloves). I got a little Op-tech pouch w/ a strap for it & it rides about shirt-pocket level and is straight forward & easy to use. In all, its alot of bang for the buck. I wanted you to know your inputs were well heeded. I appreciate your help.

 

[adelorenzo]

If the focal length suits you I'd definitely recommend the Fuji GS645W. Light, compact, great image quality. Scale focusing only so it's very fast to shoot.

 

[marcmarc]

I continue to use an RZ67 hand held for street work. It's heavy yes, but I've shooting with it for ten years now. One thing about the Mamiya 7 range finders is according to the factory trained Mamiya tech who I used to go to for service is the focusing apparatus is a delicate piece inside the body that is easily knocked out of alignment and fixing it doesn't come cheap. So his advice to me since at one time I was thinking of purchasing a used one was to make sure I could get my money back if after he looks at it he determines the camera has been dropped or otherwise had some sort of impact.

 

[HiHoSilver]

Hi Marc. Those I respect in shooting & espec. a couple repair/service guys have been what keep me from the Mami 6 or 7. Its tragic - they have magnificent glass. For me, I have no prob. hand-holding the 'blad. I'll take it out w/ no 'pod & be happy as a clam at high tide, but that's when I go out to shoot. The reason for the 'compact' 120 is to have a quality shooter to grab when I'm not going out to shoot, but maybe going to work, the store, etc. - to always have a respectable shooter with me for all the times I'm out & see something worth shooting. Although the Ikonta could go in a large pocket, its heavy enough that the little strap/pouch arrangement makes for a better way to tote. The roll I shot proved to me was at least as capable a shooter (better, really) than I am. The little Retina got to me as a tiny, handsome and capable shooter. It fits in a little nikon pouch for their strobes & has a belt loop to carry easily. Naturally, it has all the pros & cons of a 35 negative, but seems like sweet package that is super easy to have w/ me anytime.

 

[RattyMouse]

Fujifilm GF670. Extremely portable, very light, ultra fast camera to shoot. Folded up and on its strap, you can carry this camera around easily. In winter time, it fits in my jacket coat pocket. Takes seconds to fire off a shot.

Fujifilm GA645, even lighter and faster to shoot if you dont mind autofocus and a bit more noise from the film advance.

 

[xya]

if you want to compare folders, mainly rangefinders, have a look at my website www.120folder.com my favorites are a konica pearl III, incredibly small, and a certo super sport dolly.

 

[houstonphotographics]

Consider a tripod as part of the gear you will need to carry.

Sharpness and detail can be improved in many cases with a tripod.

Then you can look at slower glass too. And that brings folders back into the possible choices.

You can always find someone to work on an old mechanical camera.

+1

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Portable and pocketable MF are Viogtlander 6x6 and Zeiss 645 folders. Good, MF quality prints are no problem with them. Speaking from using, printing perspective.
Slow is not the problem with modern films, BTW.

 

[jonbrisbincreative]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Pentacon Six. I've been looking for a replacement for the RZ67 which I find too cumbersome for my needs. I bought a Rolleiflex SL66 which I truly enjoy but it's currently down needing a shutter overhaul.

i've been tracking Pentacon Six TLs on the Bay and they go for quite a bit less than other MF options. From what I read you have to be somewhat careful about film loading but in my experience, shooting MF and LF is all about technique and attention to detail. If you shoot sloppy you deserve what you get with these formats. The whole purpose is to slow down anyway.

i'm looking at a P6 TL with Zeiss 80/2.8 and maybe extension tubes because I tend to like close in stuff, even for portraits.

 

[HiHoSilver]

As a thread stretches on, its easy to lose the gist of the original. There are many wonderful MF solutions - but I have the slow, deliberate well covered in the blad. I love 'em. This is about leaving the house & wanting a quality camera with me when I'm not out to deliberately shoot - to cover the image of opportunity. I hate being out, seeing a great composition - and not having a good cam. So compact is at a premium. I must admit, the Super Ikonta is an easy to grab pleasure & the images of the old glass have a look I really like. The small ones like a Perkeo, Certa 6, etc looked REALLY compelling, but few available. I went w/ a nicely working old Ikonta for MF, and although its in for service, a gorgeous & pristine-looking little retina IIIc. The smaller format fujis have been few and several times the price. The pursuit & your kind input have been an education. I appreciate your help.

 

[Bill Burk]

HiHoSilver,

I'm glad you found the Ikonta. Sounds like it's going to work out for you.

 

[HiHoSilver]

Thank You, Bill. It seems to put a smile on my face every time I use it. 'Hope the Retina resurrects well. 'Ordered an Oly XA, but the seller had already sold & hadn't updated the site. 'Seems like a faster platform for amongst people & motion.

 

[Bill Burk]

The Retina will make a great camera to keep in a spare pocket of the camera bag. I keep one handy loaded with a roll of slower film (Panatomic-X is in mine, but I'd recommend 100TMAX). It comes in handy when out on an adventure, excited about taking pictures, and when I run out of 120 film.