Favourite 6x6 system

gandolfi · Jun 6, 2008

the Rolleiflex SL 66 system is amazing!
I've had Hasselblad, but try that a lot of times, then try Rolleiflex SL66 once, and you will be convinced...

Zeiss lenses - interchangable cassettes - easier focusing - lenses on a bellow, so you can get up close as a default - reverse the lens on the camera, and you can go even closer - tilting the lens (great for landscape, Ive heard..), and so on..

to me it is the best system ever made.

look here: http://www.sl66.com/

2F/2F · Jun 6, 2008

I like a C-series Mamiya with a WLF, personally. It is durable, cheap, quiet, etc. It is one of the most versatile cameras I have used. The newer the model, the lighter it will be, generally. Mine is a C-33. I would not call it light, but it is by no means a burden. I love a leaf shutter whenever possible.

For SLRs, I prefer Mamiya 645 to Hasselblad, as you get good enough quality at a much lower price. Not a major notable difference if you crop your Hassy negs to non square anyhow. No denying Hassys are great cameras, but I would only want to use them if I was shooting square format to actually print square format...and everything for them is expensive. Some day maybe...but I really am happy with 645 SLRs and 6x6 TLRs for now. The next step for me will be an RB system, not a Hassy. IMO this system is superior to Hassy, hands down...but you wanted 6x6, not 6x7.

Then there are Kievs, Pentacons, etc...basically 6x6 Pentax 67s. The biggest disadvantage is the lack of interchangeable magazines and the general shape/bulk. I like these cameras but would prefer a Hassy if I wanted/needed an SLR, and could afford it. They have so many advantages, mostly shape and magazines...not to mention build quality and lenses.

jblake · Jun 6, 2008

Thanks Gandolfi, looks interesting too. I'm checking it out now.

jblake · Jun 6, 2008

Thanks 2F. The Mamiya 645 look like nice cameras but I'm really chasing that square.

jblake · Jun 6, 2008

Arigram, I'm carefully working through that thread. Are you happy with your choice?

arigram · Jun 6, 2008

jblake said:
Arigram, I'm carefully working through that thread. Are you happy with your choice?

Very, very happy! I haven't used the 2.8FX much yet, but I am really in love!

jblake · Jun 6, 2008

Ari and Dennis - I was reading that thread last night and my wife came home so i had to close my computer up. Have to say I was riveted by the dialogue. Have you thought about turning it onto a script and making a film?? Great reading - glad things finally worked out for you. I'm going to visit some camera stores here in Melbourne and check out the TLR. Not sure which model yet but I will most probably go for an older one as I don't want to sink too much $$ into one yet. There are quite a few on Ebay but after reading the thread I think I'd better take caution.

jblake · Jun 6, 2008

One more question? I have just seen a listing of all the Rollei TLR's produced. Overwhelming!! Can anyone advise on 2 or 3 models which have better attributes than the rest. I am after something with a meter and 80mm lens. Many thanks

grahamp · Jun 8, 2008

The only in-camera meter I have that seems reliable is the one in the Fuji 645 rangefinder. I used an external meter with all my 6x6 (Mamiya 6, YashicaMat, Mamiya TLR). I use the rangefinders for travel, or other times when compactness scores over a screen. On the other hand, I am using a the 5x4 a lot more than the 6x6 cameras.

Paul Howell · Jun 9, 2008

jblake said:
One more question? I have just seen a listing of all the Rollei TLR's produced. Overwhelming!! Can anyone advise on 2 or 3 models which have better attributes than the rest. I am after something with a meter and 80mm lens. Many thanks

Yaschia 124 G 80mm 3.5 lens not TTL metering but usable. Without a meter a Yashica D with Yaschior 4 element lens, avoid the D with the Yashiar 3 element lens.

Iwagoshi · Jun 9, 2008

jblake said:
Hi all,

I am interested to know what 6x6 system you have chosen and why?

J,
My 6-system is the Rollei 6006. If you can get past the battery issue and mirror-flipflop, it's a beautiful piece of equipment. The glass is superb and I really appreciate the motordrive, TTL meter, built-in magazine dark slides and cartridge-style film loading.

Battery: I have two fresh packs good for 400+ exposures each, plus I now know how to rebuild them when they eventually crap out.
Mirror: Slow shutter = mirror-lock-up.

I also have a Mamiya C-33, but it needs gasket work (via Goodman) and filters.

Terry

Iwagoshi · Jun 9, 2008

arigram said:
Very, very happy! I haven't used the 2.8FX much yet, but I am really in love!

Arigram,

Congratulations, I missed the announcement of the new arrival, the 2.8FX.

Terry

Rolleijoe · Jun 9, 2008

jblake said:
Hi all,

I am interested to know what 6x6 system you have chosen and why? I was considering a Mamiya 6 however I'm not sure I will be fully comfortable with a RF and other restrictions to the system. I find a Blad a little bulky to move with but perhaps I could adjust to this. I shoot mostly landscape, some people photography and street work. 6x7 is also an option but I love 6x6. I have considered 6x4.5 but I think the bigger neg. are better options. Over to you!

Many thanks for any contributions

Rolleiflex TLR. My favorite is the 3.5E Planar. Lightweight, easy on the neck, no batteries to fail, put YOU in complete control, and can flash-sync at all speeds.

Rolleijoe

Jerevan · Jun 9, 2008

If we are talking about a system, ie something with interchangeable lenses, I think the Mamiya RZ (and there are 6x6 backs for it) I had beats the Hasselblad I now have in a bag here by a mile, especially in weight! . Other than that, the Rolleiflex beats most anything I've seen.

jblake · Jun 9, 2008

Thanks all for your contributions. I am very much leaning toward the Rollei TLR.

Edwardv · Jun 9, 2008

I have both 6x6 and 645 by Bronica extemely reliable for their age, each has their advantages and disadvantages. I have used them both at the same event for different shots. If I were to have my dream camera it would be a manual 6x7 rangefinder with interchange magazines, battery only for the meter, lenses would be 110mm f2, 70mm f2.8, 50mm f4 and a 210mm f2.8. Can't I dream?

André E.C. · Jun 10, 2008

Well, buy Hasselblad, for all the reasons previously mentioned and some more, it´s the top in medium format!

Cheers

André

gandolfi · Jun 10, 2008

André E.C. said:
Well, buy Hasselblad, for all the reasons previously mentioned and some more, it´s the top in medium format!

Cheers

André

indeed - just under the rollei SL66 system..

Steve Smith · Jun 10, 2008

Up until recently my only 6x6 camera was my Rolleicord V.

Now I have a Mamiya C33 with 80mm lens, my favourite 6x6 camera is my Rolleicord V!

If I get the 65mm and 135mm lens sets for the Mamiya though, this may change.

Steve.

benjiboy · Jun 10, 2008

The 65mm is a bit too close to the 80 for me, I tried them before I bought mine, I would recommend the 55mm if you have the 80.

luvcameras · Jun 10, 2008

My favorite 6x6's... Over the years I began tracking them and created these pages...........

Rolleiflex Price & Info Guide
http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/rolleitlr.htm

Rolleicord Price & Info Guide
http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/cord.htm

Hasselblad Camera Price & Info Guide
http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/hassy.htm

Hasselblad Lens Price & Info Guide
http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/hassylens.htm

Ricoh TLR Price & Info Guide
http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/tlr.htm

Super Ikonta Price & Info Guide
http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/ikonta.htm

Dan

Steve Smith · Jun 10, 2008

benjiboy said:
The 65mm is a bit too close to the 80 for me, I tried them before I bought mine, I would recommend the 55mm if you have the 80.

That's probably a good idea.

I don't think I will start looking for extra lenses for it but if they show up for a reasonable price, I will get them.

I only have a C33 now because my father bought a variety of bodies and lenses and I ended up with these 'left over' parts.

I managed to repair its intermittant problem of locking up the winding mechanism after tripping the shutter so now it is quite useable but as I usually like to go on a walk with a camera, with an 80mm lens, my Rolleicord wins on portability.

I quite like the idea of using the C33 with a wider lens (55 or 65) for infra red film.

Steve.

MattKing · Jun 10, 2008

I find a C220 body plus the 65mm and the 135mm to be a nice walk around kit.

Matt

Rolleiflexible · Jun 10, 2008

jblake said:
One more question? I have just seen a listing of all the Rollei TLR's produced. Overwhelming!! Can anyone advise on 2 or 3 models which have better attributes than the rest. I am after something with a meter and 80mm lens. Many thanks

People will argue endlessly about the relative
merits of the various Rolleiflex TLRs but the
truth is that nearly any model in good repair
will do.

The Rolleiflex universe divides by lenses. Older
and more basic models (including Rolleicords)
were fitted with 75mm f/3.5 Tessar and Xenar
lenses. Newer models came with a more
complicated lens design called a Planar, or
Xenotar, in two sizes: 75mm f/3.5, and 80mm
f/2.8.

In theory, the Planars/Xenotars stay sharper
at the extreme corners at wide apertures than
the Tessars/Xenars. In practice, you'll never
see the difference in any negative you make.

If you want a model to narrow your search, look
for a 3.5E or an MX-EVS. The 3.5E has a 75mm
Planar or Xenotar taking lens; the MX-EVS is
fitted with a 75mm Tessar or Xenar, and will be
a good deal cheaper.

Make sure you save $200 in your budget for a
focusing screen transplant. You're better off with
an MX-EVS and a new Beattie or Maxwell screen,
than with a more expensive Rolleiflex with an
original screen.

Sanders

PS: Forget about the built-in meters. Buy yourself
a good handheld meter for better accuracy and ease
of use.

Steve Smith · Jun 10, 2008

Rolleiflexible said:
In theory, the Planars/Xenotars stay sharper
at the extreme corners at wide apertures than
the Tessars/Xenars. In practice, you'll never
see the difference in any negative you make.

I can agree with that. I have a Rolleicord V with a Xenar lens. I can't see how it could be perceptibly sharper.

Steve.

Favourite 6x6 system

gandolfi

2F/2F

jblake

jblake

jblake

arigram

jblake

jblake

grahamp

Paul Howell

Iwagoshi

Iwagoshi

Rolleijoe

Jerevan

jblake

Edwardv

André E.C.

gandolfi

Steve Smith

benjiboy

luvcameras

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Steve Smith

MattKing

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Rolleiflexible

Steve Smith

Favourite 6x6 system

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