Favourite 6x9?

[alentine]

Hello,
Fujifilm GSW690 is a genius idea.
When you need to go light, one lens kit that does not compromise IQ in any degree.
Find a bag that take the camera plus on flash shoe exposure meter plus plenty of films.
Tripod? Camera does not demand a heavy tripod. Use f/11 and smaller.
All this at a small fraction of 28mm lens Leica M kit.

 

[btaylor]

As a Graflex fan, both the 2x3 Crown (cheap!) and the Graflex xl come to mind, though neither one is going g to fit in your pocket.

 

[papagene]

The Fuji GSW690 III with its wide angle lens compliments my Fuji GW670 II quite well, as it does my Bronica S2a, Rolleicord V, and my Rolleiflex mx-evs. It usually is my go to camera when hiking up in Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park.

 

[MAubrey]

Another Mamiya Universal user here.

A beast, but super reliable and a lot of fun! I have a shoe mounted Voigtlander VC meter sitting on the top.

 

[nbagno]

Did you crop this? Looks more like 6x12.

Looks like.... Don't remember but I do remember what I took it with!

 

[choiliefan]

Kodak Medalist II for the superb 100mm Ektar 3.5 lens.

 

[jim10219]

I have a Busch Pressman C with a 620 adaptaroll. It’s got its quirks, but the price was right.

 

[tessar]

Another vote for a Crown 2x3. Mine has the stock Rapar 101mm in a Rapax shutter; I like that front rise too. Close behind is a Graflex 2x3 Ser. B with 127mm Ektar, a little bulkier!

 

[stormpetrel]

My favorite 6x9 camera is a Mamiya Press converted in P&S. It is equipped with the very nice 50mm (some kind of Biogon design)
The camera is bullet proof and it is perfectly suited for serious tramping.

Frankencamera by Stormpetrel DIY mode

Koitirangi Settlers Hall by StormPetrel,

If I have to use a tripod, I prefer to shoot 4x5 or 5x7.

 

[guangong]

Kodak Medalist (first version but with coated Ektar lens and fine focusing knob). For a long time wanted a Super Ikonta C, but after using my Fuji 67 folder I feel that a 69 folder may lack the ergonomic handholding steadiness of my Medalist, which was designed to be used handheld to photograph coastal targets from a ship. On the other hand, a Super Ikonta B can be held rock steady.

 

[Marco Gilardetti]

I adore, literally, 6x9 format. I've always been crazy for it since my early youth. It's like having large format always with you, but in a pocketable size and with the convenience of 120 rollfilm.

I also own a Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 531/2. That's my standard camera for alpinism, I always carry it with me. I actually owned three Super Ikontas over the years, progressing in lens quality and camera conditions. These cameras are highly collectable and they're getting very old; finding a unit free from defects and at a reasonable price is not an easy task today. Unfortunately there are many collectors that pay big bucks for nearly perfect units, and then keep them still in a shrine. What a waste of excellent cameras.

In the past, I owned a Linhof Super Technika 6x9. Quite obviously this camera is expensive and also very heavy, but aside from that I can't say but great great things about it. That camera is "the ultimate keeper", I believe nothing better than that was made in 6x9; however with heavy heart I resold it when I stepped up to 4x5'' - the reason is that I can use a 6x9 rollfilm adapter with the 4x5'' camera, so the Linhof 6x9 basically had no more use for me. I hate to keep cameras still in a shrine (see above), so I passed it to someone else who hopingly will make great use of it.

My biggest regret in recent years is that the Voigtlander Bessa III was made 6x6 and 6x7 only. The twin format was a *brilliant* idea, but what a pity it was "only" 6x7, what a wasted chance. Why, oh why they didn't made it 6x9...

 

[Prest_400]

My one and only 6x9 is a Fuji GW690III. Excellent machine.

I adore, literally, 6x9 format. I've always been crazy for it since my early youth. It's like having large format always with you, but in a pocketable size and with the convenience of 120 rollfilm.
***
My biggest regret in recent years is that the Voigtlander Bessa III was made 6x6 and 6x7 only. The twin format was a *brilliant* idea, but what a pity it was "only" 6x7, what a wasted chance. Why, oh why they didn't made it 6x9...

It is fun that 6x9 sometimes gets a rap about its aspect ratio... the same as 35mm. I haven't tried 6x7 but would welcome its 2 extra frames for some situations like travel, and under my budget of bang for the buck. Sometimes I do feel a "neither here nor there" with 2:3 because it can be awkward for some subjects. The Texas Leicas have a reputation for large and bulky, but I guess it's by comparison to 35mm.
A 6x9 + 6x7 camera would be indeed interesting.

And as StormPetrel samples above, it's possible to crop down to an Xpan ratio with a larger negative.

 

[mrosenlof]

another GW690 user here. I had a iii and broke it. Now have a ii

I would probably like a GW680. I'm OK with the 2:3 aspect, but would probably prefer the 3:4 if I tried it.

I'm not a fan of 6x7. It's the only medium format size that doesn't fit a whole roll of film into any normal printFile page. 6x9, two across, 4 strips. 6x8 three frames on 3 strips, 6x6 three on 4 or four frames on 3 strips. 6x4.5 you get either 15 or 16 depending on camera, 15/3 or 16/4 either works. 6x7 -- 3 frames on 3 strips, then another page for the leftover. Whose idea was that?? (rant mode off)

 

[moto-uno]

^ Are you suggeting that every pic on every roll is a keeper ? Peter

 

[wsetser]

For 6x9 I use what's probably the most unusual camera I've seen. A mid 1930's Welta Superfekta. It's a folding 6x9 twin lens reflex with a revolving back. The taking lens is a 10.5cm f/3.8 Tessar and the viewing lens is a 7.5cm f/3.8 Weltaskop.

 

[Marco Gilardetti]

A mid 1930's Welta Superfekta.

What a cute and ingenious camera!!!

 

[dynachrome]

I finally bought a 6X9 camera after thinking about one for quite a while. The camera is a Mamiya Press Super 23 with the 100/3.5 and a 6X9 back. It should get here in a few days. I have many 6X7 cameras and a 6X9 back for my 4X5 camera. Somewhere I have a 6X7 back for the Super 23.

 

[EdSawyer]

my current favorite is the Kodak Tourist II with the 101mm f/4.5 anastar lens. With an auxilliary rangefinder it's very usable, and ridiculously cheap (I think I paid < $50 for it). It competes well with my GSW690III which is also a great camera, but in a different way (and much larger).

 

[Paul Howell]

my current favorite is the Kodak Tourist II with the 101mm f/4.5 anastar lens. With an auxilliary rangefinder it's very usable, and ridiculously cheap (I think I paid < $50 for it). It competes well with my GSW690III which is also a great camera, but in a different way (and much larger).

I have the same model, I shoot mostly Landscapes so I just set the lens to infinity. Lens is very good and the camera is well made, not sure but I recall that the body is cast aluminum. I got mine from the Goodwill auction site, came with like new leather case, no signs of age, I paid $27.oo plus shipping with was another $15. I respool Tmaxt 100 onto 620 spools.

 

[Jeff Bradford]

Another vote for the Kodak Medalist I or II.

 

[michr]

For 6x9 I use what's probably the most unusual camera I've seen. A mid 1930's Welta Superfekta. It's a folding 6x9 twin lens reflex with a revolving back. The taking lens is a 10.5cm f/3.8 Tessar and the viewing lens is a 7.5cm f/3.8 Weltaskop.

I've never heard of anyone actually using the Superfecta, but these are on my must have list. Do you have any example photos?

 

[xtolsniffer]

Super Ikonta's go for silly money, but if you only want to spend about £10, Ikon nettar's are pretty good value. Mind you, no meter and guess focusing, but a lot of fun.

 

[Gerry M]

Mamiya Universal Press 105/3.5 with 6X9 and 6X7 backs. A bit on the large/heavy side, but results are great.

 

[Helinophoto]

Voigtländer Bessa II with the Heliar is my only 6*9 game and it works extremely well for me ^^

 

[summicron1]

Voigtländer Bessa II with the Heliar is my only 6*9 game and it works extremely well for me ^^

ditto -- i have a super ikonta c as well as one of these, and the Bessa II is a lot easier to use, the viewfinder works better, the lens is amazing and the camera is very well-built.