I might be done with 645 as a system

Alan Gales · Oct 22, 2015

mweintraub said:
PPPfffttt. Who shooots that?

/s

These are pretty cool! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuji_GX680

You can install a mask for 6x7 and they have a rotating back. Definitely a tripod queen though.

mweintraub · Oct 22, 2015

Alan Gales said:
These are pretty cool! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuji_GX680

You can install a mask for 6x7 and they have a rotating back. Definitely a tripod queen though.

Oh yeah, those are cool.

film_man · Oct 22, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
There is a difference and cropping won't produce the same results. This is because the normal focal length for 6x6 is 80mm and the normal focal length for 6x7 is 90mm.

Consider this test: photograph a newspaper 10 feet away with a Hasselblad w/80mm and then do the same with an RB67 w/90mm, then crop the 6x7 negative. You will find the newspaper image on the cropped negative slightly larger (magnified) than the Hasselblad 6x6 negative. So, the details of the newspaper will be captured by more of the emulsion, more grains.

Don't think this is so or that it doesn't matter? Then try the test substituting 35mm film w/50mm lens and 4x5 w/150mm lens - then crop the 4x5 down to 36x24mm -- there is quite a difference.

I'll admit some naivete in my previous post regarding 6x6 and 6x4.5 because I didn't realize that 6x4.5 used 80mm as the normal lens like 6x6.

Well of course if the lens is different the result won't be the same. But there are 75 and 80mm lenses as standard for 645 and 6x6 systems alike. For example

Mamiya/Contax 645 -> 80mm
Pentax/ETRS 645 -> 75mm
Rollei TLRs -> 75 or 80
Hasselblad -> 80
Mamiya 6 -> 75

So like for like they will be the same for the same distance and aperture.

6x7 goes to 90-110 depending on system for a standard lens but if you were to get a 50 and crop to square and compare to a 50 on a Hasselblad for the same distance and aperture it will be the same.

Ok, you'll get some rendering artefacts based on what system you use and the lenses (eg Zeiss vs Mamiya) if you want to be really pedantic but that has nothing to do with the format.

So in the end, one could argue that 6x6 gives you more options than 645 and 6x7 gives you the most options over 6x6 and 645 but when the cropping is done with all other things being equal the image is exactly the same.

paul ron · Oct 22, 2015

ooooooo Ive always wanted one! GIMMIE GIMMIE GIMMIE

Hatchetman · Oct 22, 2015

I'm gonna club somebody with my Medalist!

Sirius Glass · Oct 22, 2015

Alan Gales said:
You think that's crazy, Mamiya made 645 backs for the RZ67 too.

ROTFLMAO!!!

Roger Cole · Oct 23, 2015

Alan Gales said:
I don't think anyone would want a 645 TLR because it would be hard to use when you put the camera on it's side and use the waist level finder. You do make a good point, Roger. If you want to shoot a TLR you don't have a choice. I wasn't thinking about TLR's. I guess because I have never owned one.

I do think if you always crop to rectangle you would be better served with a 645 SLR camera than a 6x6 SLR. Of course you still have to flip the camera on it's side for portrait orientation. I feel the advantages (smaller, lighter weight, cheaper camera and lenses, plus optional matrix metering, autoexposure, built in motor drive, autofocus, etc.) outweigh the disadvantages. Of course that is my opinion and anyone is free to shoot what they like.

As far as cropping goes, I have no problem with it either.

I "kind of" agree that if you always crop you should just go 645. But then again - my Yashicamat is much smaller, lighter, and easier to carry than my M645 Pro even if I don't take an extra lens or back for the 645 Pro. That's a bit of a red herring though because simple, easy to carry cameras are possible in 645 and exist - rangefinders at least. Probably folders but I'm not that familiar with them. I think I've seen one or more in 645.

Roger Cole · Oct 23, 2015

mweintraub said:
Yep. And 6x7 lenses are one of the best.

About turning the camera to it's side, you don't have to with the Mamiya RB or RZ.

PPPfffttt. Who shooots that?

/s

Well no you don't, but the revolving back means you have a camera the size of 7x7 camera.

Don't get me wrong, I kind of want on. Dealing with sheet film dust often tempts me to get an RB or RZ system and use the 4x5 less. Part of what stops me is the lack of movements, partly it's the fact I just enjoy using the viewcamera and partly - the RB or RZ would be bigger and heavier! My Tech III folds down small, all three of my lenses are small. I can pack the camera, all three lenses, a meter, assorted stuff (loupe, cable release, some square filters with clip on holder) and a darkcloth into a pack that is probably no bigger, possibly smaller, and likely lighter in weight than just the RZ with lens and back.

Kyle M. · Oct 23, 2015

Roger Cole said:
Well no you don't, but the revolving back means you have a camera the size of 7x7 camera.

Don't get me wrong, I kind of want on. Dealing with sheet film dust often tempts me to get an RB or RZ system and use the 4x5 less. Part of what stops me is the lack of movements, partly it's the fact I just enjoy using the viewcamera and partly - the RB or RZ would be bigger and heavier! My Tech III folds down small, all three of my lenses are small. I can pack the camera, all three lenses, a meter, assorted stuff (loupe, cable release, some square filters with clip on holder) and a darkcloth into a pack that is probably no bigger, possibly smaller, and likely lighter in weight than just the RZ with lens and back.

I've personally never found the RB or RZ to be terribly heavy, not even for walking around for several hours. While Mamiyas' specs may show the RZ as being lighter than the RB (5.2 vs 5.9 Lbs) after having owned both I'm pretty sure the RB is actually lighter. At least if feels lighter, and it doesn't take batteries.

Alan Gales · Oct 23, 2015

Roger Cole said:
I "kind of" agree that if you always crop you should just go 645. But then again - my Yashicamat is much smaller, lighter, and easier to carry than my M645 Pro even if I don't take an extra lens or back for the 645 Pro. That's a bit of a red herring though because simple, easy to carry cameras are possible in 645 and exist - rangefinders at least. Probably folders but I'm not that familiar with them. I think I've seen one or more in 645.

Yeah, it's all opinion and fun to argue about!

mweintraub · Oct 23, 2015

Roger Cole said:
Well no you don't, but the revolving back means you have a camera the size of 7x7 camera.

This is true. But for me, it's a benefit not having to buy a tripod head flipper thing. My friend who has a GS-1 said the Bronica GS-1 version is hard to find and if you do, it's expensive. Of course you could buy a universal L bracket, but you'll have to unhook and remount the camera. So there are +/- for either side.

I might be done with 645 as a system

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