I want a 6x6, but do I need one? And if so, which?

Slixtiesix · Mar 2, 2014

Since Ryan is using Leica M for most of his work I assume he is more into a silent and unobtrusive type of camera. I think a TLR would do fine. Maybe a Rolleiflex with a 75/3,5 Planar? Or a Rolleiflex T?

Regular Rod · Mar 2, 2014

frank said:
I suggest trying a rolleicord tlr with an upgraded viewing screen.

Or a Perkeo ll if a folder is more your style.

+ for the Perkeo II, take it anywhere in a jacket pocket!

Remarkable camera with a fine lens.

Use the human rangefinder and keep your luggage to a minimum. http://tomchuk.com/misc/rf/

Alternatively, for similar money (but harder to find) a Mamiya-6 folding camera is a fine tool. Range finder, a film plane where the film is held super flat, Olympus Zuiko lenses, built like a tank it is a bit heavier and slightly bigger than the Perkeo II but it's another fine camera that might be better for you if you like your current rangefinder camera.

RR

erikg · Mar 2, 2014

Well adding a TLR to your rangefinder and you've got the basic kit of many 1950s PJs, good company. OTOH a Mamiya 6 would seem very familiar, but sits outside the budget by a bit. Maybe you could borrow some stuff and see what feels right?

Regular Rod · Mar 2, 2014

RyanC said:
What are you making up for here exactly? Are you short or something? Bad job maybe? Didn't make it where you felt you should?

In any case, don't sweat it... I won't judge you for having judged me. It's just not in my nature.

Oh, and ironically... I do work for Nat Geo. How about them apples?

.......

To the rest of you, thanks so much for the help. With my 35mm negs, I both scan them for web use and use my Focomat IC (35mm only enlarger) to make prints. I take photos for both work and pleasure. The work stuff is mostly with the M9 and sometimes with scanned negs. The pleasure stuff is mostly film these days. I figured if I really liked working with the 6x6 neg, I'd sell the IC and get a more flexible enlarger.

I think the 500C is probably what I really want, but I just don't have the budget for it right now. From what I can tell, it takes $1000 to get into a decent kit and start taking photos.

Nice one

RR

omaha · Mar 2, 2014

Another vote for Jurgen and a folder.

I bought an Agfa Isolette III from him last year. He completely reconditioned it (including new bellows) and it looks/performs like new. Beautiful camera.

Easy and light to carry, I've found it to be a perfect companion to my far less portable RB67.

In truth, I'm probably more a fan of the 6x7 format of the RB than the square format of the Agfa, but I shoot both and enjoy both.

PKM-25 · Mar 2, 2014

RyanC said:
Oh, and ironically... I do work for Nat Geo.

But what department?

Just dropped yer name by the Editor at Large who is a friend of mine, he had never heard of him, lol!

Get a 500CM, best camera system I have ever used and I shoot for a living...

Shawn Rahman · Mar 2, 2014

David Brown said:
(I literally did "lol" ...)

Yep - there's something not quite right with this whole thread.

RyanC · Mar 2, 2014

I couldn't tell you who the editor of the magazine is either... And given the current state of affairs, I don't think he's gonna have gig that much longer. Sad really, but paper publication is going away and National Geographic isn't gonna be spared. Not unless the suits can figure out a way to raise margins and change the dynamic of the game.

I've done work for a number of different departments at NatGeo. I'm a writer, but I've also done some interactive/community based consulting work for them. It's a fantastic company.

In any case, I'm gonna start checking out TRLs now. Thanks guys!

_todd_ · Mar 2, 2014

I was in a similar position and spent months obsessively analyzing the scene... Hasselblad really does it for me. I absolutely love everything I've seen and touched there the most... But knowing that I am not going to switch to majoring in film and minoring in digital any time soon, I couldn't justify doing whatever I would need to do to get into a Hasselblad rig (which would involve needing to sell off digital gear for sure). I eventually decided to start out spending as little as possible to get in the game and ended up with a TLR (124G) that only set me back about $170... I've only made my way through one roll of film since I got the camera a couple months ago, so I know I made the right choice for me. I do hope to own a Hassy someday, but I like the feeling that I don't have to be in a hurry to get there.

elekm · Mar 2, 2014

The thing with a Hasselblad isn't the basic setup. It's when you go to buy a second or third lens. Those older Zeiss lenses continue to command top dollar.

I was out today with a Super Ikonta B (532/16), and it reminded me of how much I enjoy shooting this camera. This camera uses the Zeiss Ikon rotating wedge-prism rangefinder. It almost never falls out of calibration, because there aren't any prisms or mirrors to knock off their mounts. All older cameras should be serviced, if they haven't been serviced.

Having used both a Rolleicord and a Rolleiflex, I would go with the Rolleiflex as being more comfortable to use. For the stated budget, a very good Rolleiflex Automat with a coated Xenar or Tessar is well within reach.

I think the Rolleiflex T is a cult camera that is not deserving of its lofty price.

But there are so many choices out there that you could easily buy a camera, try it, and if it doesn't feel right, you can sell it for the same price. After all, these are all used cameras.

PKM-25 · Mar 2, 2014

elekm said:
The thing with a Hasselblad isn't the basic setup. It's when you go to buy a second or third lens. Those older Zeiss lenses continue to command top dollar.

How so?

C lenses are super cheap now, that is what you meant by classic, right? CF lenses have come down a lot too, you can get the 50FLE, 100 CF and 180 CF for $600-$700 if you try, filthy-dirt cheap.

elekm · Mar 3, 2014

I guess affordable is relative to your economic situation. For me, $600 is still a sizable amount of money. Relative to their original cost, yes, it's cheap.

I did make a mistake in using the term "top dollar." I should have said they they are still costly - again, depending on what each of us consider costly and "super cheap."

Zathras · Mar 3, 2014

Mustafa Umut Sarac said:
What will you do with 6x6 negatives ? Scan or print ? Do you have a suitable enlarger ? What is your enlarger lens ? What is your paper and paper developer ? How do you like to develop your films ? Do you know the difference of lenses characteristics of different brands , schools ?
M7 and M9 in 6 months ? I bet you can hire a national geographic team to shoot for you at amazon or deep africa ! I bet you will dislike your hasselblad in next month and turn to iphone.

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

Looks like someone forgot to take his medication!

Kyon Thinh · Mar 3, 2014

Get a Bronica S2a, robust, cheap lenses and accessories, good IQ.

Zelph · Mar 3, 2014

Sirius Glass said:
Hasselblad is the only complete system. Further there are new and used parts easily available. Service is available and easily accessed. None other compare. End of story.

Bronica made a good system. Hasselblad themselves pissed on their own legacy when they abandoned the square format in favor of 645 with digital.

Peltigera · Mar 3, 2014

elekm said:
I guess affordable is relative to your economic situation. For me, $600 is still a sizable amount of money. Relative to their original cost, yes, it's cheap.

The most I have ever paid for a second hand camera is £20.00 (about $30.00-ish) - and I still haven't mentioned it to Bestbeloved!. You cannot really advise on these questions without knowing a lot about the questioner's finances. If I was interested in 6x6, I would buy a £10.00 folder (Zeiss Ikon Nettar was my first) and see how I liked the pictures compared to those from my other cameras. I would worry about a Hasselblad when I was taking 6x6 most of the time.

L Gebhardt · Mar 3, 2014

RyanC said:
I'm very much a one camera, one lens sort of guy. In fact, I only own two lenses... A 35mm lux and a 90mm el marit. The 35 is mounted 95% of the time... So maybe a TLR is something I should look at.

I assume the the folders from the 1950s are pretty far behind the standards of most?

I have an Ansco Super Speedex (Agfa Super Issolette for the US market). I really like the Ansco. It's small, so I take it with me a lot. It's sharp, and the lens has a very nice "classic" rendering that my other systems don't have. It also has a coupled range finder so you can actually control the focus, which I find difficult with the zone focused folders.

I also have a Hasselblad system, which is also great. But it's much to big to be a daily carry camera. I wouldn't want to be without either camera.

Steve Smith · Mar 3, 2014

L Gebhardt said:
I have an Ansco Super Speedex (Agfa Super Issolette for the US market).

So have I. Mine is the Special R model which makes it the same as an Isolette III with an uncoupled rangefinder.

I can't fault it on anything.

Steve.

Sirius Glass · Mar 3, 2014

Mustafa Umut Sarac said:
What will you do with 6x6 negatives ? Scan or print ? Do you have a suitable enlarger ? What is your enlarger lens ? What is your paper and paper developer ? How do you like to develop your films ? Do you know the difference of lenses characteristics of different brands , schools ?
M7 and M9 in 6 months ? I bet you can hire a national geographic team to shoot for you at amazon or deep africa ! I bet you will dislike your hasselblad in next month and turn to iphone.

Take it easy or we will have to send those guys in white coats who will put you in your personal straight jacket and place you in a padded room.

Jim Jones · Mar 3, 2014

The earlier Yashica TLRs are economical and capable of recording decent images. The 124 Yashicas offer more of a gain in status than in image quality. After using one a while, a photographer should know what features the 2nd 6x6 should have, and have money left over to buy it.

PKM-25 · Mar 3, 2014

Lol!

The guy says his most used lens is a Leica 35mm 1.4 ASPH and yet people are on here recommending cheap-ass garage sale classics for $10. Unless you have used an M 35mm 1.4 ASPH for a length of time, you have no idea what a spectacular negative or slide this now $3,000 used lens produces, I had one for 3 years before I sold off most of my Leica gear in favor of my Hasselblad stuff. I do have one M3 and a 50 Lux left, all the Leica I need.

I'm not saying it is all about the camera, but if you intend to compete in Formula One, you don't show up in a restored 1965 Ferrari.

If one wants to *really* experience the jump in image quality from 35 to 120, then put the glass first, especially coming from Leica folks. If hooked, he can do more research and pick the camera or system that works best for him.

My wife and I are going to be traveling abroad for three weeks next year. I could bring my Nikons, the Leica M3 with the Xpan, Hassy or 4x5. I am bringing a 501CM with a 60 and 100 and two backs, I daily carry a 501CM all the time, at least a few times a week, it's not much bigger than an SLR and it is a joy to use, great self promotion too.

It's all relative I guess....

Sirius Glass · Mar 3, 2014

PKM-25 said:
Lol!

The guy says his most used lens is a Leica 35mm 1.4 ASPH and yet people are on here recommending cheap-ass garage sale classics for $10. Unless you have used an M 35mm 1.4 ASPH for a length of time, you have no idea what a spectacular negative or slide this now $3,000 used lens produces, I had one for 3 years before I sold off most of my Leica gear in favor of my Hasselblad stuff. I do have one M3 and a 50 Lux left, all the Leica I need.

I'm not saying it is all about the camera, but if you intend to compete in Formula One, you don't show up in a restored 1965 Ferrari.

Nicely served. When one has used high quality equipment for years, then that person will not be interested in lower quality equipment when going to a larger [or smaller] format.

No everyone here is on a tight budget, neither is everyone loaded with money. It is a good idea to read and absorb what each OP posts before passing on your own agenda.

RattyMouse · Mar 3, 2014

PKM-25 said:
My wife and I are going to be traveling abroad for three weeks next year. I could bring my Nikons, the Leica M3 with the Xpan, Hassy or 4x5. I am bringing a 501CM with a 60 and 100 and two backs, I daily carry a 501CM all the time, at least a few times a week, it's not much bigger than an SLR and it is a joy to use, great self promotion too.

It's all relative I guess....

Where are you going?

PKM-25 · Mar 3, 2014

RattyMouse said:
Where are you going?

Not sure yet, she has 12 weeks of vacation saved up so I am really bugging her to take it. We will probably pick one place and hang out as we both like to get to know the place and people more than just skin deep...

ntenny · Mar 3, 2014

PKM-25 said:
Lol!

The guy says his most used lens is a Leica 35mm 1.4 ASPH and yet people are on here recommending cheap-ass garage sale classics for $10.

Yeah, but he also quoted a budget that sounds a bit tight for top-grade medium format---he can get a damn good camera for US$500, but he won't get a Planar 'flex or a Mamiya 7. And for some of us who *do* have top-grade MF stuff, it still shares time with "cheap-ass garage sale classics".

That said, I wouldn't really suggest a scale-focus folder here either. A good RF folder, sure, but that's out of the US$10 arena unless you happen to pick the right garage sale.

I'm not saying it is all about the camera, but if you intend to compete in Formula One, you don't show up in a restored 1965 Ferrari.

If the OP intends to *compete* with his Leica gear, I hope he's planning to spend more than US$500. But he specifically said "not necessarily better" and sounds like he's looking to try out the format, not to switch systems in search of better image quality.

I bet a hat there are plenty of F1 drivers who have a great time messing around with restored 1965 Ferraris, even though they wouldn't be competitive cars in their day jobs.

-NT

I want a 6x6, but do I need one? And if so, which?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency