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

if you are considering a mf folder the zeiss icons are something else.
they are in your price range, some are range some are coupled rf, their lens sets are something to desire either way.
ive never been good at range focus which a lot of the folders tend to be
so i opted for a olde mamiya post war folder (vi) and it was a great camera and lots of fun to use.
in 3 years i probably put 2-300 rolls through it ... never had trouble it was my goto camera for a while ...

id read up on mr jurgen before buying anything from him, some folks ( like me for example )
have not had stellar experiences with him, ( it seems we are the minority so maybe you'l be ok?)
i wont get into the gory details and pollute hijack your thread, but others have had the exact same experience if you just search around a bit ....

lots of threads here on mf folders and tlrs
it might be worth sticking MF folder or TLR in the searchbar to see what comes up

currently i have and use a 1933 rollicord and couldnt be happier ..
except for the always having to look down part ..
if you like your german glass a newish rollie might be what you want.
they are silent, beautiful machines, like-a like-a- 6x6
and the v's and vx's come up here in the classifieds often ...

have fun

Roger Cole said:

$500 budget in 6x6 gives a lot of options but from prices I've seen I agree the H 500 isn't likely to be one of them.

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It is rare, but it can be done. If you are willing to take a kit with the 150mm instead of the 80mm, you'll have better chances (every body wants the basic 80mm kit-- why is a mystery to me, if you want a normal 6x6 just get a TLR).

jspillane said:

It is rare, but it can be done. If you are willing to take a kit with the 150mm instead of the 80mm, you'll have better chances (every body wants the basic 80mm kit-- why is a mystery to me, if you want a normal 6x6 just get a TLR).

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If I were going to start with just one lens I'd want something close to normal. The advantage is being able to add other lenses later. Alternatively, maybe something a bit shorter than normal, like my 55m on my 645. I use it much more than my 150.

smart decision,you won't regret it. welcome to the 500 club.

Rollei is a complete system too and provides choice of Zeiss and schneider glass.

jspillane said:

It is rare, but it can be done. If you are willing to take a kit with the 150mm instead of the 80mm, you'll have better chances (every body wants the basic 80mm kit-- why is a mystery to me, if you want a normal 6x6 just get a TLR).

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I agree entirely. I used to have an RB67 with 50mm, 90mm and 180mm lenses. It hardly ever went out with the 90 though as if I wanted a 'standard' focal length, it was easier to just take my Rolleicord.


Steve.

Franka Solida IIIe. You'll be amazed in every way.

Light, easy to use, comfortable on the neck, 6x6, cheap?

YASHICAMATs.. any of em!

If weight is not a problem, then I'd recommend the Mamiya press with a Graflok back. A nice range of focal lengths, coupled to the rangefinder, and choices of formats, if you decide to expand out to 6x7 or 6x9 (sheet or roll). I assume even 6x4.5 roll film holders will fit as well.

I guess I'm a little late to this clambake but I shoot a lot of 6x6 so I thought I would chime in. I seem to be lucky when it comes to procuring cameras; I have a Graflex 22 that I think I paid $20 for (including the adapters that allow me to use 35mm in it, though I have never done it), and it's a cute, light little thing. Yes, it has a 90-degree film travel, it doesn't automatically cock so you have to either look through the red window or guesstimate where the next frame is, no interchangeable lenses... but it does give nice sharp pictures and it's light. I also have a Mamiya C2 that has winding issues, and two C220s that are bombproof -- the interchangeable lenses is a great feature and the lens quality is unimpeachable.

But these have been sitting on my display shelf for quite some time, because I was given two Norita 66 bodies and a bunch of lenses some years ago and after sending them away for repair, they have become my go-to 6x6 cameras. It's also got a very fast normal lens -- 80mm f/2 instead of the 2.8 that most MF cameras use, so that lets me walk around a little longer before I have to put it away in the dark. Image quality is very good, too. The Norita is an SLR so it handles like an SLR, though much larger, and it's a great street photography piece when I have the waist-level finder fitted. I think the most fun thing about the 66 is that it's very rare; I get stopped on the street when I walk around with it, and it starts a lot of conversations.

If an SLR is more what you want -- though it sounds to me like you have plenty of toys to play with -- you might consider one of the German or Russian ones, like a Pentacon Six or a Kiev-60. They can be had cheaply, and from what I understand the Pentacon Six lenses will fit the Kiev. Just have to make sure that you get a good copy of the Kiev as the Soviet stuff can be balky or have quality control issues.