Is there any multi-format camera? 6x7,6x6 AND 6x45

carlostaiwan · Mar 18, 2018

I'm planning to move from 35mm to Medium Format and keep only one camera and 2 lenses. I love the idea of 6x7 for landscapes, also to shoot panoramas with 35mm in a 6x7 frame.
However, I would love to have the possibility of shooting 6x6 and even sometimes 6x45.
Is there any camera (or camera system) capable of such thing?

Thank you!

Ed Sawyer · Mar 18, 2018

Rz67 with the 3 different backs, will do it easily.

WilmarcoImaging · Mar 18, 2018

Yes, Mamiya RB67 and RZ67.

The RB67 has a 645 back available, the "native" format is 6x7, and 6x8 format is possible.

The RZ67 has available 645 and 6x6 backs, plus the native 6x7 back.

macfred · Mar 18, 2018

(With limitations) Fuji GX680 series - there are Film-Holder Adaptors for Hasselblad 6x6, Contax 645, Mamiya 645 and digital backs available.
The GX680 III and the film holder III N allows installation of mask for using 6x45, 6x6 and 6x7 formats.

k.hendrik · Mar 18, 2018

besides those 6x7 6x4.5 and 6x6 there's a 26x56 back for RZ67.

Gerry M · Mar 18, 2018

Mamiya Universal Press with multi-format film back.

rmann · Mar 18, 2018

Consider a Mamiya RB67, lower cost than an RZ67.

Down Under · Mar 18, 2018

Apologies in advance for this digression, but do you really need 6x7? If you do, then read no further...

6x7 is an interesting enough format (not especially economical on film, but not as extravagant as 6x9 with eight on a roll), but if you can get by without it, consider the Rolleiflex T and the Rolleicord Vb (also possibly the 'cord Va - someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this point).

The two Rolleis let you shoot 6x6, 6x4.5 (in fact it's 4.5x6) with an insert, and 35mm with a Rolleikin kit or camera back (so two 35mm options). The 'cord also has a 24 exposure kit for 35mm images on 120 roll film. Uber-versatile!

The Rolleicord/flex 16 exposure format let you shoot horizontal images (you don't have to tilt the camera sideways). Very pleasant for landscapes.

Of course you are somewhat limited by having the one lens only (80mm on 120), but in 50+years of shooting with Rolleis I have never found this to be of any significant disadvantage for me.

Dan Fromm · Mar 18, 2018

Sinar Vario or Zoom roll holder on a 4x5 camera. 645 to 6x12.

ic-racer · Mar 18, 2018

Just about any baby-Press camera with Graflok back.

skysh4rk · Mar 18, 2018

In addition to cameras already mentioned, Bronica GS-1 has capability of 6x7, 6x6, and 6x4.5.

Bronica SQ series obviously can't shoot 6x7, but the system does feature backs for 6x6, 6x4.5, 135 wide, and 135 normal, which could be handy.

If you can live without 6x4.5, the Fuji GF670 is a really good multi-format camera, as it can shoot 6x7 and 6x6 without needing to carry multiple backs, so it is one of the most compact multi-format options around.

MattKing · Mar 18, 2018

rmann said:
Consider a Mamiya RB67, lower cost than an RZ67.

Unfortunately, there is no back for the RB67 that permits use of 135 film.
There are some makeshift workarounds that people have put together for use with 135 film, but I've yet to see one that keeps the film flat.
If you want to shoot panos with the RB67, it makes more sense to crop a 6x7 or 6x8 negative.

Poisson Du Jour · Mar 18, 2018

From your wish list it would seem you need to go up to large format to achieve such flexibility.
Go wild and test the waters with a pinhole camera, specifically a ZeroImage 69 multiformat pinhole (6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, 6x9).
But you have to use one roll of film for each format before changing to the next.

barzune · Mar 18, 2018

My old Mamiya Super 23 did 6X9, 6X4.5, 120 and 220, and I think it had a way of framing 6X6 or 6X7 as well.
Maybe a different back, but it's so long ago. It also had a viewing-back, and could accept sheet film.

The Mokba V, otherwise referred to as the Moscow 5, shoots a native 6X9, but has an adaptor for 6X6 and (?) 6X4.5.
I don't have any adaptors, but I've read about them.

My Linhof Super-Technica V carries a natural 4X5 back, but I also have rollfilm (120) backs that allow me to shoot
6X9, 6X7, 6X6 or 6X4.5 if I choose,
and if I find a back or connection that will allow me to use 35mm film, I may die a happy man.

So, there seem to be lots of choices.

macfred · Mar 18, 2018

barzune said:
... and if I find a back or connection that will allow me to use 35mm film, I may die a happy man.

There was a Linhof Super Rollex 135 35mm film holder for 4x5 that should fit your Super-Technica V.

John Koehrer · Mar 18, 2018

Weren't there a number of folders that had different sized masks?

RattyMouse · Mar 18, 2018

John Koehrer said:
Weren't there a number of folders that had different sized masks?

Not with all three sizes.

macfred · Mar 18, 2018

Two sizes for example with the Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 530/2 = 6x9 format rangefinder - additional 6x4,5cm mask

David A. Goldfarb · Mar 18, 2018

A 4x5” camera not only gives you access to all the formats mentioned, above, but you could add an expansion back for 6x17.

John51 · Mar 19, 2018

macfred said:
Two sizes for example with the Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 530/2 = 6x9 format rangefinder - additional 6x4,5cm mask

My Super Ikonta came with a 6x45 mask. I've never used it. Easier to slip a 6x45 folder into my pocket.

Unless using different film backs, a multi format camera needs the roll to be finished before the format can be switched. There's a 6x6/6x7 Fuji like this. (HOW MUCH?) Have it set for 6x6 and the ideal scene for 6x7 turns up. Let the 'ideal scene' be less than ideal, shooting it 6x6 or quickly finish the roll to change format? Same if an ideal square format opportunity arises and it's set to 6x7.

6x6 backs for the RB67 are less common than 6x8 backs but the old 6x9 cameras tend to be about 80mm on the long side. Is the RB67 6x8 back close to the same neg size as 6x9 cameras? That would be interesting for those wanting panoramic shots.

EdSawyer · Mar 19, 2018

RB67 so-called 6x8 back is only 72 or 74mm wide on the long side, not really 6x8 and IMNSHO, not worth bothering with, when the RZ67 is so much better in every possible way.

narsuitus · Mar 19, 2018

carlostaiwan said:
I'm planning to move from 35mm to Medium Format and keep only one camera and 2 lenses. I love the idea of 6x7 for landscapes...

I have used 35mm, 6x6, and 6x7 for landscapes.

After I started using 6x9cm for landscapes, I loved it so much that I no longer need the others.

jim10219 · Mar 19, 2018

My Busch Pressman C has a 620 Adapt-a-Roll that will do 120 film at both 6x9 and 6x7 with a mask. I see reason you couldn't also make and easy mask for 6x6, and 6x4.5 for it as well. And since you just turn the dial on the film back to the next marker to advance the film, you could also make your own supplemental dial mask for those other formats. It would also be easy enough to adapt 135 film for it for panoramic use. Really, you could do that same thing with a lot of cameras that don't have the film back directly integrated into the camera body.

The problem with any camera that does all of those different formats is that they're not going to be able to keep track of how far to advance the film if you try to switch formats mid roll. So once you've started a roll at one format, it's best to use that format for the entire roll. That doesn't make them super versatile. However, if you shoot at your largest desirable film format (6x7 in your case) you can always crop the images down afterwards to all of the other formats. You'll waste a small amount of film doing that, but it'll be a lot more convenient.

John51 · Mar 19, 2018

jim10219 said:
My Busch Pressman C has a 620 Adapt-a-Roll that will do 120 film at both 6x9 and 6x7 with a mask. I see reason you couldn't also make and easy mask for 6x6, and 6x4.5 for it as well. And since you just turn the dial on the film back to the next marker to advance the film, you could also make your own supplemental dial mask for those other formats. It would also be easy enough to adapt 135 film for it for panoramic use. Really, you could do that same thing with a lot of cameras that don't have the film back directly integrated into the camera body.

The problem with any camera that does all of those different formats is that they're not going to be able to keep track of how far to advance the film if you try to switch formats mid roll. So once you've started a roll at one format, it's best to use that format for the entire roll. That doesn't make them super versatile. However, if you shoot at your largest desirable film format (6x7 in your case) you can always crop the images down afterwards to all of the other formats. You'll waste a small amount of film doing that, but it'll be a lot more convenient.

It would also be easy enough to adapt 135 film for it for panoramic use.

I've got a 6x4.5 Ikonta that like most of them, has a film winder with a folding handle on the bottom. I sometimes stare at it wondering how to turn it into the ultimate panoramic camera. Metal lens cap on the front with a laser cut vertical slit and some machinery that sits on the tripod and winds the film on while I rotate the camera 360 degrees. One shot per roll giving a neg of about 700mm x 56mm.

I'm not skilled enough to make it but it's a pleasant daydream.

bsdunek · Mar 19, 2018

Gerry M said:
Mamiya Universal Press with multi-format film back.

I use a Mamiya Super 23 and love it. Takes all the same backs and has the bellows extension when needed. Can't go wrong with either one.

Is there any multi-format camera? 6x7,6x6 AND 6x45

carlostaiwan

Ed Sawyer

WilmarcoImaging

macfred

k.hendrik

Gerry M

rmann

Down Under

Dan Fromm

ic-racer

skysh4rk

MattKing

Moderator

Poisson Du Jour

barzune

macfred

John Koehrer

RattyMouse

macfred

David A. Goldfarb

Moderator

John51

EdSawyer

narsuitus

jim10219

John51

bsdunek

Is there any multi-format camera? 6x7,6x6 AND 6x45

Moderator

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency