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

[RichardJack]

The Bronica GS-1 offers backs for 6x7, 6x6, & 645. It's a wonderful system and very reasonable right now.

 

[nosmok]

The Vidax press camera-- physically it's more like an overgrown folder than a Speed or Crown Graphic -- has adjustable film gate curtains and red windows for 6x9, 6x6, and 6x4.5. It also has a coupled rangefinder that works with any lens from 65mm to 150mm or so. It is also next to impossible to find, showing up on that auction site at the rate of about 1 every 3 years or so, with actual numbers made probably in the low 100s. Extremely cool piece, though.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

On the cheap end of multi-format 120 cameras is the Pearl River. It's a twin lens reflex that comes with a mask that will convert your 6x6 into a 6x4.5.

 

[JWMster]

I think Hassy 501 and Bronica SQ series (and other modes) offer the 6X6 and 6X4.5. Don't know about the 6X7. Rolleiflex 6008 series has the same with a 6450 back that rotates orientation from portrait to landscape without requiring rotation of the camera... which isa pretty sweet idea consistent with why folks like 6X6 in the first place.

 

[saman13]

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.

Once I find an Adapt-a-Roll for my new Pressman C, this is exactly what I want to try to do! A 24mmx90mm panoramic camera... eat your heart out XPan.

I also want to be able to shoot FP4 without paying the $1 per shot that cut film asks. But, until I can find one of those backs, I bit the bullet and bought a 50 pack of Arista cut film.

 

[wiltw]

Think about the practical side of things...FL needs as format size grows/shrinks. A nice super WA lens on 6x7 (50mm) is a 'moderate wide' on 645, so at best you can shoot only 'moderate wide' with 645 back with your absolute widest 6x7 lens!

 

[flavio81]

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.

Let me chime in and say that the rotating back of the RB67 makes shooting very comfortable.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Once I find an Adapt-a-Roll for my new Pressman C, this is exactly what I want to try to do! A 24mmx90mm panoramic camera... eat your heart out XPan.

You have been misinformed. I have a small pile of AAR 620s, for 2x3 and 4x5 cameras. Their gates are approximately 82 mm long, not 90 mm.

 

[saman13]

You have been misinformed. I have a small pile of AAR 620s, for 2x3 and 4x5 cameras. Their gates are approximately 82 mm long, not 90 mm.

I was just approximating based on the "6x9" image size. I guess it is closer to 6x8

 

[Dan Fromm]

I was just approximating based on the "6x9" image size. I guess it is closer to 6x8

The format is actually 2.25" x 3.25", often called 2x3. 6x9 cm is a poor metric approximation.

There's no 2x3 standard. Nominal 2x3/6.9 roll holders gates' sizes range from 56-57 mm high and from 78 mm (Graflex roll holders whose shells have pin rollers at the the gate's ends, e.g., RH-8) to 84 mm (Linhof Super Rollex) long. Aspect ratios are close to 2:3.

 

[paul ewins]

To be honest, I think you are much better off getting the 6x7 camera that best suits your style and then learning to visualise the 6x6 and 6x4.5 crops (or drawing the crop lines onto the VF). Just shoot it all 6x7 and then crop the print/scan to suit your initial vision. Life will be much simpler and you will be carrying less gear and spend less time second-guessing each exposure. Otherwise you will always have the wrong back or the wrong film loaded or it will take you months to finish a roll of film as you wait for the perfect composition for that format.

 

[paul ron]

RB67 has various backs for most formats.

 

[itsdoable]

The Bronica GS-1 offers backs for 6x7, 6x6, & 645. It's a wonderful system and very reasonable right now.

... plus they offered a 35mm 24x69mm back (135-SW). Unfortunately hard to come by.

 

[Soeren]

I'd forget about 6x6 and 645 too and just shoot 6x7 cropping to the aspect ratio I want. You can get the the aspect ratio of 45x56 with 54x68 or something like that.

 

[Neil Poulsen]

People talk about all of these different backs that were made for this or that camera. But the operative questions is whether or not they can be found for sale.

If you go RB (vs. RZ), you can use the Graflex medium format backs. While on the topic, I was considering purchasing an RZ system, and our local, premier camera repair company convinced me to purchase an RB system as being much more reliable.

It would be economical to use 35mm film versus 120 or 220. But, the main thing is the ability to compose your panorama image. Even if you're not using 35mm film, you can get an RB (or RZ) screen and mask the top and bottom portions, leaving visible only the panorama format that you want. You would still be exposing an entire 6x7 negative. But, you'd have the option of printing only the panorama portion of the negative that you originally visualized.

For a variety of reasons, Mamiya Press Universal (or Super-23?) is also a realistic choice. For one thing, it's good for up to 6x9 negatives. In fact, you can find Press backs that give you all the options . . . 645, 6x6, 6x7, or 6x9. (There are masks that go with these backs. Mimiya Press backs, because of their design, are known to hold film quite flat. I don't think that the Mamiya Press lenses are quite as good as that of an RB (or RZ?) system. But, the 50mm Mamiya Press lens is a Biogon design, and has a reputation of being very sharp. Imagine being able to photograph 6x9 using a 50mm lens. Similarly to an RB system, you can purchase a Mamiya Press viewfinder and then mask down to a panorama. With the correct "G" adapter, it's also possible to use Graflex roll-film holders with Mamiya Press cameras.

 

[feanolas]

(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.

That is really the most versatile option if you are willing to carry the weight... which is non negligeable. As said, the III can easily change format with a series of masks, so you don't need to carry multiple backs as for the other options. Not sure how it handles mid roll change of format, it's supposedly not allowed; downsizing might be possible at the cost of a bit of lost film, upsizing would probably mean some overlap.
Did I mention it's heavy ?

Final thought: whatever 6x7 you carry, it will be very heavy compared to a 645 or even a 6x6. I know that if I'm going lug that darn 6x7 camera, I am going to shoot 6x7 and to hell with the cost of film!

 

[Lars Bunch]

Another camera to consider is the Plaubel Makina IIIR (Not to be confused with the Plaubel Makina 67)

The IIIr, the last of the German made Makinas, takes a variety of film backs. Unfortunately, I don’t think they ever made a 6x7 back. I have 6x9, 6x6 and 35mm backs. It is a surprisingly small, light weight camera and very easy to carry. But it’s also easy to forget to take the dark slide out and thus not make any exposures (there’s no shutter lock like on a Hasselblad.)

Focusing with any lens but the normal one can also be a pain. To focus the wide angle lens, you have to set the bellows on the nomal lens extension and use the rangefinder then reset to bellows for the wide angle lens before shooting.

It’s a camera that requires a bit of attention to detail when using, but is quite flexible and compact.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I had a circa 1933 Certo Dolly SuperSport that could be used for 6x6 and 645, but modern films' numbers would line up in the red window for 645.




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[sixby45]

For sure! RB67 or RZ67 all the way - multiple format backs from 6x4.5 to 6x8 (for the RB if I recall) and awesome reasonable kit pieces. Its just heavy

 

[ic-racer]

Maybe the OP would report back which one he got and how he likes it.

 

[aoresteen]

Not with all three sizes.

My 1930s Primus 6x9 folder had 6x6, & 645 masks but I hunted for years and never could find them.

 

[aoresteen]

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

And you can get a 70mm 6x7 back as well!

 

[JWMster]

There have been a number of kickstarter campaigns for this kind of camera. Good luck!

 

[Neil Poulsen]

Consider a Mamiya RB67, lower cost than an RZ67.

And, less likely to have mechanical problems.

 

[Neil Poulsen]

For sure! RB67 or RZ67 all the way - multiple format backs from 6x4.5 to 6x8 (for the RB if I recall) and awesome reasonable kit pieces. Its just heavy

If you can't find RB backs in the format that you want, the Graflex backs that have these sizes (at least 6x6 and up) will fit on RB67 cameras.