Lightweight MF camera recommendations?

Ardpatrick · Oct 24, 2025

mmerig said:
As suggested earlier, a baby crown graphic could be a good choice. Here are some weights for comparison:

2 by 3 Crown Graphic, 65-mm lens with Grafamatic holder (6 shots, sheet film) 3.0 lbs 1.36 kg

2 by 3 Crown Graphic, 65-mm lens with Horseman 6 by 9 roll film back (8 shots) 3.125 lbs 1.42 kg

Voigtlander Bessa II 2.125 lbs 0.96 kg

Nikon F with Photomic T finder and 50 mm f1.4 lens 3.0 lbs 1.36 kg

Nikon F3 with 45-mm pancake lens 2.125 lbs 0.96 kg

Rollei 35S 0.78 lbs 0.35 kg

The Crown Graphics are relatively cheap. The roll film back adds some bulk, but the 120 film is cheaper than sheet film ($1.37 per shot of 2 by 3 roll versus $3 per shot 2 by 3 sheet). The roll film back gives a little bit bigger negative. The 65- to 100-mm lenses are all quite small. The 90 mm is slightly wide, and for 6 by 9, similar to a 40-mm lens on a 35-mm camera. An 80-mm may be ideal for you (equal to a 35-mm lens on a 35-mm camera). The 65-mm lens on 6 by 9 is close to a 28-mm lens on a 35 mm camera.

A downside to the graphic is that with wider lenses (< 75 mm) the sport finder cannot be extended and used at infinity, and small viewfinders for 65-mm or wider are harder to find. Usually, I use a Graflex finder on top of the camera for a 90-mm lens and imagine the rest beyond it. I don't use a rangefinder. The wider lenses need to be stopped down around f11 or so, anyway, so zone focusing is not that difficult. A homemade distance scale can be fastened to the standard's rail for wide lenses (the cameras usually have one for a 100-mm lens already).

I am pretty sure I get better resolution with the 2 by 3 than a 35 mm. I often take my baby graphic on mountain trips with lots of hiking/easy climbing. I switched to it from the Voigtlander because the Bessa viewfinder is so small and the lens and bellows blocks some of the view. It's much handier to carry though. I use an old army canteen holder on my belt.

More important than the weight, I think, is the ergonomics. The Crown Graphics take some getting used to. I wouldn't bother with the 35-mm adapter spools. Keep it simple.

I would add in a Mamiya 7 & 80mm lens, which comes in at 1210g (2.6lbs). Cost aside, it’s surely the benchmark against which other options are judged in regard to the OP’s desired spec.

The optics are a match for anything for starters. Its weight is competitive, and although not as compact as a folder, it’s quite ergonomic & hand holdable. Other cameras might be 200 grams lighter, but may be fiddly. The 7 is a well laid out conventional camera body (okay maybe the 150/210 w/ separate finder not)

It’s also got its own 35mm pano inserts, which are not after market, and the pano adaptor works well. And unlike many of the other options on the table it has six different lens options to choose from. Oh and it’s actually a 6x7 as the OP specified.

The downside is it’s electronic (but so is almost every device I use) and therefore hypothetically can be hard to repair, but then again ever tried to repair a modern €2500 Mac?

The cost of the Mamiya 7ii is high, but comparable to a high end dslr. As an owner of both versions, I think the original Mamiya 7 is just as good as the 7ii at a significant discount.

I’ve traveled widely with a Mamiya 7 for 17 years, and combined with a light monopod and medium speed film it’s an incredibly portable and high quality photographic tool.

This is a fun thread with lots of great solutions. It’s ultimately about finding the right combination of cost of ownership / picture quality / functionality for one’s needs.

destroya · Oct 25, 2025

The last 2 Europe trips for me has been my mamiya 6 and a contax g. the contax is small enough to fit in my pants pocket and the mamiya is the best mf travel camera. Both have great glass. I stick to 6x6 as I have a 6x6 projector. so its usually color slide in the mamiya and b&w slide and neg film as well as color slide in the contax. for me, travel cameras are all about keeping it small and simple

John

John Wiegerink · Oct 25, 2025

destroya said:
The last 2 Europe trips for me has been my mamiya 6 and a contax g. the contax is small enough to fit in my pants pocket and the mamiya is the best mf travel camera. Both have great glass. I stick to 6x6 as I have a 6x6 projector. so its usually color slide in the mamiya and b&w slide and neg film as well as color slide in the contax. for me, travel cameras are all about keeping it small and simple

John

A TLR or maybe a smaller folding camera are as small as I can get for travel when it comes to 6X6. I have a Contax G camera also, but I'll be damned if I confit it in my pants pocket. Well, maybe the leg pocket of a pair of cargo pants, but certainly not my bluejeans pocket. How the heck do you do that John?

illawarraflametree · Oct 26, 2025

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone ❤❤! I've read all your replies and narrowed it down to "only" about 10ish systems to look in to . I've got quite some reading to do (and price comparisons) before I narrow things down further but at the moment I am leaning towards the various TLRs—although the suggestions of the Baby Speed/Crown/Century Graphic and the Horseman are both very interesting indeed, and I might end up going that way.

To contexualise a bit—normally I wouldn't be too adverse to travelling with something as heavy as the RB67, but I've been having some health issues with my joints for quite a long while now so I want to avoid making things worse in that department. Last time I went out with just the RB and a tripod, it was a rather painful experience, normally I carry it using my bike as a handcart which makes it useable, but I'm obviously not going to have access to that in another continent haha. Ergonomics and convenience are secondary concerns, but of course having a camera that is more ergonomic and travellable is also a huge benefit that I'm drawn to.

I'll look into all these great suggestions and then come back with any specific questions or concerns that might come up along the way.

Besk · Oct 26, 2025

In trying to keep the weight of your camera equipment down don't forget to pay attention to the weight of your bag.
I dropped over a pound of weight by just changing camera bags. Makes a difference when walking all day.

Paul Howell · Oct 26, 2025

Thinking about it, if money is there, Mamiya 6 or7, reason, while traveling no need for handheld meter, less fussy than having to cock a shutter on an old folder. Much easier to get that grab shot.

John Wiegerink · Oct 26, 2025

illawarraflametree said:
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone ❤❤! I've read all your replies and narrowed it down to "only" about 10ish systems to look in to . I've got quite some reading to do (and price comparisons) before I narrow things down further but at the moment I am leaning towards the various TLRs—although the suggestions of the Baby Speed/Crown/Century Graphic and the Horseman are both very interesting indeed, and I might end up going that way.

To contexualise a bit—normally I wouldn't be too adverse to travelling with something as heavy as the RB67, but I've been having some health issues with my joints for quite a long while now so I want to avoid making things worse in that department. Last time I went out with just the RB and a tripod, it was a rather painful experience, normally I carry it using my bike as a handcart which makes it useable, but I'm obviously not going to have access to that in another continent haha. Ergonomics and convenience are secondary concerns, but of course having a camera that is more ergonomic and travellable is also a huge benefit that I'm drawn to.

I'll look into all these great suggestions and then come back with any specific questions or concerns that might come up along the way.

Nothing wrong with a mini-Speed Graphic or a Horseman for that matter, but if one wants to lug those around then you might as well go for the bigger 4x5 and use 6x9 roll film backs. At least you have an options for that nice big 4x5 negative if you want. The CF Toyo camera would be my first choice, but that's just me. For a TLR it's hard to beat a later Minolta or a Rolleicord for being out and about. I have both of those and several Rolleiflex cameras and for travel I usually just grab my Rolleicord Vb or my very handy Minolta Autocord. I also have joint issues and have to deal with PMR disease so I know how you feel. Just to throw this into the cake mix there is also the very good Mamiya C220 that isn't too bad to carry and you get to change lenses if you want or need to.

Kodachromeguy · Oct 26, 2025

The advantage of a TLR is it is a dense and reasonably compact rectangle. In its leather case (horrors, a never-ready case!), you can toss the camera into a backpack or shoulder bag and off you go. In use, you carry it by the strap, flip open the case front, and take a picture. The 6×6 negatives are nice!

I've taken my Rolleiflex 3.5E all over Poland and other countries:

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2016/12/preserved-krakow-poland.html

Cheers, have fun!

destroya · Oct 26, 2025

John Wiegerink said:
A TLR or maybe a smaller folding camera are as small as I can get for travel when it comes to 6X6. I have a Contax G camera also, but I'll be damned if I confit it in my pants pocket. Well, maybe the leg pocket of a pair of cargo pants, but certainly not my bluejeans pocket. How the heck do you do that John?

yeh, i always wear cargo shorts/pants when i do a city walk with both cameras. and a few times ill bring 2 contax g bodies, 1 color 1 b&w along with the mamiya on a strap. Have to make sure i have a very tight belt to keep my pants up. yeh, its the tourist thing, but hell, i am a tourist so i dont care.

destroya · Oct 26, 2025

funny that im posting in this thread as I have a Europe trip coming up in 10 days and im starting to think of what ill bring. guess it qwill be the 2 g bodies and the mamiya 6. I'm lucky i still have a quite a few 220 rolls in the freezer. but im always worried about having enough light to shoot 50 or 100 speed film.

john

brian steinberger · Oct 26, 2025

I’d go Mamiya 6 or 7. Lightweight, sharp lens options, in camera metering, and aperture priority.

GregY · Oct 26, 2025

illawarraflametree said:
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone ❤❤! I've read all your replies and narrowed it down to "only" about 10ish systems to look in to . I've got quite some reading to do (and price comparisons) before I narrow things down further but at the moment I am leaning towards the various TLRs—although the suggestions of the Baby Speed/Crown/Century Graphic and the Horseman are both very interesting indeed, and I might end up going that way.

To contexualise a bit—normally I wouldn't be too adverse to travelling with something as heavy as the RB67, but I've been having some health issues with my joints for quite a long while now so I want to avoid making things worse in that department. Last time I went out with just the RB and a tripod, it was a rather painful experience, normally I carry it using my bike as a handcart which makes it useable, but I'm obviously not going to have access to that in another continent haha. Ergonomics and convenience are secondary concerns, but of course having a camera that is more ergonomic and travellable is also a huge benefit that I'm drawn to.

I'll look into all these great suggestions and then come back with any specific questions or concerns that might come up along the way.

The beauty of Europe is the amount you can see walking. Paris is a great example.... the odd Metro ride and the entire city is at your feet. As well as that aspect, it's also much more comfortable to travel light in every regard. Have a great trip.

Ardpatrick · Oct 27, 2025

destroya said:
funny that im posting in this thread as I have a Europe trip coming up in 10 days and im starting to think of what ill bring. guess it qwill be the 2 g bodies and the mamiya 6. I'm lucky i still have a quite a few 220 rolls in the freezer. but im always worried about having enough light to shoot 50 or 100 speed film.

john

With my Mamiya 7 I have settled on a carbon fibre monopod with a simple quick release plate as the best all round support solution for travel. Yes it's got a little weight, but it is compact and easy to port (You can even use it as a walking stick) and it makes a big difference in low light. It's tiny footprint relative to a tripod is also great in busy situations. Either that or shoot 400 ISO and enjoy the 'film look' that comes with a little grain.

lawnerd · Oct 27, 2025

Brooks-Plaubel veriwide. The original is compact and light for a medium format. Comes with a wide angle lens - Schneider 47mm super angulon. The only issue is they are relatively rare in excellent condition given their age. Takes giant 6x10 negatives.

Shaps · Oct 28, 2025

I haven’t gone through all the replies, but have you considered a 3d printed camera? Chroma has cameras that you can change the lenses easily. For focusing ypu can use a lazer to find the distance then easily set it on the camera. For viewing you can use an app like Viewfinder.
An advantage of 3d cameras is they are very lightweight compared to traditional cameras.

Chuck1 · Oct 28, 2025

Look at threedeecameragear the p690

Shaps · Oct 28, 2025

Chuck1 said:
Look at threedeecameragear the p690

Nice looking cameras, but you need to print, build, them yourself.

Chuck1 · Oct 28, 2025

You can buy them complete or print them yourself

Shaps · Oct 28, 2025

Chuck1 said:
You can buy them complete or print them yourself

I see a 6x17 body but the 6x9 is 49 euros which dounds like the plans to me

abruzzi · Oct 29, 2025

Shaps said:
I see a 6x17 body but the 6x9 is 49 euros which dounds like the plans to me

the price does seem surprisingly low, but there is another entry of 20 euros for files to print. The 49 euro item explicitly stats that it doesn't include the viewfinder, lens or strap, so it does seem to be the whole camera, but it could also be a typo.

Shaps · Oct 29, 2025

abruzzi said:
the price does seem surprisingly low, but there is another entry of 20 euros for files to print. The 49 euro item explicitly stats that it doesn't include the viewfinder, lens or strap, so it does seem to be the whole camera, but it could also be a typo.

I’ve looked further into the website and watched some of his videos. Seems like he is selling the 35mm pano camera with lens or finder. And plans for everything else. He is making some interesting cameras.

Lightweight MF camera recommendations?

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