List of most popular modern medium format cameras

bjorke

Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2003
Messages
2,258
Location
SF sometimes
Format
Multi Format
The charter of "popular" seems to have been entirely discarded!

"Popular" and "Recent" make the list simple and short

Holga
'blad
Rolleiflex
Mamiya RZ/6/7/645
Pentax

I'll bet that's 95% of the market, if not more
Kiev, Bronica, and Contax coming up next I'd bet

KB
(who knows how rare his RF645 is)
 

HerrBremerhaven

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2006
Messages
858
Format
Multi Format
Popular and recent . . . would seemingly need to include Fuji rangefinder cameras. They hold their value quite well on the used market. New versions were only recently discontinued.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
Dead Link Removed
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,321
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
gr82bart said:
Technically you should also include the Hasselblad H1 and H2.

Regards, Art.
Click to expand...

Art,

Please be careful. They will banish you to the dreaded hybrid forum!

Steve
 

elekm

Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2004
Messages
2,055
Location
New Jersey (
Format
35mm RF
Let me expound on my "useless" comment a bit. If you mean those cameras that have been in production since 1992, you have a list with a moderate number of cameras.

For those introduced in 1992 or later, the list narrows significantly. Many of the cameras available for sale in 1992 were designed back in the 1980s and earlier, so it's not enough to say simply 10 or 15 years. You almost have to go back to the 1970s or late 1960s with the introduction of large numbers of Japanese medium format cameras.

This list is similar to another here in which someone was compiling a "comprehensive list" of medium format cameras but omitted anything that took 620 film (nearly all Kodak cameras since the 1930s), nearly all Zeiss Ikon cameras, most folding cameras and a number of other categories. What purpose does a list serve if you omit the major manufacturers.

A better list would be one that compiles and categorizes by date, manufacturer, country of origin and format. That would be a huge project, by the way.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,321
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
elekm said:
A better list would be one that compiles and categorizes by date, manufacturer, country of origin and format. That would be a huge project, by the way.
Click to expand...

And last date manufactured or if still in production or [in cases like Hasselblad] still supported.

Steve
 

Tom Hoskinson

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2004
Messages
3,867
Location
Southern Cal
Format
Multi Format

Don't forget the Fuji GA645 Zi and the Fuji GA645i (and the other Fuji 645s).

Also, the 2.25 x 3.25 Crown, Century and Speed Graphics and the 3.25 x 4.25 Crown and Century Graphics.
 

Len Eselson

Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
8
Format
Medium Format
How about the Hasselblad SWC series. My favorite of the bunch.
Len Eselson
 

sanking

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2003
Messages
5,437
Location
Greenville,
Format
Large Format



Given the wide range of MF equipment that has been available during this 10-15 year period why not separate the question of popularity to type of use. A Mamiya RB67 has been a very popular camera for portrait and other work requiring SLR features, but few would consider it the best choice for general landscape work, especially where travel is concerned. From that perspective the most popular MF equipment might be the Fuji and Mamiya rangefinder cameras. I would also include the Fuji GA645Zi (a medium format point and shoot with variable focus lens), my favorite MF camera.

Sandy King
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Bob Carnie

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 18, 2004
Messages
7,735
Location
toronto
Format
Med. Format RF
My vote goes to the Fuji 6x9 rangefinder, and the Noblex camera.
The fuji's glass is spectacular and we just finished a 28inch x 66 inch fibre print from a Noblex neg that was incredible.
The Noblex format and capabilities are outstanding.
 

Peter Schrager

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 19, 2004
Messages
4,137
Location
fairfield co
Format
Large Format
Ricoh

I have two ricoh TLR's and they produce great prints with fuji Acros. For about $100 each they do an outstanding job. remember it's the man (or woman) not the machine....
Best, Peter
 

panastasia

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
624
Location
Dedham, Ma,
Format
Med. Format Pan
I think we're in the realm of a complete list of MF cameras now. I wouldn't think the Noblex fit the "most popular" category, aren't those specialty (panoramic type) cameras?
 

Bob Carnie

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 18, 2004
Messages
7,735
Location
toronto
Format
Med. Format RF
The camera handles 120 roll film and the film fits into my enlargers therefore I included this camera. It is as easy to operate handheld as any medium format. Just basically a hasselblad with a steroid problem on the horizontal.
panastasia said:
I think we're in the realm of a complete list of MF cameras now. I wouldn't think the Noblex fit the "most popular" category, aren't those specialty (panoramic type) cameras?
Click to expand...
 

panastasia

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
624
Location
Dedham, Ma,
Format
Med. Format Pan
Bob Carnie said:
The camera handles 120 roll film and the film fits into my enlargers therefore I included this camera. It is as easy to operate handheld as any medium format. Just basically a hasselblad with a steroid problem on the horizontal.
Click to expand...

Interesting! It sounds like one I would like to have.
 

Rob Skeoch

Advertiser
Advertiser
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
1,346
Location
Grand Valley, Ontario
Format
35mm RF
Sorry to throw a wrench into the pile.
Beside the current Hasselblad cameras, Holgas and the Rollei's are any of these cameras still being made?

I think Pentax has stopped, Contax has stopped, not sure about Mamiya, Bronica, Fuji.
 

sanking

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2003
Messages
5,437
Location
Greenville,
Format
Large Format
Rob Skeoch said:
Sorry to throw a wrench into the pile.
Beside the current Hasselblad cameras, Holgas and the Rollei's are any of these cameras still being made?

I think Pentax has stopped, Contax has stopped, not sure about Mamiya, Bronica, Fuji.
Click to expand...

I believe Mamiya 711 is still being produced?

If not, new models are still available as of this date.

Mamiya 7 is one of the great cameras of all time in terms of performance. The large 6X7 cm negative and super sharp lenses give results comparable with 4X5 film when the camera is used appropriately.

Sandy King
 

Kino

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
7,741
Location
Orange, Virginia
Format
Multi Format
The Kiev 88CM is still being manufactured .

The Holga is being pumped out by the yard (all silly protests non- withstanding).

Not sure if the Lubitel is yet being manufactured, probably not, but I can't be sure.

You forgot the Russian Sputnik 120 3D camera (in the last 25 years)...

Got to be more FSU and former Iron Curtain Cameras...
 

HerrBremerhaven

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2006
Messages
858
Format
Multi Format
Fuji actually make the H series for Hasselblad, and sell a 6x4.5 version in Japan. I think only the GX680 is the only other Fuji medium format camera being made, though it is possible to still purchase a new Fuji 617.

After change of ownership, Mamiya is still making medium format cameras. It has yet to be seen if any new lenses will be developed by them, though the current selection is fairly extensive.

Leaf and Sinar are selling a version of the Rollei Hy6, which can also use a film back when needed. This system can also use Rollei 6000 series lenses.

Horseman is still making panorama cameras, like a 6x12 and 6x17, and has a 6x9 available. Similar offerings can be found from Linhof, in the 612 and 617 sizes.

Beyond those companies, all others are indeed very small manufactured volumes. The only possible exceptions might be Holga and Seagull.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
Dead Link Removed
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…