Medium Format Analog Cameras that do not need battery

Vikram · May 17, 2021

Hi,

I would like to purchase a completely Analog Medium Format Camera i.e. which can function fully without requiring batteries
( i don't need flash ).

Could someone here be kind enough to guide me on the best medium format analog cameras without the consideration of price.

Particularly, could someone let me know whether the following cameras require batteries to function:

Mamiya RB67
Hasselblad 500 CM
Pentax 67 ii

Thanks a ton in advance.

With best regards,

Vikram

P.S.: If any of my questions were wrong, please do correct me.

BobD · May 17, 2021

The Pentax 67 models all require a battery to fire the shutter.

Vikram · May 17, 2021

Old Gregg said:
The first two do not need batteries. I would also add all Mamiya TLRs to your list: C220, C330 and their predecessors. IMO those represent the best overall value in medium format right now.

Thanks so much Old Gregg.

The info you have shared is very useful.

Best wishes!

Vikram · May 17, 2021

BobD said:
The Pentax 67 models all require a battery to fire the shutter.

Thanks a lot or the specific info BobD

Best wishes!

Pieter12 · May 17, 2021

The Plaubel Makina 67 does not need batteries to function. Only the meter.

Vikram · May 17, 2021

Pieter12 said:
The Plaubel Makina 67 does not need batteries to function. Only the meter.

Thanks so much for your input Pieter12..

Best wishes!

Vikram · May 17, 2021

Old Gregg said:
The first two do not need batteries. I would also add all Mamiya TLRs to your list: C220, C330 and their predecessors. IMO those represent the best overall value in medium format right now.

Could you please tell me if either of the two i.e. the Mamiya RB67 & the Hasselblad 500 CM have a superior output than the other in terms of clarity of the photographs?

Thanks so much!

MattKing · May 17, 2021

Vikram said:
Could you please tell me if either of the two i.e. the Mamiya RB67 & the Hasselblad 500 CM have a superior output than the other in terms of clarity of the photographs?

Thanks so much!

Welcome to Photrio.
Both are capable of extraordinarily high quality results. They were top line professional cameras in their day. They continue to be used in that capacity by a small percentage of professionals.
Condition is critical. The choice between them might be mandated by whether you can access local repair people.
In both cases, their lenses are excellent and the choice is extensive. Local availability may again mandate your choice.

rjbuzzclick · May 17, 2021

The Koni-Omega series of 6x7 cameras do not need batteries. Many (most? all?) TLRs (6x6) won't need batteries either for the shutter, though some have internal meters that will need batteries. There are also a ton of medium format folding cameras (6x4.5, 6.6, 6x9) that are fully mechanical.

Kodachromeguy · May 17, 2021

Another option, the Fuji rangefinder cameras, the ones known as the Texas Leicas:
GW690

GW690II
GSW690II
GW670II
GSW670II

GW690III
GSW690III
GW680III
GW670III
GSW670III

Yes, I know, it is confusing. The 680 size is rather rare. Optically all are superb.

Vikram · May 17, 2021

MattKing said:
Welcome to Photrio.
Both are capable of extraordinarily high quality results. They were top line professional cameras in their day. They continue to be used in that capacity by a small percentage of professionals.
Condition is critical. The choice between them might be mandated by whether you can access local repair people.
In both cases, their lenses are excellent and the choice is extensive. Local availability may again mandate your choice.

Hi MattKing,

Thats a very clear reply you've given me. I really appreciate it. Thanks so much!

I am trying to find out one more thing. I hope you can help me out with this query too:

Can the Mamiya RB67 switch backs half-way through a roll like the Hasselblad 500 CM can?

MattKing · May 17, 2021

Vikram said:
Can the Mamiya RB67 switch backs half-way through a roll like the Hasselblad 500 CM can?

Yes.

Vikram · May 17, 2021

rjbuzzclick said:
The Koni-Omega series of 6x7 cameras do not need batteries. Many (most? all?) TLRs (6x6) won't need batteries either for the shutter, though some have internal meters that will need batteries. There are also a ton of medium format folding cameras (6x4.5, 6.6, 6x9) that are fully mechanical.

Thanks so much rjbuzzclick for your response and the suggestions too!

Best wishes!

Vikram · May 17, 2021

Old Gregg said:
Vikram, film cameras do not have any effect on the quality of the photographs. They are just black boxes that hold film in complete darkness behind the lens. The quality of photographs depends on the lens and the film type. Both RB67 and Hasselblad are interchangeable lens cameras, and both systems have plenty of quality lenses to choose from.

Hi Old Gregg,

Thanks a lot or your explanation and clarification. That definitely straightened out my though process!

Vikram · May 17, 2021

MattKing said:
Yes.

Thanks so much MattKing for your reply.

Best wishes!

Vikram · May 17, 2021

Old Gregg said:
Vikram, film cameras do not have any effect on the quality of the photographs. They are just black boxes that hold film in complete darkness behind the lens. The quality of photographs depends on the lens and the film type. Both RB67 and Hasselblad are interchangeable lens cameras, and both systems have plenty of quality lenses to choose from.

They differ by the negative size: the Mamiya produces a slightly bigger 6x7 negative vs Hasselblad's 6x6. In return, the Hasselblad is lighter and less bulky.

Hi Old Gregg,

Thanks a lot or your explanation and clarification. That definitely straightened out my thought process!

unwantedfocus · May 17, 2021

Vikram said:
I would like to purchase a completely Analog Medium Format Camera i.e. which can function fully without requiring batteries
( i don't need flash ).

Could someone here be kind enough to guide me on the best medium format analog cameras without the consideration of price.

I really like TLR cameras, most of them require no batteries and if they require batteries they will operate without them and the lightmeter (Battery is used for the lightmeter) on those TLR's are considered very bad/inaccurate (mostly left unused) .The most used format of those TLR's (Twin lens reflex) camera is 6x6. It is a unique shooting experience and not everyone likes it, it has it pros and cons.

Consider looking into, Rolleiflex, Mamiya, Yashica, Minolta, Flexaret. If you want more in-depth information about TLR's, features and such let me know and I can write up some key-points.

grat · May 17, 2021

unwantedfocus said:
I really like TLR cameras, most of them require no batteries and if they require batteries they will operate without them and the lightmeter (Battery is used for the lightmeter) on those TLR's are considered very bad/inaccurate (mostly left unused) .

I have to disagree, at least partially. I have the CdS porrofinder for the Mamiya C-series, and it works with modern batteries-- quite accurately as well.

I also have a Yashica-12, and after a pass through Mark Hama's workshop, its light meter also works quite well, with modern batteries.

So it is possible, but you're correct that most cameras that haven't been updated, use unavailable mercury batteries, short-lived zinc-air batteries, or modern batteries that return incorrect results.

sfphoto · May 18, 2021

Hello Vikram

You have not mentioned what subjects you wish to photograph and in what setting.

For travel, hiking etc. one would need help carrying a 6x7 system like Pentax or M/S RB.

Also do you need the option of different lenses that a system offers.

Medium format varies from a tiny Fuji 645 that fits in a pocket to a huge M/S RB67.

Then too one has to consider the viewfinder. The TLR is held at the waist, a Pentax SLR an eyelevel prism, a Fuji / Plaubel has a rangefinder (ala Leica). All different and determine the way you will 'see' your subject.

Since all these cameras mentioned can be used w/o a battery, consider your subjects and how to best view them first.

narsuitus · May 18, 2021

I prefer battery independent cameras. The battery independent medium format cameras I have used and loved include:
YashicaMat 6x6cm medium format TLR
Mamiya C3 6x6cm medium format TLR
Mamiya C22 6x6cm medium format TLR
Mamiya C220 6x6cm medium format TLR
Mamiya RB67 6x7cm medium format SLR
Fuji 6x7cm medium format rangefinder
Fuji 6x9cm medium format rangefinder
Holga 120 panoramic camera
Holga 120WPC pinhole camera
Zero Image 6x9cm pinhole camera
Agfa Ansco Viking 6x9cm folding camera
Ansco Standard Speedex 6x6cm folding camera

Medium Format by Narsuitus, on Flickr

Alan Edward Klein · May 18, 2021

Vikram said:
Could you please tell me if either of the two i.e. the Mamiya RB67 & the Hasselblad 500 CM have a superior output than the other in terms of clarity of the photographs?

Thanks so much!

The main difference you should first consider is that their formats are different. The RB67 is 6x7cm while the Hasselblad is a 6:6cm square format. First decide on the format you want.

Paul Howell · May 18, 2021

The majority of MF cameras do not require batteries, many are mentioned. to narrow it down, do you have a price point in mind, not just for a body for lens, which is my next question do you want or need interchangeable lens? You can add Kowa 6 and super 6, Mamiya 6, the fixed lens version from the 50's and a number of Soviet era cameras.

fs999 · May 18, 2021

Agfa Super Isolette
Suzuki Press Van
Norita 66
Reflex Beauty
Mamiya C220

TheFlyingCamera · May 18, 2021

For the king of TLRs, a Rolleiflex 2.8 or 3.5 E or F model. The cameras are basic, no interchangeable lenses, no changeable film backs, but no batteries, and they do what they do exceedingly well.
There are lots of good folders out there, from the Fuji 645 models to vintage 6x6 through 6x9 cameras. If you want the big negative of a 6x9, and need robustness/durability, a Kodak Medalist I or II will do the trick. They're big, they're heavy, but they have a top-flight Kodak lens supposedly modeled on the Heliar design.

If you are asking for an opinion, I would choose a Hasselblad over an RB 67, because it is smaller, lighter to carry around, and easier to use (you can't forget to wind the film on a Hasselblad to the next frame by accident). That's an opinion, based on my personal experience of using both cameras. That said, I now use an RZ67 (I have multiple reasons for preferring the RZ over the RB, none of which are germane to this discussion because the RZ uses batteries, which you have said you do not want).

MattKing · May 18, 2021

TheFlyingCamera said:
If you are asking for an opinion, I would choose a Hasselblad over an RB 67, because it is smaller, lighter to carry around, and easier to use (you can't forget to wind the film on a Hasselblad to the next frame by accident).

If you use a RB67 Pro-S or RB67 Pro-SD with film backs of similar vintage, you also can't forget to wind the film.

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