Medium Format Film Cameras Still Being Manufactured?

Jager · Feb 13, 2015

A few weeks ago, after a too-long hiatus, I pulled out my Leica M6 and Bronica RF645. I ordered fresh Tri-X and Xtol and fixer and got down to remembering some things.

The Bronica is the only medium format camera I've ever owned. But in pulling up some of my old Nikon 9000 scans, even at 6x4.5 the qualitative difference over 35mm is striking. Made me start thinking of bigger negatives.

A couple of days ago I ordered a new Bessa III folder. Will be here today. It will be my first new film camera in over a decade.

As excited as I am for the new Bessa, it made me wonder if there are any other medium format film cameras still being made and sold? As much as I love rangefinders, I'd love to have something with a waist-level viewfinder. I regret not buying a Hasselblad 500 system when they were still being made.

Other than the Cosina/Voigtlander Bessa III, are there any other still-new medium format film cameras out there?

Slixtiesix · Feb 13, 2015

Getting a new Rollei TLR shouldn´t be a problem, but they are expensive. I think Mamiya still sells the RZ67 PRO IID. You can get a Hasselblad H4X or H5X that will work with Film backs. Although they don´t make V-System cameras anymore, there are still some NOS or barely used/as good as new cameras around. I would not hesitate buying one of them. In fact I have not hesitated ;-) Not to forget Holga, Diana and Lomo!

gone · Feb 13, 2015

You'd probably be just as well off finding a camera that you think you'd like (buy it and try it first), then send it off to someone reputable for a full CLA. Very little difference between that and a new one other than cosmetics.

snapguy · Feb 13, 2015

Well

Well there is Rollei -- TLR and SLR -- including the tried-and-true Rolleiflex. and there is Linhof and Horseman and Figifilm. There are also instant cameras and the Chinese make a TLR -- Seagull, I think. Not to mention the Lomos and the Dianas which I hesitate to mention.

CatLABS · Feb 13, 2015

Slixtiesix said:
You can get a Hasselblad H4X or H5X that will work with Film backs.

Can you provide any reference to this?
Hasselblad folks at photokina said the opposite.

That said - there are many other options. In fact you can still buy many new old stock cameras like Mamiya 7II, AFDIII, RZ, RB, Hasselblad V etc.

shutterlight · Feb 13, 2015

The RZ67 is officially discontinued, although you can still find it new online. Likewise for the 7II, although I'd just as soon get an original 7 (which I did three years ago).

There's no way I could work with anything smaller than 6x6 at this point. You can get a similar aspect ratio to 6x4.5 with a 6x9 camera, and a much bigger negative along with it.

horacekenneth · Feb 13, 2015

Alpa makes (very expensive) medium format cameras that still work with film backs although I'm not sure if they make any film backs.

I heard the Fuji GF670 was discontinued but as far as I know the Fuji GF670W is still made.

And then as mentioned Rolleiflex TLRs and SLRs as well as a whole host of toy cameras. Is there more?

Oren Grad · Feb 13, 2015

CatLABS said:
Can you provide any reference to this?
Hasselblad folks at photokina said the opposite.

Versatility comes to the fore again from Hasselblad by offering a body that uses H5 technology, with all its advantages, together with the opportunity of exploiting HCD 24mm, HCD 28mm and the HCD 35-90mm lenses with film magazines and 3rd party digital backs....

Dead Link Removed

MDR · Feb 13, 2015

Rollei Hy6 , 6008 AF, pretty much every 4x5 LF camera made today accepts medium formats Backs that are still made, the Shen Hao 6x9cm & 6x17cm and the list goes on and on. Medium Format photography and cameras are far from dead.

Slixtiesix · Feb 13, 2015

CatLABS said:
Can you provide any reference to this?
Hasselblad folks at photokina said the opposite.

It´s just what is stated on their website.

"Versatility comes to the fore again from Hasselblad by offering a body that uses H5 technology, with all its advantages, together with the opportunity of exploiting HCD 24mm, HCD 28mm and the HCD 35-90mm lenses with film magazines and 3rd party digital backs."

CatLABS · Feb 13, 2015

very cool, thanks for the reference.

DWO · Feb 13, 2015

Holgas of various sorts, Diana F+, the new Lomo LCA 120, the Lomo Belair, and of course various pinhole cameras.

Of those the LCA 120 looks most interesting to me.

RalphLambrecht · Feb 13, 2015

Jager said:
A few weeks ago, after a too-long hiatus, I pulled out my Leica M6 and Bronica RF645. I ordered fresh Tri-X and Xtol and fixer and got down to remembering some things.

The Bronica is the only medium format camera I've ever owned. But in pulling up some of my old Nikon 9000 scans, even at 6x4.5 the qualitative difference over 35mm is striking. Made me start thinking of bigger negatives.

A couple of days ago I ordered a new Bessa III folder. Will be here today. It will be my first new film camera in over a decade.

As excited as I am for the new Bessa, it made me wonder if there are any other medium format film cameras still being made and sold? As much as I love rangefinders, I'd love to have something with a waist-level viewfinder. I regret not buying a Hasselblad 500 system when they were still being made.

Other than the Cosina/Voigtlander Bessa III, are there any other still-new medium format film cameras out there?

very sad indeedbut a good reason to hang on to your well-maintained analog equipment.

Moopheus · Feb 13, 2015

MDR said:
Rollei Hy6 , 6008 AF, pretty much every 4x5 LF camera made today accepts medium formats Backs that are still made, the Shen Hao 6x9cm & 6x17cm and the list goes on and on. Medium Format photography and cameras are far from dead.

Jeez, if that's what counts for 'far from dead,' then, well, maybe not so far. It would be hard to believe that any of those things make much of the market.

Slixtiesix · Feb 13, 2015

Holgas are sold in the millions nowadays!

John Koehrer · Feb 13, 2015

Alpa($$$$)
Gaoersi($$$$$$$$$)

It's only money, go ahead, spoil yourself.

Sirius Glass · Feb 13, 2015

momus said:
You'd probably be just as well off finding a camera that you think you'd like (buy it and try it first), then send it off to someone reputable for a full CLA. Very little difference between that and a new one other than cosmetics.

Wot he seys! +1

RalphLambrecht · Feb 14, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
Wot he seys! +1

+1

Jager · Feb 16, 2015

Thanks for the replies, guys. Guess there are a few (new) medium format options out there. But, alas, not many that count. (I'm not considering toy-like curiosities such as Holgas, Lomos, pinhole cameras or the like; nor esoteric solutions like LF backs or extreme-width things like 6x19. In other words, I'm not just looking for anything that will accept 120 roll film. I'm looking for genuinely high-quality camera/lens combinations in 6x6 or 6x7 that leverage the inherent advantages of 120 roll film and could be used for fine art work).

Good thing there is a robust used market. Since that's nearly all there is!

Sirius Glass · Feb 16, 2015

Jager, welcome to APUG

guyjr · Feb 16, 2015

What were sales like in Medium Format's heyday? I always thought the cameras were sold to pros, and with it came pro prices.

I honestly think the last 5 or so years have been the best years for MF, at least for your average non-pro... prices are well within the budgets of serious amateurs and semi-pro shooters, and the used market has an incredible variety to choose from in all conditions - bargain beat ups all the way to new-in-box old stock.

As for me... I picked up a brand new Hy6 a few years ago, two film backs (6x4.5 and 6x6), a digital back, and a slew of lenses, mostly new or "as new". Cost a fortune, but, like I said, "new" Medium Format has always cost a fortune!

trythis · Feb 16, 2015

Jager said:
I'm looking for genuinely high-quality camera/lens combinations in 6x6 or 6x7 that leverage the inherent advantages of 120 roll film and could be used for fine art work).

Good thing there is a robust used market. Since that's nearly all there is!

There are so many cameras available and they are so cheap compared to 20 years ago. Whats your budget and whats your work plan?

Jager · Feb 16, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
Jager, welcome to APUG

Thanks, Sirius!

Mike Evangelist · Feb 16, 2015

If you haven't already, you might want to check out the Rollei 6008 AF. Fabulous cameras, still made, and supported by quite a large system of lenses and accessories. There's also the 6008 Integral 2, which I believe is discontinued, but still available nearly new. It's what I shoot.

Moopheus · Feb 16, 2015

guyjr said:
What were sales like in Medium Format's heyday? I always thought the cameras were sold to pros, and with it came pro prices.

MF's 'heyday' was probably when it was still the common format for amateur instamatic-type cameras, and not just for pros.

Medium Format Film Cameras Still Being Manufactured?

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