Medium Format Redux...Again

[elmontanero]

I love the big negative. I love the idea of MF. So, is there an MF that makes focusing a DREAM for those with glasses and 70 year old eyes? You know, just from your personal experience. Also, not too darn bulky like this Bronica.
I know, I am asking too much, but it's worth a shot.

I'm turning into a gear whore for Medium format right now. After playing with a number of Zeiss Ikontas of all flavors, Too Many TLR's to mention, Pentax 6x7 (stolen!), RB67s, Fuji Gl690... For my eyesight the monster of all Medium Format cameras is the one I'd suggest. Fuji GX680. They're ridiculously heavy and did I mention Monster size?
Right now the prices are cheap for a starter kit. They have a chimney finder that is a dream for careful focusing. Much like placing a loupe over the ground glass and diopter corrections built in - in addition to a bunch of other viewfinders. The glass is amazing for what I do, and if you can't focus exact - get yourself a tripod and shoot it stopped to f45! They have 8 second shutter speeds and no weirdness from being stopped down that far. I have a love/hate relationship with it - I hate carrying it around as it's meant for the studio - but I take it afield anyway - but I just fall in love with the fat and sharp negatives.
I recently purchased a 100m lens from Japan to add to the nonsense... lens was non functioning and the price of shipping back to Japan has made it a paperweight. I'm starting to see the seller feedback showing that he's hocking bad Fuji lenses to others too.

 

[GLS]

Fuji GX680

When I was first looking at getting into medium format film I went through a period of lusting after one of these. The quality/price ratio is off the charts with that system, but ultimately for me it just wouldn't have been at all practical (I don't do any studio work). I still occasionally muse about it though; the 180mm f3.2 in particular looks like one of the best portrait lenses ever made.

 

[elmontanero]

ultimately for me it just wouldn't have been at all practical (I don't do any studio work).

Did you catch this part of my post, "it's meant for the studio - but I take it afield anyway". I've been exploring a local canyon in San Diego. Hiked 3.5 miles in (and that wonderful 3.5miles back out) with the beast and a BEAST of a tripod too. I purchased a different system (I won't get into the Mine better than yours) with a bit smaller bulk (hint, hint) and tried to take it in place of the GX... I was dissatisfied with the resulting negs. I think I've developed a connection with Fuji Glass at this point (owned the GX for nearly 20years) so I recently purchased the GL690/100mm lens to see what can come of it. In my younger, better days I packed the Pentax 6x7 with a Leaf Shutter lens to the top of Half Dome. The GL690 seems featherweight in comparison. I have a skewed sense of camera weight and size since having the GX680.

(Scans of prints, I'm no Ansel but I have fun!)

 

[GLS]

Did you catch this part of my post, "it's meant for the studio - but I take it afield anyway"

Sure. I realise it's possible to haul it out and about, I just considered it too cumbersome as a primary system for that purpose (not to mention virtually impossible to use hand-held, which I do a lot). Its reported power-hungriness was also a concern. Having said that the lens movements would certainly be welcome for landscape/architectural work.

I have a Pentax 6x7 system myself, so I'm no stranger to gear weight

I have also eyed up those Fuji rangefinders from time to time, as having something lighter would sometimes be very welcome.