Medium format w AF for war, conflict etc

Hi!

I've been shooting with Leicas and a Hasselblad 500C/M next to my digital equipment for many years in war zones.
I recently got rid of the Hasselblad and want to have a new medium format camera with autofocus.

I've been reading a lot about what Mamiya, Contax, Pentax and Hasselblad have in this category but I find it hard to find the information that I'm looking for in regards of how I want to use the camera.

This is priority list of things I'm trying figure out but I have read so many different things I'm just getting more and more confused..If anyone can shed some light on this I would be so grateful!

1. Tough build. It's gonna get a lot of beatings.
2. Battery life and preferably a battery pack or at least not 100 AA's so that it's easy to carry an extra or two.
4. Fast and accurate autofocus (as good as it can get with MF)
3. Lenses good for available light.

I saw there's a battery pack for the Mamiya AFD III / Phase One called EJJI 10K...That seems good and convienient for me.

Are you going to be photographing war zones with a medium format FILM camera?
For real?

Friends, we have found our APUG hero of the year!! Applause!!

I'm not sure there are any MF cameras with FAST AF. Certainly not like a 35.

As a former Air Force Combat photographer (Vietnam) and PJ who covered many wars in Africa I cannot imagine why you would want to shoot film MF in a war zone, and AF at that. I don't think a MF AF would not work that well either, slow AF compared to full frame 35mm, MF AF is not designed for action. But if you really think a MF is the way to go I would recommend a Rolli TLR, or a Pentax 6X7 if you want interchangeable lens. If you want MF AF, then my guess is that Hasselblad is likely the most rugged. Other MF option is Lindhoff or Horseman 6X9system, not as many moving parts rugged, easy to use, good lens, quite, easy to change backs.

AF cameras....well there's the Hasselblad H1/2, Pentax 645, the Mamiya 645 AFD, the Contax 645, the Rollei 6800 and if I'm not mistaken the Fuji GA645. That about covers all the AF medium format cameras.
- The Contax is basically unserviceable (at least in Europe) and I have witnessed first hand the unreliability. Given that and the cost I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole.
- The Rollei is a beast and has a crappy charger system. I owned a 6003 which is not autofocus, really great camera but it's probably unserviceable too.
- The Fuji GA is a P&S (haven't used one personally), if that's your thing.
- The H1 AF is ok actually speed-wise and very accurate, at least mine was on the 10 rolls I shot with it before getting rid of it (just didn't like it as a camera).
- Haven't used the Mamiya and Pentax but the fastest lens is 80/2.8, everything else is downhill from f/2.8, if I'm not mistaken.

How about something like a Mamiya 6, stick a 50/4 on it, stop it down a bit and zone focus. Obviously only good in daytime but...

I was asked 1988 I guess to travel to Irak??? Seems to that time Irak-Iran Conflict - I still forgot these facts.

Our company was not so familliar to such
themes at that time.

No words aboud insurence a.s.o.

Some colleges stated :" $250 bonus a day"

Much to less for me i tought but
I woun't think about that sort of
"special operations" behind the friendly lines" seriously.

Even with $1500 bonus a day ( without
insurence ........)

A friend of mine has done the job

They have been told to stay in the hotel
if there could be any danger.

So it was the first 3 days.

And in the last week they were direkt at
the frontline with their Iraki Press Comander.

"The scuds where flying direct over our
heads and there were some minefields
behind them suddenly"
He told me later. He was very impressed
he said.

You will need an exakta ore some old
russian midt format heavy stuff.

With a hughe ammound of metal i suppose.More wheight is allways better
than more wheight.

Never use digital equipment theese
plastic stuff will cost your live.

..and of cause you are wellcome here
"HERO"

fredekblad would love to see some of your published work or maybe a website. Can you direct me to this??

I shoot with a Fuji GA645Zi and while some find the plastic on the cheaper side, I have shot with it in all environments and it holds up very well to abuse. Very Fast AF. Yes it is a P&S Zoom Camera, but the results are spectacular. Also it is cheap enough to replace if destroyed/lost/stolen, I paid $350 for a minty one on eBay.

I used to own a Pentax 645 Nll. I really liked the autofocus but I shot people at family get togethers and such. It was too slow for shooting fast subjects like sports. This is where my Nikon D300 shined.

The AF of the Rolleiflex Hy6 is fast (I can only compare to the Fuji645zii) and reliable, and you have a choice of excellent lenses (even zoom if you like - and have taken enough steroids to carry it).

film_man said:

The Rollei is a beast and has a crappy charger system. I owned a 6003 which is not autofocus, really great camera but it's probably unserviceable too.

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I would not recommend the 6008AF in this context, I have found it to be less ergonomical and bigger than the HY6, besides it cannot properly handle the afd lenses - and af lenses are hard to find.

Service should be available although parts might be difficult.

spacecadet said:

I shoot with a Fuji GA645Zi and while some find the plastic on the cheaper side, I have shot with it in all environments and it holds up very well to abuse. Very Fast AF. Yes it is a P&S Zoom Camera, but the results are spectacular. Also it is cheap enough to replace if destroyed/lost/stolen, I paid $350 for a minty one on eBay.

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That would actually be a good camera in a fast moving news situation, just seal up the film door with waterproof tape, any other seals or ports that can be sealed up, no worries about carrying extra lens, I assume the lens is on the slow side, shoot with Porta 400 or Tmax 400. I may look into getting one.

Thank you all for your replies! And sorry for my late response, a lot of work these days.

flavio81, Thank you! I think many would be surprised how good tool a slow MF can be in these situations. I always carry an 35mm and a digital as well..But war is not only firefights..It's so much more where you actually have the possibility to work a bit more slow.

John Koehrer, of course it requires a lot of power to move all that glass and mechanics etc..But sometimes it's more knowing it is in focus that how fast it gets in focus. That's what I'm looking for an AF at least.

Paul Howell, I've found my old Hasselblad a great tool for many situations in war..It's not all firefights as you know. And even then..in most situations where I can shoot my Leica M4 I can shoot my Hasselblad. It's actually nice to not have to bring the camera up to your face when focusing. You can have an eye on your surroundings in another way. Well..I like it anyway. Not for all situations..just like any camera. Yah..The Hasselblad..I see it has a built in flash right? I tend to tear them off.

film_man, The H1/H2 looks promising. A bit afraid I might pop up the flash and tear it off though. Does it feel like a solid build? Not a big fan of plastics. The contact looks nice but what you say is important..and it takes like 8 batteries..not fun to carry two back ups of 16 batteries. The Mamiya looks like a better alternative for me, just the look of it makes me feel I can throw it in a bag with other things. The Fuji GA has a 60mm mounted which would be kind of a nice allround lens but f/4 is a bit slow..For most situations no..But I want an 2.8. I usually only do zone focusing with the Leica where I have more frames on the film..and also easy with the tab to just feel where the focus is. The Mamiya 6/7 would be great otherwise for it's size.

Eric Rose, my website is down after it was hacked about a 100 times by Israeli hackers after I photographed the effects of using nails and chemicals in bombs during the Gaza 2014 war. I'm working to put up a new one with increased security. So all I can show you now is unfortunately just an Instagram account with not a lot on it..Sorry! Account name: fredekblad

spacecadet, that's a valid point. Loosing gear due to damage or confiscated at a checkpoint does happen. I met a photographer who instead of one Nikon D4 he had 4 Nikon D40 with him. Maybe not my way of doing things..but..I can't say he didn't have a point! About the Fuji GA645Zi I can see that there is no manual focus. So if I run out of batteries I can only do zone focusing..Otherwise something like this camera would be a good option!

Alan Gales, does the 50mm 1.4 lens fit the Pentax 645N? That would be crazy.

RauschenOderKorn, I looked at the Hy6 and it looks amazing. Hands down the most appealing MF yet for me. I'm gonna look deeper into that one. Thanks!

I'm not using the MF as a news camera..unfortunately I have to be digital there because the news want color pics fast. So I just snap a few digital then pick up the the Leica and Hasselblad for the real stuff.

Thanks all! I will look into the options you've given me so far.

I think you already have your answers. The Hy6 is a 6x6 camera if that is a consideration for you. After looking at your Instagram, I am wondering why you want to change to AF? The natural choice would be to stick with a manual Hassy. If you want to keep the square and want to gain autofocus, then the Hy6 would be the way to go. If you are just looking for autofocus and don't mind the 645 format, the Hasselblad H system is the natural choice.

Good luck to you.

The Pentax 50mm f/1.4 lens is for 35mm film and 35mm digital cameras. The 645 system has a different mount. Also I doubt the 1.4 lens would have a large enough image circle to cover 645.

The 645 series 645, 645n, 645nll and 645D all take the original 645 manual focus lenses. The 645n, 645nll and 645D all take the FA 645 auto focus lenses as well. There are also new FA lenses out since the 645D (digital) came out. There is a 45mm 2.8 lens and also a 55mm 2.8 lens if you are interested.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Lenses/ci/5442/N/4001081884

Patrick Robert James said:

I think you already have your answers. The Hy6 is a 6x6 camera if that is a consideration for you. After looking at your Instagram, I am wondering why you want to change to AF? The natural choice would be to stick with a manual Hassy. If you want to keep the square and want to gain autofocus, then the Hy6 would be the way to go. If you are just looking for autofocus and don't mind the 645 format, the Hasselblad H system is the natural choice.

Good luck to you.

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Yep, the Hy6 or Hasselblad H system seems to be what it comes down too. Been using a 500C/M the last 5 years so don't mind the 6x6 format but..I started to feel its 50/50 between 6x6 and 645 for me now. The Hy6 looks great and seems to be the better camera, at least AF wise and new build etc..But it's also quite more expensive. Will compare them a bit more. I didn't start to really use Instagram until now in Jordan..So I barely have any MF shot on there. I've just felt that in some situations AF would make me be able to concentrate on one thing less which would save me time and less stress that the focus is accurate.

Alan Gales said:

The Pentax 50mm f/1.4 lens is for 35mm film and 35mm digital cameras. The 645 system has a different mount. Also I doubt the 1.4 lens would have a large enough image circle to cover 645.

The 645 series 645, 645n, 645nll and 645D all take the original 645 manual focus lenses. The 645n, 645nll and 645D all take the FA 645 auto focus lenses as well. There are also new FA lenses out since the 645D (digital) came out. There is a 45mm 2.8 lens and also a 55mm 2.8 lens if you are interested.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Lenses/ci/5442/N/4001081884

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I thought it was a bit weird when I saw the 1.4 as a compatible lens for the MF AF systems. 45mm and 55mm 2.8 is certainly interesting. I've had the 50mm f/4 FLE CFi for the Hasselblad so f/2.8 would be great. Thanks for clearing that up!

fredekblad said:

spacecadet, that's a valid point. Loosing gear due to damage or confiscated at a checkpoint does happen. I met a photographer who instead of one Nikon D4 he had 4 Nikon D40 with him. Maybe not my way of doing things..but..I can't say he didn't have a point! About the Fuji GA645Zi I can see that there is no manual focus. So if I run out of batteries I can only do zone focusing..Otherwise something like this camera would be a good option!

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There is manual focus, but no rangefinder or TTL, soo yeah pretty much pointless.. The AF is very accurate.
I can also say I have shot 50+ rolls and the batteries are still full.

If you are used to an M4, and rangefinder focus, I would consider the big Fuji GW / GSW series, 670, 680, 690 II or III.

Easier to focus in low light that your 'blad, no batteries to worry about, very rugged. Big, but not heavy.

I do not have auto focus experience with MF, but I will agree that the Hasselblad focusing can be stiff.

Sirius Glass said:

I do not have auto focus experience with MF, but I will agree that the Hasselblad focusing can be stiff.

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That is the one negative that I had about the Hasselblad. My old RZ67 focussed much faster. Of course if you are hand holding a heavy RZ, it better focus fast!

+1 to @Alan Gales
+1 to @Sirius Glass for admitting a defect on Hasselblad cameras

@film_man , for what it's worth, i can focus my Mamiya RB67 very quickly, sometimes I think i can focus it faster than my 35mm SLR cameras. So don't discount manual focus cameras.

Also, perhaps you need quick film change, with so few shots per roll. A camera with interchangeable film magazines can be a good idea.

They have suggested the Pentax 6x7 system. While i find it really rugged (ready for war!!), the film change is painfully slow on it. I've owned it and struggled with film change.

I will make a different suggestion: Mamiya C220S (latest version). It is light, easy to focus viewfinder, accepts interchangeable lenses (which are small), and film change is reasonably quick. Almost no moving parts on the camera, all of them are on the lens assembly.

About the H1/H2, it is a solid camera but I can't say how it will last in difficult environments, dust, bangs, etc. It is a very easy to use camera and the AF with motordrive make it very quick to operate, it felt just alike an oversize Canon 1V or something like that, the camera becomes basically transparent. The auto film loading and winding is great too, just pop the film in, leader out, close the hatch and it does its thing. I think with Fuji film you even get DX coding.

The lenses are fabulous and cover any focal length you want. Apparently the 100/2.2 is magic. The clarity and brightness of the viewfinder is superb as well. Basically the only catch is that the body is the cheapest thing you'll buy, everything else is stupid expensive. That and I just didn't like it as a camera, a big chunk of industrial plastic fantastic. Can't dispute the results though. And you do get a serviceable system.

You could rent one and see how you like it. You could even rent one of the digi models, the interface is pretty much the same, though they would be heavier vs the film model.