Medium Format with an Eye-Level ViewFinder???

Michael L. Dunlap · Jan 26, 2006

I recently bought a Yashicamat 124 and I love the results that I get from it. The large negatives produce outstanding prints. But I don't like actually shooting with it. It's hard to view through it on a sunny day and the whole "turn left to look right and vice versa" thing is a big turn off. It's gotten to the point to where the only thing I shoot with it is portraits on a tripod. I would like to find a 6x6 camera that shoots like a 35mm SLR. To me, that would be the best of both worlds. Price is a big factor too, I would like to stay in the $100-$200 range (I paid $120 for the YashicaMat on e-bay). Any suggestions would be appreciated.

avandesande · Jan 26, 2006

How many rolls of film did you put through it? I have shot alot of different formats, and found that you adjust if you give it time. This is a very rewarding camera once you learn how to use it.

medform-norm · Jan 26, 2006

Big 6x6 SLR's: Kiev, Pentacon Six, Exakta 66, Norita, Rittreck 66, Warner 66.
Big 6x7 SLR: Pentax 67, Pentax 6x7 etc.

digiconvert · Jan 26, 2006

Michael L. Dunlap said:
...the whole "turn left to look right and vice versa" thing is a big turn off.....

I would agree with avandesande that you need to give yourself time to adjust to working with a WLF. It actually has some advantages particularly where you want to catch a subject off guard, people are far less self consciouss about a camera vaguely pointing in their direction as opposed to a camera at eye level pointing AT them.
In portrait work you can keep some discourse going with the subject with real eye contact and for general work I find it better for composition, I can look at the scene as a whole AND through the finder.
Having said that it's individual choice that matters if you really want an eye level prismat the price quoted medform-norm has some good suggestions, though the non eastern bloc cameras may be difficult to find in good condition at that price.
The other option is something like a Fuji 645 rangefinder, not a reflex camera but has the viewfinder style you are looking for, the lenses are reputed to be excellent on these.

Hope this helps CJB

Dave Parker · Jan 26, 2006

Your best bet is probably going to be a rangefinder MF camera, but myself have never found the left right thing to be an issue, I guess I have been doing it long enough that the left brain right brain thing works okay with each other...

Now if you really want to get messed up, go into Large Format, so not only is it backwards, its upside down also....!

LOL

Dave

ricksplace · Jan 26, 2006

I have Rolleiflex T with a prism finder. I can use the standard viewing screen at waist level, or attach the prism and everything is like an slr. The prism finder is heavy. I use it mostly with the 6X45 attachment for the T so I can turn the camera to portrait.

I know what you mean, however. I have three TLR's, and I like shooting them, but I find that I use my Pentacon six tl more since it handles like a regular 35mm slr, albeit twice the size and three times the weight.

If you are accustomed to a 35mm slr, I can't recommend the Pentacon six tl enough. I have never had any problems with mine so long as you load the film properly. 13 shots per roll of 120, and those zeiss lenses produce stunning images. You can buy the camera with an 80mm lens, plus two or three more lenses for the price of just a hassy body.

avandesande · Jan 26, 2006

You can't beat a WLF for shooting kids. It is pretty easy to get at eye level, and you can do things that would otherwise be impossible like ground level shots when they are playing on the floor or in the grass.

Lee Shively · Jan 26, 2006

A used on in good condition will cost a good deal more than what you said you want to pay, but the Pentax 645 handles better than a lot of the larger 35mm SLRs around today and has a built-in prism, slow motor drive and very ergonomic grip.

Kevin Roach · Jan 26, 2006

hmm

is a koni-omega in that price range? probably have to go with an old folder to keep it less than $200. maybe a century or mini speed graphic with roll film holder. Then you have to hope you can get one with a good bellows.

elekm · Jan 26, 2006

Most folding cameras have eye-level viewfinders. Some are excellent cameras. Not sure what you're looking for - slr-type or just a simple frame finder?

BWGirl · Jan 26, 2006

I agree with those who say that it takes time to adjust to the wlf... after I got my hassy, I could be found swaying back & forth like a mystic in a trance trying to set up a shot! So, it can be done if you give it some time!

I now have an eye-level finder (elf??? haha ), and I love it... but I really needed it more for logistics than anything else.

Yashicamat... how very cool! Hang in there with it! Just keep taking it out & using it & I think you'll find that it get easy much quicker than you thought it would!

BrianShaw · Jan 27, 2006

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ricksplace · Jan 27, 2006

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digiconvert · Jan 27, 2006

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Claire Senft · Jan 27, 2006

Does you TLR have a folding center on the hood to make a frame finder? If it does you could focus by using the WLF and push back the center of the hood for framefinder. The Rolleis have this feature and allow one to focus on the center of the image at eye level. With practice on can get very good a distance estimation. It does not take all that much practice either. The TLR with frame finder and some experience can be a wonderful device for photgraphing non static subjects.

David A. Goldfarb · Jan 27, 2006

The best handling MF setup with a prism finder that I've tried is the Bronica SQa with a prism and lever wind handle. It looks like a modular Hassy-type camera, but it's light, easy to focus, and feels more like a 35mm SLR than cameras like the Pentax 67 and such, even though they look more like 35mm SLRs.

Bob Fowler has one. Maybe he'll make a recommendation.

Phillip P. Dimor · Jan 27, 2006

I love my Pentax 645. It is fast, easy and conveinent and the lenses are absolutely outstanding.

I also have a Hasselblad 503cx with a waist-level finder. I like using the waist-level but bought a Kiev Meter Finder.. The meter finder makes it a little easier but much heavier..

Try it for a little while longer, you'll get used to it more than likely. I used a Tower 120 TLR for a year and learned to take some outstanding pictures with it. All I needed was a bit of patience.

Sanjay Sen · Jan 27, 2006

David A. Goldfarb said:
The best handling MF setup with a prism finder that I've tried is the Bronica SQa with a prism and lever wind handle. It looks like a modular Hassy-type camera, but it's light, easy to focus, and feels more like a 35mm SLR than cameras like the Pentax 67 and such, even though they look more like 35mm SLRs.

Bob Fowler has one. Maybe he'll make a recommendation.

I recently got a Bronica SQ-A with a prism finder, and moving up from 35mm, I must tell you that this is really convenient if one is used to 35mm cameras. The prism finder has manual metering which means I do not have to carry a light meter or a 35mm camera for metering. The outfit (body, 80mm lens, 120 back & prism finder) cost me $300, which is over the budget that you stated, but fairly reasonable - or so I think.

bobfowler · Jan 27, 2006

As David said, I have the prism setup for the SQ-A and SQ-Ai. One of the prisms is the standard meter, the other the AE meter. When used with the Speed Grip S, they're like a 35mm camera with a thyroid condition - VERY fast handling. I use the motor on the SQ-Ai which while it adds a bit of weight, it makes up for it by powering the camera so I don't have to use 4 of those blased 76 cells to power the body. The SQ-Ai with the AE finder is a bit of a power hog, so the switch to AA's was a good move.

All in all, I wouldn't go with another 6X6 SLR system.

Max Power · Jan 27, 2006

FWIW,
I was't really warming up to the TLR thing myself, so I took a really careful look at 645 SLRs and ended up getting a Mamiya M645 1000s, rather than launching myself further into the Mamiya TLR setups.

Right now, the prices are really good on both the bodies and accessories, and even the most common lenses are very well priced right now. With the Mamiya system, you can even add a WLF if you really need one later!

Just my $0.02

Konical · Jan 27, 2006

Good Evening, Michael,

In addition to all the good suggestions above, I'll thow it one which may be a bit off-beat. Have you ever considered a Koni-Omegaflex? It's a 6 x 7 TLR with its viewing screen directly behind the viewing lens; viewing and focusing are done in a manner akin to that of a miniature view camera. Magnifying viewers are available, one which attaches directly to the rear of the focusing screen and one with a mirror which provides the more typical TLR view. Interchangeable lens sets and various other accessories can be had. It's also in your price range. I recently bid successfully on one; the final price was $128.50 and it arrived last week in superb condition. Bonus: when you're not shooting with it, it can be incorporated into your weight-lifting program.

Konical

Phillip P. Dimor · Jan 28, 2006

I've heard excellent things about the Koni Omega as well.. if you don't mind a rangefinder. Excellent film flatness and outstanding lenses. Plus it's cheap.

A Koni OmegaFLEX for $128 however is a freaking steal. I've never seen a complete one sell for less than $400 on Ebay. I guess i'm not looking too hard but they do seem pretty neat.

Konical · Jan 28, 2006

Good Evening, Phillip,

I assure you that everything you've heard about the K-O rangefinder is correct; it compares well to much newer (and much more expensive) systems with the possible exception of the film backs. They sometimes develop frame-spacing problems. For me the neat thing about my new (old) Koni-Omegaflex is that the film magazines I have for the rangefinder are compatible with it. I've been too busy lately to give it a good work-out, but a couple of test rolls indicate that the Flex delivers the same sharp results as the RF.

Konical

benjiboy · Jan 31, 2006

Try This

Michael L. Dunlap said:
I recently bought a Yashicamat 124 and I love the results that I get from it. The large negatives produce outstanding prints. But I don't like actually shooting with it. It's hard to view through it on a sunny day and the whole "turn left to look right and vice versa" thing is a big turn off. It's gotten to the point to where the only thing I shoot with it is portraits on a tripod. I would like to find a 6x6 camera that shoots like a 35mm SLR. To me, that would be the best of both worlds. Price is a big factor too, I would like to stay in the $100-$200 range (I paid $120 for the YashicaMat on e-bay). Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I sugest you focus the camera in the normal way Michael at waist level, then flip down the the frame finder in the front of the focusing hood and shoot at eye level at the pre focused distance when the object reaches it. I may be wrong but I don't think you can buy a M/F S.L.R with a prism finder for $200, I think if I were you I would give yourself a bit more time to practice with your Yasicamat.

Medium Format with an Eye-Level ViewFinder???

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