MF camera poll

[gr82bart]

I'd never take my Hassey on a hike! I'm a snob that way.

Regards, Art.

 

[Larry.Manuel]

Rolleicord. Easy to hand-hold at 1/15 second, maybe slower. Rolleinars are great for nature-macro work. I carry it with me on my bike for thousands of km per year.

 

[nc5p]

I have the older Mamiya Super, but I still like it. I only get a vacation about once in twelve years and took it on one this past summer. The Mamiya 7 would be ideal for trips but the price (body and lenses) is so high I can only dream. Then again if I could afford it I could afford to take vacations, though I only get a miserable two weeks off each year.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Linhof 2x3" Technika, of course.

 

[AdrianW]

Here's another vote for the Bronica RF645... light weight, sharp lenses, built in meter, and 32 images on a roll of 220 make it a great no-fuss hiking camera.

 

[dpurdy]

None of the choices come close to the Rolleiflex.

 

[MattKing]

I am not excited about the thoughts of carring my RB in a backpack or traveling and going in and out of shops with my wife while carrying the RB.

It would most likely be easier than going in and out of shops with your RB while carrying your wife.

Sorry, I know I shouldn't have

Matt

P.S. I'd vote for a Mamiya C330 with two lenses (65mm and 135mm), because the lenses are quite compact.

 

[John R.]

None of the choices come close to the Rolleiflex.

The Rolleis are terrific. I have taken my Rollei with 80 Planar into the field on a few occassions and it is light, easy to pack away, simple to use, dependable and astoundingly tack sharp. In fact, I think it provides sharper film than my Blad outfit. Unfortunately, I keep my Rolleiflex in a display case more than I use it. They are superb cameras and I would highly recommend one for field use.

 

[mpirie]

I am not excited about the thoughts of carring my RB in a backpack or traveling and going in and out of shops with my wife while carrying the RB.

I'm not excited at the prospect of going in and out of shops, regardless of the camera I'm carrying (unless it's a traditional camera shop of course)

I don't have any of those listed in the poll, nor a Rollei.

If I'm hiking, then I take the Hasselblad. If weight/distance are a concern, then I'll restrict myself to one lens (usually the 50mm). The SWC/38mm is even lighter.

Much like taking many RF's with fixed lenses.

At the end of the day, so long as we're shooting film, we should use what we've got?

See it as a refreshing throwback to the days when all we had was one camera and one lens......for some of us, that was a LONG time ago

Mike

 

[Steve Smith]

See it as a refreshing throwback to the days when all we had was one camera and one lens......for some of us, that was a LONG time ago

I can just about remember that. What a strange idea!


Steve.

 

[martinhughesireland]

Rolleiflex for me too, its the camera I pack when going into the mountains...

 

[arigram]

I walk around and travel with any or all my MF cameras: Hasselblad, Rolleiflex and Holga, none of which are mentioned.

 

[coriana6jp]

Fuji GF667 would be a good choice too.


Gary

 

[Q.G.]

Needing different cameras for different purposes points, methinks, either towards having too many cameras, or not yet having made the right choice of camera.

I have no problem using the MF camera i use for everything else too.

 

[eclarke]

How much negative you get vs. how big the camera is a factor. I have all the current Mamiyas, RZII, RB, 645d, M7II and a Fuji 645 but the Mamiya gives me the most neg mass...Evan Clarke

 

[Toffle]

A fairly exclusive list... Looks like a (another? ) party I'm not invited to... so I'll take my Rolleiflex on my own little hike. Actually, since I took the prism and speed grip off my GS-1, it is a very handy little camera, so I might bring that along, too.

Anyone up for a hike? (I'll let you bring your Holgas )

Cheers,

 

[stradibarrius]

I do have a Yashica 124g that takes great photos! Maybe it's not a Rollei but it's close. I have several Nikon 35mm bodies and lenses they are just not MF. I even have 2 Nikon digital bodies. A D80 and a D300.I probably should sell or trade the D80 and get another MF.
I had a very nice Isollette folder but it had no range finder and that is a little too retro for me...

 

[DWThomas]

...
See it as a refreshing throwback to the days when all we had was one camera and one lens......for some of us, that was a LONG time ago

Yup, and that one lens wasn't a zoom either!

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I don't hike very much, so my RB67 is ok with me. But if I ever hike I'll take my Rolleiflex with me.

Jeff

 

[keithwms]

I used to have a fuji ga645zi and a ga645w and they are both also very hikable. IMHO the zoom range of the zi is a bit too narrow but it is nevertheless a very fine piece.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

In the real world, I vote for a Rolleiflex (I have a 2.8E which I love). In a perfect world, an original Fujica BL 690 with all three lenses.

 

[ronlamarsh]

Poll

Couldn't vote in the poll: when hiking for just the day I take a Linhof Tech III 4x5 with one lens,two film holders or grafmatic,light meter and cable release and of course tripod as a backup I carry a Rolleiflex 3.5t that makes negatives so sharp they cut your eyes.

 

[Rolleiflexible]

Well of course I can't name everything.
If you have a great choice throw it in but tell why.

You are getting a resounding chorus of
Rolleiflex because it is small, light, quiet,
sturdy, with superior optics, well-suited
for street photography. And it is a joy
to handle and to behold. And if you
want to use it as one, it is a universal
ice-breaker when traveling amongst
strangers.

 

[arigram]

You are getting a resounding chorus of
Rolleiflex because it is small, light, quiet,
sturdy, with superior optics, well-suited
for street photography. And it is a joy
to handle and to behold. And if you
want to use it as one, it is a universal
ice-breaker when traveling amongst
strangers.

Just today I happened upon a young Dutchman who was taking photos with an old grey Rolleiflex. I met his sister and parents too. Apparently a photo student but with a business card already. Unfortunately he was looking for colour film but over here, even I don't have any...
I think that answers a lot of threads (young people and film, photo students and film, travellers and film cameras, usage of 120 colour film, film availability, appropriate street MF cameras, etc)

 

[Peter Black]

I do have a Yashica 124g that takes great photos! Maybe it's not a Rollei but it's close.

I'd go for it with this one as it is relatively light and compact, yet takes a mean photo. If you lose it, drop it or otherwise mess up it is less angst than doing the same with a Hassy, Rolleiflex or one of the big rangefinders, plus there are no issues of needing a prism to shoot vertically.