Modern aperture-priority 6x6 or 6x7 options | Help!?

waffles · Mar 9, 2017

Hello, I am pretty new to APUG. I have been shooting 135 for the last two years and I am ready to make the switch to 120. I was looking at the Hasselblad 200 series, but before I drop $$$$ on a body and an additional $$$$ on a lens, I wanted to ask the board if there are any more affordable options that meet my requirements:

1) 6x6 (or 6x7) exposure size
2) Aperture-priority mode

... I understand that there are several options that take 6x4.5 exposures, but I really want the extra space of a 6x6 or 6x7. Thank you for your help

mweintraub · Mar 9, 2017

Bronica SQ-A with AE prism.
Pentax 67ii with AE prism
Mamiya RZ67 with AE prism.

Ixtl · Mar 9, 2017

These are all rangefinders, if you're into that sort of thing:

Mamiya 6, 7, 7II
Fuji GF670, 670w

They're all a hell of a lot pricier than the SLRs above. They are really nice, though.

moto-uno · Mar 9, 2017

^ The Mamiyas previously mentioned are less than the Pentax 67ii . Their lens however fetch a premium $ . Peter

chassis · Mar 9, 2017

Add to the list the Bronica GS-1 with AE prism.

What about the Rollei offerings? The 6000 series seem to offer AE capabilities.

Fuji GX680? This is a 6x8 format but fits the 120 film size and AE requirements.

RichardJack · Mar 9, 2017

Hi,
I've used Bronica cameras, you can get one heck of a system for very cheap these days. In 6x6 the SQ-A or SQ-Ai are a good choice, the meters are in the finders. You'll need either the AE finder or MF-CDS (waist level chimney) finder for metering. If you want to go old school with Nikon lenses, the EC-TL was a great camera that has a meter built into the body that will meter with any finder and also has 1/1000 second. Nikkors are very sharp. On the negative side it has a focal plane shutter which mean only a 1/60 flash synch. In 6x7, the Bronica GS-1 is a beautiful and well designed camera, but it's heavy. The AE finder or rotary waist level finder is needed for metering. All above cameras are aperture priority. Bronica cameras are no longer made but their is a very large following and selection of used equipment.
Try to handle all of the cameras mentioned and see what fits your style and wallet the best.
Rick

Richard Man · Mar 9, 2017

Love my 203FE, FWIW.

locutus · Mar 9, 2017

I think you first need to decide if metering with only a prism finder is fine or if you want metering with a waist level finder.

If you want a metered WLF your options cut down quick to Hasselblad 200, Rollei 6000 and Bronica EC-TL

brian steinberger · Mar 9, 2017

Mamiya 6 and 7. If you want lightweight and sharp and don't mind a rangefinder these are amazing cameras. I have two mamiya 6s and two bronica RF645s as well and can't recommend them enough. They do bring big $$$ though. I just looked at KEH last night at some mamiya 6 prices. Wow, good investment on my part!

anfenglin · Mar 10, 2017

Why not use a cheaper 6x6 or 6x7 and use a handheld meter?
I love the heck out of my Pentax 6x7 with 105 and 55mm lenses, I also use a Rolleiflex Automat, a Pentacon Six and others.
As a meter I was given a Gossen Digisix, it is small and has all you need. Once you get used to it, you can be as fast as with a built in meter.
I often use the meter to give me a base reading and then adapt to the lighting situation not using it.
Quite often the cameras without built-in light meters are quite cheaper.

chuck94022 · Mar 10, 2017

waffles said:
Hello, I am pretty new to APUG. I have been shooting 135 for the last two years and I am ready to make the switch to 120. I was looking at the Hasselblad 200 series, but before I drop $$$$ on a body and an additional $$$$ on a lens, I wanted to ask the board if there are any more affordable options that meet my requirements:

1) 6x6 (or 6x7) exposure size
2) Aperture-priority mode

... I understand that there are several options that take 6x4.5 exposures, but I really want the extra space of a 6x6 or 6x7. Thank you for your help

Welcome to APUG!

You haven't indicated what you like to shoot. For street/portable/rangefinder/travel use, the Mamiya 6 or 7 cameras are awesome. For portraits/tripod/weight lifting use, the Mamiya RB or RZ 67 cameras are spectacular. Mamiya makes awesome MF lenses, if you haven't spotted the pattern here. But the two camera systems are very different beasts, so you should be clear on your use before selecting one. The Mamiya 6 or 7 cameras are not portrait cameras. The RB or RZ cameras are not street cameras. Of course you can use any camera in any situation, but you'll struggle when they aren't in their domain.

I recommend getting both a Mamiya 6MF (my personal camera) AND a Mamiya RZ67 (my other personal camera). Then you have the best of both worlds!!!

Oh, and there is *nothing* wrong with Hasselblad. While you may thing you are dropping $$$, keep in mind that they used to cost $$,$$$!

(Note, if you are here you'll eventually have a LOT of cameras. I currently have a harem of 35mm cameras, a herd of MF cameras, and a hoard of LF cameras. Then your question will be: which camera do I want to take with me today?)

mfmike · Mar 12, 2017

Ixtl said:
These are all rangefinders, if you're into that sort of thing:

Mamiya 6, 7, 7II
Fuji GF670, 670w

They're all a hell of a lot pricier than the SLRs above. They are really nice, though.

And also remember the Fuji GW670iii (the last model produced) which gives a 6x7 neg. Functioinally the same as the other Fuji GW's, with a non-removable lens and a solid build. Also a rangefinder.
Cheers,
Mike

NJH · Mar 12, 2017

locutus said:
I think you first need to decide if metering with only a prism finder is fine or if you want metering with a waist level finder.

If you want a metered WLF your options cut down quick to Hasselblad 200, Rollei 6000 and Bronica EC-TL

This was me a few months back, decided I really like shooting square slides from a waste level finder but also really wanted the convenience and speed of built in spot metering/patterned metering. When a 6008 system came up for sale from a well known UK dealer at a good price I just had to try it. Glad I did I really love this camera system but it is a properly heavy tank of a thing, 2.2 Kg on my scales fully loaded with the 80mm Planar, battery and film.

one90guy · Mar 12, 2017

Another vote for the Mamiya 6, it has taken me 3 years to get all 3 lens. but as already said the lens are pricey. I went through four different medium format systems before finally deciding on the Mamiya 6. Good luck on your search, you will find a lot of knowledge here. Glad you joined us.

David

TimVermont · Mar 12, 2017

A Rollei 6003 Professional with the non-interchangeable film back 66-120 is the slimmest and lightest way to go if you do not need interchangeable film magazines. Offers aperture priority, shutter priority & fully automatic mode simply by setting both the aperture control ring and the shutter speed selector to their respective "A" marks. 6003 Professionals were offered by some dealers as a pair with the 6008AF as a sales premium so you may be able to find an example with little use. I will also do a +1 on my other love, the Bronica RF645 -- the lenses are superb.

waffles · May 20, 2019

locutus said:
I think you first need to decide if metering with only a prism finder is fine or if you want metering with a waist level finder.

I'm open to using a system with p-only metering. But if I was going to go that route I'd probably go with a Hasselblad 500 series. The Mamiya 6 and Mamiya 7 look like awesome camera's, but at those prices I'd probably go with a Hasselblad 200 series. And just as a reminder ... I'm not interested in camera's that shoot smaller than 6x6 or 6x7. So, although the price is right, the Bronica RF645 would be out. I'll take a look at the other options from Bronica, though!

GLS · May 21, 2019

anfenglin said:
Why not use a cheaper 6x6 or 6x7 and use a handheld meter?

+1

These cameras aren't exactly built for speed in the first place. An extra few seconds to meter a scene with a handheld meter will hardly make that much difference.

itsdoable · May 21, 2019

waffles said:
I'm open to using a system with p-only metering. But if I was going to go that route I'd probably go with a Hasselblad 500 series. The Mamiya 6 and Mamiya 7 look like awesome camera's, but at those prices I'd probably go with a Hasselblad 200 series. And just as a reminder ... I'm not interested in camera's that shoot smaller than 6x6 or 6x7. So, although the price is right, the Bronica RF645 would be out. I'll take a look at the other options from Bronica, though!

A year out and still looking? Gotta be serious about it!

The Hasselblad 500 series with a meter prism will not have AE. If you don't need AE, then the Rollei SL66 is another option that provides metering without a prism.

GarageBoy · Jun 3, 2019

Sl66e?

How reliable are hasselblad 200 series and who repairs them?

Theo Sulphate · Jun 4, 2019

David Odess won't service the 200 series; I doubt whether Hasselblad itself will touch even a 500-series body these days.

Too bad. The 205FCC was a very expensive and complex camera with interesting modes. If it has a problem now, it's a paperweight.

waffles · Jun 5, 2019

itsdoable said:
A year out and still looking? Gotta be serious about it!

Well, guys ... I finally pulled the trigger and bought a gently used Hasselblad 203FE. I'm so excited!! Its going to arrive Monday, and I'll give y'all my first impressions later next week. We have a really good camera shop here in Houston that works on both the 500 & 200 series. So I'm not worried about repairs, unless they go out of business, in which case I'm screwed: http://professionalcamerarepair.com/

GLS · Jun 5, 2019

Congrats. Now you will start to lust after the 2/110 Planar

Theo Sulphate · Jun 5, 2019

Nice! Good to know of a shop that'll work on the 200-series.

Oren Grad · Jun 6, 2019

Theo Sulphate said:
I doubt whether Hasselblad itself will touch even a 500-series body these days.

They will. As of right now, here's what Hasselblad Bron says about current limitations on V-series service. Note that, at least for now, there are no restrictions on the 500-series cameras:

V System Analogue

200 series
- Camera body; shutters cannot be repaired.

2000 series
- Camera body cannot be repaired.

XPan version 1
- Limited service available. Contact service dept. - Shutters cannot be repaired.

1600F
- Camera body cannot be repaired.

1000F
- Camera body cannot be repaired.

Supreme Wide Angle
- Camera body cannot be repaired.

Super Wide Angle
- Camera body cannot be repaired.

Lenses

- V system; F lenses; No service available
- V system; 30mm C, CF limited service available. Contact service dept.
- V system; 250mm and 350mm Superacromat; No service available.
- V system; 500mm f8.0; No service available.
- V system; Variogon 140-280mm; No service available.
- V system; Kodak Ektar lenses; No service available.

https://hasselbladbron.com/warranty/#terms

They also still offer their check-to-spec service special on V-series bodies:

https://forms.na2.netsuite.com/app/site/crm/externalcasepage.nl/compid.587696/.f?formid=118&h=AACffht_Qj2aKPlsIUBgqJkgoDCC4hRNmys=&redirect_count=1&did_javascript_redirect=T

waffles · Jun 17, 2019

Oren Grad said:
They also still offer their check-to-spec service special on V-series bodies:

https://forms.na2.netsuite.com/app/site/crm/externalcasepage.nl/compid.587696/.f?formid=118&h=AACffht_Qj2aKPlsIUBgqJkgoDCC4hRNmys=&redirect_count=1&did_javascript_redirect=T

Oooh! That's good to know. I had called Hasselblad Bron to see how much it would cost to send in for a CLA (just so I'd know,) and the customer service representative said that she couldn't give me an exact number. Just that they charge $250 / hr for labor plus parts (which seems excessive.)

Modern aperture-priority 6x6 or 6x7 options | Help!?

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