Night time: Medium Format Help Me Find the Right Camera

Kuba Shadow

A
Kuba Shadow

  • 4
  • 0
  • 40
Watering time

A
Watering time

  • 2
  • 0
  • 55
Cyan

D
Cyan

  • 3
  • 0
  • 42
Sunset & Wine

D
Sunset & Wine

  • 5
  • 0
  • 42

Forum statistics

Threads
199,109
Messages
2,786,294
Members
99,815
Latest member
IamTrash
Recent bookmarks
2
Joined
Jul 1, 2017
Messages
700
Location
Atlanta, GA
Format
Large Format
Greetings photogs,

Below are the requirements I'm looking for in a medium format camera to shoot at night:
  • No red filter counter.
  • Depth of field scale on the lens, or lenses if it's interchangeable.
  • I can handle the weight, it'll be on a tripod.
  • 6 x anything but 6 or 7, i.e. 6 x 4.5 or 6 x 9.
  • Not rare
  • Cheapest you know.

Thank you in advance.
 
Last edited:

cliveh

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 9, 2010
Messages
7,551
Format
35mm RF
Why would night time require a specific camera?
 

ntenny

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 5, 2008
Messages
2,485
Location
Portland, OR, USA
Format
Multi Format
Is lens speed a big concern, or are you expecting long exposures since you’ll be on a tripod?

-NT
 

ic-racer

Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
16,557
Location
USA
Format
Multi Format
The earlier Horsman cameras are pretty inexpensive. Especially compared to Linhof from which they are inspired. No DOF scale, however.

Screen Shot 2024-03-31 at 5.10.08 PM.png
 

ntenny

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 5, 2008
Messages
2,485
Location
Portland, OR, USA
Format
Multi Format
A decent to excellent lens with a normal focal length.

Ok, but do you need it to be fast? I’m thinking of the 80/1.9 for the Mamiya 645, which is quite a bit faster than the typical f/2.8 and f/3.5 MF lenses. If you need the speed, that seems like a point to the M645 system.

-NT
 
OP
OP
Darryl Roberts
Joined
Jul 1, 2017
Messages
700
Location
Atlanta, GA
Format
Large Format
Ok, but do you need it to be fast? I’m thinking of the 80/1.9 for the Mamiya 645, which is quite a bit faster than the typical f/2.8 and f/3.5 MF lenses. If you need the speed, that seems like a point to the M645 system.

-NT

At night I’ll shoot at f/8 or smaller. There’s always an available shutter speed.
 

Dan Daniel

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Messages
2,912
Location
upstate New York
Format
Medium Format
6x9- Fuji GW/GSW 690 requires aligning start arrow on paper with a dot inside the back, then automatic.

Kodak Medalist I/II requires getting a '1' in the red window, then automatic.

I can't think of a 6x9 folder with automatic frame spacing but there may be some out there. Bessa II?

I think that pretty much all 6x9 backs for technical cameras and such have an arrow/dot starting system.

I don't know how the assorted 6x4.5 SLRs handle the beginning, but all have automatic frame to frame operation. Any of the early folders like the Pearl or the Voigtlander Baby Bessa 64 that have automatic frame spacing use a red window to start, then automatic.

A Rolleicord Va or Vb with a 6x4.5 kit installed require the arrow/dot start then automatic.

Why would night time require a specific camera?
Based on his criteria, I expect that it is using a red window for frame to frame winding that he wants to not deal with.
 

John Wiegerink

Subscriber
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
3,680
Location
Lake Station, MI
Format
Multi Format
6x9- Fuji GW/GSW 690 requires aligning start arrow on paper with a dot inside the back, then automatic.

Kodak Medalist I/II requires getting a '1' in the red window, then automatic.

I can't think of a 6x9 folder with automatic frame spacing but there may be some out there. Bessa II?

I think that pretty much all 6x9 backs for technical cameras and such have an arrow/dot starting system.

I don't know how the assorted 6x4.5 SLRs handle the beginning, but all have automatic frame to frame operation. Any of the early folders like the Pearl or the Voigtlander Baby Bessa 64 that have automatic frame spacing use a red window to start, then automatic.

A Rolleicord Va or Vb with a 6x4.5 kit installed require the arrow/dot start then automatic.


Based on his criteria, I expect that it is using a red window for frame to frame winding that he wants to not deal with.
The Kodak Monitor 620 and 616 have auto frame counting after you set exposure one in the ruby window. I love my Monitor 620, but it's hard to find one with a light tight bellows. I had to replace the bellows on mine, but it was way more than worth it.
 

campy51

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 16, 2014
Messages
1,215
Location
Boston area USA
Format
Multi Format
Is this allowed?
 

Bruce Butterfield

Subscriber
Joined
Sep 26, 2021
Messages
52
Location
Seattle, WA
Format
Medium Format
I really like my Fuji GW690 for night photography; it’s one of the older models that has a true B setting. Amazing contrasty, sharp Fujinon 90mm 3.5 lens, bright rangefinder patch. Not the lightest or most compact camera but wonderful on a tripod.
 

MTGseattle

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 8, 2013
Messages
1,399
Location
Seattle
Format
Multi Format
Daryl, do you have a specific focal length in mind, or would a "system" be better suited?
 

john_s

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 19, 2002
Messages
2,147
Location
Melbourne, A
Format
Medium Format
Be careful of depth of field scales or tables. They are based on a fairly low degree of sharpness (lower sharpness criterion leads to "more depth of field"). Read about it. But I would still focus on the most important parts of the subject.
 

neilt3

Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2014
Messages
1,009
Location
United Kingd
Format
Multi Format
Bronica SQ-Ai with the 80mm lens on works for me .
Markings on the lens for scale focus , speed grip , motor drive or crank lever for winding on film . Automatically stops ready for next exposure whilst resetting the mirror and leaf shutter .
Check whichever of the SQ bodies you get have a "bulb" setting for nighttime shooting .
I'm not sure they all do .
 

RalphLambrecht

Subscriber
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
14,658
Location
K,Germany
Format
Medium Format
Greetings photogs,

Below are the requirements I'm looking for in a medium format camera to shoot at night:
  • No red filter counter.
  • Depth of field scale on the lens, or lenses if it's interchangeable.
  • I can handle the weight, it'll be on a tripod.
  • 6 x anything but 6 or 7, i.e. 6 x 4.5 or 6 x 9.
  • Not rare
  • Cheapest you know.

Thank you in advance.

Hasselblad 500V system; as to the price; it's cheaper to buy once!
 

RalphLambrecht

Subscriber
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
14,658
Location
K,Germany
Format
Medium Format
Be careful of depth of field scales or tables. They are based on a fairly low degree of sharpness (lower sharpness criterion leads to "more depth of field"). Read about it. But I would still focus on the most important parts of the subject.

always good advice; relying on DOF for sharpness will inevitably push the subject into marginal sharpness. always make sure to focus on the main subject and leave the rest to DOF and good luck.
 

dalahorse

Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2004
Messages
101
Location
Colorado
Format
Multi Format
I get great night photography results with my Mamiya RB67 on a heavy tripod. I have the oldest model (Professional, not Professional-S or Professional-SD). I find the ability to fire the camera mirror and leaf shutters independently to be quite useful.
 

hsandler

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 2, 2010
Messages
472
Location
Ottawa, Canada
Format
Multi Format
If you don't want 6x6, 6x7 or red windows, that narrows things down to mostly press cameras or the relatively modern Fuji 645 or 6x9 rangefinders. The Fujis have gotten somewhat expensive. If you go that route, there is even a 645z model with a zoom and autofocus. Mamiya press cameras are fairly inexpensive, given their extensive capabilities, but I have no experience with them. I have a Graflex Century Graphic with a late model 2x3 Graflex roll film back that has automatic counting and auto stop for lever winding. Cost me next to nothing. Mine came with a cheap Agnar 105mm lens taken from a folder, but I always use it stopped way down so it performs well. You can mount lots of lenses in shutters to such a camera. Most lenses have a depth of field scale, or you can use an app to calculate. I take depth of field scales as only a rough guide to maximum depth of field. If you are using medium format, you probably want to make big prints or high res files, so you may want to stop down more than such tables/apps recommend.

Also, given that your profile says you already shoot large format and weight is not an issue, you could consider a roll film back with auto-stop for a 4x5 view camera or press camera.
 
Last edited:
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom