Portable MF???

stradibarrius · Aug 13, 2009

I have an RB67 that I really enjoy using in the studio but as most of you know, the RB is not the best choice when it is off the tripod.

For someone who really likes the RB what is a good "walk around" MF camera?
I have 120 folder but it does nor have a RF nor a meter, both of which I would like.

I have thought about the Pentax 645n...

Sirius Glass · Aug 13, 2009

In a word: Hasselblad

Good for street photography, sightseeing, and serious photography.

As the Packard ads said, "Ask the man that owns one."

Steve

JasonC · Aug 13, 2009

If interchangeable lenses are not required, Fuji rangefinders are the most compact that I have seen. 645 to 6x9 with meters and/or rangefinders.

Jason.

Colin Corneau · Aug 13, 2009

Just from what I've seen, from friends' cameras and my own research, the Fuji or Mamiya rangefinders seem ideal for what you say you are looking for.

If you don't mind the format the Pentax 645's are also light and easy to use, too.

arigram · Aug 13, 2009

Don't forget the TLRs like the Rolleiflex.
Really great for street photography as they are compact (for a MF camera), silent and the WLF is less threatening than a big camera in one's face.
I do also street with a Hasselblad but save for the 80 lens, the rest are large, cumbersome and heavy. Plus the focus ring is very slow. Not to mention the loud mirror slap, even though its the quietest of all the MF SLRs. Easy to handhold though and never felt too heavy.

keithwms · Aug 13, 2009

I consider my mamiya 6 system to be my most portable. Two bodies and three lenses easily fit into a small bag. The camera has a collapsing mount, it can become very small. The lenses are also virtually peerless- exceptionally good for documentary/travel.

I used to have two Fuji RFs and they too are a good option, but for various reasons I migrated to the 6.

If you want an slr, the mamiya 645 pro system can be quite compact as well. The thing is highly modular, so you can make it about as small as you like. A big benefit of that system: the lenses are very affordable and excellent (there are plenty of reports showing they are en apr with the hassie lenses). The total system cost is very low... which unfortunately cannot be said of the mamiya 6/6mf/7/7ii...

If you want really, really compact then consider a folder.

tgphoto · Aug 13, 2009

How about a Mamiya 7 or 7II? You still get that big beautiful 6x7 image, but in a lightweight package. The lenses are also some of the sharpest available. By design, it doesn't focus close enough for true macro work, but most every other type of subject is within your reach with this one.

If the 7 is out of your price range, then the nod goes to the Fuji rangefinders which were already mentioned.

Steve Smith · Aug 13, 2009

stradibarrius said:
For someone who really likes the RB what is a good "walk around" MF camera?

For me it's the RB with the left hand grip.

That probably doesn't help you much though!

Steve.

cknapp1961 · Aug 13, 2009

I like the Bronica ETRS 645 system, it is quite portable, works like a 35mm, has many accessories and is very inexpensive at this time.

Steve Smith · Aug 13, 2009

cknapp1961 said:
I like the Bronica ETRS 645 system, it is quite portable, works like a 35mm, has many accessories and is very inexpensive at this time.

I have one of those too. If you don't want to carry around the weight of an RB67, either an ETRS or a SQ from Bronica would be a good choice.

Steve.

georgecp · Aug 13, 2009

I have had a Mamiya 7 system for years and love it. I still use a Bronica GS-1 when I want an SLR, but the Mamiya fits the bill you described to a tee. It is very portable, has a 6x7 negative, and is very unobtrusive. I have made many memorable images with it. Furthermore, a properly scanned 6x7 negative provides massive image quality compared to today's affordable digital alternatives...

jp80874 · Aug 13, 2009

If you are thinking of buying a new Mamiya 7 II camera be aware of Mamiya's pricing in the US. I posted this earlier today regarding a comment made in the Bessa 667 thread. If you are thinking second hand as all of my cameras are, disregard.

"Originally Posted by stealthman_1
.... A Mamiya 7 II doesn't have TTL either. New at B&H with 80mm f4 lens, it's $3700... "

"This may have more to do with Mamiya marketing in the US. The same kit at Robert White in England is ₤1725 or $2868 today. On eBay I see two dealers in Hong Kong price waring the same kit between $1900-$2000. Duty and shipping added, warranty at point of sale."

John Powers

MikeSeb · Aug 13, 2009

Second the Mamiya 7. Check KEH for good used values and risk-free purchase. That's what I did. Absolutely love the camera; it would be the one, if I could have only one.

claudermilk · Aug 14, 2009

Steve Smith said:
I have one of those too. If you don't want to carry around the weight of an RB67, either an ETRS or a SQ from Bronica would be a good choice.

Steve.

As would a Mamiya 645Super/Pro/Pro TL. I've been pleasantly surprised at the portability of my 654 Pro rig (in fact it's about the same overall size as the DSLR rig with it's big batteries & lenses).

thisismyname09 · Aug 14, 2009

Steve Smith said:
For me it's the RB with the left hand grip.

That probably doesn't help you much though!

Steve.

I agree with this. The Rb67 is perfectly portable with a grip or a carrying strap. Over time, using it will build your muscles until you feel like you'd crush a 35mm when you hold it. This is what happened with me, anyway. Actually, I don't even recommend a grip. I've bought both a pistol grip and a left hand L-grip, and i've discovered today that I prefer holding the camera bare. There goes $50 I never needed to spend.

Pupfish · Aug 14, 2009

I worked backwards based on lens performance to come up with the Pentax SMC-A 35mm f/3.5 as my reason for owning a 645 format system. This and other manual lenses fits all three of the P645 bodies incl the AF ones. The metering on both the Pentax 645N (and NII) is really exquisite: Spot, CW and Dual Six Segment (matrix). You can pick up a whole 645N camera (integrated winder and AE prism finder) for about the price of just a used ETRS AE-III prism meter--which doesn't have matrix!

But the P645N isn't my only camera, and it's just not a very good choice for daylight fill-flash. The weakest point of the Pentax system is that there's no TTL/OTF flash with any of the several leaf-shutter lenses. The ETRSi can do this TTL/OTF without so much as a metering prism finder and the system has all leaf-shutter lenses.

Portable MF???

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency