Recommend 6x6 MF camera - not Mamiya

johnha · May 25, 2018

Given the budget and UK market, I'd suggest either a C330 (or similar) or a Bronica SQ - I have an SQ-B (more basic version of the SQ-A - there are no electronic connections to the film back or viewfinder meaning the meter prisms won't work and no 'B' shutter setting). These should be around budget (I'd prefer the SLR) and lenses are plentiful and not too expensive. The SQ-B with WLF and 80mm lens and back isn't too heavy. There's always the Bronica S2A (focal plane shutter), these are cheaper, older and heavier (more metal), the lenses are harder to find than those for the SQ but can still be found.

I don't much about folders, rangefinders and fixed lens TLRs, but if spending £300, I'd prefer something with more system options for versatility - I originally bought a C330f + 80mm and looked at other lenses but decided the SQ-B was a better system camera with more options later down the line.

Mamiya 7 prices in the UK are simply eye-watering by comparison.

John.

GLS · May 25, 2018

I'm sure a Pentacon six with 80mm lens could probably be had for that money.

I have no experience using one, but it's another option.

JWMster · May 25, 2018

Bronica is "okay" but all system cameras can be kind of fidgetty. If you want simple... and your budget suggests simple is more important than quality (sharp), I'd swing with a folder or TLR. TLR has potential for more quality in my experience. Don't know the Isollettes directly, but can add +1 to a Zeiss Super Ikonta ( I like the III as a more "modern" shooter's camera).
Personally, I'd tend to recommend a higher budget to open up some choices if you can, or maybe you budget a LOT of time and energy going to yard sales to find the sleepers of great cameras at a sale price.

Rob MacKillop · May 25, 2018

Still more choices, and I'm learning about some I'd never heard of. Thanks all.

I used have a C330s, which I liked, though found a little heavy. Easy to use, though, once you had figured it out and remembered what order to do things in. So, that remains a contender. But many of the others mentioned look interesting too. Much reading to do before pouncing.

JWMster · May 25, 2018

I've picked up a Rolleiflex 3.5E and though double the budget, I'd be curious how it compares with your former C330 on weight. Seems pretty much a lightweight.

film_man · May 25, 2018

A quick search here Dead Link Removed finds a Bronica SQB, a bunch of Mamiya TLRs and more for under £300. Check the usual suspects, ffordes, mifsuds and whatever other camera shops you know of. £300 is decent enough to get you basically anything with Bronica SQ or Mamiya C on it. A Yashica 124 would be half your budget.

Marcelo Paniagua · May 25, 2018

JWMster said:
I've picked up a Rolleiflex 3.5E and though double the budget, I'd be curious how it compares with your former C330 on weight. Seems pretty much a lightweight.

Weight difference it quite a big one. I got one with 4 lens, but even taking the body with only one lens is quite a burden. Your neck/shoulder will testify for that if you take it for walk. Rollei just fit into your body better.

Size aside, I'm willing to put with the C330 weight and size for the added flexibility and fun factor

Regards

Marcelo

Rob MacKillop · May 25, 2018

OKAY, I've chosen and purchased a Bronica SQ-Ai, with 80mm f2.8 lens and waist-level finder from wycameras - thanks for the link, film_man! Yes, I stretched my budget to £375 plus £11 postage. I should get it early next week. I have a 120 roll of HP5 in a drawer, so that will get me started. Exciting! Good to be back in the land of MF. Thanks again for all your recommendations. The Bronica reminds me of the RB67 I used to have, though smaller and lighter. In a few weeks' time I'll be looking for another lens, though the 80mm will be a great start. If I get a half-decent shot out of it, I'll post it here. Cheers.

MattKing · May 25, 2018

If you are concerned about the weight and size of a Mamiya TLR, I recommend comparing the size and weight of a body + 2 or three lens kit vs any other interchangeable lens option.
My 2 lens + 2 finder + C330 body + trigger grip kit is relatively speaking quite portable.
The C220 is another option - you lose automatic shutter cocking and some of the detailed viewfinder information respecting close-up exposure adjustment and parallax adjustment, but the camera is a bit lighter and slightly smaller.

Rob MacKillop · May 25, 2018

Thanks, Matt, but see the post before yours...

jimjm · May 25, 2018

Rob MacKillop said:
OKAY, I've chosen and purchased a Bronica SQ-Ai, with 80mm f2.8 lens and waist-level finder from wycameras - thanks for the link, film_man! Yes, I stretched my budget to £375 plus £11 postage. I should get it early next week. I have a 120 roll of HP5 in a drawer, so that will get me started. Exciting! Good to be back in the land of MF. Thanks again for all your recommendations. The Bronica reminds me of the RB67 I used to have, though smaller and lighter. In a few weeks' time I'll be looking for another lens, though the 80mm will be a great start. If I get a half-decent shot out of it, I'll post it here. Cheers.

Congrats on the purchase Rob! You'll probably find that it's a pretty versatile camera, and the lenses, backs and finders are reasonably common and affordable. Make sure to download a copy of the user manual, as there are a few quirks related to test-firing the shutter and using the "T" setting with the lenses. Here's a link to a photographer in your neck of the woods who uses the SQ system also: Dead Link Removed .
Here's one shot taken with the 80mm lens, hand-held with my SQ-A:

removedacct3 · May 25, 2018

Arax 60

Rob MacKillop · May 25, 2018

Hi Jim. That's a great shot - your son? And thanks for the link to Dave's work, which is really excellent and evocative. His website doesn't give an address, so I don't know how close he is to me.

Excited about the Bronica. I have a Minolta IV light meter, which is not the best for landscape, not having a spot meter facility. But it will do for now. I'm assuming it will be better quality than a phone app. I suppose I could also use a digital camera to work out exposure, while getting a screen example of what it might look like. Yes, I'll have a good read of the camera manual. Cheers.

macfred · May 25, 2018

One of the guys I follow on flickr does very nice photography with his Bronica SQ-A https://www.flickr.com/photos/michal_kusz/albums/72157674975746376/page1

Rob MacKillop · May 25, 2018

Indeed. I think I'll start following him now. There's enough good photography being done with a Bronica mf camera for me to a) feel in awe, and b) feel excited. I'd love to master exposure, and mf with no help from the camera is a good place to start from.

jimjm · May 25, 2018

Rob MacKillop said:
Hi Jim. That's a great shot - your son? And thanks for the link to Dave's work, which is really excellent and evocative. His website doesn't give an address, so I don't know how close he is to me.

Excited about the Bronica. I have a Minolta IV light meter, which is not the best for landscape, not having a spot meter facility. But it will do for now. I'm assuming it will be better quality than a phone app. I suppose I could also use a digital camera to work out exposure, while getting a screen example of what it might look like. Yes, I'll have a good read of the camera manual. Cheers.

He's my cousin's grandson and quite the ham in front of the camera. He was really interested in the Bronica, so I let him take a half-dozen shots with it. A few were actually not too bad.

I usually use a hand-held Gossen Luna-Pro or a smaller Sekonic L208 meter and often shoot B/W film at 1 or 2 stops over. Denser negatives tend to be easier for me to print in the darkroom, but that's just my preference. For landscapes, using an incident meter reading seems to be reliable most of the time. HP5 is a pretty versatile film, so it shouldn't be too tricky to get good exposures. One good thing about the Bronicas is the Seiko shutters are electronically-timed, so they're pretty accurate. I also have a metered AE prism finder, but it adds too much bulk and weight to see much use.

Have Fun!

Rob MacKillop · May 25, 2018

Will do!

samuelphoto · May 25, 2018

It might be a tad outside your budget, but you may want to consider the Fuji 6x7, 6x8 or 6x9 rangefinders. Not 6x6 but you can crop. They take fantastic images I used to rent one at PPR here in Atlanta until they stopped renting film equipment. They are simple box with a fantastic leaf shutter lens, though a bit heavy, like a full frame SLR. Best shot at f8-f16. I recently picked up a GSW680III in great shape for under $400, it seems the 6x8 is perceived as an odd ball so maybe a tad out of favor. Works for me though.

Rob MacKillop · May 25, 2018

Thanks, Samuel, but if you see a few posts back, I have bought a Bronica SQ-Ai. I wouldn't mind one day getting the Fuji 6x9, though!

mooseontheloose · May 25, 2018

I think you'll be happy with the SQAi - I have been with mine! Although I wish perhaps I had seen this thread earlier, as I've been thinking of selling mine, since I haven't used it in years. It's not that I don't like it, it's just that once you start adding lenses and backs and other accessories it starts getting heavy, which is a problem when travelling and you only have so much room/weight in your carry-on luggage, which is why I've gone back to shooting with a TLR - lighter, and I'm not tempted to bring anything else to go with it!

Rob MacKillop · May 26, 2018

Hi Rachelle. I understand what you mean. I like travelling light too, but don't do a lot of it these days. At most I would bring just one extra lens and one extra back. But we shall see. I'm getting ahead of myself here, as I don't have the camera yet...

Rob MacKillop · May 26, 2018

PS Rachelle, I've just visited your stoneanddust website - wonderful images! I left a comment, and will be visiting often.

film_man · May 26, 2018

Rob MacKillop said:
OKAY, I've chosen and purchased a Bronica SQ-Ai, with 80mm f2.8 lens and waist-level finder from wycameras - thanks for the link, film_man! Yes, I stretched my budget to £375 plus £11 postage. I should get it early next week. I have a 120 roll of HP5 in a drawer, so that will get me started. Exciting! Good to be back in the land of MF. Thanks again for all your recommendations. The Bronica reminds me of the RB67 I used to have, though smaller and lighter. In a few weeks' time I'll be looking for another lens, though the 80mm will be a great start. If I get a half-decent shot out of it, I'll post it here. Cheers.

Congratulations! That was quick I like the Bronicas, the SQB was my first ever medium format camera. I graduated from that to a Hasselblad but after buying/selling lots of cameras in 6x6 and a few in 6x7 and 645 I have settled on a Rollei. But I'm thinking I should get an SQB again for sentimental reasons.

Rob MacKillop · May 26, 2018

I'm happy it will get me started again. Maybe one day a high-quality Rollei or Hasselblad.

JWMster · May 26, 2018

SQ-Ai is a fine camera. You'll enjoy it. Light enough, too.

Rachelle (mooseontheloose): +3

Recommend 6x6 MF camera - not Mamiya

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