Recommend a light, affordable and decent quality 6x7 or 6x9 camera?

Sepia Hawk · Mar 16, 2017

Hello everyone,

I am flying to Europe in the summer and I want to prepare the gear. I will be traveling with my wife and two kids, so I have to limit my luggage. I am definitely taking my Canon F-1 and some two or three small lenses, but I also want to take a medium format camera. I currently have Mamiya C220 which I like a lot, but it is bulky and I only have the 80mm lens for it.

I will be taking portraits, some landscapes etc. I have one special project as well and the camera needs to be ready to handle it - the house my great grandfather built is coming down next year as my aunt is moving away. This is my only and last chance to take some nice photos of the structure and the surrounding garden etc. I will take some 35mm shots as back up, but would prefer to take quality medium format photos as well. Can you recommend a camera that would be good for it (and for some occasional portraits). I prefer mechanical and affordable ones. I am thinking 6x7, but 6x9 would be nice too. Are there any decent folders that are easy to carry around? Or should I stick to my Mamiya TLR and get a wide angle lens for it?

Alan9940 · Mar 16, 2017

I guess "affordable" is a relative term isn't it? For 6x7, you could go with a Mamiya 7ii, but they ain't cheap. A Fuji GF670 (folder) should fit your requirements, but, again, not cheap. One of the Fuji fixed lens 6x7's might work for you, but your limited to that fixed lens. In 6x9 folders, I have a Zeiss Mess Ikonta with Soligor lens that I really like and easily carry it about in a hip pouch. I've always heard that the Zeiss Super Ikonta C provides some nice results, too. A potential issue with 6x9 folders is film flatness across the entire frame. I've never had any problem in this regard with my Zeiss Ikonta, but I've read that it can be a problem. There are other 6x7 and 6x9 cameras that certainly would fit the "affordable" category, but may not be as portable as some other choices.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Moopheus · Mar 16, 2017

If you stick with the Mamiya I've got a nice 65mm for it that I could part with.

Ricardo Miranda · Mar 16, 2017

Sepia Hawk said:
I am flying to Europe

Which country or countries are you going to?

Sepia Hawk said:
Are there any decent folders that are easy to carry around?

Yes, there are: the Zeiss Ikon Nettar, or the Ikonta, or the Super Ikonta models.
Any of them fit in a pocket.

Ricardo Miranda · Mar 16, 2017

Alan9940 said:
Zeiss Mess Ikonta with Soligor lens

That would be a very special one and extremely rare.
How did you get a German camera to have a Japanese lens?

Alan9940 · Mar 17, 2017

Ricardo Miranda said:
That would be a very special one and extremely rare.
How did you get a German camera to have a Japanese lens?

Thanks for catching me on that...I really don't pay much attention to the lens on the several folders that I own. Anyway, I just looked at it and the lens is a 105mm Zeiss Opton--a Tessar lens.

Sorry for any confusion caused.

Pioneer · Mar 17, 2017

My best 6x9 folder by a large margin is the Voigtlander Bessa II with the Color Heliar lens. The Fuji GF670 already mentioned is another, more modern folder with some useful automatic features and a terrific lens.

Of course these are fixed lens cameras, and not terribly inexpensive, but they are very capable cameras and amazingly portable as well.

You may also want to consider a light, inexpensive 4x5 field camera like the Intrepid. This handles different lenses and will more then competently handle your special project. The camera, a couple of lenses, 3 or 4 film holders and a 50 sheet box of TMY 400 or HP5+ is light, will do a great job, and there is no need to develop the film until you return home. Throw a changing bag in your check in luggage and easily change film just about anywhere, even in the field if you want. and no need for a darkroom.

Sepia Hawk · Mar 17, 2017

Thanks for all responses. Mamiya 7 is on my list, but at the moment it is not within my budget. Maybe in a few years. Travelling with kids is expensive
Ideally I would like to spend no more than $US 300-350. I still need to buy film, and film ain't cheap, especially Portra...

I am going to Czech Republic, where my mother grew up - mostly Czech Silesia and southern Bohemia, and southern Poland (Silesia and Krakow area). I haven't been to Europe for almost 10 years, so I expect it's changed a bit.

Soeren · Mar 17, 2017

More than decent quality and affordable are the Mamiya RB and RZ series and Pentax 67 but then they are not light. I'd look for a fixed lens Fuji rf

wjlapier · Mar 17, 2017

$300 budget gets into the nicer folder cameras. My only 6x9 is a Bessa I and it's plenty sharp and contrasty. Best part, it cost me $70 and everything works fine and the bellows are light tight. The folders might be the smallest you'll find in 6x9. There are the Fujica GW690 cameras too. Not small, but they are light. Mamiya 6 ( 6x6 )or 7's ( 6x7 ) are small ( and out of the budget by a long way ) but heavier than the Fujica GW's.

Fraunhofer · Mar 17, 2017

+1 on the Zeiss (Super) Ikonta, it is very compact, relatively light, a joy to use and makes very good pictures, I got mine for around $200. Since you are travelling with children you certainly do not want to lug around an RB67...

pbromaghin · Mar 17, 2017

If you do get a folding camera you will still have only a single lens with about the same field of view as your C220's 80mm lens. Your budget would restrict you to a zone-focuser or uncoupled range finder, at best. The only advantage would be in weight and bulk, but you would give up the Mamiya's precise focusing and availability of a wide angle lens. Also, at that price, it's pretty hard to get a lens that can compare with the Mamiya, unless you can get a steal of a deal on a 6x4.5 with a Tessar. As much as I love my Ikontas, for serious work it's always the C-33.

I just checked KEH and they have a 65mm for $99 and a 55mm for $199, roughly equal to 40mm and 35mm in 35mm.

The best of luck to you. It sounds like a fun, interesting, and important project.

MattKing · Mar 17, 2017

While a C220 isn't small, a C220 plus three lenses is quite small for a three lens kit.
But as soon as you decide to go larger than 6x6, you won't be able to satisfy all of your criteria.

MAubrey · Mar 17, 2017

I would suggest looking for a Moskva 5 in good condition. Coupled rangefinder, 6x9 or 6x6, compact, low cost.

Seems like that would hit all your wants.

yurihuta · Mar 17, 2017

Fuji GW690 (6x9 rangefinder) is one I enjoy using for environmental portraits and the 90mm lens is great. Yes, it is not a folder, but rather inexpensive and built like a tank. Some call it a Texas Leica (great quality, but like many things from Texas, big).

4season · Mar 17, 2017

Fujifilm GW or GSW-series camera, available in 6x7 or 6x9 variants. GSW is the wide-angle version. 3 generations that I know of, but AFAIK, they are all about the same except for the styling. Big, totally mechanical rangefinder cameras with no light meter. I used to own a GSW690 III - terrific camera and not heavy considering the huge format, but get used to holding it very steady if you want to take advantage of all the the detail the lens can resolve.

Vintage folders: If you go that route, may I suggest buying from someone who specializes in overhauling them? Old camera bellows tend to develop light leaks.

barzune · Mar 17, 2017

Sepia Hawk said:
Hello everyone,

I am flying to Europe in the summer and I want to prepare the gear. I will be travelling with my wife and two kids, so I have to limit my luggage. I am definitely taking my Canon F-1 and some two or three small lenses, but I also want to take a medium format camera. I currently have Mamiya C220 which I like a lot, but it is bulky and I only have the 80mm lens for it.

I will be taking portraits, some landscapes etc. I have one special project as well and the camera needs to be ready to handle it - the house my great grandfather built is coming down next year as my aunt is moving away. This is my only and last chance to take some nice photos of the structure and the surrounding garden etc. I will take some 35mm shots as back up, but would prefer to take quality medium format photos as well. Can you recommend a camera that would be good for it (and for some occasional portraits). I prefer mechanical and affordable ones. I am thinking 6x7, but 6x9 would be nice too. Are there any decent folders that are easy to carry around? Or should I stick to my Mamiya TLR and get a wide angle lens for it?

Sepia Hawk said:
Hello everyone,

As my wife could say, size is over-rated. Much better a good picture on 35mm, than a mediocre picture on medium (or even large) format.
IF you intend to print your pictures larger than 8X10, or to crop the negative more than half-way, then 6X6 or larger MAY be preferable but if getting the picture is the important thing, then you're better off with a camera that you're completely comfortable with.

There really isn't much difference in detail, tone or clarity between an 8X10 print from a 35mm negative and a 6X7cm negative.

IF, on the other hand, YOU want to buy a "new" camera for your trip, then I can agree with the suggestion of a Moscow 5 as a choice for a 6X9cm camera: affordable, with an excellent lens.
I don't suggest, though, that you depend upon that camera for your trip, but you may be pleasantly surprised ( if it does its job properly). You're planning for Summer so, if you intend to do that, get the best one that you can find, as soon as you can, and try it out several times to see whether it scratches your itch.

The C220 is less bulky than a Mamiya RB or RZ, or even a C330, but you already own it. A 55mm, or even a 65mm, may expand your view a bit, and cost less than a "new" camera.

A visit to Czech Republic is great; you may be happier to enjoy the visit and capture important memories with the (top-quality) cameras that you already have, rather than spending the family budget on a new (?) toy that will distract you. Spend a bit on film, instead.

chassis · Mar 17, 2017

Have a look on eBay, cajiji, etc. for a Mamiya RB67. They can be found in the $300 range. Great images, reliable and mechanical.

6x7 cameras generally are bulky. The Mamiya 7 is generally not inexpensive and is out of your price range.

Here is another thread on this site, on this topic:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

DWThomas · Mar 17, 2017

Of what I actually own, my Ercona II, a 6x9 folder with a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar would be my thought. That's an early 1950s East German Zeiss Ikonta that is a purely mechanical and simple beast -- no metering, no rangefinder, red window film positioning. I bought mine several years back from certo6, CLA'd and checked out. I sometimes carry it in a belt pouch. Like most folders of that vintage it has no strap lugs, so one either needs to use the "never-ready" case or a belt pack, fanny pack or some sort of bag to cart it around.

There are samples on the page I linked above, plus links to some others at that page; also a few in my APUG gallery. The only thing that sometimes surprises me is that if one is in a target rich environment, one can do a lot of film changing with only eight shots on a roll!

A 105mm f/3.5 on the end of a bellows is a fairly impressive hunk of glass -- a couple of weeks ago I had it out on a local trail and a guy dragged his kid over to see "a real camera!"

Ricardo Miranda · Mar 17, 2017

Sepia Hawk said:
I am going to Czech Republic

Nice!
While you are there you can stock up on Foma films.

John Koehrer · Mar 17, 2017

barzune said:
three small lenses, but I also want to take a medium format camera. I currently have Mamiya C220 which I like a lot, but it is bulky----- I prefer mechanical and affordable ones. I am thinking 6x7, but 6x9 would be nice too. Are there any decent folders that are easy to carry around? Or should I stick to my Mamiya TLR and get a wide angle lens for it?

Interesting how many folks miss these sentences isn't it?

moto-uno · Mar 17, 2017

^ But a few read it , Mockva 5 for instance . Or even an Iskra (yeah it's a 6x6) but both make great images and have an actual rangefinder ! Peter
And of course , both are within budget !

wwilliams · Mar 17, 2017

If a main goal is photographing the family home, I think you will be frustrated without a wide angle lens. The Fuji GSW with a 65mm lens is bulky but the 6x9 negatives are spectacular and should also be great for cityscapes. I would get one before you travel and see if it fits with your picture taking style.

Ko.Fe. · Mar 17, 2017

The only light, affordable 6x9 somewhat suitable for portraits I'm aware of are Moskva-2 and 4 (5 is junk, Iskra is x3 junk).

You could still ditch them all and get compact, real compact 645.

BetterSense · Mar 17, 2017

I have an Isolette II, RB67 and GW690II.

The Isolette has cool factor but is not a serious option I find.

The GW is as good as a rangefinder can be. That depends how much you like rangefinders.

The RB is simply amazing in it's capability. I think I could do everything needed for photography with the RB67. It's heavy.

Recommend a light, affordable and decent quality 6x7 or 6x9 camera?

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