Recommendations for a 6x7 Camera

bagdad child · May 17, 2009

I use the Pentax 67. Excellent value and excellent optics. Camera is quite heavy and for slower shutter speeds requires a sturdy tripod for optimum results. I use a Berlebach wooden tripod. I use the camera handheld at 1/250 sec with mirror lock-up and cable release - yes it's perfectly possible to compose, lock up the mirror, keep the camera still and fire with cable release and get critically sharp negs. Many users shoot handheld down to 1/125 secs with great results. Probably 1/60 sec will be ok too. For landscape photography its a formidable system.

elekm · May 17, 2009

I always thought that the Pentax 6x7 looked like more than a handful to haul around. But the handling looked easy, despite its size.

The Mamiyas seem to be a reasonable size, and I think they might be a good street camera.

But I'd add that there are a lot of cameras out there, and I'd suggest trying several (including different formats) to see which fits your shooting style.

jon falth · May 17, 2009

Just a comment…

It’s really nice to see all the banter about ‘which’ camera is best, for this and that…

but I’ve somehow ended up owning nearly every film camera format and type mentioned.

Every one of these cameras and formats, has it’s merits and detractions that are sometimes hard for me to reconcile with my particular mood, time and willingness to lug around the comparatively diminutive 35mm to the larger 8x10 format…

At these times of mental stress, I’ve found that maybe, the ‘best medium format camera’ walk-about, is just a nice Canon or Nikon digital, if I’m unwilling at the time to live with the machinations of one or the other aforementioned medium, or larger format cameras…

As one poster suggested:

“come to my basement, they are all there, alphabetically.”

f/stopblues · May 17, 2009

I don't see any mentions yet of the Bronica GS-1. It's a 6x7 SLR like the RB/RZ series, but somewhat smaller and definitely lighter. It comes in around your budget and has an excellent assortment of lenses. I bought one for very similar reasons that you listed. I think your bang for buck ratio is great on this camera! Check out keh.com for an idea of pricing.

jon falth · May 17, 2009

2F/2F,

My comment, 'silly' or not, is just that...

'a comment', and was intended as a bit of 'tongue-in-cheek' levity

Clearly, when using either medium, the time, equipment and expense involved is not inexpensive whether film or digital.

I am well aware of the so-called 'bang-for-the-buck' theory...

Certainly, one should be able to post a comment without being ridiculed for broaching another thought for a medium that we all know exits and fills a space when medium film format size and walk-ability are questioned...

Again, as one poster suggested, and I too, have invested in medium format...

“come to my basement, they are all there, alphabetically”.

Q.G. · May 17, 2009

It shows how important these "which to get" threads are.

Instead of wasting money on all available systems and models, it pays (literally) to make use of the experience of others.

After all, that is what civilisation is: the ability to make use of second hand experience, so you do not have to experience everything first hand.
The thing that makes that possible is meaningful communication.

"Come to my basement, they are all there" would suggest ample experience to formulate a recommendation.
If not, there is no value in knowing that "they are all there" at all. It says nothing.

And it is indeed not so that all cameras have their unique merits, and that for that reason you cannot decide such a "which to get" question.
It is very possible to select one system that does most, if not all, of what somebody wants.

So if they are all there, let the OP hear which one(s) of them all would satisfy his needs best.

Pumal · May 17, 2009

Cheap and for the street: Yashicamat (6X6 though)

John Koehrer · May 17, 2009

apconan,
Welcome, geez what a way to greet you to the forum.
Don't take the big cranky pants replies personally, Some folks just don't bother reading the questions posed and insist that their alternatives are viable in their response. I guess they assume that you haven't done some research & figured out what you want yet.
The Bronica GS1 maybe a very good compromise for you, lighter than the RB, not as expensive as the Mamiya 7 or 7ll. In any case if you get either of the above & like it you're ahead of the game. If you don't like 'em use it 'til you save up enough for the RF & you can sell the RB/GS for pretty much what you'll have in it.
I have no personal experience with that one but do have an RB 67 & it may not be the best walkin' 'round camera. Mine's on a tripod most of the time.

apconan · May 17, 2009

2F/2F said:
If it makes you feel any better, Tim, I was being insulted on your behalf!

I agree about Mamiya C, and I should have mentioned it as well.

I wish there was a simple way to rig the C cameras to shoot 6x4.5, though.

What Tim and I are saying (I think) is that 6x6 or 6x4.5 gives many "better" options for what the OP describes doing with the camera. (A replacement for 35mm as an every day shooter, right?) 6x4.5 holds up plenty well all the way to 16x20 in my opinion. Will the OP be making larger than 16x20 prints of his/her every day walking around stuff? If so, maybe he/she does need 6x7. If not, I think it would be sensible to at least consider other options for medium format frame sizes.

your reply was greatly appreciated, apologies if you were offended. I was merely annoyed by the reply on the first page that told me to "rethink" my decision. If I have made a thread about 6x7 and speak of no other alternatives, then please do not offer something vastly different.

This phenomenon is widespread across this site, users who are very engrained in their ways and recommend things out of context. For example, threads asking about a Fuji film where people recommend a Kodak film. Or in the "favorite consumer film" thread, someone saying "Kodachrome". :rolleyes:

apconan · May 17, 2009

John Koehrer said:
apconan,
Welcome, geez what a way to greet you to the forum.
Don't take the big cranky pants replies personally, Some folks just don't bother reading the questions posed and insist that their alternatives are viable in their response. I guess they assume that you haven't done some research & figured out what you want yet.

Thank you very much
You are the most level-headed person thus far on these forums.

jeroldharter · May 17, 2009

apconan said:
... told me to "rethink" my decision. If I have made a thread about 6x7 and speak of no other alternatives, then please do not offer something vastly different.

This phenomenon is widespread across this site, users who are very engrained in their ways and recommend things out of context...

Maybe so, but it is easy to be offended on the internet. I think it is good that this is a place where people have some passions about gear. Who else would stay up at night thinking about someone's questions about what out of production camera to buy? So if you get a response you don't like, it is the cost of doing business.

I would be happy to have someone (unsolicited) told me all of the merits of 6x6 if I were thinking of 6x7. I once went through the same process, but in the pre-internet days I had to buy the Wildi book that focused on Hasselblad gear and the merits of 6x6. Doing so made me comfortable going with the Pentax 6x7 because it was a good deal for the features and my goals.

So if I were looking at 6x7 and someone called me a moronic a***ole because Hasselblad is so great I would not mind to much, and even more I would think it was positive that the critic was at least not shooting P&S digital. So your question has generated ~30 responses. That's good feedback.

JRJacobs · May 18, 2009

Based on your criteria, I would also suggest the Pentax 67. It handles the most like a 35mm SLR, and is lighter weight than the Mamiyas. Use it with the waist finder instead of the prism and you will make it even lighter. The P67 SMC lenses are fantastic, also, and very affordable these days.

bagdad child · May 18, 2009

Pumalite said:
Cheap and for the street: Yashicamat (6X6 though)

I recently picked up a Yashica Mat LM for $5. It's a wonderful camera and at f/16 I can hardly tell the negs apart from the ones taken with my P67 90mm lens, well except for that they're square of course. The YashicaMat produces really sharp negs and can be had for much less money than any 6x7 system. It's kind of unwieldy in a way because of its box shape but it really handles easily and its very portable and lightweight and best of all - there is no possibility of lugging around 5 extra lenses, finders, backs or a pile of filters

fotch · May 18, 2009

Crown Graphic 4x5 or 2.25x3.75 or Century Graphic. Use a 6x7 Roll film back with any of the these and would be easy to transport, versatile, and quick to shoot with if needed. Can do close ups, studio shots, or sport photography. You can have multiple film backs, change formats, shoot sheet film if needed.

What more can you ask for?

aoresteen · May 18, 2009

The Graphic Crown or Century 2x3 are not bad. You can get 6x7 back for it. The Speed Grpagic 2x3 is a bit heavier as it also has a focal plane shutter.

Shoot 6x9. You can crop to 6x7 and sometines you need the extra film.

Q.G. · May 18, 2009

But as an everyday walk around camera, a bit less hefty than RB67s ... ?

Tonglen · May 18, 2009

I had a Fuji 6x7 III that was excellent. I regret selling it...and that Rolleiflex. :>(

Jim_in_Kyiv · May 20, 2009

I second the Moskva 5.

You can cut a 6x7 mask for it and pocket $X00 that can be used for buying film. Actually, any good 6x9 folder would do the job - I enjoyed using a Voigtlander Bessa I for a few years, so if you're worried about Soviet QC issues, you can find something that would do the trick (i.e. Bessa II).

Very jacket-pocketable; pants? - you'd better have a good belt, but yeah, you can do it. Depending on where you are walking, the Moskva also makes for a good personal self defense weapon or aircraft front gear chock.

Vanishing Point Ent. · May 22, 2009

Don't forget Plaubel / Makina & Linhof.

There are a few cameras, that people hadn't mentioned.

One is the Plaubel Makina, the others are
a Linhof Super Rollex 2 1/4 X 2 3/4
and the Linhof Technika-70 R.F. Camera Body.

JRJacobs · May 22, 2009

The MF Linhofs are nice. Also, i don't think anyone mentioned the Mamiya Universal Press? It can do 6x9, 6x7, 6x6, and 645.

Century Graphics are fun too if you want a mini view-cam.

Q.G. · May 22, 2009

JRJacobs said:
[...] if you want a mini view-cam.

Again, the OP said he was looking for an everyday walk around camera that is a bit less hefty than a Mamiya RB67.
We're well and truly off the track.

JRJacobs · May 22, 2009

Q.G. said:
Again, the OP said he was looking for an everyday walk around camera that is a bit less hefty than a Mamiya RB67.
We're well and truly off the track.

Maybe you are confused about the Century Graphic. It is substantially lighter than the RB67 - likely about half the weight. It is also much smaller than an RB67. It uses rangefinder focusing and folds up into a very compact package. Handling is comparable to a MF folder, but with the bonus of changable backs. The ability to use it as a "mini view cam" with the GG back is an added bonus.

Seems to be pretty "on track" with the OP requirements to me.....

Robert Budding · May 23, 2009

Bronica GS-1, as mentioned above, is an excellent camera.

2F/2F · May 24, 2009

Yes, a 2x3 Graphic (especially a Crown or Century) is much nicer to handle convenience-wise than an RB type camera. I think this option is one of the best for the OP, if not the best. They are cheap and light, not to mention versatile. It is also great that you get the lens advantages of a view camera user: any lens by any maker that will fit on the boards and in the bellows can be used.

The big drawback is that the RF can only be calibrated to one lens at a time. A workaround for this is multiple infinity stops and focusing scales, and D of F scales. You would have RF focusing with only one lens, and scale focusing only with any others. A hassle if you like to use different lenses a lot.

econley · Jun 3, 2009

I recently bought a Pentax 67II with 165mm 2.8 lens and AE finder. A little heavy, yes, but not too bad I think it's a great choice for you, especially if you want to buy into a high quality "system." Tons of lenses and accessories for you to choose from. I would also say that stories of camera shake/vibration are largely overblown.

I'm thrilled with my choice.

Recommendations for a 6x7 Camera

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