Recommendations for a medium format travel camera

[TheFlyingCamera]

I've travelled with a Hasselblad - it's a beautiful camera no doubt, and enormously capable. But I still wouldn't call it travel-friendly. Having the ability to change lenses and backs invites you to bring along multiples of each, at which point you're no longer light-weight and compact. I had my Hassy outfit with me in Spain back a few years ago, which was 3 backs, a 500 C/M, 50, 80 and 120 lenses, and a Superwide. Well, that filled a LowePro backpack with built-in waist support. All in all the bag plus the gear was tipping the scales around 30 lbs. I got great shots, but even with the ergonomic backpack I was regretting the weight. In the circumstances, the Hasselblad became a Bloody Hassel!

 

[ww12345]

Yeah, I would probably just advocate a color back and a B/W back (one always on the camera, so only one extra back) and a wide (ex:50mm) and regular (ex:80mm). Only one extra lens and one back shouldn't be too bad. I know what you mean about becoming a pack mule, though. I do it all the time, fortunately with Leica TM stuff so it's lightish but still...

 

[philosli]

Fuji GA645, GA645W, or both . I can pack one of these 2 with a 135 system (1 body and 3 lenses) in a messenger bag. Without a flipping mirror, Fuji GA645 can be handheld @ 1/15 shutter speed.

 

[piu58]

I found the FUJI GA645zi to be a fine travel camera: Small and light (for a mf camera), all ist automatic, and you have a zoom lens of decent quality. You have even a flash which I don't use. I often travel with my Rolleiflex too, but with the Fuji most things are easier: Point and shot. No focussing, no light metering. I makes the live easier if I accompanied by my wife.

 

[baachitraka]

Mamiya 6 or 7 if you want interchangeable lenses and a very small kit. I love my Hasselblad too, but it's bulkier and requires a tripod more often.

Agfa Super Issolette (or Ansco Super Speedex is the same) if you can live with a single normal lens. These fold up nice and small and take excellent pictures with a look that is more classic than modern.

Super Isolette is very good but I find that I need kind of lock that prevents the release of the folding plate.

 

[pasiasty]

If you want just one lens and no accessories, almost anything (a 'blad-style SLR, a TLR, an RF) will go in terms of quality and portability. But if you start extending your system (by lenses, prisms, film holders etc.), almost everything tends to be too bulky. My choice for a travel camera was Mamiya 6, because:
- it has interchangeable lenses (unlike Playbel Makina 67, Bessa III)
- it has only tree lenses, so even affected with GAS I can't get more
- same for other accessories
- in does not need external view finders for any lens (unlike Mamiya 7)
- it folds a bit
- a set consisting of a body, lenses and some filters fits (OK, barely) to a small shoulder bag, while my Bronica SQ-Ai set requires quite large backpack (have I already mentioned GAS?)
- I can mount it on my lightest tripod

 

[ToddB]

I took my C220 two summer ago for my trip to Italy and France. It was a little chunky but the pics I got from it was fantastic. Or go with a Rolleiflex. Those cameras are Compact dynamo's!! I would of taken one of those if I would of had them. The yashica are close to same size as Rollei's. like the 635 has gotten high marks. The biggest thing on any camera is to make sure that it is in good working order so you don't have any issues.

ToddB

 

[RalphLambrecht]

another plus of the |RZ is: ehen on a cruise,you can anchor the ship any place you like.

 

[jspillane]

I would decide based on if you will be using a tripod or not. If you are bringing a tripod, I don't think you can beat one of the 6x6 or 6x4.5 SLRs (after a lot of debating, I am about to take a Hasselblad on a large trip). If you don't want to bring a tripod, you'd be better suited with a TLR/RF. Personally, I'd prefer a TLR, but that's really just a taste thing. You can spend a ton or relatively little on either, but if you get a cheap-o old TLR make sure it's in good working order before any trips (I speak from the experience-- it's really no fun to have your primary camera fritz out on you mid trip).

If weight/flexibility is of paramount importance, I suspect the fixed lens 645 RF's have the edge, but I don't have any experience with them. I don't like cameras that take batteries. Fuji 645zi has a fixed zoom lens and comes in under 2lbs.

 

[jmccl@yahoo.com]

Zeiss Ikonta or Lumiere

Go with the Lumiere, it was French made, takes 6X9mm on 120 film. The Ikonta has faster shutter, but also 6X9mm.

 

[Pioneer]

I have traveled with a Crown Graphic, the Pentax 645, the Rolleiflex K4B, a Fuji GL690 and a folder. After traveling with all of them and looking back at my pictures, I will take a quality folder every time. A quality folder does not mean new and expensive. As for the tripod, I carry one of those as well and folders work on tripods as well.

The only thing you will miss is the ability to change lenses. But you would be surprised how much you can crop, and still enlarge, a 6x9 negative. And a wide angle can be quite successfully mimicked by leveling the camera on a good tripod and then taking 3 panorama shots that are stitched later on.

 

[2bits]

My three travel cameras.

1. Is a Franka Solida ll, Ennagon 75mm 3.5, Prontor SVS shutter (6X6)
2. Agfa Isolette L, Agfa Color Apotar 85mm 4.5, Pronto shutter (6X6 +)
3. Universal Roamer ll, 100mm 4.5, Universal Syncromatic shutter (6X9)

All three take great pics. They fit in one small camera bag with film, filters, hoods, etc.

 

[paul ron]

I had my Zeiss Klio 645 out today. Used a rangefinder to get the distances. Doesn't get more portable than a folder shirt pocket camera. Can't wait to see how my pics turn out... Been 20 years since this old lady was out for a walk.

 

[revdocjim]

I haven't ever owned or used a Hassy or Rollei so I can't really say anything about them. But Fuji rangefinders are generally a great value. The only ones that are expensive are the current GF models, but then again you definitely get what you pay for with those.

My personal choice for light and compact 120 is always either the GF670 or the Mamiya 6. I love both cameras very much!

 

[Shootar401]

I've traveled with a Speed Graphic with a 127mm lens and 4 Grafmatics, 2 loaded with HP5 and 2 loaded with Portra 400. And i've also traveled with a Seagul TLR with Fomapan 100. Just depends on where I'll be going, what I'll be doing and if I'll ever get a chance to go there again.

 

[Pioneer]

A Crown or Speed with Grafmatics or a couple Graflex 23s is a good option, though a bit bulky. I actually preferred the Graflex 23 because roll film is easier to handle on the road. There also tends to be less dust on the negatives as well.

One thing about it, if you pack one of those around on vacation you will certainly know how to use it by the time you get back.

And whether you ever want to try it again!