Searching for the best (?) carry everywhere MF camera

Le Grand Six Pieds

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Bonjour !

I have a Mamiya (+ 3 lenses), a Bronica SQ and a Mudan. I love the Mamiya for its handling but still not 100% sure about the 645 format. I don't use the Bronica much since I have the Mamiya and the Mudan is somewhat difficult to use (yet funny while it last...).

I'm looking to sell the Bronica to finance the purchase of what could be the "perfect" — I know, perfect does not exist — carry anywhere camera.
Ideally, it would be:
  • square format
  • rugged / reliable
  • not too old (1970+ ?)
  • small enough to be carried/used anywhere, even in the winter (but during "warm" days: -10°C and up)
  • no need for a lightmeter as I have a Twinmate (l'm a "slow" photographer anyway).

I’ve done some research: Kowa super 66, Pentacon six, Mamiya 6, Kiev 66, Rolleicord, Autocord, C330... At some point, I got lost in the ocean of (sometimes expensive) MF films cameras...

The Pentacon did catch my eye: its rather compact, and I like the configuration of its viewfinder. It seems to have some winder issues. The Hasselblad seems smaller than the Bronica, but its simply out of price anyway. I'm not so sure about folding cameras (most of them seem to be too old).

I would be opened to a Fuji 67. Plaubel are nice but out of price.

But I'm pretty sure that I missed a camera that could be great for carrying anywhere around town.

Ideas and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Note for the curious ones: My Bronica comes with a 150mm, 3 backs and all original boxes (second owner).
 

OAPOli

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If Hasselblad is out of your price range, Mamiya 6 (new one) and Fuji 67 will be also.

Kowa and C330 are pretty big and heavy but I don't have experience with them. Tried a Kiev 60 and the ergonomics were not good, I suppose Pentacon 6 would be similar. Although I really don't mind a Pentax 6x7 so maybe my tastes have changed.

There is also Kiev 88 but they are finicky. Mine is on a second warranty trip to Ukraine.

For SLRs, that leaves the older Bronica S or the Rollei SLX/6000. Bronica is big/heavy but I have no experience. Tried an SLX and it quickly broke. The 6008 is better apparently but expensive.

That leaves RFs and TLRs. I can recommend a Rolleicord V. Pretty small and lightweight. Still struggling in nailing focus though. It should be fine in cold weather: no batteries and minimal lubrication. Autocord is another good choice. There are many 6x6 RFs but I haven't tried one.
 

grain elevator

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I think it's all about compromises... If you can live with a normal lens and no (or cumbersome) close focusing, my preferred compromise for a carry everywhere MF is a TLR. A bit lighter and quieter than the SLRs, better viewfinder and rigidity than most folders, at price points below something like a Mamyia 6.
I have an Autocord. Mine has a very dim viewfinder but I think the ground glass isn't original. If I could justify the expense, I'd like a 3.5 Rolleiflex.
 

abruzzi

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me, I'd just use the Bronica SQ with a 80mm lens and waist level finder. its as small as you're likely to find an SLR, and I prefer SLRs.

grain elevator said:
A bit lighter and quieter than the SLRs, better viewfinder and rigidity than most folders, at price points below something like a Mamyia 6.
Click to expand...

If you're talking the newer Mamiya 6, its worth pointing out that most non-Rollie TLRs will come in about a quarter the cost of Mamiya 6, which in US dollars starts around $2k for a usable camera. $500 will get you a very nice Autocord. Rolliecords are also not too expensive, only a later Rolleiflex TLR is in the same ballpark as the Mamiya 6.

But, while I don't really like TLRs, they may be a good option for the OP. Mechanically they are very simple, especially compared to the Bronica or a Hasselblad (or any SLR, but especially the removable back SLRs). They are also lighter . You are looking through a lens (just not the taking lens), so you can see focus, unlike a rangefinder where the patch just tells your where focus is, but TLRs don't have stop down depth of field checking which I've become very attached to.
 

GregY

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My favourite would be the new Mamiya 6....but they're in the same range as the Plaubel... $2500 USD.
"Small enough to be carried anywhere".....leaves out the Fuji (67/68/69)
I'd suggest a folder old Mamiya 6, Voigtlander Perkeo ll or Zeiss Ikonta..... or a Rollecord.
 

Chan Tran

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I didn't think they were that expensive when they were new.
 

Cholentpot

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The Mamiya C series are massive. Like really big and heavy. It's not a good carry everywhere cameras.

The perfect square format carry everywhere camera is a Topcon Sawyer's mk IV or a Yashica 44. It's not technically medium format, it's 127 and the film is hard to get hold of, but you're getting the medium format look and a TLR in a package half the size of a Rolleiflex.
 

GregY

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Agreed the C are big & heavy. The 127 format is really a negative point. You have to have readily available film. A Rolleicord V weighs 830 grams (1.8 lbs)....and a Rolleiflex T 1020 grams (2.25 lbs).....& both very small for the format.
 

cliveh

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GregY

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cliveh

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reddesert

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Other 6x6 SLRs are going to be as big or bigger than the Bronica SQ, which is already at (IMO) close to the optimum combo of usability and price for a 6x6 SLR. Certainly a Kiev-60 or Pentacon 6 is not going to improve on the issues such as size, weight, and reliability that you're concerned about.

I wasn't familiar with the Mudan but I understand that it's a Seagull-like TLR. If you are ok with the TLR form factor, then a more robust TLR like a Yashicamat or Rolleicord would be a good place to look. There are good reasons that fixed-lens TLRs were the traditional starting point in medium format (usability, simplicity, rigidity, relative lack of bulkiness).
 

Ballinderry-Michael

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The Isolette III and Super Isolette tick [almost] all the boxes; and the Apotar and Solinar lenses are also good. Both those models are rangefinders (the latter coupled). But they are a bit long in the tooth, I suppose.
 

Xylo

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I was about to say that the YashicaMat is always the answer
Super lightweight with usually superb optics.

Et Salut à toi!
 

Cholentpot

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GregY said:
Agreed the C are big & heavy. The 127 format is really a negative point. You have to have readily available film. A Rolleicord V weighs 830 grams (1.8 lbs)....and a Rolleiflex T 1020 grams (2.25 lbs).....& both very small for the format.
Click to expand...

With the Yashica 44 it's pretty easy just to roll 35mm through it. But it won't be square format.

No-one has mentioned the Kowa line of cameras yet? I've never handled one but they look pretty compact.
 

Tonglen

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Just for giggles I used an Agfa Isolette loaded with Pan F during a walk today.
The focus on it is stuck so I'm going to have to remove the lens to get the old lubricant out.

But hey, it's fun and more portable than a Fuji GX680.
 

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Mogens

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What are the qualities that disqualify the Mudan? I also have an Agfa Isolette. I like the MF folder species of camera. I’m not sure I’d call it rugged however. Are any of them rugged?
 

GregY

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Cholentpot said:
With the Yashica 44 it's pretty easy just to roll 35mm through it. But it won't be square format.

No-one has mentioned the Kowa line of cameras yet? I've never handled one but they look pretty compact.
Click to expand...

The OP mentioned Kowa in his opening post
 

Paul Howell

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I have Kowa SL66 and Super 66, not too heavy, compact enough to be carried in shoulder bag or in backpack, lens are very good, the 85mm is a 2.8. Like many MF systems the Kowa is getting long in the tooth. Kowa left the camera market in 1977 and there are only a few repair techs, the guy with the most parts and experience is a known racist who includes what were mimeographed screeds along the repaired camera. For lite, Mamiya 6, the folder. I have one as well, lens are really sharp and for a 50s' camera has pretty good coating and contrast.
 
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