Searching for the best (?) carry everywhere MF camera

guangong · Apr 2, 2023

I have found a postwar Super Ikonta B to be a rugged excellent walking around MF camera since early 1970s. Dependable rangefinder design. 2.8mTessar lens is quite capable. I am assuming that portability is your first priority.
Not quite as portable, but with a slightly larger negative are the Fuji GF670 and Plauble Makina 67, but their prices are extravagant. The most reliable and most compact MF SLR is a Hasselblad.

L Gebhardt · Apr 2, 2023

Another vote for the Agfa Super Isolette, or the equivalent Ansco Super Speedex. I sold my original Agfa, and missed it so much I bought another, though the one I found at a bargain price was an Ansco. They are a bit older than you wanted, but were made to a high standard.

mshchem · Apr 2, 2023

New Mamiya 6mf.

GregY · Apr 2, 2023

guangong said:
I have found a postwar Super Ikonta B to be a rugged excellent walking around MF camera since early 1970s. Dependable rangefinder design. 2.8mTessar lens is quite capable. I am assuming that portability is your first priority.
Not quite as portable, but with a slightly larger negative are the Fuji GF670 and Plauble Makina 67, but their prices are extravagant. The most reliable and most compact MF SLR is a Hasselblad.

"The Hasselblad seems smaller than the Bronica, but its simply out of price anyway".....

It is hard to figure out just what would suit the OP. Difficult to go from a multi lens system to a MF folder....although if it suits your style...the results can be terrific.
"small enough to be carried/used anywhere". I've skiied, climbed & hiked with a Fuji GW/GSW... but it's big and awkward to carry around....

Cholentpot · Apr 2, 2023

Paul Howell said:
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.

Mimeographed, he must be dedicated to his views. Does he teletex messages of bigotry and have a Morse set up to tap out slurs?

People are weird.

Sirius Glass · Apr 3, 2023

A Hasselblad will provide the square format in the perfect camera, but it will merely make you wait longer between buying lenses. Once you move to Hasselblad, you will never look back.

xya · Apr 3, 2023

My 2 cents: If you want it really small, pocketable and light: Zeiss Super Ikonta III, less than 700gr. and extremely reliable, rangefinder, automatic advance and all https://www.120folder.com/super_ikonta_iii.htm

Personally I still use the Mamiya C. It's heavier, but you can change the lenses. I'm a slow photographer as you are, I put the lens for the day, nothing else. It's built like a tank, screens are among the best I have seen, some of mine are in use for more the 30 years without any issue ever. These are so ridgid, that you carry them around without taking care, just a cap, no case, no strap, they will work.

I do own 2 Rolleiflexes, if weight is a issue, yes, they are wonderful. But no choice of lenses...

bernard_L · Apr 3, 2023

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

Hasselblad 500C

from : https://mikeeckman.com/2021/12/hasselblad-500-c-1957/

Mamiya C220

from : https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/01534/01534.pdf

Must have been one of these internet truths.

This said, if one wants light, compact and dependable: Rollei TLR. Give up lens interchangeability. Lose? Depends.

Alex Varas · Apr 3, 2023

Reliable is not in the Kowa Six dictionary and I can tell because I repair them or at least I try

I would say Mamiya 6 (new) is the best option but also the most expensive option.
One camera came to my mind, Kodak Chevron from the 50's I know but it's a tank, well done and excellent lens, great viewfinder and really accurate rangefinder. Easly converted to 120 and you have all series V filters available.

And it's gorgeous.

GregY · Apr 3, 2023

Alex Varas said:
Reliable is not in the Kowa Six dictionary and I can tell because I repair them or at least I try

I would say Mamiya 6 (new) is the best option but also the most expensive option.
One camera came to my mind, Kodak Chevron from the 50's I know but it's a tank, well done and excellent lens, great viewfinder and really accurate rangefinder. Easly converted to 120 and you have all series V filters available.

And it's gorgeous.

I have to admit, if i were the OP , i'd sell the Mamiya 645 system and the Bronica and buy a Mamiya 6 MF......

BobD · Apr 3, 2023

Maybe you already own it. What's wrong with your SQ?

Paul Howell · Apr 3, 2023

Alex Varas said:
Reliable is not in the Kowa Six dictionary and I can tell because I repair them or at least I try

I

I have pretty good luck with my Kowa's, I last had mine serviced maybe 15 years ago, it was CLA and new seals, the standard 66 is likely 50 years old while the Super is made in 76 or 77. I would not recommend one, a late model Bromic or Mamiya, in terms of serviceability and lens Hassy 500.

Sirius Glass · Apr 3, 2023

Alex Varas said:
Reliable is not in the Kowa Six dictionary and I can tell because I repair them or at least I try

I would say Mamiya 6 (new) is the best option but also the most expensive option.
One camera came to my mind, Kodak Chevron from the 50's I know but it's a tank, well done and excellent lens, great viewfinder and really accurate rangefinder. Easly converted to 120 and you have all series V filters available.

And it's gorgeous.

Reliability, parts and service are in Hasselblad's bailiwick.

warden · Apr 3, 2023

Le Grand Six Pieds said:
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..

Welcome to Photrio!

In your post you mention fixed lens cameras, a rangefinder, SLRs, TLR, and folder. Have you tried most/all of the above styles? Usually people have a preference and that can help you decide.

Anyway if your main concern is easy carry and you would be happy with just one lens I’d stay away from cameras like Hasselblad which would be overkill. If you need a “system” camera Hasselblads are great but there are simpler, easier to carry options if you don’t need all the extras.

From your list the Rolleicord is looking pretty good to me and Yashicamats are a less expensive option but still with quality glass. But you have to like the TLR way of doing things of course.

Also if you’re going to be doing your own metering anyway you might consider avoiding electronics in the camera. One less thing to go wrong.

Le Grand Six Pieds · Apr 3, 2023

Thanks for every comments !

Mogens asked : "What are the qualities that disqualify the Mudan?"

I have to admit that I have some difficulties using the Mudan TLR. I always get confused with the knobs and sometimes I forget to advance the film! I find it diffcult to hold, where you put your hand under the Bronica for instance, which feels more natural. Might be weird, but I have some difficulties to stabilize the Mudan since its so light.

And quality was not around when the Mudan was engineered. Mine was bought by my father on a flee market in China. Lucky that its works... for now. But I will put a few films in it to check to which extend the TLR is (not) for me.

I'm not so sure about Isolette, Mamiya six and other similar cameras as they are getting old (what about the bellows in winter?). At the same time, I could get one to try (prices are so low) and sell it back even with a small loss in worst case.

In a way, the manipulation of the camera is also part of the photographic process. So trying a camera is important I guess.

The "other" Mamiya 6 is out of range for me (price), even if I'm sure that it's a wonderful camera. And yes, I dream Plaubel sometimes...

Somebody mentionned the Pentax 6x7. I always thought that such camera would be way out of price, but I was rather surprised to see they can be reasonably priced (the sale of my Bronica would pay for a P67 I guess). The second generation is not too old, but definitly a boat anchor (5.2 pounds) !!! Big as a tank ?

I'm amazed by how prices when up in recent years. Who could tell that a Bronica could become an investment...

The P67 is definitly exploding my (initial) list of requirements... I'm starting to wonder : are price and weight just going in opposite direction ?

I could just sell my 150mm and get a 80mm for my Bronica. The Bronica is a bit more than 3 pounds. Probably not bigger than a Pentax6X7 (just not the same shape). I need to test more thoroughly my TLR. And maybe making some sort of table to match camera and requirements. That would help.

And 6X7 starts to look interesting... A kind of quirky square, just enough dissimetry to make it more dynamic than the square...

Food for thought...

ps.: looking at too many cameras is not a good idea... !

Alex Varas · Apr 4, 2023

Bellows in winter are the less suffering part of the camera, a good service of the shutter is the most important so it won’t let you down.
Also if you use the folder in winter be sure you have gloves you don’t mind to spoil because most part of levers in folders will damage the gloves or they are very small to be managed with gloves. I have been using folders in cold winter (up to -25) and these are my conclusions.
Same thoughts of cameras with batteries but since I have used mostly without I can’t tell for sure.

Bronson Dugnutt · Apr 4, 2023

It probably isn't worth the effort, but maybe try an AnscoFlex. Fixed shutter and f/11 aperture makes film selection particularly important.

Hassasin · Apr 4, 2023

Le Grand Six Pieds said:
Thanks for every comments !

Mogens asked : "What are the qualities that disqualify the Mudan?"

I have to admit that I have some difficulties using the Mudan TLR. I always get confused with the knobs and sometimes I forget to advance the film! I find it diffcult to hold, where you put your hand under the Bronica for instance, which feels more natural. Might be weird, but I have some difficulties to stabilize the Mudan since its so light.

And quality was not around when the Mudan was engineered. Mine was bought by my father on a flee market in China. Lucky that its works... for now. But I will put a few films in it to check to which extend the TLR is (not) for me.

I'm not so sure about Isolette, Mamiya six and other similar cameras as they are getting old (what about the bellows in winter?). At the same time, I could get one to try (prices are so low) and sell it back even with a small loss in worst case.

In a way, the manipulation of the camera is also part of the photographic process. So trying a camera is important I guess.

The "other" Mamiya 6 is out of range for me (price), even if I'm sure that it's a wonderful camera. And yes, I dream Plaubel sometimes...

Somebody mentionned the Pentax 6x7. I always thought that such camera would be way out of price, but I was rather surprised to see they can be reasonably priced (the sale of my Bronica would pay for a P67 I guess). The second generation is not too old, but definitly a boat anchor (5.2 pounds) !!! Big as a tank ?

I'm amazed by how prices when up in recent years. Who could tell that a Bronica could become an investment...

The P67 is definitly exploding my (initial) list of requirements... I'm starting to wonder : are price and weight just going in opposite direction ?

I could just sell my 150mm and get a 80mm for my Bronica. The Bronica is a bit more than 3 pounds. Probably not bigger than a Pentax6X7 (just not the same shape). I need to test more thoroughly my TLR. And maybe making some sort of table to match camera and requirements. That would help.

And 6X7 starts to look interesting... A kind of quirky square, just enough dissimetry to make it more dynamic than the square...

Food for thought...

ps.: looking at too many cameras is not a good idea... !

You would go pretty much from a smallish pick up truck to an 18-wheeler. I can't see anything in this kind of change, certainly not an upgrade. P67 may look like a large 35mm, but do put in your hand before taking that route.

Any camera will produce what you want, even if you hear that only one is perfect.

If I had SQ and was not all that happy with it, I'd consider going down a size to 645 and for easy use Pentax 645 is the one in my book, It's a hybrid of system camera without giving a choice of finders, by that more compact but really good handling gear. Sure, no pure film mid-film interchangeability, a trade off if one really needs to change film mid roll.

If 67 now looks like a a format of choice, consider Mamiya RB67 instead of P67. It's not smaller, maybe even not lighter, but it does what P67 cannot, change film mid roll, get closer focusing without add-ons, and feel & hear the sweet mirror movement, hardly comparable to any other MF SLR in any format.

eli griggs · Apr 4, 2023

Against the tide, a Hasselblad 500c with viewfinder of your choice, the 2.8 80mm lens, a few extension rings for closeups, tele-converter 1.4 - 2x, German metal pinhole cap, side level, pneumatic bulb release that works well, a Bay 5 or 6 to threaded filter adapter, lens hood, spare back, possibly, all inside a men's shaving kit leather hard shell or a strong diaper bag, with cleaning fluid, brush, green photo rags to cover kit when open and a vintage Gitzo, aluminum monopod.

If a fixed lens is wanted, the Minolta Autocord "E" model, without meter.

Sure, it's more than you want to spend, but if you use a C or C T* type 80 lens, and EVs, it's quick, easy to focus, with a depth of field apature device built in and less expensive used Bay 50 lens, instead of Bay 60's.

In a black shaving kit bag, you'll also have room for a F4, 150mm, using the same filters, also with a focus apature mechanism.

Vivitar 285 and six foot coiled flash cable/telephone cord is an easy to tote light source and sans film and bag weight, and only the one 80mm lens,all together should only weigh five or six pounds, max, an easy days carry, IMO.

Find a more versatile square format 'system'; I do no think so.

OAPOli · Apr 4, 2023

The P67 is heavy and it will stop working in cold weather (it was -15C mind you). But the lenses are really good and there are many! Handling is pretty good with a right-hand grip. I have tried M645 and SQ-A and the Pentax is the one that's left.

PS. I also tried an RB67, you can't really use it hand-held

Hassasin · Apr 4, 2023

OAPOli said:
The P67 is heavy and it will stop working in cold weather (it was -15C mind you). But the lenses are really good and there are many! Handling is pretty good with a right-hand grip. I have tried M645 and SQ-A and the Pentax is the one that's left.

PS. I also tried an RB67, you can't really use it hand-held

Of course you can, especially if you use adjustable/var angle left hand grip, which is not to say it matches flexibility of some other MF bodies, but if you think P67 is handholdable, then you may be surprised what you end up with.

Of course anything can be used from hand. But neither of these two are meant for that anyways.

And think about reasons to go large negative if the idea is to shoot it in a hardly manageable way and loose the main advantage such negative gives - sharpness is a function of several things, camera stability is at the front of it.

OAPOli · Apr 4, 2023

FWIW I've gotten really sharp images with the P67 handheld, close distances w/ 135mm macro lens, 1/250. The issue with RB67 is the ergonomics. Separate film advance and cocking, rotating back, interlocks, box shape, WLF make it not as convenient vs Pentax.

ColeScott · Apr 4, 2023

Any of the Mamiya C3 series (C3, 33, or 330) They are great TLR's with bellows (close focus) and interchangeable lenses. If you want really small, a Zeiss folder.

Mamiya C series

GregY · Apr 4, 2023

We've certainly stretched the limit of the "carry anywhere" MF camera....with the Pentax 67 and RB67 and even Eli's Hasselblad kit. What exactly does 'going anywhere' mean? Just because you can carry it does it necessarily mean that you would? Certainly if photography was the specific goal you might.....but does it make it the best? If it spends most of the day on your car seat it might....but if you're carrying it all day long everywhere, it might quickly lose its charm....compared to a folder, new Mamiya 6MF or a naked Rolleiflex or 'cord.....
(photo Mamiya 6, 50mm)

abruzzi · Apr 4, 2023

if the goal is "carry everywhere" then honestly I dont see any of the 6x7 SLRs as likely cadidates. Maybe the Mamiya 7 or Plaubel Makina 67 RF cameras, but not the big beasts. I have the P67 and the Bronica GS-1. I Shoot the GS-1 with a waist level finder and no grip, so in that config its about as small as you can get a 6x7 SLR, and its still a beefy monster.

Searching for the best (?) carry everywhere MF camera

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