Searching for the best (?) carry everywhere MF camera

madNbad · Apr 6, 2023

Rolleiflexible said:
A Hasselblad wouldn't fit in my briefcase.

Looks like we lost the OP about three pages back.
Please try to stay on-topic.

I was going to add, “Please feel free to continue to argue amongst yourselves” but that’s kinda a given.

eli griggs · Apr 6, 2023

madNbad said:
I was going to add, “Please feel free to continue to argue amongst yourselves” but that’s kinda a given.

Try an old fashion metal kids lunchbox, minus the thermos or a larger construction workers lunchbox, or a Gladstone bag!

madNbad · Apr 6, 2023

eli griggs said:
Try an old fashion metal kids lunchbox, minus the thermos or a larger construction workers lunchbox, or a Gladstone bag!

Thank for the tip but part of the quote was from another post. I think the construction workers lunchbox is a good idea, they seem better suited for an RB-67.

Sirius Glass · Apr 6, 2023

abruzzi said:
I think you missed @warden 's point. i.e. EVERY camer ever made is a bundle of compromises. If they didn't make compromises, you could shoot 8x10 in your Hasselblad, and it would fit in that little useless pocket inside the right front pocket on your jeans. It would have all modes--P, A, S, M--and not require batteries. The lenses would all go down for ƒ0.5, and would weigh nothing due to encapsulated helium.

No, you missed the point. Having only one lens is a bridge too far. Using a range finder when a slr is available is getting onto my confort zone.

Sirius Glass · Apr 6, 2023

GregY said:
It's got a yellow filter on it.... i use yellow & orange filters for images with lots of sky &/or snow

Yes, while red filters have some advantages, they get over used quickly while the yellow and orange filters cover most situations well.

Rolleiflexible · Apr 6, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
No, you missed the point. Having only one lens is a bridge too far.

Why? Millions of others make do with one. You keep repeating this ipse dixit here and elsewhere as if it were self-evident. It is not.

What do you photograph? Do you have work online that we can see, that illustrates your view?

Sirius Glass · Apr 6, 2023

Rolleiflexible said:
Why? Millions of others make do with one. You keep repeating this ipse dixit here and elsewhere as if it were self-evident. It is not.

What do you photograph? Do you have work online that we can see, that illustrates your view?

Well when I was growing up, my mother told me that I was special! So there!

I am a proponent of one camera, one lens, one film and one developer when one is learning. I am and have being pursuing many other goals since then.

I have explained many times why I only post technical examples online. If you want to see my work, come to visit me in Los Angeles.

xya · Apr 6, 2023

If the OP wants information on quite some folders, he can look onto my folders page https://www.120folder.com I used them all. And no, I was not lucky with the Mamiya 6, I had 3 of them. The Certo 6 would have been ideal...if it hadn't had several issues. So, in the end the most reliable was the Super Ikonta III, I have recommended some pages ago.

Personally I prefer the older Certo Super Sport Dolly, the non-rangefinder Perkeo II because of its size and weight and the 6x4.5 Pearl III which easily fits into the pocket of my jacket. So only the latter 2 are "pocketable"...

etn · Apr 7, 2023

Le Grand Six Pieds said:
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).

A TLR maybe? ticks all your boxes except perhaps the "not too old" one; you can go for either a late model, or find one which hasn't been abused. Rolleiflexes last a long time. You can also go for a Rollei 2.8 FX or GX (built from the 1980's into the 2000's) but we are talking big money here, around $3k or more. They hold their value well, though. They have a very good internal lightmeter, thus enabling further weight savings.

Or something like a Makina 67 but they are in the same ball park as Rolleis 2.8 FX/GX those days.

Slixtiesix · Apr 7, 2023

For many years now I have been using an Agfa Isola II as my camera to go. It weights almost noting, fits into the pocket of a jacket easily and produces decent image quality. One should not expect Zeiss sharpness though. These cameras do cost almost nothing but are great value. I think every passionate MF shooter should have one.

Neil Morgan · Apr 30, 2023

If it has to be square then the Mamiya 6 MF would be my choice, excellent lenses, reasonably lightweight and very comfortable in the hand. I have many different (and excellent) MF cameras but the Mamiya 7II (a development of the 6 obviously) is my camera of choice when travelling.

madsox · Apr 30, 2023

To me, either one of the lightweight TLRs or a folding RF would be the ideal "go anywhere" medium format camera. Which one? That I don't know. But one thing I've learned from this thread is that I want to get a MF folder now. I love my old Yashicamat, but now I like the idea of getting it a friend to carry around some times.

GregY · Apr 30, 2023

eli griggs said:
Try an old fashion metal kids lunchbox, minus the thermos or a larger construction workers lunchbox, or a Gladstone bag!

Putting a handle on an anvil doesn't really gain any traction in making it a "carry everywhere" device.

eli griggs · Apr 30, 2023

GregY said:
Putting a handle on an anvil doesn't really gain any traction in making it a "carry everywhere" device.

Then it's a good thing we're no writing about anvils, but incognito containers for cameras.

Cheers.

GregY · Apr 30, 2023

eli griggs said:
Then it's a good thing we're no writing about anvils, but incognito containers for cameras.

Cheers.

Well, you may have been talking about incognito carries, but the general discussion was about "the best carry everywhere MF camera....." Sure you can lug a RB67 or a Fuji GX680...... but it's not the most convenient & will slow you down or limit your distance. We must have different definitions.....I've carried Rolleiflexes and Fuji 6x9s hundreds of miles..... How has has your lunchbox carry been?

eli griggs · Apr 30, 2023

GregY said:
Well, you may have been talking about incognito carries, but the general discussion was about "the best carry everywhere MF camera....." Sure you can lug a RB67 or a Fuji GX680...... but it's not the most convenient & will slow you down or limit your distance. We must have different definitions.....I've carried Rolleiflexes and Fuji 6x9s hundreds of miles..... How has has your lunchbox carry been?

Large enough with both a 1958 Minota TLR and a Sawyer's Mk.IV(for close ups) and Master V meter and I'd be glad to show you, just as soon as I find where it was removed to.

Cheers

Oldwino · Apr 30, 2023

For shear ease of use, I’d suggest a Bronica RF645. It’s no bigger than todays mirrorless digicams, the meter is excellent, and the 65mm is sharp without being brittle (unlike the Mamiya rangefinders-just too bitingly sharp for m).

pdccamerqs · May 11, 2023

My vote would go for the Fuji GSW690II - a little bulky, but quite light. The lens is brilliant and the RF is easy to focus.

Searching for the best (?) carry everywhere MF camera

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