SLR, TTL metering, waistlevel finder

[abruzzi]

I know I’ll probably lose my medium format photographer card for asking, but what SLR style medium format cameras have TTL metering even with the waistlevel finder?

Backstory: I recently got a metered prism for my ETRSi. Until now I had used the camera exclusively with the waistlevel finder and a Sekonic incident meter. I discovered two things with this new AEIII prism. 1) having a meter built into the camera can be convenient especially if it is integrated with the selected aperture and shutter speed (I know for full cred, I should pshaw the use of TTL meters—shoot me), and 2) I MUCH prefer shooting with the WLF. I believe the last Bronica focalplane camera—the EC-TL—had this capability, I’m curious are there other cameras?

 

[Neil Grant]

...the meter cell needs to be in the camera body reading off the film or via a beam-splitter. Typically reflexes (roll,or otherwise) read off the screen. In 35mm a Nikon F3 can do AP with a WLF - but of course it's not a '120'.

 

[locutus]

Rollei SLX and 6000 have Metering (and in the 6008AF even... yes autofocus) with a WLF, its a very nice working combo to have.

A bare SLX with the 80mm can be had for less then a Hasselblad!

 

[LiamG]

I'd hardly claim to know every possibility, but I know off the top of my head that the Rollei 6000 series (and the SLX too, I think) and Hasselblad 200 series bodies have this feature.

 

[abruzzi]

Thanks for the leads. I’ll look into them, especially the Rollei. I don’t know that I’m going to buy, but it’s nice to know options. I should add that in 35mm land, the Pentax LX also has the meter in the body. But with 35mm I’m happy with the normal layout. This is ultimately because I love the Hasselblad style camera layout with removable back, lens, and waistlevel finder.

 

[MattKing]

Does one of those snazzy Hasselblad meter on the winding crank count?

 

[Chan Tran]

Does one of those snazzy Hasselblad meter on the winding crank count?

Well the OP did say TTL so that thing doesn't count because it's not TTL.

 

[cowanw]

Contax

 

[abruzzi]

Does one of those snazzy Hasselblad meter on the winding crank count?

I’ve seen those, and they’re cute. I trust the meter on my Retina, so that can’t be any worse...

 

[itsdoable]

Hasselblad 200FA, 200FE, 205(xx)
Rollei 600x series, SL66-E/SE
Bronica EC-TL

The Rollei and Bronica are nice i that they have an additional photo sensor measuring light coming form the open waist level finder to compensate, Hasselblad do not.

 

[MattKing]

Well the OP did say TTL so that thing doesn't count because it's not TTL.

Does one of those snazzy Hasselblad meter on the winding crank count?

Maybe it is a TTF meter - "Through The Fingers" -

 

[choiliefan]

I like waist-level viewfinders but also like the convenience of in-camera metering.
The metering chimney finder on the Bronica SQ-A gives the lower vantage point of a WLF with higher magnification, adjustable diopter and meter.
Only drawbacks are the added height and inability to frame a shot at a glance.

 

[EdSawyer]

RZ67 has an AE Metering chimney finder that is basically a WLF with a meter.

 

[AgX]

I should add that in 35mm land, the Pentax LX also has the meter in the body.

As does the Praktika VLC.
And the Rolleiflex 2000/3000 cobines both finders.

 

[choiliefan]

If we're talking 35mm now, the Nikon F4 would reign king.

 

[abruzzi]

Thanks for everyone's input. The Hasselblad 203FE looks great, but sells at a price I couldn't hope to afford.

the Rollei's are either a little pricy or a lot pricy depending on the model. the 6008AF is as expensive at the 203 or worse. at the other end the SLX is pretty reasonable but a little scarce. its body is a bit bulky, but doesn't seem too bad. Another drawback is the lack of interchangeable backs.

The Bronica EC-TL is a bit cheaper than the SLX, the lenses are also cheaper. Drawback is they are very complex and basically unrepairable. (split mirror!?!) The EC-TL II is more expensive, but based on my reading it has some significant drawbacks over its predecessor. One is the meter only works in AE mode, not with manual exposure settings.

In medium format land those seem to be the options with folding WLF. there are some options with chimney finders, but those lose one advantage of the WLF in that the increase bulk. More than the larger size of the Rollei? I don't know.

I'm not buying anything right now, but its good to know whats up there. If I stumble across some extra cash I might give an EC-TL a try. The Hasselblad or Rollei would require more of a play to save up the cash.