Square format

[TareqPhoto]

Hi all,

I would like to know which medium format bodies/systems that have square format beside Hasselblad?

I still have an issue with focusing with my Hassy and i can't go to buy all screens to test them and then no guarantee, so i think i may ignore it and buy another medium format that has square format and see if it will be better, so any recommendations?

 

[kbrede]

Rollei Rolleiflex SL66. http://www.sl66.com/

 

[LyleB]

Any of the Yashica TLRs. Great little cameras, and not too expensive.

 

[markbarendt]

Holga, Diana

 

[wilfbiffherb]

bronica sq-a, sq-ai, sq-am, sq-b

 

[thegman]

Mamiya 6, Fujifilm GF670/Bessa III, Rolleiflex of course.

 

[TareqPhoto]

hmmmmmm, wow, many options or recommendations, should i buy them all, LOL

I forgot i have Holga, but i don't use this one seriously, only for fun, so it is not a main camera to be used.

In fact i was looking at Rollei and Bronica mostly, but i can look at other options such as Fujifilm GF670 and Mamiya 6 and even Mamiya Cxxx, but, is there any film back for Mamiya RZ that can be used as square rather than i shoot at 6x7 and crop it?

 

[bdial]

There are 6x6 backs for the RB/RZ cameras, not sure how common they are though.
But if 6x6 is your primary goal an RZ would probably not be the best choice, because of it's weight and size.

 

[gedra]

I have 3 Rolleiflexes with Maxwell screens - older and newer models - and find composing and focusing with the flip up magnifier to be very easy.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Your TLR's (Twin Lens Reflex) are generally a square 6x6cm format. Mamiya C22, C220, C330, Seagulls, Yashica MAT's, 124G, etc.

 

[jeffreyg]

What is the issue about focusing? Which viewfinder and screen do you have? Although it was some time ago, I contacted Hasselblad regarding my PM5 finder. I sent them my reading glasses prescription and they recommended the appropriate replacement eyepiece so I did not have to wear the glasses to focus. They have other viewfinders that have diopter adjustments such as the 52096, PME51, RM2 and as I mentioned interchangeable eyepieces from -4 to +3 diopters. Some may not be available except from used equipment sellers.

I would contact Hasselblad and speak with the tech department. Another thought is that there is a problem with your equipment that needs adjusting. I have a couple of bodies, several lenses and four different viewfinders and have no problems with focusing. You should be able to solve the problem unless you want a different system anyways.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[TareqPhoto]

The issue is i think with focusing screen, i have 2, Matte Acute-D, one with split and one standard, both are nightmare to focus with, i use only WLV and no PME VFs, but i can't be sure which focusing screen to buy so i thought maybe i buy another square format system, my RZ focusing screen is remarkable and sharp and clean, i can focus very easy and always have the shots spot on focus, with Hasselblad i spend 30-50 seconds to focus on one shot each, less if the shot is very far like infinite, so i tend to use RZ more for easier and faster focusing, and i said that many times before on this site that i never guarantee if the focus is on or not with Hasselblad, with RZ 99% it is dead on focus and i am using WLV with that too.

 

[cjbecker]

I have the same problem with a 500cm also. (Im using the old screen without rangefinder) Unless I have it tripod mounted and study the focus, I can't guarantee that it's in focus. When I do do that it is unbelievable results.

I also have a old rolleicord III that I can focus much faster and accurately with. The lens is not nearly as good in the bigger f-stops.

 

[Slixtiesix]

So why don´t you stay with your RZ then?

 

[BrianShaw]

Are you using the magnifier? I find Hassy to be much easier to focus when using the magnifier versus not using it.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Are you using the magnifier? I find Hassy to be much easier to focus when using the magnifier versus not using it.

Ditto for the Rolleis.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I also had no problems focusing with the magnifier on my Hassy, and I had a standard Acute-Matte screen (the one without the split-image prism in the center). If you are dead-set on trying another camera, a Rolleiflex TLR would be a good option as the viewing lens is always a bright f2.8 so it is easier to use in low light. The downside of course is no interchangeable lenses.

 

[David Brown]

Kowa 6

 

[Pioneer]

My Agfa Super Isolette, Ansco Speedex Special R, all of which are very good cameras capable of awesome image quality when used within their limitations. The Super Isolette is one of the easiest to focus of any of my rangefinders.

But they are 1950s technology, are not very big or heavy, nor do they accept interchangeable lenses, so obviously they cannot be serious cameras!

 

[SuzanneR]

As others have said, most TLR's, Mamiya 6, and the 6x6 backs for either Mamiya RB or RZ, and my favorite square format, the Holga!

 

[BrianShaw]

For real ease of focussing, but not ease of anything else, I use a 6x6 back on a view camera.

 

[Mark Fisher]

My Hasselblad is easiest to focus camera I've ever seen or had. Get an Acu-Matte screen of any vintage (I have the split rangefinder spot which can be helpful) and a prism. The NC2 is a fine very low cost option. I think it is fair to say that none of the cameras listed above will be better than that combination except maybe the Mamiya 6....but that is a rangefinder and a completely different beast.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

For real ease of focussing, but not ease of anything else, I use a 6x6 back on a view camera.

I just stick the 6x7 Super Rollex on my Linhof and use the rangefinder.

 

[dpurdy]

If you like 6x6 slr you might take a long look at Rolleiflex 6008i Bit spendy but not nearly as much as a new Rollei TLR

 

[rjbuzzclick]

Pentacon 6, Kiev 6C or 60.