Suggest a new (old) medium format camera (6x7 or larger)

trondsi · Feb 27, 2020

Hi folks!
I love my Rolleiflexes, which I got for a fairly decent price (I don't have tons of cash), but I would like to try a bit wider medium format camera. I do have a very old Voigtlander, but it doesn't fit my tripod, and photos often come out a bit softer than I expect. Any suggestions? Rangefinder, twin lens, single lens, are all good. I like to experiment, and I do like cameras that function like clockworks

Deleted member 88956 · Feb 27, 2020

Fuji rangefinders are he way to go, and just go for the 6x9

Dan Daniel · Feb 27, 2020

If you'd prefer less clockwork and more Rube Goldberg, Kodak Medalist!

The Fuji 6x9/6x8/6x7 rangefinders are also good. Nowhere near the level of finish of a Rolleiflex, but few cameras are as fine an object as the 'Flexes.

People also like the Mamiya RB/RZ67, and the Bronicas- GS for 6z7 is it? Or more of a press camera- the Horseman VH is a fun camera.

Given all the factors that go into making 6x9 cameras, and all the varied choices out there, plan on buying and selling a couple or more before you settle into a keeper. Just how it works.

tomkatf · Feb 27, 2020

Witold said:
Fuji rangefinders are he way to go, and just go for the 6x9

This would be my vote too... I love the 6x9cm format!

Deleted member 88956 · Feb 27, 2020

Dan Daniel said:
If you'd prefer less clockwork and more Rube Goldberg, Kodak Medalist!

The Fuji 6x9/6x8/6x7 rangefinders are also good. Nowhere near the level of finish of a Rolleiflex, but few cameras are as fine an object as the 'Flexes.

People also like the Mamiya RB/RZ67, and the Bronicas- GS for 6z7 is it? Or more of a press camera- the Horseman VH is a fun camera.

Given all the factors that go into making 6x9 cameras, and all the varied choices out there, plan on buying and selling a couple or more before you settle into a keeper. Just how it works.

This is all true, but sometimes you can't bring yourself to selling any one of them (not sure how I know this) then just build another house and keep going, End result is enjoyment of gear owned and pains of deciding which one to take out to dinner on any given day, but that is part of the charm.

Dan Fromm · Feb 27, 2020

If you want considerable flexibility with minimal to moderate movements, a 2x3/6x9 press or technical camera. If you want full flexibility with lotsa movements, a 2x3/6x9 view camera.

Interchangeable lenses and farther than the eye can see, a wide variety of roll holders, minimal to maximal movements, ...

I started with 2x3 Pacemaker Graphics, including the Century, now have 2x3 Cambos (yep, 2.5) as well.

6x12 with all the trimmins' wants a 4x5 camera. 6x17 with everything wants 5x7.

moto-uno · Feb 27, 2020

, How true all these statements are , owned a Fujica GL690b (with three lens ) and also a Kodak Medalist 1 . Loved them both , but
they're both gone now and I'm kinda settled ( for now ) on 6x6 ,'cuz it's the only size that lets me take full advantage of my 6x6 projectors !
6x7 projectors seemed to be priced up there with used cars . It's pretty easy to sell this equipment afterwards if your desires change . My
Mamiya 7 kit had 10 offers from around the world the same afternoon I posted it on this forum ! Peter

hsandler · Feb 27, 2020

Koni-Omega 6x7 rangefinders are very inexpensive, with excellent lenses. They are heavy and prone to frame spacing problems, but usually that only affects a bit at the edge of some negatives on the roll.

papagene · Feb 27, 2020

I'll put in a plug for the Fuji rangefinders also. Wonderful cameras with really nice lenses.

Dan Fromm · Feb 27, 2020

raizans said:
Some big honking 6x9 SLRs to consider:

Plaubel Makiflex and Pecoflex
Rittreck IIa
Graflex RB

Yeah, there are a few. Small in comparison with their big 4x5 and 5x7 brothers. Ever seen a 5x7 Home Portrait Graflex?

There are many 2x3 Graflex versions. And there's also the Arca Swiss Reflex. Not to mention the many British SLRs.

That said, all of these things really aren't general purpose cameras because there are no lenses for them that are as short as normal for their formats. Also, with the exception of 2x3 Graflexes, uncommon. 6x8 is as big as practical modern SLRs get and 6x7ers are much more abundant.

macfred · Feb 28, 2020

papagene said:
I'll put in a plug for the Fuji rangefinders also. Wonderful cameras with really nice lenses.

Agreed ! GW670III and GSW690II here - those are reliable tools.
--
Did we mention the Plaubel Makina 670 and Makina W67 wide-angle ? Never had one of those but I would like to try. Prices are a bit steep these days.

Neil Poulsen · Feb 28, 2020

tomkatf said:
This would be my vote too... I love the 6x9cm format!

Not yet mentioned, you might consider a Mamiya Press with a 50mm lens. Find a lens with the 50mm view finder that fits on top. The lenses cover 6x9. They're a Biogon design and are known for their sharpness. The film magazines, which come in the 6x9 format, are known for their ability to keep film flat. If you are persnickety, you can attach a ground glass attachment onto the back for focusing. Otherwise, one has to depend on the rangefinder.

For 6x9, the ultimate is a technical camera with a Rodenstock 35mm f4 or f4.5 lens. These lenses actually cover 6x9. While this can be done with a view camera, a technical camera can have the advantage that the rear of the lens doesn't internally bump into the rear standard of the camera making focus at infinity difficult or impossible.

guangong · Feb 28, 2020

I have Fuji and Makina 67 folders, but nothing beats a well cared for Medalist 69. I have one with coated lens, but uncoated with lens shade is no slouch. Well built and will outlive many a Fuji. Personally, while I have a preference for folders, I find 69 folders a little awkward in use compared with my Super Ikonta B.

ic-racer · Feb 28, 2020

Horseman 6x9 folding cameras are inexpensive, lightweight, and allow experimenting with many different film formats and lenses. With the ground glass back, the cameras are also a great introduction to view camera use.

narsuitus · Feb 28, 2020

trondsi said:
Suggest a new (old) medium format camera (6x7 or larger)

When I decided to try something larger than my 6x6cm medium format cameras, I decided to use the ...

Fuji 6x7cm rangefinder (left) with fixed normal lens for general photography

Mamiya 6x7cm SLR (center) with interchangeable wide, normal, and telephoto lenses for landscapes, general photography, individual portraits, and group portraits.

Fuji 6x9cm rangefinder (right) with fixed wide angle lens for landscapes and group portraits.

Medium Format by Narsuitus, on Flickr

removed account4 · Feb 28, 2020

if you don't mind an old clunker but a nice old clunker you might take a peek at old baby graflex slr's
they made them in that size and often they are sold with a 23 graflex roll back so you don't need to deal with
sheet film ( unless you want to ) .. you can put spiffy new lenses on them and just leave the camera-shutter on T and use a cable release if you are using it on a tripod, or you can use barrel lenses and shoot the camera with its own roller blind shutter. i've been using the big 4x5 version for a long time and love it, and a few years ago i bought a 3x4 version like you are looking for, used it and loved it too. well made, easy to handle ergonomic and fun.

good luck !
john

Paul Howell · Feb 28, 2020

There are so many to chose from, I would start with budget, then decide then decide on rangefinder, SLR, or TLR. As you want the option of a wide lens with the exception of the Fuji wides . For rangefinders a Mamiya Press or Universal, wide range of lens and backs, heavy but totally pro level build. I have a Universal and 4 lens kit. 6X9 and 6X7 backs, the 100 3.5 and 65 are great performers. When in the AF in the dark ages I used a Konica Omega, 6X7, Konica made 3 lens, all top notch glass. A sleeper is the Konica Omegaflex, 6X7, same backs as the Omega Rapid, not really a TLR, it is twin lens direct view unless using the the 45 degree reflex finder. The back does not rotate, it is set up for a horizontal shot, so it take effort to shoot a vertical. In terms of SLR I would think about a Pentax 6X7, or a 6X4.5 system, early Mamiya with a number of wides available.

trondsi · Feb 28, 2020

Wow! So many cameras, and so little money in my pocket Many of these cameras seem to currently go for around $500, which I suppose I could set aside, but not if it needs a lot of tweaking and repairs.
By the way, I do have a Crown Graphic, so I know how a basic large format camera operates. Part of the issue is actually the cost of film and scanning (my own scanner can't handle 4x5, but it can handle medium format).
That Horseman looks intriguing. Do you have to remove the ground glass every time you shoot? Or can the film roll fit underneath?

Dan Fromm · Feb 28, 2020

Trondsi, since you have a 4x5 Crown Graphic the least expensive way to get into 2x3/6x9 is to get a 2x3/6x9 roll holder to fit it and lenses as needed. Horseman RHs (the last lever wind ones that look much like the Linhof Super Rollex) are supposed to be very good. I have a 2x3 Super Rollex for 4x5 Graflok/international backs that's very good but heavy and pricey.

Re lenses, if you have a 90 for your Crown, that's close enough to the 2x3 normal focal length of 100 mm. If not, there are many affordable 100-105 mm lenses with more than enough coverage. For shorter, the 4x5 Crown's minimum extension is 52.5 mm. Fine for a 65 mm lens, not so fine for a 47.

Paul Howell · Feb 28, 2020

The Hoseman has a top integral rangefinder, operate a lot like a crown or speed, I think the build quality is better, the lens are very good, Topcon made very good glass. Always wanted a Horseman has more movement than my Universal, which has none.

trondsi · Feb 28, 2020

OK, I'm trying a 120 roll back for my Crown Graphic first. This way I can get more use out of this old baby Will let you know how it goes.

Dan Fromm · Feb 28, 2020

trondsi said:
OK, I'm trying a 120 roll back for my Crown Graphic first. This way I can get more use out of this old baby Will let you know how it goes.

Good luck, have fun.

Paul Howell · Feb 28, 2020

I assume your Crown has a gafhlock back rather than the spring back?

Dan Fromm · Feb 28, 2020

Paul Howell said:
I assume your Crown has a gafhlock back rather than the spring back?

There are insertion type roll holders, for example the Cambo/Calumet. See https://www.cambo.com/en/view-cam/t...ra-accessories/film-backs/c-242-discontinued/. They're discontinued, are fairly available used.

There's also the despised Adapt-A-Roll 620, 4x5 size. Will feed from a 120 spool, must take up on a 620 spool. Other disadvantage is that the holder's gate is offset ~ 7 mm from the camera's gate towards the back's insertion side. These were made to be used in 4x5 press cameras with spring backs.

trondsi · Feb 28, 2020

Paul Howell said:
I assume your Crown has a gafhlock back rather than the spring back?

I believe I have the Graflok back.

Suggest a new (old) medium format camera (6x7 or larger)

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