The most compact MF camera with AE and AF?

dpt2014 · Jan 1, 2013

Manual, manual, manual is all I hear from a lot of people these days. But sometimes I just want the simplicity of pointing and shooting.

I understand by nature that MF cameras will be larger than 35mm (duh), but I'm just not fond of 35mm. But what are my options for (relatively) compact AE and AF MF cameras?

perkeleellinen · Jan 1, 2013

Maybe one of the Fuji 645 cameras?

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/ga645.html

dpt2014 · Jan 1, 2013

Thanks, Steve. I've actually been looking at the GA645 and GA645W. Looks like I might go with either of those if there aren't any other suggestions.

Alan W · Jan 1, 2013

I'm a big fan of the Pentax 645 and 645n.The n has autofocus.It's about twice the size and weight of a 35mm slr,but once you look through the viewfinder you'll be smitten-big and clear.It's designed like a 35mm slr and there's no problem with interchangeable viewfinders,it's only got the one it comes with.It's also the only MF camera that I take anywhere without my minolta lightmeter and exposures are always spot on.It's not as portable or compact as the Fuji GA line,which are great cameras,but it's really hard to beat a pentax 645 and a 45mm lens.

photo_griz · Jan 2, 2013

Fuji GA645zi. Compact and exposures are generally spot on. It is very easy and quick in auto mode and has a good balance of heft and hold ability . In fact, an often repeated beef about this camera is that it doesn't do manual shooting easy enough. Produces sharp photos with nice contrast and color and is in a very useful zoom range.

Oren Grad · Jan 2, 2013

dpt2014 said:
Thanks, Steve. I've actually been looking at the GA645 and GA645W. Looks like I might go with either of those if there aren't any other suggestions.

The Fuji GA series are it. Every other medium format camera with AF is a very big, very heavy SLR.

marriaga4eps · Jan 2, 2013

mamiya 645E looks and handles nicely

perkeleellinen · Jan 2, 2013

dpt2014 said:
Thanks, Steve. I've actually been looking at the GA645 and GA645W. Looks like I might go with either of those if there aren't any other suggestions.

I doubt you live anywhere near me, but if you do you're free to come round and look at my GA645 and have a cup of tea.

smolk · Jan 2, 2013

I second the Pentax 645N. With the standard 75mm, it's a great combo. There even is a soft case for it, which I've used sometimes when only bringing the camera with this lens, although I usually put it in a Retrospect 20.
The viewfinder is marvellous, lenses are excellent, but it is definitely more bulk than the Fuji series. Not autofocus but otherwise automatic is the Bronica RF645. Fuji and Bronica have a vertical orientation, which may or may not suit you.

Richard S. (rich815) · Jan 2, 2013

GA645. I have one and love it. I have the GA645zi too but like the simplicity of the GA645 more though the Zi is a better camera in many respects. Dante Stella's site discusses well.

arealitystudios · Jan 2, 2013

I am going to echo the suggestion of the Fuji GA series. I have one and it really is pretty much a point and shoot camera. In size it feels like a mid-range SLR with a pancake lens attached. In operation I can work with it about as fast as I can work with a 35mm compact, though with the benefit of a high quality lens, large negative, and accurate auto exposure.

My one and only complaint about the GA series is the fact that the lenses are relatively slow. If I could open it up to say f/3.5 I would consider it perfect.

It is easily my go to travel camera.

andrew.roos · Jan 2, 2013

The Fuji GF670 has AE but no AF. It's very compact when folded and shoots 6x7.

Gerry M · Jan 2, 2013

Fuji GA645 is the one. Over the years, I've had a broad variety of MF's, from Zeiss 645/6X9 folders, Rollei's, Hassy's, Mamiya 7's. Still have Rollei & M645 Pro, but I use the Fuji more often. Hard for me to find fault with it.

Brian C. Miller · Jan 2, 2013

I have both Pentax and Fuji.

The Fuji GA645zi is the lightest, but of course the zoom lens is fixed on the camera. Think "point & shoot on massive steroids." It weighs 2 pounds, and is quite compact. A 52mm filter fits on the lens. Aperture and shutter speed can be manually set, but it's manually zone focused. It would have been utterly awsome if it was a real rangefinder too, though.

The Pentax weighs four pounds with 75mm lens, and is slightly bulkier. The interchangeable lens makes it a much more versatile camera. I feel much more comfortable changing the film, as the Fuji has the rear element exposed, while the shutter is between you and the lens with the Pentax.

If weight is the most important factor, use a Holga. At 8oz, nothing beats it yet. For quality of the image, I can't find fault with either the Pentax or the Fuji. The lenses on both are superb.

emjo · Mar 15, 2013

As other already have mentioned: Fuji GA645Zi. The point-and-shoot of MFs. Don't let that description fool you into thinking it is anything of a toy. It has excellently sharp optics and the auto focus never misses (well not more than I do with manual focussing anyway). In short, a very nice camera, with larger than average negatives (645 is about three times the area of 35 mm film).

The most compact MF camera with AE and AF?

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