Thread for List of Suggested Cameras? (MF/otherwise)

[analoguey]

OK, getting back to the OP question; I don't think this is really answerable, but I'll play:

645 fixed lens: Fuji rangefinders

645 interchangeable lenses: Mamiya/Pentax/Bronica

6x6 rangefinder : Mamiya 6

6x6 TLR fixed lens: Rolleiflex, Minolta Autocord

6x6 TLR interchangeable lenses: Mamiya

6x6 SLR: Hasselblad, Bronica, Rolleiflex

6x6 “budget”: Yashica TLR, Kowa 6

6x7 fixed lens: Fuji 670

6x7 interchangeable lens rangefinder: Mamiya 7

6x7 SLR: Pentax 67, Mamiya RB/RZ67, Bronica

6x9 fixed lens: Fuji 690

6x9 “press”: Mamiya Press, baby Graflex

6x9 view camera: any view camera with a roll film back

... let the games begin!

Handy, handy list. Let me see if I can add some parameters to it.
Will try and make a table of it.

 

[analoguey]

I think the challenge is that the format of the website isn't conducive to this.

An accumulating "polling" type format might be better.

Indeed!

 

[analoguey]

Could this work, for example?

[TABLE="class: grid, width: 500, align: center"]

[TD="width: 114"]Requirements - >
[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]Format[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]Type[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]Weight[/TD]
[TD="width: 111"]Best for[/TD]
[TD="width: 83"]Best feature[/TD]
[TD="width: 83"]Also for[/TD]
[TD="width: 96"]Worst Feature[/TD]
[TD="width: 96"]Not for[/TD]
[TD="width: 96"]Price Range[/TD]
[TD="width: 122"]Electronic/Manual[/TD]
[TD="width: 102"]Recommended by
[/TD]
[TD="width: 102"]Alternative to
[/TD]


Cameras















Fuji GA645

[TD="align: right"]645[/TD]
RF
??
weddings/street

light weight

fixed lens


E

8 APUG users : a, b, c,...,h




Mamiya 6

RF




Pricey



E

5 APUG users : a, b, c,...,h






SLR












[/TABLE]

As illustation.
(Add more examples as people add-in info and recommendations)

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

[TABLE="class: grid, width: 500, align: center"]

[TD="width: 114"]Requirements - >
[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]Format[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]Type[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]Weight[/TD]
[TD="width: 111"]Best for[/TD]
[TD="width: 83"]Best feature[/TD]
[TD="width: 83"]Also for[/TD]
[TD="width: 96"]Worst Feature[/TD]
[TD="width: 96"]Not for[/TD]
[TD="width: 96"]Price Range[/TD]
[TD="width: 122"]Electronic/Manual[/TD]
[TD="width: 102"]Recommended by
[/TD]
[TD="width: 102"]Alternative to
[/TD]


Cameras















Fuji GA645

[TD="align: right"]645[/TD]
RF
??
weddings/street

light weight

fixed lens


E

8 APUG users : a, b, c,...,h




Mamiya 6

RF




Pricey



E

5 APUG users : a, b, c,...,h






SLR












[/TABLE]

As illustation.
(Add more examples as people add-in info and recommendations)

Just FYI, don't look so good using Tapatalk for viewing this forum....

 

[analoguey]

Just FYI, don't look so good using Tapatalk for viewing this forum....

Ah. Yes, I actually used the table function available on the website.
Open to ideas, of course. The final display can be any which way - user interactive, even.

Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk

 

[lxdude]

645 interchangeable lens rangefinder: Bronica

 

[TareqPhoto]

I include a doc including one table sample of what or how it should be, i prefer Word over Excel but anyone can go with Excel if easier and better

The table can be modified, and i made one table for one format size [6x6] and i didn't complete it just to give an example and it will take time to fill it and complete it at best it can be, many here are much better than me on cameras details, so i would like what can you do for that table and what another tables you can do if it is helpful to continue.

 

[Jim Rice]

6x7 "budget" Koni/Rapid Omega

 

[revdocjim]

I'm no equipment expert, but have enjoyed owning and using a rather large number of MF cameras over the last few years. I started getting into it after embarking on a monumental journey of digitizing my dad's old negatives, shot mostly on a 6x6 TLR. When I discovered that used MF cameras (mostly of Japanese origin) can be had for pennies on the dollar I got the bug and before I knew it I had a rather large collection, all of which I enjoyed using extensively. That's when I decided to share what I knew about them on my web site, Chemical Cameras. It was a thoroughly enjoyable task. But alas, I eventually came to the conclusion that I would rather own just a few cameras that I really loved so I began selling them off and getting/keeping the ones I really wanted. Now I am down to four really nice ones (plus a couple junkers with no resale value in the closet). So I would be happy to contribute whatever knowledge I have gleaned in the process. For the record, the four I settled on are as follows:

Pentax 645n
Mamiya 6
Fujifilm GF670
Pentax 67ii

 

[Mark Fisher]

Suggested cameras? I can only tell you where I ended up after many iterations:

Street /light kit - Leica m2 +35+50+90mm+luna-pro lightmeter......lovely to use and feel.
Point and shoot - Fuji 645 GA645zi camera....it is a big point and shoot
Serious photography handheld or tripod - Hasselblad kit

 

[StoneNYC]

Check out the thread "are you a camera snob" and you'll see my list

 

[TareqPhoto]

Maybe i should list my list here so you can have an idea what i went with:

Mamiya RZ67 Pro II ....... My best 6x7 body, but the battery issue is the only thing made me to think about something else.

Hasselblad 501CM ....... my best 6x6 and i like the handle, but the focusing screen is difficult to use to be accurate, and i may get another Hassy but chrome one.

Mamiya RB67 Pro-SD ....... it may become my best 6x7 if i start to use it and see, got it to have that mechanical body replacement for RZ.

Fujica GSW690III ...... my best RF 6x9, i wanted that size and it is really amazing sharp and beautiful one, happy with it and i think it will be my travel additional body no doubt.

Mamiya 7II ..... didn't work yet because i didn't fix it yet, hope this will be my best travel MF film kit if it will work sooner or later, also battery is an issue as RZ.

Holga 120WPC ...... used it one or 2 times, nothing special about it, just bought it because it was crazy cheap and wanted to have Holga body, that's all.

Holga 120N ....... also nothing special here, just got it to have normal exposure and no pano or wide frame as on that 120WPC one, also not a favorite camera, just cheap.


Those above are my MF so far, but who knows what i may add in the future, i didn't list LF because that is another story or should be another class.

Thanks for reading

 

[Mark Fisher]

Check out the thread "are you a camera snob" and you'll see my list

I am a little self-conscious about that, too. Then on the other hand, I picked up my M2 for less than a high end digital point and shoot and my entire hasselblad set (4 lenses) for about the price of a high end consumer digital SLR body.

 

[StoneNYC]

Maybe i should list my list here so you can have an idea what i went with:

Mamiya RZ67 Pro II ....... My best 6x7 body, but the battery issue is the only thing made me to think about something else.

Hasselblad 501CM ....... my best 6x6 and i like the handle, but the focusing screen is difficult to use to be accurate, and i may get another Hassy but chrome one.

Mamiya RB67 Pro-SD ....... it may become my best 6x7 if i start to use it and see, got it to have that mechanical body replacement for RZ.

Fujica GSW690III ...... my best RF 6x9, i wanted that size and it is really amazing sharp and beautiful one, happy with it and i think it will be my travel additional body no doubt.

Mamiya 7II ..... didn't work yet because i didn't fix it yet, hope this will be my best travel MF film kit if it will work sooner or later, also battery is an issue as RZ.

Holga 120WPC ...... used it one or 2 times, nothing special about it, just bought it because it was crazy cheap and wanted to have Holga body, that's all.

Holga 120N ....... also nothing special here, just got it to have normal exposure and no pano or wide frame as on that 120WPC one, also not a favorite camera, just cheap.


Those above are my MF so far, but who knows what i may add in the future, i didn't list LF because that is another story or should be another class.

Thanks for reading

You're a gear junky! And you don't even use some of them? I'll take the Mamiya 7 off your hands I need a second body anyway

Having an RZ AND an RB Pro-S seems a little silly to me. I agree, I own the RZ, and the battery issue happens to me or used to when I'm shooting late at night in the cold outside and the battery would die especially on long exposures of 20 minutes, and always wished I had the other one, however the whole kit that I have is really sweet, all the lenses are in great shape and I don't feel like changing them just to get a different body. I know the later model lenses of the RB system are just as good as the RZ system lenses so why own both?

 

[TareqPhoto]

You're a gear junky! And you don't even use some of them? I'll take the Mamiya 7 off your hands I need a second body anyway

Having an RZ AND an RB Pro-S seems a little silly to me. I agree, I own the RZ, and the battery issue happens to me or used to when I'm shooting late at night in the cold outside and the battery would die especially on long exposures of 20 minutes, and always wished I had the other one, however the whole kit that I have is really sweet, all the lenses are in great shape and I don't feel like changing them just to get a different body. I know the later model lenses of the RB system are just as good as the RZ system lenses so why own both?

I know your point, it is just i bought them new at reasonable good prices, i am sure that RB with the film back and 2 lenses were cheaper than i bought my RZ + 2 lenses used, only my RZ film back was brand new and that was so expensive, i have budget for RB so it is not a waste or problem, i will buy bulk of batteries for RZ, and use it when i don't shoot for long time and go away hiking, only will use RB if i will shoot for so long time and in extreme conditions so i can't expect when the battery may last, and in all cases, RZ is more advanced than RB so i like to have that body, wish of that RZ is completely mechanical then i will never look back.

Well, you send me your Mamiya 7II, as mine is not working even i bought it brand new from B&H, so with yours i will show you what i can do with it

 

[StoneNYC]

I know your point, it is just i bought them new at reasonable good prices, i am sure that RB with the film back and 2 lenses were cheaper than i bought my RZ + 2 lenses used, only my RZ film back was brand new and that was so expensive, i have budget for RB so it is not a waste or problem, i will buy bulk of batteries for RZ, and use it when i don't shoot for long time and go away hiking, only will use RB if i will shoot for so long time and in extreme conditions so i can't expect when the battery may last, and in all cases, RZ is more advanced than RB so i like to have that body, wish of that RZ is completely mechanical then i will never look back.

Well, you send me your Mamiya 7II, as mine is not working even i bought it brand new from B&H, so with yours i will show you what i can do with it

Haha! If you bought it new there must be a warrantee?

 

[TareqPhoto]

Haha! If you bought it new there must be a warrantee?

Yes, there is a warrantee, but i didn't know where is the problem/issue from, the camera or the lens or the battery, and just to make it clear, the first time i test it i've got only 3 frames out of 10, then all other films [3 after that] are all blank and i feel maybe that lens is defective because i bought it new from ebay, but i can't judge anything, either i return the whole system or send them all for maintenance and see where is the problem from. Also i didn't want to waste money to send camera back for replacement if it is really new and maybe another new camera will not work if it is not the main issue.

I was thinking to buy another lens and also buy a guaranteed fresh battery to test then i may find out the issue.

 

[StoneNYC]

Yes, there is a warrantee, but i didn't know where is the problem/issue from, the camera or the lens or the battery, and just to make it clear, the first time i test it i've got only 3 frames out of 10, then all other films [3 after that] are all blank and i feel maybe that lens is defective because i bought it new from ebay, but i can't judge anything, either i return the whole system or send them all for maintenance and see where is the problem from. Also i didn't want to waste money to send camera back for replacement if it is really new and maybe another new camera will not work if it is not the main issue.

I was thinking to buy another lens and also buy a guaranteed fresh battery to test then i may find out the issue.

If the battery doesn't work, then it won't allow you to advance to the next frame, so it shouldn't be a battery issue, it could be a lens issue, did you remember to take the lens cap off? That's a common error with people who have rangefinder's, they forget to take the lens cap off because they can see through the viewfinder, I know it sounds silly but is that possibly the case?

 

[TareqPhoto]

If the battery doesn't work, then it won't allow you to advance to the next frame, so it shouldn't be a battery issue, it could be a lens issue, did you remember to take the lens cap off? That's a common error with people who have rangefinder's, they forget to take the lens cap off because they can see through the viewfinder, I know it sounds silly but is that possibly the case?

Let's say if that will be the case, it should happen for 1 roll of film not 3 or 4, and i said for first roll ever i've got 3 shots out of 10 and all other were blank and the lens cap was off, so it is something i really don't know, i have a big feeling it was the lens, but the seller on ebay told me that as long i've got 3 shots then it is not the lens issue, and now you said that the battery is not the issue, in fact i can't advance to the next frame until i open the back and do something i forgot, but i couldn't when the back is closed.

The only things i can do now is waiting to buy new fresh batteries for my Mamiya RZ and this Mamiya 7II and give it a try, also to buy another lens to see if i have the same issue as well, returning the lens or the camera is not my solution, and it passed 2 years now since i bought them both separately.

 

[StoneNYC]

Let's say if that will be the case, it should happen for 1 roll of film not 3 or 4, and i said for first roll ever i've got 3 shots out of 10 and all other were blank and the lens cap was off, so it is something i really don't know, i have a big feeling it was the lens, but the seller on ebay told me that as long i've got 3 shots then it is not the lens issue, and now you said that the battery is not the issue, in fact i can't advance to the next frame until i open the back and do something i forgot, but i couldn't when the back is closed.

The only things i can do now is waiting to buy new fresh batteries for my Mamiya RZ and this Mamiya 7II and give it a try, also to buy another lens to see if i have the same issue as well, returning the lens or the camera is not my solution, and it passed 2 years now since i bought them both separately.

Wait, you opened the back in order to advance the film? so you exposed the roll... no wonder you have blank film LOL Unless I misunderstood you?

If it is in fact the lens, the seller should take it back or file a claim with paypal/ebay for it.

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

Kiev 60 with LOMO Square Front 22mm Anamorphic Cine Lens attached , lens starts from 25000 dollars and climbs but there are cheaper ones also. Other lens could be an old Cooke Cine Lens.

 

[analoguey]

Wait, you opened the back in order to advance the film? so you exposed the roll... no wonder you have blank film LOL Unless I misunderstood you?

If it is in fact the lens, the seller should take it back or file a claim with paypal/ebay for it.

He mentioned 3 coming out clean. Probably should ask Tareq what he did to advance film post that! And before!

Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk

 

[analoguey]

Having an RZ AND an RB Pro-S seems a little silly to me. I agree, I own the RZ, and the battery issue happens to me or used to when I'm shooting late at night in the cold outside and the battery would die especially on long exposures of 20 minutes, and always wished I had the other one, however the whole kit that I have is really sweet, all the lenses are in great shape and I don't feel like changing them just to get a different body. I know the later model lenses of the RB system are just as good as the RZ system lenses so why own both?

Not really silly -they both can cover different ends of the spectrum. Having an RZ makes it easier to shoot digital than an RB, plus cheaper than buying interfaces for the RB. And of course one can back up the other - I, Ofc, dont know what he bought it for.

I am seriously considering an RZ purchase to add functionality to my RB kit.


Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk

 

[TareqPhoto]

Wait, you opened the back in order to advance the film? so you exposed the roll... no wonder you have blank film LOL Unless I misunderstood you?

If it is in fact the lens, the seller should take it back or file a claim with paypal/ebay for it.

Well, i mean advancing without a film, but with film it never advanced until i turn of the camera, when i turn on again it advance for next frame without exposing the current one and locked again, so i keep turn on/off until the end of the roll without exposing anything, so it is like it didn't recognize the lens attached or maybe the battery is not working, i really don't know how to explain, but i wasted 3 films advancing with whatever i can and it end blank, so should i try one more roll later when i get a new battery?

 

[StoneNYC]

Well, i mean advancing without a film, but with film it never advanced until i turn of the camera, when i turn on again it advance for next frame without exposing the current one and locked again, so i keep turn on/off until the end of the roll without exposing anything, so it is like it didn't recognize the lens attached or maybe the battery is not working, i really don't know how to explain, but i wasted 3 films advancing with whatever i can and it end blank, so should i try one more roll later when i get a new battery?

Ahh! So then it probably IS the battery!

Does the low battery red blinking light BLINK in the viewfinder when you partially depressed the shutter button?