What are good, cheap and outdoor good performace 6x6 or larger frame camera?

[marciofs]

I am looking for a middle format from 6x6 and up that is good for portraits, that I can bring anywhere and shoot on cold and wet weather, and that I can buy for less than €/$150 or €/$200

Any recommendation?

 

[Arthurwg]

Old Roleiflex TLR. But you would might need a close-up lens for portraits. Other than that I might suggest an old folder like a Zeiss Ikon. But neither camera would be great in the rain.

 

[Dan Daniel]

TLRs aren't the best in rain because of the wide-open focus hood. Very common to get drops falling onto the screen, but if you can shield them the waist level finder adds its own quality to portraits. Going to be hard to get a Rolleiflex in decent condition for your budget. Look for Rolleicords, Minolta Autocords, YashicaMats. And depending on how close you want to focus, a Rolleinar 1 or such might be needed- add US$40-60?

Not sure if Bronicas are common in Germany, but an SQ series might hit your budget. Electric-based, so shielding of some sort needed.
Keep your eyes open for a Zeiss Super Ikonta III or IV with the Tessar lens- folding rangefinder, compact. Older versions are also worth looking at if they are working.
Holga or Diana another possibility, which should leave lots of money left fro film.

 

[lobitar]

I just bought a nice outfit - body and 3 lenses - of the 1st model of the Pentax 645 for 250 Euro from a dealer here in Copenhagen. I wonder if you couldn't find a body and one lens for 200Euro. If so this would - by far! I think - be your best bet: Dependeable and sharp lenses and eye level as standard. The twin lens refleses are not really dependable - often has a focus issue when acquired, even from a dealer; and they have this low viewpoint not necessarily best for protraits; and you get too close to the model for head and shoulders without distortion. The folders are not really dependable either, and especially they dont focus close enough to make head and shoulders; usually they focus to 2 meters or at best 1,5 meters, and they have a parellax problem.
Also the Bronica AI and especially the Bronica ETRS are cheap and dependable. All in my experience, of course. And I guess Bronica's are all over Germany?

 

[xya]

if you want it cheap or for a test: a non-folding 6x6 from the 50s/60s like agfa isola, dacora digna or certo (all 10-20€). if you want a real camera, a pentacon 6x6 and one lens. it is built like a tank and should be within you budget.

 

[Alan9940]

I'd suggest an Agfa Isolette, Zeiss Ikon, or Perkeo folder. If you're willing to go for the models without coupled rangefinder or any rangefinder at all, and are willing to wait/shop around a bit you'd probably find something for little money. These cameras aren't made for wet conditions, but if you use it in the rain and over time it starts having issues...no big deal because you don't have much invested.

 

[jim10219]

I'd suggest an Agfa Isolette, Zeiss Ikon, or Perkeo folder. If you're willing to go for the models without coupled rangefinder or any rangefinder at all, and are willing to wait/shop around a bit you'd probably find something for little money. These cameras are made for wet conditions, but if you use it in the rain and over time it starts having issues...no big deal because you don't have much invested.

Or maybe a Franka Rolfix or Solida, or any other number of German folders from the era. Many had triplet lenses, which aren't much good for landscapes, but can give a nice, soft glow to portraits. And like Alan9940 said, if the rain kills them, it's no big deal. Just buy another one.

 

[Paul Howell]

Mamyia Press, rugged pro design, rangefinder, interchangeable backs and lens. While the lens are not fast, they are sharp, you can find one for under $200 Euros.

 

[markjwyatt]

Mamiya C series. If you are worried about rain drops on the ground glass get the pentaprism or porro finder. I have the C330f and C220f (as well as a C2) plus 3 lenses to share between them. I have used them for many years (and intend to resurrect them soon after a many years hiatus). These may be at the limit of your budget, but I suspect if you shop you could find one.

 

[removed account4]

hey marcio
do you want to be able to change lenses ?
do you want something "old" that might need $100 repair to get it on its legs ?
does the $150-200 include shipping ?

i agree the kiev 60 or mamiya TLR might be the best bang for your $$
both are robust and both have the ability to change lenses ... ( which might not be $$$ but $ )
( a mamiya TLR was just for sale here in the classifieds to fit your budget )

good luck !
john

 

[Mozg31337]

I have the Pentacon Six and absolutely love it! It came with the standard Zeiss 80mm f2.8 lens which is stunning! you might find it below 200 EUR with the lens. The cheaper alternative is to get a foldable camera from the 40s and 50s. I have Zeiss Ikon and Voightlander Bessa I, which I bought for less then 30 euro each. Absolutely love foldable!!! But you need to check the foldables for any issues with the lens, shutter and bellows. I found a very nice camera serviceman in Ukraine that is awesome with mechanical cameras and lenses. He services and fixes all of them for about 1/5 of the price of equivalent service here in UK. I am happy and he is happy too!

 

[bunip]

The most famous inexpensive lens I know for portraits is the Pentacon Six Sonnar 180mm. I made my best portraits with it and bought my last one for 60 euro in 2017. I have also many folding cameras but those ar not the best for portraiture unless you look for that tipical look (vintage snapshots).

 

[DREW WILEY]

Plenty of Pentax 6x7 gear is going cheap if you don't mind a few cosmetic blemishes. But beware of failing gasketing on old cameras, regardless of make. Great camera in bad weather, and certain lenses were prized by portrait pros, like the 105/2.4 and 165/2.8 - fast and very sharp but with gentle background blur (bokeh).
A bit heavy for handheld use, however, unless you're using a fast film. If you can tolerate a fixed-lens wide-angle camera, older Fuji rangefinders like the GW670ii or GW690ii can be found at bargain pricing and handhold superbly.

 

[michr]

Mamyia Press, rugged pro design, rangefinder, interchangeable backs and lens. While the lens are not fast, they are sharp, you can find one for under $200 Euros.

Second the Mamiya press, one of the true bargains out there.

 

[macfred]

Old Roleiflex TLR... a close-up lens for portraits...

My first thought ! Relieable and unproblematic camera gear. A Rolleinar I (or II) is great for portrait work. A Rolleicord (or maybe a Yashica TLR) are also worth a look.

... especially the Bronica ETRS are cheap and dependable ...

I agree - the Broni ETRS(i) (6x4.5) with WLF (or maybe an -unmetered- prism finder for using in wet weather) and a lens (Zenzanon PE 75mm f/2.8 is a great lens for around 75,- EUR) should be almost in your price range.
SQ series cameras (6x6) are a little dearer. Those Bronicas run on batteries - I never had problems with my ETRSi in (moderate-) cold and wet weather conditions.

 

[DREW WILEY]

TLR's reliable and unproblematic - in cold wet weather ?????????????

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

You could get a beat-up Pentax 6x7 (1969-vintage) or even more beat-up Pentax 67 (1990-vintage), add a standard 104mm f2.4 lens for it (so widely used for portraiture that it doesn't really need mentioning) if it is not being sold with a lens. You might be easier shooting this biggish camera with a tripod for portraits, even so if the camera is equipped with mirror lock-up (1975 onward), that would be used as a matter of standard procedure to provide the sharpest results. Add a leaf shutter lens (90mm f2.8 or 165mm f4) and you can shoot with strobes to 1/500 instead of the camera's native 1/30.

In any case though I think for the sake of quality and a modicum of reliability, increase your budget. I do not consider TLRs to be reliable or providing any degree of wet / cold weather performance relative to the capacity of other cameras.

 

[mshchem]

All good suggestions . One more Fuji rangefinders, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9 the model II are cheap rugged and simple. Nice 90mm Fujinon.

 

[Eric Rose]

Mamiya Press or an old 2 1/4 by 3 1/4 Graflex. The Pentax 6x7 is a solid choice if your strong enough lol.

 

[hsandler]

For portraits, you may want a longer than normal lens so you can get back far enough for a flattering perspective. If you like portraits with an 85 or 105mm lens in 35mm, you might want a 135 or 150mm lens in 6x6. This immediately narrows your choices (a lot) to interchangeable lens cameras. For inexpensive, you could go for the Bronica SQ-A with a 150mm lens. These are fairly cheap and cheerful. In cold weather, the electronically-timed shutter may actually be an advantage, as it won't slow down if not optimally lubricated like some old mechanically-timed shutters. Just keep the camera dry. Some mentioned the Mamiya Press. An even less expensive alternative is the Koni-Omega rangefinder. These are quite inexpensive these days and very sturdy; however, the 180mm longer lens might be hard to find.

 

[Paul Howell]

The issue with Koni-Omega press cameras is that the advance mechanism is prone to ware and many are stripped. The reason it was called the Rapid was that uses a ratcheted lever that is pulled out and back in to advance the film and cock the shutter. With age and use these are prone to being stripped. The lens are excellent, Konica made some of the best glass in the business. The Mamiya Press, the shutter needs to be cocked. Mamiya made a larger selection of lens from a 55 to 250, the 250 came in non rangefinder coupled and rangefinder coupled versions. The Konica 6X7 while Mamiya made 6X7 and 6X9 along with a multiback from 4.5 X6, 6X6 and 6X9, I shot on occasion with the Mamiya press when I was in the Air Force and I own a Mamiya Universal, between the two the Konica for quick action, the Mamiya for lens selection. I would agree with hsandler that a Konica in good condition is well worth considering.

 

[markjwyatt]

Again, the Mamiya TLR with a readily available 180mm lens (or a bit harder to find 105mm) fits the bill.

 

[markjwyatt]

Here you go, a C3 with lenses (including the 105mm and the 180 mm, plus the porrofinder). A bit over your budget though, plus perhaps a C330 (f) or C220 (f) may be better:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...r-outfit-body-3-lens-sets-porrofinder.162273/

(I cannot personally vouch for the camera, but just noted it is offered under Classifieds).

 

[MattKing]

My Mamiya C330 with the 135mm lens has always worked well for me when it comes to portraits.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Wet outdoor portraits... o-o !
Mamya 645 with 85 lens and prism VF. Couple of years ago I was able to get it under 100$ and it was just working.
It will give you better portraits than any folder and TLR and you will get more from single roll.
But if you dare, use Holga. It is the opposite side of the spectrum of interesting portraits.