What Medium Format Cameras Are Members Here Using?

[Don_ih]

I've got a 50, 90, 127, 180, and 250 -- of those, only the 127 has a slow shutter; the others are fine. And these were bottom feeder purchases, aside from the 90 that came with the body.

Mine all vary from delayed shutter to not firing at all. Same with 2 of 3 of the Bronica etr lenses I have. I guess the best bet is find out how to access the shutter.

 

[vishalkullarwar]

Mamiya RB67
Hasselblad 500CM
Mamiya C220
Fujifilm GX680

 

[ragazzo]

Mamiya 7 w/ 80mm f/4
Mamiya RZ67 w/ multiple lenses
Rollei Hy6 w 80mm Schneider Xenotar f/2

 

[igzabeher]

Rolleiflex Automat, the second version I believe, purchased from a member here.
Mamiya RB67
And hopefully in a little under two years a Fuji 6x9

 

[frost242]

Pentacon Six TL + 80 Biometar + 50 Flektogon + 150 Kaleinar
Rolleiflex 2.8D
Rolleicord Va
Bronica S2A w/ multiple lenses (Biometar, 80/2.4, etc.)

I don't why, but I love shooting with my Pentacon Six !

Thinking about selling my Ricohflex Diacord and my Autocord...

 

[Thesecondone]

First mf camera is a Mamiya c330 ,i bought a rb67 a few months later and havent used the c330 much after that

 

[kl122002]

Mamiya C330 / C330S w/ 55, 65, 80, 105, 135, 180, 250 mm lenses . Just missing 80/3.7 and newer version of 80/2.8 then I should have completed all the collection
Bronica ETRSI w/ 75, 150
Bronica SQ w/ 40, 105, 110, 150.
Rolleicord III

 

[nikkormat]

My first medium format was a Mamiya C220. I liked it very much, and would definitely consider another, but I sold it for an equally excellent (but smaller and lighter) Minolta Autocord. I only get through maybe four rolls of 120 a year, but I really love the Autocord.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Recently changed my gear. Now happy with the setup:

Mamiya 645
Rolleiflex automat 6x6
Pentax 6x7
Fuji GSW690ii

All fit in the same back-pack too.

 

[kl122002]

Recently changed my gear. Now happy with the setup:

Mamiya 645
Rolleiflex automat 6x6
Pentax 6x7
Fuji GSW690ii

All fit in the same back-pack too.

I am looking for a Fuji 690 too
Which mode would you suggest? I wish to have an earlier version to fit in a wide angle lens, but looks like it might not be necessary since fuji discontinued and changed this camera to fixed lens ?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Mamiya C330 / C330S w/ 55, 65, 80, 105, 135, 180, 250 mm lenses . Just missing 80/3.7 and newer version of 80/2.8 then I should have completed all the collection
Bronica ETRSI w/ 75, 150
Bronica SQ w/ 40, 105, 110, 150.
Rolleicord III

But the charter and the purpose of this website is to enable people to have GAS and buy more equipment. Now is the time to expand the Bronica lens collection or move on to the Hasselblad or Rollei SLR and build a bigger lens collection.

 

[wiltw]

Mine all vary from delayed shutter to not firing at all. Same with 2 of 3 of the Bronica etr lenses I have. I guess the best bet is find out how to access the shutter.

The Bronica lenses are all mechanically actuated to close to preselected aperture and open the shutter, and it is electronically timed by the body and the lens shutter responds to electrical shutter-close signal from the body (except for 1/500 mechnically timed shutter close when battery in the body is dead).
There are various interlocks (in the body) which can result in the lens shutter not being actuated mechanically by the lever in the body.
Having multiple lens shutters acting similarly points to some issue in the body.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

I am looking for a Fuji 690 too
Which mode would you suggest? I wish to have an earlier version to fit in a wide angle lens, but looks like it might not be necessary since fuji discontinued and changed this camera to fixed lens ?

I've never tried the interchangeable lens G690/GL690 so I couldn't tell. From what I read, the earlier version was heavier than the fixed-mount version because of the lens mount. I also don't know how easy the lenses are to find now, apart from the "normal" 100mm and the wider 65mm.

The fixed 90mm lens on the GW690 is surprisingly versatile because of the 6x9 format. I've done both portrait and landscape with it.

Was lucking to find a GWS690 for at a very cheap price, but I rarely use it. The wider 65mm lens isn't easy to figure out, for me at least, on the 6x9 format — this while the 75mm format is wonderful to use on the 6x7 format !

This to say I'm quite happy with the GW690, but others who have the early version would probably have a different opinion.

 

[kl122002]

But the charter and the purpose of this website is to enable people to have GAS and buy more equipment. Now is the time to expand the Bronica lens collection or move on to the Hasselblad or Rollei SLR and build a bigger lens collection.

I would prefer to keep the Mamiya instead of Rollei or Hasselblad. I really have bad luck with these 2 brands. Shutter jam, mirror lock, flash not syncing well at X........too many and I don't know how and why these always happen on me.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I would prefer to keep the Mamiya instead of Rollei or Hasselblad. I really have bad luck with these 2 brands. Shutter jam, mirror lock, flash not syncing well at X........too many and I don't know how and why these always happen on me.

OK then get on it and buy more Mamiya equipment.

 

[braxus]

I am looking for a Fuji 690 too
Which mode would you suggest? I wish to have an earlier version to fit in a wide angle lens, but looks like it might not be necessary since fuji discontinued and changed this camera to fixed lens ?

The fixed lens ones are way better and more reliable. For the cost of the G camera with two lenses, you could buy two separate GW/GSW cameras. I owned both of the latter. If getting the GW, the first version is made out of metal, so more durable. I think version 2 and 3 were plastic casings. Just look for a camera with a low roll count.

I have since revamped most of my medium format film gear, since my first post in this thread. I no longer have the Fuji 6x9 cameras, the Mamiya RZ, and either of my Pentax 67II and 645N. Got rid of all of them. Pairing it all down to lesser cameras- to the essentials. I still have my Zeiss Ikon 6x9 which I used today, plus my Holga and Yashica 6x6 TLR. I kept half of my Pentax 645 lenses, so I can use them on my GFX camera. And I kept all of my Pentax 67 lenses, because I just got myself a late model (3rd revision) of the first version of the Pentax 67. I found the 67II too unreliable, and not as dependable in cold and wet climate. The version 1 is perfect for that use and is rock solid reliable. That camera is coming. To replace the 645, my intention was to get a Mamiya 645 AF or AFD, so I could have the removable backs and still have autofocus lenses. But that purchase may be a long way away, because prices on this camera are way up there now.

 

[Don_ih]

Having multiple lens shutters acting similarly points to some issue in the body.

I have three Bronica bodies. They all operate one lens perfectly every time. The other lenses are intermittent - delayed and/or not firing half the time. In this case, it's the lenses.

 

[cedge]

Hi, new to the forum today, I currently have the following medium format cameras (I've shot film in them all):

No. 2 Autographic Folding Brownie
Holga
Yashica 24 TLR
Seagull 203 Folder
Balda Mess-Baldax Folder

 

[5150Bronco]

I run Hasselblad 503cw and x1d II.

I definitely want to try a Mamiya rb and Pentax.

 

[kl122002]

The fixed lens ones are way better and more reliable. For the cost of the G camera with two lenses, you could buy two separate GW/GSW cameras. I owned both of the latter. If getting the GW, the first version is made out of metal, so more durable. I think version 2 and 3 were plastic casings. Just look for a camera with a low roll count.

I have since revamped most of my medium format film gear, since my first post in this thread. I no longer have the Fuji 6x9 cameras, the Mamiya RZ, and either of my Pentax 67II and 645N. Got rid of all of them. Pairing it all down to lesser cameras- to the essentials. I still have my Zeiss Ikon 6x9 which I used today, plus my Holga and Yashica 6x6 TLR. I kept half of my Pentax 645 lenses, so I can use them on my GFX camera. And I kept all of my Pentax 67 lenses, because I just got myself a late model (3rd revision) of the first version of the Pentax 67. I found the 67II too unreliable, and not as dependable in cold and wet climate. The version 1 is perfect for that use and is rock solid reliable. That camera is coming. To replace the 645, my intention was to get a Mamiya 645 AF or AFD, so I could have the removable backs and still have autofocus lenses. But that purchase may be a long way away, because prices on this camera are way up there now.

Thank you for your advice .
Fuji has made pro cameras back in the days. I still remember there is 680 something, looks like a Mamiya RZ but wider. It is real pro and need batteries to operate. The camera might look dull but the photos are nice. Mainly for studio use only because of its weight.

I don't have a Pentax. I just don't know why . Like, when I was picking up a 6x7 I have gone to Mamiya directly and never give a sec to think about Pentax. And for 645 I went straight ahead to Bronica.
I had a Rollei SL66 once . The SL66 is great camera but I am a real bad luck with many problems on this camera, so as Hasselblad.

Actually after all these years I am still wondering, why Mamiya has never made a 6x6 SLR, Instead they keep the C series with C330S til the end of production?

 

[kl122002]

I run Hasselblad 503cw and x1d II.

I definitely want to try a Mamiya rb and Pentax.

Mamiya RB is like a robot with many parts you can add and play with. Just give it a try. Pro might be old, but Pro-S and Pro-SD are quite durable.

 

[braxus]

Thank you for your advice .

Actually after all these years I am still wondering, why Mamiya has never made a 6x6 SLR, Instead they keep the C series with C330S til the end of production?

You're welcome. I really loved the images I got out of the GW690, as the lenses are super sharp and contrast is really good. Im probably going to get another GW690 down the road, if prices don't keep climbing on them. I had to sell my last ones due to needing funds for another camera purchase.

As for Mamiya and 6x6, the RB and RZ have 6x6 backs for the cameras, and I did get one briefly for my RZ when I had the camera. It works well and you get the nice lenses for it.

 

[wiltw]

I have three Bronica bodies. They all operate one lens perfectly every time. The other lenses are intermittent - delayed and/or not firing half the time. In this case, it's the lenses.

I have experience long ago with a new body used with a used film back (it dd not happen with any other backs, purchased new), and it would intermittently fail to fire the shutter (no matter which lens was mounted). It turned out the problem was caused by the film-advanced interlock pin of the film back...it would (sometimes) protrude into the body too far, so the reflex mirror would not rise all the way up (sometimes), so the swinging arm at the front (lens mount) would not release the corresponding arm of the shutter-fire pin (green dot). I sent body and back to GMI Photographic (the distributor before Tamron purchased Bronica) and they adjusted the film back so the problem no longer occurred.

Failure to fire and/or delayed firing of the shutter seems to point to a problem with your setup which could be very similar to mine...the delayed firing is similar to the no-firing, except that after a brief pause the mechanism has moved sufficiently for the front shutter-activation lever in the lens mount to be delayed in its travel thru full range of motion and causes delayed shutter firing. Yes, it could also be gummy lubricants in the mechanical activation linkage of some of the lenses....have to tried releasing the swing arm on the lens (you need to press the interlock pin on the side to do that) and felt the action to detect gumminess?

 

[Donald Qualls]

why Mamiya has never made a 6x6 SLR

My RB67 does this well. Just mount a Gaflex 22 or RH12, and go shoot. Those who depend on double exposure crutches may cuss some, and you do need to pay attention to the dark slide...

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have experience long ago with a new body used with a used film back (it dd not happen with any other backs, purchased new), and it would intermittently fail to fire the shutter (no matter which lens was mounted). It turned out the problem was caused by the film-advanced interlock pin of the film back...it would (sometimes) protrude into the body too far, so the reflex mirror would not rise all the way up (sometimes), so the swinging arm at the front (lens mount) would not release the corresponding arm of the shutter-fire pin (green dot). I sent body and back to GMI Photographic (the distributor before Tamron purchased Bronica) and they adjusted the film back so the problem no longer occurred.

Failure to fire and/or delayed firing of the shutter seems to point to a problem with your setup which could be very similar to mine...the delayed firing is similar to the no-firing, except that after a brief pause the mechanism has moved sufficiently for the front shutter-activation lever in the lens mount to be delayed in its travel thru full range of motion and causes delayed shutter firing. Yes, it could also be gummy lubricants in the mechanical activation linkage of some of the lenses....have to tried releasing the swing arm on the lens (you need to press the interlock pin on the side to do that) and felt the action to detect gumminess?

Any camera or lens that is failing can usually be corrected with a CLA and sometimes replaced parts. Rather than bad mouthing a camera people [not referring to the poster ] should get the camera or lens or both serviced. After all we all need to see a doctor or dentist at some time.