What Medium Format Cameras Are Members Here Using?

[RalphLambrecht]

I did an inventory of all the cameras I have or will have available to me soon. I counted 23 cameras in total, which includes 5 digital cameras. My favorite format is the middle of the road format- medium format that uses 120 film.

The medium format cameras I have are:

Holga 120
Yashica A
Fuji GW690
Fuji GSW690
Pentax 645N
Pentax 67II
Franka 6x9 Folder
Zeiss Ikon Nettar 517/2 6x9 Folder
and my recent purchase of a Mamiya RZ67 Pro.

My two favorites out of this list are both of the Pentax units, with the Fuji GW690 a third. Reason the Fuji is third is because the lens is fixed focal length, and it doesn't have a light meter of some sort. Other then that its a great camera.

What are you guys using and which is your favorite?

Mamiya6 and Hasselblad 501c.

 

[cobbu2]

After selling off a lot of redundant items, I'm left with one each of three formats smallest to largest:

Bronica RF645 (which I really love)
Yashica Mat124G
Pentax 6x7
Zeiss Ikonta C 521/2

 

[dalahorse]

I don't have a lot of cameras. As of now, I have two medium format cameras:

• Mamiya C330S
• Mamiya RB67

I don't have a favorite. Sometimes I feel square. Sometimes I feel like I need a wider format with more detail.

I borrowed a Bronica S2A from a good friend a long time ago and really enjoyed it. I might look for another one some day.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I don't have a lot of cameras. As of now, I have two medium format cameras:

• Mamiya C330S
• Mamiya RB67

I don't have a favorite. Sometimes I feel square. Sometimes I feel like I need a wider format with more detail.

I borrowed a Bronica S2A from a good friend a long time ago and really enjoyed it. I might look for another one some day.

Since the C330 is one of very few medium format cameras heavier than the RB67, you might consider getting a Graflex 22 or RH12 on 2x3 mount to increase the already great versatility of the RB67. I have one, and (aside from no double exposure or dark slide locks) it works perfectly -- and lets you carry the slightly lighter camera with (potentially) a wider assortment of lenses and still have the choice on the fly between square and rectangular. In fact, Mamiya also made a 6x4.5 back to fit the RB67; I have one of those, too, so I get three formats in one (fairly heavy) bag: 3:4, 1:1. and 4:5.

 

[paddycook]

Rolleiflex 2.8F
Mamiya 6
Mamiya 7
Hasselblad 503CW

 

[sojournermike]

Not too many…

Fuji GF670 (aka Voigtlander Bessa iii)
Rolleicord Vb
Fuji GFX 100s

All with just one lens, although that could change for the digital Fuji of course

 

[George Mann]

Yashica A.

 

[George Mann]

My Yashica A lens is rather soft for all the TLRs they made. Not bad, but not as sharp either.

Are you stopping the lens down sufficiently?

 

[JWMster]

Something about Medium Format seems to pull inexorably toward Maximum Cost. Lenses especially. LF lenses can be comparatively smaller and cheaper! I've had a few. Yet there's a love affair with large negatives I'm guilty of, and there's a convenience an walk-a-bility with MF that LF just doesn't swing. Even a Mamiya RB67 is walkable. And then MF seems to manage a choice in film stocks that LF could only dream of even if it falls short of the 35mm range. But that's okay. So as much as I thought I was done with MF, I'm back.

Currently I have a Pentax 645N and a full kit of lenses: 2 zooms and 3 standard range (short-med-long) + a macro. I'm looking at this as increasingly the kit that kills 35mm except perhaps for maybe a small Nikon I don't own. (Oddly, 35mm's excessive number of frames (perspective of a LF and MF guy admitted) makes that project something of a "Do I really have to?" There's a thought in my head these days that film should be used in cameras that do something I can't do (or choose not to do) in digital.... and 35mm fits that in only a narrow range). But my current love for MF is the brute Mamiya RB67 PROSD where image size swings me and the lenses are wonderful. I love everything about the brute almost to the extent of wondering why bother with LF? But that's not happening near term until I have more certainty that I'm on the right track.

I have on order one of Steve Chroma's 6X17's as I've followed Steve for many, many, many years and have wanted to buy a camera from him since his first 4X5's started rolling out. His current forrays in MF are compelling and his ingenuity at this point worth a couple $'s. Panoramas taken one-shot are as distinctive in my eyes as anything that digital can't do.....the way I like them most. LF fits that, too - with perspective control, and I look at my RB as a stalking horse for LF bellows management refresher. Nice thing I'm looking forward to is Steve's lightweight builds and ground glass focusing. It's not a Shen Hao.... but that may be the future.... if 6X17 becomes my main LF/MF medium. We'll have to see. Seascapes here kind of draw you in toward panoramas.... and I'm also partial to cityscapes where the same can be fun.

These days in general I'm trying to be less acquisitive and more focused on gear I use to make images having a place and fitting into a longer term plan for what I want to use and what I want to shoot it with. This is to say trying to get deep into what will complement making the images I want happen. This means I'm focused on de-accessioning gear (to use a library term).

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Something about Medium Format seems to pull inexorably toward Maximum Cost. Lenses especially. LF lenses can be comparatively smaller and cheaper! I've had a few. Yet there's a love affair with large negatives I'm guilty of, and there's a convenience an walk-a-bility with MF that LF just doesn't swing. Even a Mamiya RB67 is walkable. And then MF seems to manage a choice in film stocks that LF could only dream of even if it falls short of the 35mm range. But that's okay. So as much as I thought I was done with MF, I'm back.

Currently I have a Pentax 645N and a full kit of lenses: 2 zooms and 3 standard range (short-med-long) + a macro. I'm looking at this as increasingly the kit that kills 35mm except perhaps for maybe a small Nikon I don't own. (Oddly, 35mm's excessive number of frames (perspective of a LF and MF guy admitted) makes that project something of a "Do I really have to?" There's a thought in my head these days that film should be used in cameras that do something I can't do (or choose not to do) in digital.... and 35mm fits that in only a narrow range). But my current love for MF is the brute Mamiya RB67 PROSD where image size swings me and the lenses are wonderful. I love everything about the brute almost to the extent of wondering why bother with LF? But that's not happening near term until I have more certainty that I'm on the right track.

I have on order one of Steve Chroma's 6X17's as I've followed Steve for many, many, many years and have wanted to buy a camera from him since his first 4X5's started rolling out. His current forrays in MF are compelling and his ingenuity at this point worth a couple $'s. Panoramas taken one-shot are as distinctive in my eyes as anything that digital can't do.....the way I like them most. LF fits that, too - with perspective control, and I look at my RB as a stalking horse for LF bellows management refresher. Nice thing I'm looking forward to is Steve's lightweight builds and ground glass focusing. It's not a Shen Hao.... but that may be the future.... if 6X17 becomes my main LF/MF medium. We'll have to see. Seascapes here kind of draw you in toward panoramas.... and I'm also partial to cityscapes where the same can be fun.

These days in general I'm trying to be less acquisitive and more focused on gear I use to make images having a place and fitting into a longer term plan for what I want to use and what I want to shoot it with. This is to say trying to get deep into what will complement making the images I want happen. This means I'm focused on de-accessioning gear (to use a library term).

That depends very much on the medium format system relative to the format size and/or age of the large format lens. There are a lot of lenses out there for Pentax 67 for example, that can be had under $100. If you're into 8x10 or bigger cameras, or you like antique brass lenses, well... you could be making the decision new car, or brass lens...

 

[JWMster]

Yes, it does. Fair enough. But controlled for average available quality and market size, I'll stand with my comment. As in Wall Street, traders can always find deals.... and yes, there are always sloppy sellers. But generally, buy cheap - sell cheap. Scarcity has a value, and there hasn't been a new MF lens (outside of digital) in a long time. FWIW, as an orphan format, for the most part Pentax 67 lenses don't have the cross over appeal of Pentax 645's which can work nicely with Pentax's digital 645Z and have better ergonomics.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

That C330 I heard has some really good lenses on them for a TLR. My Yashica A lens is rather soft for all the TLRs they made. Not bad, but not as sharp either. The Mamiya TLR keeps up with the Hassy's I hear.

that matches my experience;theMamijalenses are nothing short of spectacular and every bit as good as the Hasselblad lenses.

 

[mrosenlof]

Hasselblad is my most-often used medium format camera. I have most of the lenses between 40 and 250mm.

I'll occasionally pull out the Mamiya TLR system I had before the 'blad if I'm going someplace that might be wetter or dirtier, or something.

I have a Fuji GW 690ii that I'm quite fond of, very nice lens and bigger neg. And a Zeiss Ikon grr. can't think of the name, 6x6 folder, rangefinder, tessar, the last of that line mid/late 50s. Whatever it's called, I use it if I'm just not willing or able to carry the non-folding cameras.

 

[brian steinberger]

Mamiya 6
Bronica RF645
Hasselblad 500cm
Holga

 

[stuwilmur]

I’m trying the cheap and cheerful method of entry into medium format, so have the following, picked up off eBay for very little:

Lubitel 166B
Agfa Isolette I
Ensign Selfix 16-20
Zeiss Ikon Nettar 515/2

I got the three folders on the basis that some may be dud, but on inspection they seem ok. I’m excited to run some film through them.

The Lubitel I have shot one roll with which I really enjoyed and look forward to scanning.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I got the three folders on the basis that some may be dud, but on inspection they seem ok.

Be sure to flashlight test the bellows on all three before committing film to them. Especially Agfa bellows as old as an Isolette I are prone to pinholes at the corners of the folds. The good news is, all three of those are likely to have leather, rather than paper, so small patches of the thinnest latigo you can find will cover not-too-numerous pinholes without adding excessive bulk to the bellows. I've even used black masking tape on both inside and outside with success.

Also, on the Isolette, double check that it's actually the front element moving when you turn the focus ring, vs. bringing the middle element with it; the "green grease" on those threads is well known for turning to tenacious glue in the sixty to seventy years since those cameras were sold.

 

[stuwilmur]

Be sure to flashlight test the bellows on all three before committing film to them. Especially Agfa bellows as old as an Isolette I are prone to pinholes at the corners of the folds. The good news is, all three of those are likely to have leather, rather than paper, so small patches of the thinnest latigo you can find will cover not-too-numerous pinholes without adding excessive bulk to the bellows. I've even used black masking tape on both inside and outside with success.

Also, on the Isolette, double check that it's actually the front element moving when you turn the focus ring, vs. bringing the middle element with it; the "green grease" on those threads is well known for turning to tenacious glue in the sixty to seventy years since those cameras were sold.

Thanks for the excellent advice Donald, which I’ve just followed. As far as I can tell, the bellows look sound, and happily the Isolette is indeed focussing, at least tested using the scotch tape ground glass method.

 

[Donald Qualls]

As far as I can tell, the bellows look sound, and happily the Isolette is indeed focussing, at least tested using the scotch tape ground glass method.

Jackpot!

 

[Sanug]

Kiev 60
Meopta Flexaret VII
B.I.G. Twin 4 aka Seagull 4A
Adox Golf I

Hard to tell which one I like most. They are very different with their own advantages and disadvantages.

I should use them more often. But mostly I shoot with 135.

 

[Don_ih]

Jackpot

More like "Miracle!"

 

[camera_allure]

Yashica D
Yashica Mat EM
Mamiya C220
Agfa Isolette II

 

[DareFail]

Agfa Isolette III
Agfa Record III
Kiev 60

 

[HairShirt101]

Currently using:

Fuji GSW690 III
Fuji GW690 III

Previously owned:

Pentax 6x7 (original non MLU)
Mamiya C220

 

[Radost]

Currently using:

Fuji GSW690 III
Fuji GW690 III

Previously owned:

Pentax 6x7 (original non MLU)
Mamiya C220

I have the GSW690III and want the GW690III.
You must try the panoramic plate and adapter….

 

[HairShirt101]

I have the GSW690III and want the GW690III.
You must try the panoramic plate and adapter….

Hi Radost,
Are you happy with the results using this adapter?