What Medium Format Cameras Are Members Here Using?

[John Wiegerink]

I went for a stroll this sunny afternoon, with my Grand Dad's old Target Six-20, and a re-spooled roll of 2004 Tri-X.

Can't wait to see your results Andy. If the sunshines tomorrow I'm heading out with a couple of oldie, but goodie cameras myself. Foma Ortho in one and Shanghai GP3 in the other. Curious to see how this Foma Ortho film and an old Kodak get along.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Can't wait to see your results Andy. If the sunshines tomorrow I'm heading out with a couple of oldie, but goodie cameras myself. Foma Ortho in one and Shanghai GP3 in the other. Curious to see how this Foma Ortho film and an old Kodak get along.

I just hung up the negs. They look pretty good. Developed the roll in D-70. Looking forward to seeing your Foma Ortho results!

 

[jimbop]

Minolta Autocord TLR (c.1955)
Koniflex TLR (c.1953)

Both of these TLR's are excellent and reasonably priced. The Minolta has a superb Tessar-type lens. It has a unique focusing method which I love. The focusing screen was not bright, but I bought a brightscreen and it's great now.
The Koniflex is a larger TLR with an unbelievable Planar-type lens. Sharp to the corners as good as any German planar. It has a unique convex focusing lens (yes an actual lens) which amplifies the light reflected on it by the mirror. It also has a very smart method for handling the film's path from the supply side to the takeup spool. The downside to the Koniflex is that it does not automatically cock the shuttler as you wind the film. You have to remember to advance the film after each shot or you'll get a double exposure.
Both cameras are a pleasure to use and the results are as good as German Planar and Tessar TLR's at an affordable price.

 

[Bazamat]

Yashicamat 124. I hear good things but i'm just not getting along with it. Not super happy with the lens, though I have gotten some lovely portaits with it, I just don't shoot people very often. I don't love the handling either, though she's due a CLA. Fairly bright focussing screen, but I still struggle nailing focus. I feel we may be parting ways soon.

 

[HaroldC3P0]

Horseman VH 6x9 field camera.

 

[moggi1964]

Took my recently purchased RZ67 Pro II on a walk on Saturday and shot a roll of HP5+ in the morning and almost a full roll of Phoenix 200 in the afternoon.

Love this camera.

 

[bags27]

I have Rolleiflex 6008 Integral 2, Fuji G690, Mamiya 6, Horseman VH 6x9 and a Rolleiflex 2.8C

That's an awesome, discerning collection. I had the 6008i for just a day and was blown away by it. But it's too heavy and battery-dependent for my purposes.

I'm finding myself shooting exclusively with my recently-acquired Blad SWC 903. It's certainly living up to its reputation for sharpness. Running Tri-X and Adox CHS 100 II through it, the Tri-X in Pyrocat HD and the Adox in FX 39.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hasselblad 500-series for the studio, Mamiya 6MF for travel, and a 120-roll film back for my 4x5 for the occasional architectural shot.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Yashicamat 124. I hear good things but i'm just not getting along with it. Not super happy with the lens, though I have gotten some lovely portaits with it, I just don't shoot people very often. I don't love the handling either, though she's due a CLA. Fairly bright focussing screen, but I still struggle nailing focus. I feel we may be parting ways soon.

I'd be willing to bit that your Yashica needs its focusing lens set in tune with its taking lens. The Yashinon lens is almost always sharp unless it has been tampered with.

 

[Bazamat]

I'd be willing to bit that your Yashica needs its focusing lens set in tune with its taking lens. The Yashinon lens is almost always sharp unless it has been tampered with.

Thanks for bringing that up! I'll keep that in mind but I think it's fine. I was mainly refering to trouble with the focusing screen not "snapping" into focus, just hard to be certain where the focal plane is sometimes

 

[John Wiegerink]

Thanks for bringing that up! I'll keep that in mind but I think it's fine. I was mainly refering to trouble with the focusing screen not "snapping" into focus, just hard to be certain where the focal plane is sometimes

You do use the built-in magnifier for critical focus? This really makes a difference, especially for older eyes like mine. I have no problem with things "snapping" in focus with the magnifier in use.

 

[Bazamat]

You do use the built-in magnifier for critical focus? This really makes a difference, especially for older eyes like mine. I have no problem with things "snapping" in focus with the magnifier in use.

Yes, but I still have to really work to be sure, particularly in less contrasty lighting. Perhaps its just a me problem! I will take it out for a few more trips before I call it.

 

[Frigge]

Hasselblad ELX for everything except fisheye;
Kiev 88 with Zodiak 30mm for pure economical reasons..

Nor sure wich one is loudest or heaviest

 

[BHuij]

My go-to is my trust Ikoflex Ia. In fact, I just managed to find a 35.5mm -> 49mm step up ring (took a while to locate such a weird size), so now I'll be able to use the contrast and IR filters from my OM Zuiko lenses with it. The Tessar on it is really, really good and it's a fun camera to use once you get used to its quirks.

I also have this kinda interesting MP120TC that I built. "MP" stands for "mostly printed," as in 3D printed. It's a very good design that has flown under the radar despite being I think far more usable than the Goodman Zone/Goodman Axis. The designer (not me) put a lot more effort into design and testing than marketing, I guess haha.

Honestly I haven't shot it much. But I could see using it for macro photography in particular. The huge flexibility afforded by front and rear standard movements, coupled with my very good 85mm Solinar lens, feels like a match made in heaven for 6x6 and 6x7 macro work.

 

[drg3rd]

I’ve been using my Fujica GS645 to shoot some slide film (Provia and E100) on a recent trip to Hawaii. I love this camera for travel … being a folder, it takes up very little room in my bag and produces great images. It is also very light for hiking or just carrying around for the day.

 

[AERO]

ZENITH 80 since 1968 and still going!
FRANKE SOLIDA 6X6

 

[Sanug]

Kiev 60 with a set of Carl Zeiss Jena lenses. Very good, but heavy.

I bought a Adox Golf I with uncoupled rangefinder. Lightweight and very good lens. I had to fix the bellows with neoprene glue.

 

[Dave Ludwig]

Used in order of frequency:
Bronica GS1 w/80mm
(2) Koni-Omega 100 (for street, 1 normal 1 wide)
Linhof Technika w/ 6x9 back
Pentacon 6 -Use it when I want 50mm. This camera and lenses (3) were given to me by a friend in Germany who bought an East German company after the wall and found it in the assets. Brand new when he gave it to me, everything still in boxes, pristine condition. Friend said companies were all but required to buy products they didn't need to keep other companies going.

 

[Xylo]

Being the poor Canadian cousin, my roster of 120 cameras consists only of 1 Yashica A, 1 Yashica-Mat, 1 Holga and a Coronet Twelve-20.
Not very exotic I know (well, maybe the Coronet is a bit more on the uncommon side of things).

 

[Nokton48]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

Plaubel Makina II Body, with Groundglass Back with Hood. Three correct original lenses. Far left the 7.3cm f6.8 Orthar, then the 100mm F2.9 Orthometar. On the far right, the 21cm F6.8. Black Finder Masks II vintage 7.3cm left, and 21cm right. So a fairly complete set ready to use. Great for carryin' around.

 

[Paul Howell]

Just added a Buschman and modified speed graphic 2 1/4 X 3 1/4 with sheet films back to my user collection. The Bushman has a rangefinder and Kodak 101 lens. Kodak does not have much in the way of coverage so I found a Speed, not sure if it had a focal plan shutter or not, it did not have a rangefinder, it was scale focus for a 90mm. I think the shutter was removed and who ever did the work did a good job of covering it up. It came without a lens so I found a Topcon 105, it has more than enough movement for limited movement. I have a couple of boxes of Foma 400 sheet film so I will be shoot a ringaround to determine best E.I then I can shoot zone.

 

[joelbolden]

Added a few more since I last posted. In addition to my Rolleiflex 2.8F and T(both with bright screens) and my Yashicamat 124G, I've added a Mamiya C3 and C220. I bought the C220 specifically to shoot 220 format. Managed one roll of Reflx Lab's Pro100(Kodak aerocolor IV) through it then the auto frame stop quit, so it's in the shop. Love the C3, it just keeps plugging along. Digressed into 127 format territory with a Yashica LM44 and a Ricohflex Super44. Much prefer the Ricohflex; better lens and very simple to operate. I shoot Reflx Lab's Pro100 through that also; occasionally Shanghai Lab's Gold200. My using collection of Kodak folders is growing also. Two No. 1 Autographic Juniors(different lenses) and a No.1 Pocket Junior. I keep being slightly amazed at the quality of photos they produce(I shoot color only). My 35's are suffering a bit of neglect. Except the LX of course.

 

[LarsLo]

Hasselblad 205TCC
Mamiya RB67
Fuji GW690II
Rolleiflex 2.8c
Zeiss Super Ikonta 532/16 6x6
Zeiss Nettar 6x6
Zeiss Ikonta 521 4,5x6
Agfa Billy Record II 6x9
Agfa Solinar 6x9
Balda Super Baldax 6x6
Balda Baldalux 6x9

I love the simplistic rustic old folds. Hasselblad is the sharpest ever. The Mamiya is HUGE, but the image quality is just mesmerising

 

[torleif]

Hasselblad 500cm
Mamiya RZ67
Mamiya C220
Rolleiflex 3,5B (currently dead)
Rolleicord IV (fogged taking lens)
Nikon FM2, FA
Leica M4
Intrepid 4x5

Aquired over many years and used to varying degrees. Currently most 6x6 where the Rolleiflex was an absolute favourite, but sadly the winding mechanism has said good bye. I got a price estimate for a repair - very expensive. Currently warming up with the C220. I find the 4x5 to be the most interesting and (occasionally) rewarding experience.

 

[zacfi]

I'm new to the forum!

Mamiya 645 AFD with AF 80mm f2.8 and AF 105-210 f4.5 ULD
Fujifilm GA645zi

I inherited these along with a whole slew of 35mm and other cameras, but once I started using the 645s I'm having a hard time going back even to test them out.