What Medium Format Cameras Are Members Here Using?

[frost242]

On the Rolleiflex front, I found a very clean example of a Rolleillex 3.5C. The camera was pristine but the shutter was frozen. A few months later, it was serviced by Optomeca and now it has became my goto camera. It was a pain to get some filters ! I regret that I didn't buy Heliopan filters when I had the opportunity.

 

[John Wiegerink]

I have many other medium format cameras, but these three I'll beusing for the next two to three weeks. Here are the Three Stooges:

 

[chuckroast]

I have many other medium format cameras, but these three I'll beusing for the next two to three weeks. Here are the Three Stooges:

Quiet numbskull, I'm picture taking. Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk ...

 

[frost242]

I have the same Super Ikonta 531 6x6. An awesome camera too !

 

[prado333]

Hasselblad 903swc
My goal is use this model at least one year or 200 rolls of Ilford fp4 .

 

[John Wiegerink]

I have the same Super Ikonta 531 6x6. An awesome camera too !

My first "professional" medium format camera was a very early Super Ikonta B with an uncoated Tessar. I bought it at a camera show in Grand Rapids, MI. for $80.00 in the mid-70's. Later,I had to sell it to fund the purchase os a 50mm Distagon and 150mm Sonnar for my Hasselblad wedding outfit. The onein the picture was bought from a pawn shop in non-working order, but like new condition. I knew I could repair it so I bought it. It's coated Tessar is outstanding, but it can't beat the 100mm f3.5 Ektar on the Medalist II. Both cameras are extremely well built and function perfect.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Quiet numbskull, I'm picture taking. Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk ...

Quiet, or I'll poke you in the eye!

 

[Steve Goldstein]

First choice: Mamiya 7 with various lenses when size/weight/space aren’t an issue.

Second choice: Ercona II with Tessar when carrying the Mamiya 7 is inconvenient.

For skiing: Voigtlaender Perkeo II with Color Skopar because it’s tiny and light enough to fit in a small Conterra chest pack under my ski parka; I’ve learned that if the camera is in a backpack, I’ll never use it. A slip-on yellow filter in a minimum-size jewel case goes in a breast pocket.

I have others but these are my top three in terms of usage.

 

[bikenerd]

Fuji GW690ii for about a year, it flat refuses to take poor photos.
Just picked up a Warner 66 with the Noritar 80 f2, looking forward to the results. I also have a 160mm lens coming for it.

 

[Craig]

Fujifilm G617 (GX version is just too much money), but I have been watching a cheap 3D printed $400 dollar 6x17 camera that uses Schneider 4x5 lenses like the 90mm.

If you can find one cheap enough, use a 5x7 camera and crop the negs when printing.

 

[braxus]

No I want to use 120 film for those shots. I know large format is an easy way to get panoramics, but I just want to use the 120 film I have in my stash for those shots.

 

[Vaughn]

My Rolleiflex 2.8 was just repaired and cleaned up in time for my trip to Japan. It had sat waiting for several years after the advance had become rough and I ‘down-graded’ myself to a Rolleicord.

I had forgotten how much heavier the Rolleiflex is than the ‘cord…but worth the weight. Especially as it now operated like it was new (except the old meter, as to be expected). It was a pleasure! And I finally got to use the Rolleifix I bought a few years ago… it did not fit the Rolleicord I have been using.

Using the Rolleifix, the Rolleiflex felt secure on the tripod. On a trip to Japan two years ago, I did have issues with the back of the Rolleicord flexing while carrying it on the tripod and had some light leaks.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

On my upcoming trip I'll be taking along a RealitySoSubtle 6x12 pinhole. Might bring along a Rollei 2.8E or maybe the lovely but quirky Kodak Chevron. Not going to bring the Pentax 67 this time- it's too much of a beast.

 

[ChrisGalway]

Here's one of the medium format cameras I use, it's a Mercury Stereo 12 with Mamiya (TLR) 65mm lenses and a DaYi 120 back and a Mamiya viewfinder (masked to 6x6), total about 2kg. Takes lovely medium format stereo photos on Fuji Provia 100f colour transparency film.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Here's one of the medium format cameras I use, it's a Mercury Stereo 12 with Mamiya (TLR) 65mm lenses and a DaYi 120 back and a Mamiya viewfinder (masked to 6x6), total about 2kg. Takes lovely medium format stereo photos on Fuji Provia 100f colour transparency film.
View attachment 417657

Just what I need, a camera that carries its own spare lens in case the first one dies, Seriously, I've never heard of this camera and just went to their site. Vary interesting and not a super high price either.

 

[ChrisGalway]

Just what I need, a camera that carries its own spare lens in case the first one dies, Seriously, I've never heard of this camera and just went to their site. Vary interesting and not a super high price either.

Well, be careful on the pricing, you have to buy the body from Mercury and then source the lenses/shutters and the film back. You can use both lenses from one Mamiya TLR lens board ... remarkably they are matched, Mamiya did things properly in those days! ... but since you need two shutters you need another Mamiya lens board (I got one set of 65mm and one set of 80mm). Mercury did all the integration for me (excellent job) but by the time I finally got the complete camera in Ireland there was not much change from US$2K.

It's hard to go incognito with this camera!

 

[John Wiegerink]

Well, be careful on the pricing, you have to buy the body from Mercury and then source the lenses/shutters and the film back. You can use both lenses from one Mamiya TLR lens board ... remarkably they are matched, Mamiya did things properly in those days! ... but since you need two shutters you need another Mamiya lens board (I got one set of 65mm and one set of 80mm). Mercury did all the integration for me (excellent job) but by the time I finally got the complete camera in Ireland there was not much change from US$2K.

It's hard to go incognito with this camera!

I wouldn't have a problem sourcing lens and shutters, but the back is what would hurt my wallet. Still, this looks like a very good medium format stereo system. I liked viewing stereo cards my 77 year old great aunt had when I was a kid in the early 50's. I wish I had her card collection now. She had scenes from all over the world that had to have been taken in around 1915 to 1930. I have often thought of getting a Russian Sputnik stereo and putting better lenses and shutters on it, but would be further ahead to spend a little more for the Mercury. I have enough projects going at the moment, so this one goes on the back burner for now.

 

[ChrisGalway]

I wouldn't have a problem sourcing lens and shutters, but the back is what would hurt my wallet. Still, this looks like a very good medium format stereo system. I liked viewing stereo cards my 77 year old great aunt had when I was a kid in the early 50's. I wish I had her card collection now. She had scenes from all over the world that had to have been taken in around 1915 to 1930. I have often thought of getting a Russian Sputnik stereo and putting better lenses and shutters on it, but would be further ahead to spend a little more for the Mercury. I have enough projects going at the moment, so this one goes on the back burner for now.

When you are ready, I would really encourage you to take the plunge! Mercury now sell a low-cost 3D printed back which is a lot lighter (and cheaper) than the DaYi. At the other end of the scale, the deluxe back would be the Linhof Techno Rollex 6x12... out of reach for me!

Medium format stereo is truly amazing, using an optical viewer and properly exposed and processed colour transparency film ... digital displays really do not compare (yet). When viewing, it's like you are standing exactly when're you took the photo, and you can look around the scene at your leisure, seeing things you did not see when you took the picture. It really is immersive and amazingly realistic.

The Sputnik camera is not a bad place to start, provided you "fix" it for its inherent light leaks and reflections. You need to save some cash for a decent viewer, they are typically $500-$1000. Arguably the viewer is more important than the camera ... it's certainly as important.

If you ever get around to this, feel free to DM me if you have any questions (not that I'm an expert ... but I've taken around 800 stereo pairs on 120 film in the past 5-6 years).

 

[John Wiegerink]

When you are ready, I would really encourage you to take the plunge! Mercury now sell a low-cost 3D printed back which is a lot lighter (and cheaper) than the DaYi. At the other end of the scale, the deluxe back would be the Linhof Techno Rollex 6x12... out of reach for me!

Medium format stereo is truly amazing, using an optical viewer and properly exposed and processed colour transparency film ... digital displays really do not compare (yet). When viewing, it's like you are standing exactly when're you took the photo, and you can look around the scene at your leisure, seeing things you did not see when you took the picture. It really is immersive and amazingly realistic.

The Sputnik camera is not a bad place to start, provided you "fix" it for its inherent light leaks and reflections. You need to save some cash for a decent viewer, they are typically $500-$1000. Arguably the viewer is more important than the camera ... it's certainly as important.

If you ever get around to this, feel free to DM me if you have any questions (not that I'm an expert ... but I've taken around 800 stereo pairs on 120 film in the past 5-6 years).

If and when I get time for this project I'll certainly contact you. Thanks!

 

[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?

this would have made a nice poll!

 

[MarkWalberg]

Bronica RF645 is my favorite medium format camera. Awesome finder, as good as Leica M3. Rolleiflex and Fujica GS645 and Fuli 690 II, and several Bronica C are great, but the Bronica RF645 is the best.

 

[brian steinberger]

Bronica RF645 is my favorite medium format camera. Awesome finder, as good as Leica M3. Rolleiflex and Fujica GS645 and Fuli 690 II, and several Bronica C are great, but the Bronica RF645 is the best.

Also love my Bronica RF645. That and Mamiya 6 is really all I ever need although I do have other MF cameras.

 

[Dave Lusby]

I routinely shoot stereo with my Ikonta 523/16 by stepping slightly to the left to take the second shot. I have three of them, and might someday make a mount for two of them to be used with a tripod. A really under rated camera - coated Tessar in a Synchro Compur, with zone focusing.

 

[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?

You've got a vast selection and are propably spoiled for choice but I agree with your concluson. I too have cameras from 35mm to 4x5 and feel most comfortable with my MF workhorses. I believe ,MF is a perfect compromise of image quality and flexibility. with a MF system camera, you've got the best of all formats and are equiped for any photographic challenge.

 

[abruzzi]

You've got a vast selection and are propably spoiled for choice but I agree with your concluson. I too have cameras from 35mm to 4x5 and feel most comfortable with my MF workhorses. I believe ,MF is a perfect compromise of image quality and flexibility. with a MF system camera, you've got the best of all formats and are equiped for any photographic challenge.

I don't shoot my 35mm cameras much any more (but I can't bring myself to sell them.) For me LF is for tripod work and MF is for handheld. I have no interest trying to handhold a 4x5 so I've mostly avoided the technical and press cameras. I do use a tripod with medium format at times, and my 6x9 view cameras also do double duty as digital cameras. The smaller MF cameras like the 645 and 66 SLRs are the perfect handheld shooters