What MF Camera would you take fishing?

cayenne · Jun 27, 2020

HI all,

Ok, a strange question came to mind, as things are relaxing a bit. I live in the New Orleans area of Louisiana, and my friends and I like to go boating and fishing.

I'd LOVE to take a MF film camera with me out on the water. I have a few (to me) great cameras, a Hassy 501CM, and a Fuji GSW690III...a ONDU pinhole camera, and a 6x17 view camera.....but of course, I"d not like to risk ANY of these gems that are so important to me on a boat on the water, potentially sea water as we get into Lake Pontchartrain which is brackish and even further towards the gulf.

So, what would be a good MF camera to take out, to get some quality pics out with friends..BUT it would not be the end of the world if something happened to it, on a boat, in the water, with fishing and likely a beer or two in the mix?

Thanks in advance!!

cayenne

MattKing · Jun 27, 2020

An inexpensive, scale focusing folder.
My 6x6 Baby Bessa folds nice and small, gives very nice negatives, and is the best camera I have ever encountered for people who are left-handed and left eye dominant!
I'm sure my right-handed friends could use it too!
I have the second of the two versions shown here: https://camerapedia.fandom.com/wiki/Voigtländer_Bessa_66

Steve Goldstein · Jun 27, 2020

The nice thing about these folders is that they'll easily fit into zip-close bags so they can be protected from fluids.

wjlapier · Jun 27, 2020

I fly fish often and have taken a folder camera but also have taken my Minolta Autocord. I have a Fishpond Thunderhead sling bag that keeps my stuff dry.

Donald Qualls · Jun 27, 2020

I'd probably take a (non-flash) Holga, Debonair (6x4.5 plastic camera, similar to an original Diana), or other plastic fantastic (even a 35mm one). If it gets dropped over the side, assuming you can recover it, a) it's likely to be largely unharmed, if you get it dried out promptly, and b) it's likely to float, at least until it leaks enough water. No batteries or electronics to get damaged by water, simple enough shutter mechanism to dry with a hair drier and put back into service, and cheap enough the only real loss if it goes over the side and GONE is the photos you already shot.

Second choice would be a vintage camera in the same category, like a Brownie Hawkeye. Might still float, but it's a little less rugged (bakelite body, which cracks or breaks if it takes a significant impact). Need to respool film or trim supply rolls and carry extra take-up spools pushes the Kodak ones down the list a bit.

mshchem · Jun 27, 2020

Find a nice old Kodak Brownie or Duoflex . Either buy or re-spool some 620. There's so many great old Kodaks that take 620 and 127.

There's lots of nice folders.

Ko.Fe. · Jun 27, 2020

Fishing has two totally different meaning. No, three.
I was for real fishing. For decades, until photography took over It means fishing. Ice fishing, boat fishing, Russian river walk fishing, fishing pond fishing and so on. Fishing. No beer. Beer is for losers.
It doesn't matter which camera would be taken. At all. Any you want. You are conchies and sober.

Fishing I was involved accidentally - drinking like animals. Americanos also like dope. I'm not into weeds.

And fishing just called fishing, but here is no real fishing. Yada-yada on boat or mediation on bobbers.

Which fishing OP is up to?
If booze and dope is going to be involved take Holga. Joplin might be visible on negatives.

Maris · Jun 27, 2020

When I've photographed boating activity the first problem encountered is the inability to step back "to get it all in". The answer is to use the widest lens available but this in turn necessitates an interchangeable lens MF camera or something like a Fuji GSW690.

Protection against salt water then forces the use of a housing. Perhaps something from the EWA-Marine range could work. In the past I've just taken the risk with a bare camera and lots of care. Never drowned a camera except for a Speed Graphic which fell into fresh water then dried out and still works fine.

Paul Howell · Jun 27, 2020

I agree with a folder, rock bottom price a scale focus like the Kodak Tourist, there are different models the better with 4 element lens and shutter of 1/800th, but you have to rewind 120 to 620 spools. I have a 50 vintage Mamiya 6, 75m lens, accurate focus, closes into a nice tight package. ,

narsuitus · Jun 27, 2020

My preferred camera for a fishing and boating trip would be my waterproof 35mm Nikonos with waterproof 35mm lens.

However, if I had to take a medium format camera, my first choice would be my Ansco Standard Speedex 90mm f/4.5 120 folder (6x6cm).

My second choice would be my Fuji GW670 6x7cm rangefinder with 90mm f/3.5 lens.

For maximum protection, I would carry my medium format camera, film, and light meter in a hard, small, watertight Pelican case.

Ansco 6x6 Folder by Narsuitus, on Flickr

Watertight photo case by Narsuitus, on Flickr

removed account4 · Jun 27, 2020

Maybe. Box camera , folding camera or a HOLGA.

John Earley · Jun 29, 2020

Holga or Brownie Hawkeye

cayenne · Jun 29, 2020

Thank you all VERY much!!

Lots of very interesting options!! I'l look into the folders and the plastic cameras, I'd not thought about the plastic ones...

If I do anything besides a plastic one, I'll definitely go for that "bring on and store in a water proof pelican case"!!

That last bit of recommendation really makes a lot of sense....I'd been thinking "how can I fit this into a zip loc bag" type thing...the full, small case makes a TON of sense. I didn't know they were water tight.....

Anyway, thank you everyone...lots to explore here!!

cayenne

Donald Qualls · Jun 29, 2020

cayenne said:
I didn't know they were water tight.

Some are, some aren't. Pelican cases are protective, but they protect against different hazards for different cases. Check the labeling before you buy.

MattKing · Jun 29, 2020

What camera should you take fishing?
A Seagull, of course!

Dan Daniel · Jun 29, 2020

cayenne said:
If I do anything besides a plastic one, I'll definitely go for that "bring on and store in a water proof pelican case"!!

That last bit of recommendation really makes a lot of sense....I'd been thinking "how can I fit this into a zip loc bag" type thing...the full, small case makes a TON of sense. I didn't know they were water tight.....

A sporting goods store that deals with fishing gear should have waterproof cases. But be sure to check the case, especially if it isn't a Pelican. Close the case up and try to drown it in a tub of water. Slowly rotate it under water, look for any bubbles coming out of the case. I have a 'waterporoof' case that leaks like crazy. Still handy for items put inside sealed bags before going in, but nothing electronic or truly valuable goes into that case even with the interior sealing.

For a kayak or canoe, I'll tie a line to the case and clip it to the boat. Not for serious speed or white water work, since the lines can tangle you up. But I'm a puddle duck when it comes to kayaks so it just means I'll be able to pull the case out of the water along with the boat in case I tip.

Sirius Glass · Jun 29, 2020

I too have Hasselblads, but in your situation I would use a Nikonos with fresh 'O' rings.

Andrew O'Neill · Jun 29, 2020

I would never take my RB out on the water. It would have to be the Holga, Hawkeye, or Target.

Grim Tuesday · Jun 29, 2020

I'd get a Rolleimarin for my Rolleiflex 3.5E! Fishing is the perfect use for it because the weight doesn't matter.

DREW WILEY · Jun 29, 2020

Depends on how optimistic you are. My own Fuji 6x9 RF has a reasonably wide 90mm lens. But if you think you're going to land an impressively huge one, take the even wider 66mm lens GSW version instead. I've used the former in some pretty wet conditions. If you're just trying to snag a goldfish from the neighbor's fishbowl, use Kodacolor Gold in 35mm.

Pioneer · Jun 29, 2020

Holga.

grat · Jun 30, 2020

Mamiya C series TLR. It can double as a boat anchor, and probably still be usable afterwards.

More seriously, probably an inexpensive folder.

baachitraka · Jun 30, 2020

John Earley said:
Holga or Brownie Hawkeye

You read my mind...yes the Holga, one of the underrated camera.

ChristopherCoy · Jun 30, 2020

Any camera you leave it home is worthless. Use common sense, get some protective gear, and take what you have.

I just got back from the Texas Hill country where I crawled into a natural spring pool up to neck high water with only about 3 inches of my tripod showing with my F5 on top. Risky? Sure it was. But I got my shot.

Rick A · Jun 30, 2020

In past years, I've been known to carry my Kpwa Super 66 while fly fishing. I usually keep a Bronica SQ-A in a canvas bag in my truck whenever I'm out(though lately I rarely trip the shutter), I've gotten some great shots on fishing trips. When I owned folders there was always one in a pocket of my vest. I've never packed a camera on my boat, except my cell phone.

What MF Camera would you take fishing?

cayenne

MattKing

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Steve Goldstein

wjlapier

Donald Qualls

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Ko.Fe.

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Dan Daniel

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Rick A

What MF Camera would you take fishing?

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