What MF Camera would you take fishing?

Alan Edward Klein · Jun 30, 2020

I've used a Nikonos IVa with 35mm lens. It's a viewfinder and shoots 35mm film. It's not only great for scuba, but I used it on the beach, on a boat, whitewater rafting, in the rain, parasailing, canoeing, etc. Also it won't break; built like a tank.
https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort...&tags=nikonos&user_id=55760757@N05&view_all=1

Peter Schrager · Jun 30, 2020

well
I have caught a few goldfish with my Hasselblad

Sirius Glass · Jun 30, 2020

Peter Schrager said:
well
I have caught a few goldfish with my Hasselblad

Should we ask how?

Huss · Jun 30, 2020

These are like a nickel, and take pics

Or a Hasselblad 500 series. They went to the moon so a little sojourn on a boat is nothing...

narsuitus · Jun 30, 2020

Alan Edward Klein said:
I've used a Nikonos IVa with 35mm lens. It's a viewfinder and shoots 35mm film. It's not only great for scuba, but I used it on the beach, on a boat, whitewater rafting, in the rain, parasailing, canoeing, etc. Also it won't break; built like a tank.
https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=nikonos&user_id=55760757@N05&view_all=1

Nice images !

Colin Corneau · Jun 30, 2020

Someone else's.

KenS · Jun 30, 2020

cayenne said:
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

Maybe one that you have either taught to swim.. or can wear a Government Coast Guard "Approved life-jacket".

My bad..
Ken

Alan Edward Klein · Jun 30, 2020

narsuitus said:
Nice images !

Thanks.

eli griggs · Jul 3, 2020

I'll offer a Ricoh Super Ricohflx, as a plain Jane 120, with a very simple layout and low cost for one in good kit.

This one (no connection to me) linked below, looks clean but a buyer will have to decide if they want to chance $45 U.S. on Ebuy just now.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-RI...611289?hash=item216e218519:g:CrsAAOSwRS9ePOP4

Dead Simple, seal it with Gaffers tape, with a pre-coating or two, of spray-on Flexy-Seal type sealer and buy a yellow taking filter in yellow or yellow-green, (for B&W) and a cheap plastic lens hood and you're good to go.

A one or two second fresh water hose spray, lenses down, when you get home, if it falls into the the water/wet bottom of the boat, before you remove the tape, and a couple of days on the sunny dashboard of your truck, in non-freezing weather and you'll be ready to go again. again, as needed.

Its simple enough that you kid, with a small set of "precision" screwdrivers and neoprene gloves, could probably repair it, as needed, as there are trillions of videos on Youtube on camera repairs of every kind, to guide you into the basics, and beyond.

IMO.

eli griggs · Jul 3, 2020

I'll also add, this camera would look great in Gorilla Glue Ten Mile Duck Tape, instead of the delicate factory covering.

Again, IMO.

Donald Qualls · Jul 3, 2020

For those taking that auction listing more seriously, that looks a great deal like a Kodak Reflex (first model) only without the lock-in for 620 film. I wonder if you could upgrade the lenses and swap in the Fresnel finder screen? No frame counter, but a red window never needs adjustment...

eli griggs · Jul 3, 2020

I am completely serious, a Ten Mile camera is much easier to remember, keep track of and less likely to be affected by a quick dunking in water.

Why spend a lot on a fishing car or camera, that needs too careful handling to be useful without second thoughts?

IMO.

Donald Qualls · Jul 3, 2020

Well, you can get a brand new Debonair for just under half that money, and it has an eye level viewfinder and takes 16 on a roll instead of 12 -- plus, only three parts in the camera can possibly rust, and I'm virtually certain it will float.
A couple quick strips of electrical tape and it's watertight enough that dropping it in the lake, or even the ocean, won't matter unless it floats out of reach before you can retrieve it. Load it with ISO 400 color negative film and the near-fixed exposure won't make much difference -- if the sun's up, you'll get printable negatives. If the sun's down, even a no-control flash will give printable negatives at reasonable distance.

A new camera for $20 that you don't care if you drop it in the lake?!

Debonair, Fuji Superia 100

eli griggs · Jul 3, 2020

Good looking pic.

Donald Qualls · Jul 4, 2020

Thanks. Second roll shot in the Debonair, first processed (the B&W is still waiting).

mgb74 · Jul 4, 2020

You say "quality pics" - I assume that means sharp, well exposed photos. You mention "Lake Pontchartrain" - so I assume you're out on a relatively small boat.

I don't know why you want medium format at all to be honest. Many of the suggestions given won't give you much better quality that a good quality 35mm, and some less. But if you really want medium format, break down your requirements (beyond the need for something cheap that won't make you cry if it gets ruined). For example, what is the fastest shutter speed you need. What will be your typical camera to subject distance (are you taking photos of people/things in the boat, or scenery from the boat, or both). Will you need an in camera meter.

If you just want medium format for the hell of it, that's perfectly fine. I've often carried a 120 folder when a 35mm would do because I felt like it. But I think you're requirements (quality image, not overly expensive, use in a (presumably rolling) boat) exclude medium format.

What MF Camera would you take fishing?

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