What's your favourite MF camera or alternative?

Loose Gravel · Jan 27, 2005

The Mamiya 7. Wonderful, but the lenses are getting more expensive. For a more flexible and heavier MF system, I use (ocassionally) Pentax 67 II, but it's a pig. Had a Fuji 6x9, but I didn't like the lack of a built in light meter or the extremely loud shutter.

eagleowl · Jan 27, 2005

My Mamiya C33.
Ignoring the fact that it's the only mf camera I own,it's the fact that it's the only series of TLRs I've ever come across where you can change the lenses.

Ole said:
. I haven't changed the battery yet

I'll NEVER have to change the battery in my C33-it doesn't use one!
Everything's manual and there's no built~in meter.

There's something really satisfying (after years of using high spec modern SLRs which do so much of the work for you) to use something where you've got to remember to wind the film on manually!

CZeni · Jan 27, 2005

Marc Leest said:
Fuji 690GSW III, makes 6x9cm negatives and is a rangefinder.
ps. I am holding it in my avatar !

The Texas-sized Leica...

I'm fond of Koni-Omegas myself...

David Brown · Jan 27, 2005

Nicole McGrade said:
And is there a MF out that's not quite so big and bulky?

Well, like several others, I like what I have. That would be my Mamiya C220, my Kowa Sixes, and my recently acquired (6 months ago) Fuji GS 645.

The TLR and the Kowas are not small, although the TLR is relatively quiet. The Fuji 645 is small, light, and fairly quiet, too. Just no interchangeable lenses, but is does have TTL metering. It, or the bigger Fuji rangefinders might work for your type of photography, however, and I'll bet that's why you asked.

As for Zorki subbing for Leica, well, not in my case. My Zorki doesn't work and I've never had a Leica.

Do my Kowas sub for Hassy. On my budget and status as strictly an amateur, you bet! :rolleyes:

YMMV

Cheers, y'all.

David

chuck94022 · Jan 27, 2005

I too like what I shoot. I've had a Mamiya 6MF for years. (I don't use the MF part, I just shoot the square.) It is about as compact as I imagine you can get. Shoots both 120 and 220. The lenses could be faster.

I also have a Kiev 88. I really can't recommend it for serious work, unless perhaps you get one of those that have been overhauled and made useful. The lens produces nice images though when I do get it to work, but just about everything with my particular 88 needs work. I get light leaks, inconsistent frame spacing, and inconsistent shutter speeds. I got it very cheap though, so it is true you get what you pay for.

If you can accept the limits of the Mamiya 6 (only three lenses, can't swap backs, lenses aren't the fastest), it is a great camera. The images produced by it are beautiful (in the right hands, not necessarily mine!

-chuck

rogueish · Jan 27, 2005

rogueish said:
the RB I will be picking up today

Picked up the RB body and if your looking for a small MF, this is definitly NOT the camera to look at. It's a monster! The body alone likely weighs more than my TLR and 35mm together. And I have no lens yet. Looks like I may not have to lift wieghts anymore
Good luck on your search, but if you have a Hassy, why bother?

hurdy_gurdyman · Jan 27, 2005

Favorite medium format? Well, my all around fav is a Mamiya C220. Not to big and bulky, balances well, has interchagable lenses of excellent quality, nice fiewfinder. Bellows focus, can do close-ups with the accessory paramender. Lots of accessories available.

I'm also fond of the old Graphics. I have a Century Graphic that I use when I'm not in a hurry.

As for compact, I have a Moskva 5 that fits in my jacket's inside chest pocket. Big and sharp 6x9 negative! Drawbacks are small viewfinder, separate window for rangefinder, and you may have to buy more then one camera to get a good one. I bought two and combined them into one great little camera. Costs less the $50 bucks each these days. I carry this camera around a lot with me.

Dave

bobfowler · Jan 27, 2005

That's not a hard choice to make...

For a MF SLR, it would have to be the Bronica SQ series (I have both SQ-A and SQ-Ai bodies). For TLR's, as much as I like the Mamiya C-series, I'll always have a soft spot for the Minolta Autocord and the Yashica Mat124G. As for rangefinders, The Graflex XLRF was pretty cool.

Lydersen · Jan 27, 2005

If you are up for a vintage alternative, the Zeiss Super Ikonta 6x6 is very compact, almost pocketsize, and have good optics. The later models are still good users. Good specimens are available at quite low prices on ebay.

Chuck_P · Jan 27, 2005

My Mamiya RB67 because it is my first MF camera (a recent purchase); such a new experience compared to 35mm! But, like others have said before me, not the most agile of MF rigs.

Have you thought of any of the Mamiya 645's autofocus types? Some look like they have that 35mm feel to them.

Chuck

papagene · Jan 27, 2005

I have a couple of fuji MF rangefinders (GW670 II & GSW690 III) that I very much like using. But if you are interested in MF rangefinders, check out the Bronica 645 rangefinder. It has interchangeable lenses which I have heard are quite sharp.
Whatever you decide to do, good luck and happy shopping.

gene

Glenn Mathison · Jan 27, 2005

Nicole McGrade said:
Hi everyone, I'd love to know what your favourite MF cameras are and why?

I really enjoy my pair of Mam645's. An original 645, and a 645E. Why? Cause they are reasonably cheap on the Ozzie 2nd hand market and lenses are easy to obtain. Nice optics. The original 645 weighs a ton but is nice and easy to use. The 645E is lighter, newer, but has mirror slap like a thunderclap and no changeable viewfinders.

Nicole McGrade said:
And is there a MF out that's not quite so big and bulky?
Nicole

I own a Ziess 6x9 folder that fits in a biggish pocket and takes great pictures. Have also used a friend's Ziess Ikon folder 6x6 and it's a touch smaller and also takes great pictures.

Would love a Mam7 like Aggies, but WAY too expensive on the 2nd hand market in Oz, even if you can find one.

HTH Glenn

photomc · Jan 27, 2005

Really surprised that no one has metioned the Mamiya Press Cameras...not really small but great lens and selection, plus you can have a polaroid back, and 6x7 or 6x9 (my favorite). The KOmega was mentioned, just don't know much about them. For a pocket camera many of the old folders work great and have some really nice glass on them..I like the Bessa I that I have and the $$ is not as much (nor is it as nice) as the Bessa II. Still think that Bessa is missing out on a market by not having a retro MF camera....

davet · Jan 27, 2005

I'd appreciate any suggestions on which MF Rangefinders there are - I haven't a clue!

Not sure these would work for you, but consider

Mamiya 6: very limited selection of superb lenses in a clever collapsing compact body of somewhat uneven build quality. What you'd think is the weak point -- the collapsing lens mount -- is actually very well done and quite sturdy. What you'd take for granted they'd get right -- like the film wind -- somehow feels a little fragile. And why doesn't the rangefinder base take up more of the body width, Leica M style? Not cheap.

Mamiya 7: the 6 plus even more excellent lenses + 1 cm film + still in production - the collapsing lens mount. I still like the 6 better (now if the 7 had a collapsing lens mount ...) Definitely not cheap.

Baby Tech/VHR/Century Graphic: Old, kind of clunky, the Linhofs are quite heavy, the CGs pretty light. But movements get addictive, there's a huge selection of lenses (though most have to be used on the ground glass), and at least as far as the Linhof goes, the joy of something really really well made. CGs are quite cheap, VHRs rather pricey, Linhofs alas ...

Is the next question: what's your favorite LF camera?

Nicole · Jan 27, 2005

Thanks for all the input everyone! It's good to see some of the less expensive camera's getting in as favourites too.

DaveT - Nope, won't be getting into LF for a little while longer... I'm still trying get 35mm & MF right!

MattCarey · Jan 29, 2005

I am amazingly far from an experienced hand with MF, but here are a few words.

I'll second (and third) some of the comments about the old folders. It is nice to have a camera you can carry in a pocket or throw in a bag for a trip that takes big negatives. 6x9 chromes are addictive.

I also have a baby speed graphic. That is nice from a few perspectives--multiple backs and formats; multiple lenses;relatively inexpensive. However, I find that it is generally too slow for me. It works much like a large format camera without the big negatives.

After the recent thread on my search for a new rangefinder, I am giving serious thought to a Mamiya 6. The system is significantly cheaper than the 7. I like rangefinders. I hope to get a better feel for the way they handle soon. If not sooner, at the next San Jose photo fair. I have noticed that Mamiya 6 lenses do not stay on KEH as long as the "7" lenses. Makes life difficult for someone like me who takes time to spend money like that.

I had a Salyut C (predecessor to the Kiev 88) for a while. I found that I didn't take well to the waist level finder, so I probably won't go for a Hasselblad or other MF SLR.

Good luck on the hunt.

Matt

Lee Shively · Jan 29, 2005

I really have limited experience with a variety of medium format cameras. I bought a Mamiya C330 in 1974 (I think) and Mamiya TLR's were the only MF cameras I've really ever used until last year. I bought a used Pentax 645 at that time.

Mamiya TLR's are solid as bricks, very dependable and simple. The lenses are good and there is a ton of bodies and lenses out there on the used market at bargain prices. The bellows focusing means close-ups are easy to do as long as you remember to take into consideration the exposure compensation needed. What I never liked about them is that they feel top-heavy and off-balance to me when handheld. I've always considered them to be tripod cameras. I've been told that adding a prism makes them more handholdable but I've never tried it.

I fell in love with the concept of the Pentax 645 when it was first introduced in 1984 (I think). The format size is essentially what I get from cropping my 6x6 negatives and there are three more frames available per roll. The camera is made for easy handholding with a built-in motor drive, grip, prism and it has great ergonomics. The mirror dampening is outstanding and it's pretty quiet for a MF SLR with an instant-return mirror. The lenses are excellent and, since they don't use shutters, they cost less. The downside for the Pentax 645 would be if a photographer needs interchangeable backs and finders and, especially, if there is the need to use a lot of balanced flash (it has a cloth focal plane shutter). I don't even own a flash so it's not a factor to me.

I finally bought a used Pentax 645 20 years after first seeing one. I got the original manual focus model with 35, 45, 75 and 150 lenses. The used prices for the equipment was something I couldn't pass up. It's become my most used outfit.

Of course I've always wanted a Hasselblad too.

SteveGangi · Jan 29, 2005

For 6x6 I use a Yashica 12 TLR. No interchangeable anything, but it is light, simple to use, and solid. For 6x9 I have an old Agfa/Ansco Viking. It is in very good condtion, and (when I pay attention) can still shoot very nice pictures (both b&w and chromes). If I were starting from scratch, and had the cash, I would probably go for a Bronica. A friend had one and I immediately took a liking to it.

Woolliscroft · Jan 29, 2005

I recently bought a Pentax 67II and the result has been a love affair. It is so quick and responsive to use, far more like a 35mm SLR than my RB67, although I still use that on the copy stand, thanks to its close focus ability.

David.

pschauss · Jan 29, 2005

Mockva 2, Russian copy of a Super Ikonta. It takes a 6x9 negative and has a coupled rangefinder. As a folder, it is compact enough to be a good travel camera. I also have two Mockva 5s which have a faster (f3.5 ) lens, but I prefer the Mockva 2 because it is lighter and slightly smaller. Also, I find the popup, open frame viewfinder easier to use.

Bob Wagner · Jan 30, 2005

"...I would be interested in hearing recommendations for a MF camera that can be handheld (sometimes) that has removable backs. Is Hasselblad really the only choice available? ..."

I love my Bronica EC, never had any trouble with it, lenses are very affordable, same 6x6 format as Hassy. It is sometimes described as the 'poor man's Hasselblad' I have 2 backs, 3 lenses, a 2x extender, complete set of closeup tubes, and even a backup body. I don't have $1,500 in the whole lot. Lenses are tack sharp.

gandolfi · Jan 30, 2005

well - if I win the lottery, I'll get one o fthe new ALPA's....

how ever I am so pleasently surprised that "many" seem to like - know and have the "ultimate" MF camera...
the Rolleiflex SL66!
I have had some for years, and recently got the "E" type..
wow - addictive indeed.
http://www.sl66.com/

I have (or the school I teach in have) some hasselblads... just can't get them to act right...

ksmattfish · Feb 1, 2005

The medium format cameras that I've been using recently are...
SLRs: Pentax 67II, Hasselblad 500c/m, Norita 66
TLRs: Rolleiflex 3.5E Planar
Folders: Ansco Titan, Zeiss Ikonta C

I love them all, and some have features that make them better at certain things than the others, but if I could only have one it would be the Rolleiflex. Fantastic photos in a fairly small package. Before I got it I would haul 5 cameras on vacation with me. Now I can usually get by with the Rollei and one other.

André E.C. · Feb 15, 2005

My favourite?

Well, my one, Hasselblad 500C/M.
As for the rangefinder, a Mamiya 7II is the one for me.

Cheers

André

naaldvoerder · Feb 15, 2005

For me it's the SL66.

Great lenses, solid body, funny perks (bellows, reversel-mount).
Then again, it's the only MF i ever owned...

Naaldvoerder

What's your favourite MF camera or alternative?

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