Which 6x6 MF do you shoot?

[Foto Ludens]

When my international holga gets back it's going in the car! And in any case, I'm not sure why I'm so afraid of breaking a $16 camera.

I'll take a quick guess here:

Maybe it's because you are a college student (read: permanently broke).
Or maybe it's because you are a photographer (read: permanently broke). Or maybe it's the idea of scraping off molten chinese plastic from your car seats... But heck, if it can survive a car here in Texas, people ought to take their Holgas to saunas

The film, however, might get a bit upset with the heat. But since its a Holga shoting...

 

[kwmullet]

Flexaret? Never heard of it. Tell me more...

off to google!

-KwM-

 

[Foto Ludens]

Flexaret? Never heard of it. Tell me more...

off to google!

-KwM-

Try this guy on ebay, cupog. I've only bought a WLF for a Pentacon from him, but he's got good stuff there, including flexarets.

http://stores.ebay.com/Cupog-Collec...lZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQsclZallQQsotimedisplayZ2QQtZkm

He only ships on thursdays, (from Slovakia), so take that into account.

 

[Shesh]

Bronica S

 

[Foto Ludens]

Bronica S

How do you like it? I'm thinking of getting a bronica (either a "C", "S", "S2" or SQ model)

 

[Denis P.]

Flexaret? Never heard of it. Tell me more...

off to google!

-KwM-

You could also try Meopta web site - the makeres of Flexarets (not produced anymore, BTW). Check the "History" link and choose "Cameras". You'll see all the different models they made.

I think they can be had from eBay for $50-$60, usually from Czech Republic or Slovakia (Meopta is a Czech company).
The one I have (Flexaret V) takes slip-on filters and close-up lenses (I think 30mm in size). I also have a set of close-up lenses in various strenghts and a full set of filters for B&W.

As I said, it handles better than a Rolleicord: focusing is by a lever beneath the taking lens (like the Autocord, I think). I've never seen any lens resolution and quality comparisons, though.

But, IMHO, the lens quality should be just fine - at least from my experience.

 

[Matej Maceas]

My 6x6 camera is a Kiev 88 with a Vega 2.8/90 lens.

 

[Shesh]

How do you like it? I'm thinking of getting a bronica (either a "C", "S", "S2" or SQ model)

Keeping in mind that this is the only med. format camera I have used for any length of time, other than YashicaMat 124G, I really like it. The only thing that I would have wanted different is that the shutter speed dial is on the left side of the camera body and I would have liked it to be in the front like a hasselblad - and hence a leaf shutter.

The older bronicas tend to have a lot of mechanical parts and hence the potential for malfunction exists. This is especially true of the "filminder" backs. The one I have was not working properly (the brass in the winding mechanism was worn out, a common problem) and the cost of repairing it was more than 2 times the cost of buying a 12-24 frame switchable back, so I went that route.

Other than this, I like it both mechanically and optically.

As far as SLRs go, S and S2 are dirt cheap and accessories for them are easy to find on the net. Just check if the backs are working right.

 

[fingel]

I have had my Hassy for about 10 years now. It has been a great camera and I will have it forever. I also use a Holga, and a Zeiss Ikonta folder as my small (snapshot) 6x6 cameras.

 

[hitcher]

The thread about why y'all chose MF in the first place took off a little bit on a discussion about whether Hasselblad is worth the money, etc. I've heard numerous conflicting opinions about this, so I'd love to hear some more. Which 6x6 MF do you use and why?

As always, I am grateful for your willingness to take the time to respond.

I also started with a Bronica ETRS it was a good camera. I loved the 645 format.
However I went Hasselblad for the durability and the fact that it is all mechanical. I also was assisting a Wedding photographer who required square format, so the hasselblad was the natural choice. Besides the Mamiya 67 is to bulky more of a studio camera, the pentax 67 is heavy, the mamiya 645 is to plastic for my taste. Yep Hasselblad all the way.

 

[Eric Rose]

As I said before, first Rollei TLR (still have it and love it), Bronica S2A, then finally Blad. For the same reasons that most high volume pros went to them.

 

[Greg Rust]

Pamela,

I use two Voigtlander Perkeo IIs. Even though they are old, they deliver fantastic images.

Greg

 

[bobfowler]

I'm a big fan of Mamiya TLRs...

 

[naaldvoerder]

My 6x6 camera is a Rolleiflex SL 66. Actually it's really my daughter's camera. It was given to her by me father-in-law. My daughter just turned 3 years old, so before she realizes what great ( in more sense then one) camera she ownes, I borough it from her. Lovely camera, weird possibilities, nice lenses, but very sluggish. Just what I like

JJ

 

[Jim Chinn]

I have a Mamiya C220 but it currently is out of action with something broken.

I do use a Holga quite a bit for fun and find that you can get some wonderful images with it. Best to have a couple, one with the shutter mechanism intact, the other with the shutter mechanism removed for longer exposures at night or with slow film.

If I have to replace the 220 I will probably just get another 220 or 330 off of Ebay or at a camera show. I like working with the waist level finder and it is a nice change of pace from an eye level camera or LF.

 

[PamelaHL]

I took the advice of another photographer and decided to try out the square format a bit more before I decide on which MF I'll include in my life. So, I bought a Yashicamat 124 that is really clean from a local used camera store. I was tempted to really check out the format difference by also purchasing the Zeiss Ikonta C that they had there in excellent shape. Or maybe the Kiev88, except that the 1/4 sec. doesn't always work!

Thanks so much for sharing all of your thoughts and ideas. You've opened up this world for me in so many ways, and I am so freaking excited to get started! It's already given me an idea for a series that I want to start shooting. And the bulb setting and ultrasharp lens on my new Yashicamat will be of help in that effort. Thanks!

[A gentleman at the camera store -- a patron -- said that the Japanese lenses were created for military use, so they're extremely sharp, whereas the European lenses were created for commercial use, so they have that softness for portraiture. True?]

 

[Konical]

Good Evening, Pamela,

I think that the gentleman at the camera store is guilty of at least a gross generalization and could probably be proven dead wrong by those interested enough to cite examples of various lenses. Nevertheless, your choice of a Yashica-Mat as an entry into medium format is likely to be a excellent one. Just keep in mind that normal cropping to print on standard paper sizes means that you're actually getting a 4.5 x 6 negative. The Ikonta C you looked at produces a negative that's about twice as large and is closely proportional to the standard paper sizes. I see three main advantages to the square format: more shots per roll than 6 x 7, same camera position can give either a vertical or horizontal, and the normal waist-high TLR shooting position makes it great for shooting kids.

Konical

 

[Foto Ludens]

Konical made good points, but when I shoot 6x6, I'm thinking in a square mode, and I print in squares later. At least most of the time. I think you should at least attempt to shoot & print in the square format, and see where it goes. Good luck with the TLR, I know i loved mine.

 

[sergio caetano]

Hasselblad. Two main reasons: Zeiss optics and Flexbody.

 

[Thomassauerwein]

For my 6x6 I started with a Rollie then several Hasslblads over the years. To me it is light weight, fast and sharp. It can be hand held or put on a tri-pod. I love the camera! recently I found a (thanks to David Goldfarb) Perkeo I in mint condition. Been having a great time with it. Course I guess cameras are like cars once you know how to drive teir all fun.

 

[Adrian Twiss]

I got my Exakta 66 after I started with a Pentacon Six TL. I had to heavily modify the Pentacon to make it easier to use to whit; replacing the original screen with an Exakta 66 version (which is much brighter) and fitting an adapted Kiev 60 prism which I bought from Baier Fototechnic. This modified prism also fits the Exakta. I own a range of Zeiss and Schneider Lenses from 50 to 300mm.

I also took the plunge and bought a Hartblei version of the Kiev 88 (which is compatible with Hasselblad backs). I modified this camera with an Acute Matte D screen and obtained a Hasselblad Chimney Finder for a song at a camera fair. The Hartblei is fitted with a plain 45 degree prism.

 

[JohnArs]

Hi

It is not fair because I only could vote for my Rollei but I also have Bronica GS1 6x7 and I prefer the Bronica over the Rolleiflex GX!

 

[vazquez]

I use two old (1956/1958) KMZ Moskva-5 folding rangefinder cameras for
shooting 6x6 MF, unfortunately this model is not on the options list.

 

[Ed Sukach]

Gahh!!! The old "Square" vs. "The Standard Paper Format" discussion.

I have been printing "Square" --- not using all of the paper.

I think it is a valid format ... and more often than not - I prefer it.

 

[Gramayr]

I use a blad, very nice camera to use with PME finder. Lightweight (compared to my RB67 proS) Can't fault them except the cost of CF lenses other than 80mm. Would love a 100mm CF (supposed to be the sharpest lense you can get) and a 50mm for landscapes. Used to have a 50 T* but it got nicked.
Also have several Zeiss Ikons, nice pocket sized medium format camera.