What Medium Format Cameras Are Members Here Using?

[campy51]

I seem to be stuck on square even though I don't care for it. Just ordered a Rolleiflex 2.8C and sent back a Koni-Omega Rapid. The Koni was cheap so I thought I would try it, nice photos but awkward. I had a Fuji GA645 that was close to mint and paid a lot for it but it had the jumpy control wheel. Could have fixed it myself but didn't think the camera was worth $1000 so I returned it. I will look for one in the $6-700 range. I think my favorite right now is my Mamiya 6.

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

Oh man, I probably shouldn't write them all down, because that's just acknowledging the problem.

Mamiya 645 1000s (rarely used)
Mamiya 645 Pro/TL (used more often than the 1000s, and I have 4 of them)
Mamiya C220
Mamiya RB67 PRO SD (most often used MF cameras I own, I have 3 of them)
Goodman Zone
Bessa I
Bessa II
Bronica S2A (rarely used anymore, don't like dim viewfinder)
Brownie Hawkeye
Yashicamat
Kowa Six (own 3 or 4 working ones and a bunch of cannibalized others) (really enjoy using the Kowa Six)
Kowa Super 66 (2 working ones) (enjoy using but the removable film backs are huge)
Hasselblad 500C (early)
Hasselblad 500CM
Holga 120N (several)
Holga 120 Pinhole
Holga 120 Pan
NOON 612 Pinhole
Fuji GX617 (love using it, but don't use it often enough)

If I had to narrow down what I had, I'd probably keep 1 of each aspect ratio, and those would be the following:

6x4.5 = Mamiya 645 Pro TL
6x6 = Holga 120N
6x7 = Mamiya RB67 Pro SD
6x9 = Bessa II
6x12 = Holga 120 Pan
6x17 = Fuji GX617

Jeremy

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

Bronica GS-1: system lenses are better than reputation; 6 X 7 format offers large negatives, and the right size for me. Less bulky than Mamiya RZ, which I sold due to weight and overall size. However, my preferred color film, Ektar 100 is suddenly difficult to find here in Ohio. If this continues I may have to reevaluate system.

I too live in Ohio, but haven't seen any Ektar shortage. Probably because I order my film online and don't go into stores much. FPP has plenty in stock:

https://filmphotographystore.com/collections/120-film/products/120-color-film-kodak-ektar-100-5-pack

Jeremy

 

[Duceman]

*Hasselblad 500 c/m and 503 cx
*Mamiya 7ii
*Minolta Autocord
*Rolleiflex 3.5B

Hard to say which is my favorite. The Mamiya 7ii takes the sharpest pictures out of all of them.

I do prefer the Autocord over the Rolleiflex, though.

 

[furutadrop]

Welcome on board!

Welcome to Photrio!

Thank you kindly for the welcome!

Welcome.

The WLF took a long time to get used to! I avoided using it for a few years because of it. Once I used it enough though, I finally felt a bit more comfortable.

Also, I've always wanted a Kiev 88 but never really looked to deeply into picking one up.

 

[neeksgeek]

Does a Calumet C2 6x7cm roll back on a Toyo 45C count? It’s got an 80mm Yashikor lens that came out of a broken Yashica 635 (which now does service as a pinhole camera).

 

[Philippe-Georges]

Does a Calumet C2 6x7cm roll back on a Toyo 45C count? It’s got an 80mm Yashikor lens that came out of a broken Yashica 635 (which now does service as a pinhole camera).

Why wouldn't it count? This rather weird combination is proof of imagination!
BTW, does it works well?

 

[Philippe-Georges]

Oh man, I probably shouldn't write them all down, because that's just acknowledging the problem.

Mamiya 645 1000s (rarely used)
Mamiya 645 Pro/TL (used more often than the 1000s, and I have 4 of them)
Mamiya C220
Mamiya RB67 PRO SD (most often used MF cameras I own, I have 3 of them)
Goodman Zone
Bessa I
Bessa II
Bronica S2A (rarely used anymore, don't like dim viewfinder)
Brownie Hawkeye
Yashicamat
Kowa Six (own 3 or 4 working ones and a bunch of cannibalized others) (really enjoy using the Kowa Six)
Kowa Super 66 (2 working ones) (enjoy using but the removable film backs are huge)
Hasselblad 500C (early)
Hasselblad 500CM
Holga 120N (several)
Holga 120 Pinhole
Holga 120 Pan
NOON 612 Pinhole
Fuji GX617 (love using it, but don't use it often enough)

If I had to narrow down what I had, I'd probably keep 1 of each aspect ratio, and those would be the following:

6x4.5 = Mamiya 645 Pro TL
6x6 = Holga 120N
6x7 = Mamiya RB67 Pro SD
6x9 = Bessa II
6x12 = Holga 120 Pan
6x17 = Fuji GX617

Jeremy

Good heavens, shooting all these camera's must be a full time job!
Even keeping these mechanical (focal-) shutters alive and well running is, as they must be fired once a month on all speeds...

 

[JensH]

Hi!

Most used: Zeiss Miflex microscope camera (1930s) for 6.5x9 plates/films (or 6x9 on 120 film with Rollex back), giving round images by design. If you like to see more, pics on my Flickr...

Then Rolleiflex Original (Ur-Rolleiflex) with 4.5/7.5cm Tessar (1929),
and a Rolleiflex SLX-2 (ca.1980).

Sometimes an Rolleiflex Automat (1937, first edition), but the Original is more fun.
Seldomly a Super-Ikonta 530 (6x9 cm) with 4.5/10.5cm Tessar. I like that camera, but focussing is frustratingly stiff due to a bent optic carrier...

Jens

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

Good heavens, shooting all these camera's must be a full time job!
Even keeping these mechanical (focal-) shutters alive and well running is, as they must be fired once a month on all speeds...

The problem is I don't shoot all of them all of the time, hence the few notes I made (mainly to myself) on the list.

In truth, most of them are fine with not being loved-on monthly, with the only concerning offenders being the Kowas. They are notorious for behaving badly when not given attention often.

Jeremy

 

[campy51]

I sent my Koni-Omega back and added a Rolleiflex 2.8C.

 

[Donald Qualls]

The WLF took a long time to get used to! I avoided using it for a few years because of it.

Very much a matter of what you're used to. The very first camera I used (age 7 or 8) was a Kodak Duaflex II pseudo-TLR; after that I owned a succession of box cameras, all with bright finders (which have a mirror like a reflex WLF). In high school, I had a Kodak Reflex II TLR.

Due to that early experience, I find waist level finders easy enough, but there are still times (like shooting action of any kind) where a prism or sports finder is easier to use.

 

[john_s]

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.

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who has accumulated far more cameras than I can do justice to. Preparing to sell most. What I'll keep are a Mamiya 6 and Rolleiflex SL66SE.

 

[john_s]

Very much a matter of what you're used to. The very first camera I used (age 7 or 8) was a Kodak Duaflex II pseudo-TLR; after that I owned a succession of box cameras, all with bright finders (which have a mirror like a reflex WLF). In high school, I had a Kodak Reflex II TLR.

Due to that early experience, I find waist level finders easy enough, but there are still times (like shooting action of any kind) where a prism or sports finder is easier to use.

WLF: one advantage is that doing portraits of shy subjects, there's something about not pointing a camera at eye level towards the subject. WLF seems a bit indirect and I feel more comfortable doing it.

 

[javieref]

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?

If someone asked me what was my favourite camera, it would have to be medium format.
Zeiss Super Ikonta IV 534/16 (which I longer have - traded in the mid 80’s on a Rolleiflex 2.8e)

My current collection
Rolleiflex 2.8e
Hasselblad Super Wide C
Zeiss Super Ikonta III 531/16

 

[braxus]

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who has accumulated far more cameras than I can do justice to. Preparing to sell most.

If I were to sell a few of the 23 cameras I own (or will soon own), it would be the Yashica A, the Franka folder, the Nikon 3200 digital, and maybe my T70 camera. The rest I couldnt really get rid of so easily. Some of these cameras aren't worth anything, so no point in selling it. I have a problem where to put all the cameras though. Some are here, some there. I need a dedicated shelf for them all.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

If I were to sell a few of the 23 cameras I own (or will soon own), it would be the Yashica A, the Franka folder, the Nikon 3200 digital, and maybe my T70 camera. The rest I couldnt really get rid of so easily. Some of these cameras aren't worth anything, so no point in selling it. I have a problem where to put all the cameras though. Some are here, some there. I need a dedicated shelf for them all.

I bought a really nice cabinet with glass shelving from IKEA. All my cameras are in there now. I got really tired about having them scattered all over the house.

 

[baachitraka]

Holga 120 et al (simply the best)
Rolleicord II
Rolleicord Va
Box Tengors
Pentacon Six TL (120/180mm biometars)
Agfa Isolette III
Diana F+

I wish I could just shoot only with Holga.

 

[neeksgeek]

Why wouldn't it count? This rather weird combination is proof of imagination!
BTW, does it works well?

It’s not bad at all, though movements are rather tight close to infinity focus. I’ve only put a couple rolls through it so far. And as for rather weird, yes please.

 

[cjbecker]

First — 500cm
Traveled the world —rolleicord iii
Most used now — koni omega 100
Given to me — graflex rb 2x3

Have had others in the past but ended up selling them

 

[Cholentpot]

Might as well ask here.

I always assumed as fact that 6x6 was the most popular format for 120 for quite a while. I was then informed that in fact 6x9 was just as popular. Weird to me because I've rarely seen 6x9 outside of very old Brownies, pros or enthusiasts.

Am I that far off base and need to re-evaluate my 120 format notions?

 

[Paul Howell]

I have 6X6, 6X7 and 6X9, the advantage of 6X6 is that if I print 8X10 and 11X14 I can crop in either direction, lot of fixability in the darkroom the problem is if I print 8X10 and 11X14 and crop I lose 4 frames per roll if I had shot 6X4.5.
6X7 makes a direct 8X10, but I much prefer 6X9 which has a ratio similar to 35mm and is very close to 11X14 which is my usual presentation size print. A 6X9 Tmax 100 negative will enlarge way beyond the 16X20 I can print. The downside to a 6X9 is that the only light weight 6X9 camera I have is a Kodak Tourist and Busch 2 1/4 by 3 1/4 which uses sheet film. My Mamiya Universal is heavy and needs a heavy duty tripod. On the other hand the Kowa 6X6 is lighter, but the lens are heavier which means I can work with a lighter tripod. For light travel I wind up with a Yashica 124 or 4, need to have my Mamiya 6, folder serviced

 

[braxus]

Might as well ask here.

I always assumed as fact that 6x6 was the most popular format for 120 for quite a while. I was then informed that in fact 6x9 was just as popular. Weird to me because I've rarely seen 6x9 outside of very old Brownies, pros or enthusiasts.

Am I that far off base and need to re-evaluate my 120 format notions?

I wonder about 6x9. There weren't very many cameras compared to 6x6 made. I'd do everything in 6x9 if there were SLR cameras made in that format. I can't name any. They are all rangefinders and most don't have removable lenses.

 

[Cholentpot]

I wonder about 6x9. There weren't very many cameras compared to 6x6 made. I'd do everything in 6x9 if there were SLR cameras made in that format. I can't name any. They are all rangefinders and most don't have removable lenses.

I have a Brownie No.2 that might be 6x9 but I think it's 6x7. I have a 6x9 film holder for my Century Graphic. Everything else is 6x6 with one 6x4.5

 

[MattKing]

It is difficult to determine questions about "popularity" of frame size for 120 cameras, because the answer will vary with user group, geography and, most importantly, time frame - 120 film was introduced more than 100 years ago, and has been used in an incredible variety of cameras and applications.