120 RF for Travel

I have the fixed focal length Fuji GA645i and it's a brilliant camera - stunning negatives, lightweight, compact and easy to use.

I can see that a Mamiya 7 may be a better camera in many ways but for travel purposes I don't think that the price of the bulk of the Mamiya would outweigh the quality gain on the smaller negative of the Fuji.

Having bought and used the Fuji GA645i has cured me of thoughts of getting the Mamiya, lovely camera though I'm sure it is.

An alternative you may not have considered is the Hasselblad Xpan, which has medium-format quality levels from the wide negatives possible and which is smaller and more versatile than the 645 rangefinders, but of course would get you even further away from the square format than the 645s.

I do have a Yashicamat TLR as well, which is also a good lightweight travel camera.
 
I like to take as little gear as possible, and went to Spain within the last year with just my Nikon F6 and the 50mm 1.4 lens. I also have a Mamiya 7II with the 80mm lens (which is a bit wider than 50mm on 135). While the 7II is a nice camera, I figure, if I am hand-holding the camera, it doesn't matter what size negative I have. Therefore, I prefer the F6 for travel.

With the 7II and my Leica's, its a lot slower, which makes it harder for my travel photography. With the F6, I've got all the information in the viewfinder AND on top of the camera. I can hold the camera in front of me and meter by looking down on the top panel and the bring it up to my eye for quick shots. Also, since the full meter information is available, I can go up and down on exposure, depending upon whether I think the meter is tricked.
 
I just got a Mamiya 7ii, and can tell you it will be coming along with me on my next trip...along with at least one Leica M.

The 7ii isn't small, but it isn't that big either, and it doesn't weigh a ton. I got the 65mm, 80mm, and 150mm lenses, but will only travel with the 65 and 150. Pretty small kit if that is what you're only taking with you. And, it's a joy to use.

I considered the Fuji RF's, but decided that I wanted the option to change lenses, which is sounds like isn't an important factor for you. But, having the option is nice.

Personally, I can't wait to travel with this camera. I think it will be great. Now...if only B&W film came in 220...

Jeff
 
Many good points mentioned already - I would just add few more questions -

How relevant is to you the speed of operation? Mamiya 6 & 7 and probably also RF645 are quite comparable to 35mm rangefinder (like Bessa R3A). TLR is slower (metering, focusing). The AF Fuji are probably the "fastest". Still - none of these will probably rival 35mm AF SLR.

How relevant is to you speed of lenses? In MF RF you do not get faster than f/3.5 (Mamiya 6), mostly f/4.0. OK - there is Plaubel Makina 67 with f/2.8 lens, but that is a bit special camera. The TLRs are also f/2.8 at best. If you need fast lenses than again 35mm format (RF or SLR) is hard to beat.

How much film do you shoot and/or how often do you like or need to change the film? 35mm format gives you 36 frames, 6x4.5 : 16, 6x7 : 10 and 6x9 : 9 frames per roll.

... just food for thought .. ;)
 
Ok I will be aiming to shoot at f8+, I am not bothered about speed of use but am not keen to have a TLR. I will shoot with either colour print or slide at around 100asa, broad day light only, no evening or low light shooting. Thank you for all the replies so far I have a lot to think about but have a fair time to decide (March).
 
Calzone said:
+1 on a TLR. I prefer a Rollei 3.5F over a 2.8 because of its lighter weight. My 3.5F has a reliable meter BTW that gives me good exposures. Go for the bigger negative; shoot the square over 6x4.5.

+1 on a Mamiya 6.

BTW I own both and often pair the two as a kit.

Cal
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I used both TLR cameras for some time, including today.
The 3.5F with color 100 film while the D with 400 B&W film.
It is a compact set of first class cameras.
People LOVE being photographed with such cameras.
At the very least, people do not seem to get alarmed or annoyed by them.
 
If you want a square and a great travel camera its the Mamiya 6. That's a no-brainer. I'm sure the GF670 is great, but you're stuck with one lens. The Mamiya has three, and the 50mm is an amazing wide angle lens. Plus the lens mount collapses which makes it even smaller. The Bronica RF645 is great too if you don't mind 6x4.5 neg and not having a tele lens (the 100 and 135 are too rare and expensive for all they are). But the RF645 to me is the ultimate travel camera. It's small, ergonomical, feels great in your hands, metering is great. It's amazing. If you want a bigger neg definitely go Mamiya 6 though.
 
brian steinberger said:
If you want a square and a great travel camera its the Mamiya 6. That's a no-brainer. I'm sure the GF670 is great, but you're stuck with one lens. The Mamiya has three, and the 50mm is an amazing wide angle lens. Plus the lens mount collapses which makes it even smaller. The Bronica RF645 is great too if you don't mind 6x4.5 neg and not having a tele lens (the 100 and 135 are too rare and expensive for all they are). But the RF645 to me is the ultimate travel camera. It's small, ergonomical, feels great in your hands, metering is great. It's amazing. If you want a bigger neg definitely go Mamiya 6 though.
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+1 on the 50/4.0.

The only problem with shooting a Mamiya 6 is that is a very fast shooter so you have to allow for carring more/extra film.

Cal
 
Hi,

I would recommend the Mamiya 6. I have had mine for many years and heve travelled all over Europe with this camera and 2 lenses. I typically take the 50 and the 150. Carry it in a Domke F3x Canvas bag and am good to go all day. I don't like to carry a lot of weight and find that it is about the same weight as my Leica M4-p and 3 lenses in a F3X bag. I love the larger Negs , use Provia F and project them. They really pop when compared to 35mm projections. I have also printed up to 48" x 48" and the prints awesome.

Regards,

Akitadog
 
A TLR is an acquired taste and definitely not for everyone. You need to have some self esteem to shoot such an old and funny looking thing. But as Raid said, people don't mind about them and using a TLR in a crowded place is fun and you will be noticed. I just love my Rolleis and Autocords and use them always when I feel like medium format.
 
Well I have looked at various options and played with a few models in the shops. The Mamiya 7 is nice but more than I wanted to pay. I was and am tempted by a Mamiya 23 Ive seen and its a good good price, but she is too heavy for general use (I may get one later). The Fuji gs645s felt good in my hand and the weight is superb if my fibromyalgia flairs up I can still use it. At the end of the day this is important as I want to be able to use MF when I have extreme pain. I will order it latter today, now I have seen a nice little Agfa Ambi as well, I had one and so stupidly sold it :bang:
 
I use either a Rollei 2.8F or a Mamiya 6, both are excellent travel cameras, though the Rollei is best suited to a slower shooting style. The Mamiya 6 is as quick to use as a Leica, as long as you don't shoot a lot of frames and have to reload often.

Either offers quality no 35mm camera can compare with for less than the secondhand price of a single Leica lens, and are not meaningfully larger or more awkward to carry. To my mind they are a better travel camera unless you shoot fast and loose, or would like to use lots of different lenses.
 
If you're a wide shooter, the Mamiya 7 w/43 would be my first choice. Otherwise the Mamiya 6 as it's more compact since lenses collapse into the body, but it's 6x6 vs 6x7.
 
al1966 said:
The Fuji gs645s felt good in my hand and the weight is superb
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It's a nice camera..

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Best regards,
RoyM
 
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raid said:
You must decide what you find as best for you.
I have many times used a Rolleiflex 2.8D as my main travel camera, and I have never regretted doing so. It is a way to make the camera equipment basic in a trip, while still keeping it first class. The details in the negatives or transparencies are amazing in the MF format. The TLR also made me avoid the mess of having to change lenses. You would be able to take a small camera bag with the TLR, a small light meter, a cloth for lens cleaning, and then some 120 film.

To be honest, my current back-up camera for the 2.8D is a Leica M6 with 35mm lens on it.
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+1 Consider a TLR. Get a decent Yash, Rollei - whatever... You can probably get decent Yashica sample then still have enough money left over for a Leica... as Raid says, "as a back up" to the TLR.
 
Using the MF camera is a joy and a challenge. Yesterday, I was on a nature trail where a Blue Heron was resting on some branches of a tree in a pond. In the past, I would be hauling a heavy tripod with 2-3 SLR cameras and many lenses, including a 500mm lens for the birds. Uisng a TLR [with a normal lens], I had to compose very differently yesterday. This is another important factor to consider when deciding on what type of equipment to usein a trip. Wiith the TLR, I composed for the environment and not for the bird. The bird became a small subject, contributing to the overall image.
 
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