6x6, 6x7 or 6x9 Camera

[BCMielke]

I've been shooting with the Bronica RF and have really enjoyed it recently so it has be thinking of going larger. Cost is a concern here so I have immediately thrown out quite a few cameras like the Mamiya 6x7 and the Mamiya 6x6.

I'm familiar with all of the Fuji offerings, but in my research I just came across the folding Super Ikonta series of Folding cameras.

I like the idea of a folding camera because it probably won't ever be something I would mainly shoot with.

I was leaning towards pulling the trigger on a Super Ikonta C, when I thought there might be some other cameras that I might be missing out on.

To that vein what might I be missing or is the Zeiss folding the best most economical direction I should look?

 

[shortstop]

6x6 is different from 6x4,5 only if you print the entire square negative; this is what I do.
If you like square format buy a Rolleiflex. They are a pleasure to use and there are so many useful accessories.
Personally I don't like 6x7, preferring 6x9 .
Here the cameras I prefer are (in decreasing order):
Welta Weltur (unfortunately very rare), that I have
Mess Ikonta
Bessa RF prewar
Agfa Rekord III
Bessa II
Bessa II is at the last position because overpriced and to me gives a sensation of a not sturdy camera.

 

[johannielscom]

I love my Zeiss so I'm not going to promote anything else.

Be sure to get the loading down, my 532/16 does 11 frames on a roll (not 12), unless you load it wrongly in which case it will let you wind the entire roll without ever once locking the film transport... Ask my how I found out... 😉

With mine, I have a portrait diopter called an Ikometer, made by BPM (British Photographic Manufacturers), that makes it focus down to 0.75meters. The standard closest focus is 1.5meters.

Mine has a 37mm size slip on lens hood. Kinda hard to find.

The lens is stellar, no debate there.

 

[BCMielke]

Thanks @shortstop. I hadn't really thought of 6x6, but thought I should mention it. I was really leaning towards the 6x9 instead of a 6x7. Especially since I've never photographed with a 6x9 so it should be interest. Thanks of the other choices for me to look into.

Thanks @johnnielscom The 532/16 was the model I was looking at. They are difficult to find here in the US so I was glad to find one not on ebay if I wanted to go that route. Happy to see you are among the many/few happy owners.

 

[GaryLH]

I never like the 6x7 format. I have a Fuji gf670 that I use in 6x6 mode instead. The biggest advantage of 6x6 is u really have in a way 3 formats built into it.
- full frame 6x6
- vertical 645 (crop)
- horizontal 645 (crop)

My 6x6 recommendations are
- Zeiss super ikonta iv or 632/16 (both rf)
- Voigtlander Perkeo II (scale focus)
- Fuji 670 in 6x6 mode
My 6x9 recommendation is Voitlander Bessa II w/ Heliar.

Gary

 

[Pioneer]

I use a lot of medium format cameras, including quite a few folders.

The best folder I own, by quite a large distance, is the Fuji GF670. Very hard to beat that lens. If you like, 6x7 or 6x6 are available with this camera.

After that comes my Agfa Super Isolette, which is a 6x6.

Finally, I pick either my Bessa II with the Color Heliar or my Agfa Billy Record III sporting the Solinar.

As with most things this old, condition is everything, more important even than lens quality, though the lens can be important if all else is equal.

If you really think you want a folder then my recommendation is to save up for the GF670. You will not be disappointed.

 

[lueej]

from a purely economical standpoint, perhaps the mamiya super 23/mamiya universal? options for 645 up to 6x9 are available via the interchangeable backs, so you can get a taste of all the formats! some might say the glass isn't great, however, I've been pretty pleased with mine. I find that I shoot with it more often than I shoot my rolleiflex, but the rollei's lens is definitely on another level.

 

[segedi]

I can't comment on too many MF cameras, but I did have an RF645 and it was a dream to use, great images, but I never liked the 6x4.5 format because of printing. I tend to print at Costco for most things and the most common format mirrors that of full frame 35mm, 1x1.5, so 6x9 would be my ideal. I've used 6x9 on a ZeroImage 612 and 6x9 in slides are stunning.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Most economical 6x9 I used was Moskva-2 and Moskva-5.
Those are true RFs with coated, clean ad sharp enough lenses.
60-100 $ for the working one.

 

[Addy101]

I never like the 6x7 format. I have a Fuji gf670 that I use in 6x6 mode instead. The biggest advantage of 6x6 is u really have in a way 3 formats built into it.
- full frame 6x6
- vertical 645 (crop)
- horizontal 645 (crop)

Well, by that equation, the 6x7 has full frame 6x7, 6x6 crop, 645 crop both horizontal and vertical. Wonder what one can do with a 6x9 😎

 

[Spanik]

Can't say I was ever pleased with what came out of my folders. Might be the camera's are out of alignment (but how tell?), could be the lenses. Like others here 6x7 isn't my thing either. But I do love 6x9.

Got the Fuji G690BL and the Mamiya Standard 23 for that format and both have their points. The lenses on the Fuji are a bit better but they are more expensive and harder to find. The Mamiya is easier to find, cheaper and has separate backs. Both are heavy camera's that get you noticed.

As said, the Mamiya 23 offers also 6x7 and 6x4.5 with the old 6x9 backs but then you have to get one with the film gates and viewfinder masks. Those little pieces often get lost. With the Fuji, if you get a GM670 you can use the same lenses for 6x7 and 6x9.

For 6x6 I like the C330. At least you can have a wide angle and (short) tele.

You also say cost is a concern, don't forget that with 6x9 you only get 8 shots out of a roll.

Well, by that equation, the 6x7 has full frame 6x7, 6x6 crop, 645 crop both horizontal and vertical. Wonder what one can do with a 6x9

Or a 6x17! Might be a bit expensive using 17cm film to only use 4.5cm of it, but hey you can crop a lot of different framings out of it.

 

[Solinar]

In the folder category - If you can find an Agfa Super Isolette that has been serviced by Jurgen Krecel - buy it - you won't regret it.

* Automat film winding
* Coupled RF focusing
* Excellent Solinar lens

For 6x9 - Don't rule out one of the Big Fuji 690 series. They're often available on eBay - for less money than some of the premium 6x9 folders.

The Big Fujis: Have a far superior viewfinder and RF to most folders. Better yet - you get a great lens and the double stroke film advance is automatic.

Best Regards,

 

[Solinar]

I was leaning towards pulling the trigger on a Super Ikonta C, when I thought there might be some other cameras that I might be missing out on.

To that vein what might I be missing or is the Zeiss folding the best most economical direction I should look?

If you are going in the direction of a Zeiss Ikon 6x9 and want to keep it affordable, i.e. $200 to $300 with an Opton Tessar, then wait for a Ikonta III 524/2 to come available. It will definitely be worth the wait - if you can deal with using an uncoupled RF.

 

[shortstop]

If you going in the direction of Zeiss Ikon 6x9 and want to keep it affordable, i.e. $200 to $300 with an Opton Tessar, then wait for a Ikonta III 524/2 to come available. It will definitely be worth the wait - if you can deal with using an uncoupled RF.

If Zeiss has to be, I vote Ikonta 524/2 (also named Mess Ikonta).

 

[DCB]

Just picked up a Fuji GW 670 III. It feels perfect in the had and not really to heavy. You can find them pretty cheap.

Peace

 

[Roger Hicks]

Bear in mind too that "6x7" ranges from 56x68mm to 57x72mm -- which can be a surprisingly large difference in the real world. Linhof's 56x72mm, on any good film, enlarged 3x, looks very like a whole-plate contact print.

I've always regarded 6x6 as a waste of time unless you print square, and quite frankly, how big are the economic/convenience differences between 8-on 6x9 (which you can crop to 6x7) and 10-on 6x7 (which you can't crop to 6x9)?

As for folders, I'd prefer a Voigtländer to a Zeiss any day, but this may be because they seem to have survived better, i.e. they often have less slop on the front standard. Also they look prettier.

Cheers,

R.

 

[GaryLH]

Well, by that equation, the 6x7 has full frame 6x7, 6x6 crop, 645 crop both horizontal and vertical. Wonder what one can do with a 6x9 😎

The real full frame was the 8x10.. 😀 everything else was a crop. 🙂

Gary

 

[gilgsn]

Hello,

If you're going to use 120 film, you might as well use as much of it per shot as you can... 6x9 or 6x7. I use the Pentax 6x7, which is a great camera with great lenses. I am selling one in the classifieds actually ;-) but I would not part with my last one. It is heavy, that is the only downside. Some people say you can't really use it handheld, but that is a myth.

Gil.

 

[pagpow]

Chris,

I don't know what you shoot, but if 6x9 beckons and cost is important, consider a Zeiss Ikonta (not Super) or even Nettar. Even ones w a triplet lens. In the middle apertures they are great! and plentiful.
I held off pulling the trigger for a long time because of my concern for shooting without a rangefinder, but shooting with these cameras will put you at infinity or make it easy to use hyper focal or zone focusing. If you don't like it, you haven't lost much.
+1 for the big Fujis if you want rangefinder focusing.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Giorgio

 

[mfogiel]

I think that if you want to get a bigger negative and not spend a lot of money, you should concentrate on finding one of the 6x9 folders with a 105mm lens, so if you crop a bit you will get a slightly longer normal lens, excellent for portraiture. You probably have the 65mm on your Bronica, so the two together will cover nicely the useful range. Be aware, that if you wear glasses it is going to be difficult to see anything through the flimsy viewfinders of most folders.