6x6, 6x7 or 6x9 Camera

[BCMielke]

I've shot 6x7. I loved the the negatives, and the viewfinder. I never really took to the size of the camera. It was a Bronica that I ended up selling awhile back now. I have never shot 6x9 and am have always been tentative on my shooting so I'm not concerned with the lower number of shots per 120 roll. I like the idea of a folder because it won't be as large when folded up.

With the Bronica I am leaning towards adding the 45mm lens, but I'm waiting on an attractive price. For now the 65mm f/4 fits the need.

Lot's of choices! I'm having fun wading through reading up on each of them that sounds interesting.

 

[Eric T]

I have owned several old folders over the last decade including an Iskra II (great image quality but focus ring was hard to move even after repair), a Voigtlander Bessa II, and a Moskva V. There may have been one or two others. In any event, I sold them all. I never really enjoyed using them.
But I have kept the Fuji GF670 - that camera is a jewel and the viewfinder is amazing.

 

[Roger Hicks]

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

Gary

Dear Gary,

Nah -- that's a Mickey Mouse format for amateurs, or for professionals whose clients won't pay properly. Much better choices are 11x14 inch and 12x15 inch. Of course bigger formats than either are available, but they are rarely as convenient.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Prest_400]

I've got a GW690III which I was settled for after looking for a rather affordable modern 6x6+ MF, and just about the single affordable non folding RF for this range.
The Fujica GW690 mkI goes for nice prices on eBay, and aside of lower prices (lower threshold of 250-300$ for an user unit); it also seems more plentiful compared to the mk II and III. That on the bay and from Japan.

Haven't had a folder nor considered one, as I wanted something more modern and relatively convenient (lever wind, coupled RF, etc).
That said, I ruled out the GF670/Bessa III and Mamiyas 6, 7 for the prices they are going; as you mentioned.

The 6x9 format is nice, 2:3 as in 35mm. I find it slightly too elongated and would have happily got a 6x7, but the GW670 is just a masked down version and for the size of this model I'd rather get the full version. 😀

 

[rhl-oregon]

I'll second what Pioneer wrote above:

"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."

 

[GaryLH]

Dear Gary,

Nah -- that's a Mickey Mouse format for amateurs, or for professionals whose clients won't pay properly. Much better choices are 11x14 inch and 12x15 inch. Of course bigger formats than either are available, but they are rarely as convenient.

Cheers,

R.

Ok... What can I say.. 🙂

Gary

 

[RBruceCR]

My vote is for the Mamiya Universal 23 for its multiple film holders covering all the formats, it's inexpensive acquisition curve and the possibility of using a Polaroid film holder!

I own a Standard 23 a previous model of the Press series and I thoroughly enjoy the system!

 

[kuzano]

The 2 questions that turned me to 6X9....

The 2 questions that turned me to 6X9....

1) Want to shoot the most flexible format for frame diversity?
2) Want to shoot 6X17 and 6X24 on the "cheap"?

Shoot 6X9.... I have come to the conclusion that the most flexibility in format is to shoot the largest negative possible and make your choices on frame format and composition later, during printing or digital scan.

It should be obvious that all the smaller formats can be cut from the largest negative/transparency. Since I buy all my film on eBay or during specials, I don't concern myself with cost per frame. I'm generally after specific images.

When I was shooting Mamiya Press/Universal I found myself caught up in too many choices of expansion equipment. Always hunting for that elusive different back or lens, or whatever. I don't know how long I looked for the film back with the shutter built into the back, but could never find the proprietary cable to attach. Now I have two of the proprietary cable releases, but no back.

So I sold all my Mamiya stuff, because I read Dante Stella's review on the Fuji G690 and variants. Switched and never looked back. You don't get caught up in all the paraphenalia because the Big Fuji's are the simplest of the lot. Just a huge, heavy simple little rangefinder, like an Olympus RD on steroids and no meter.

I just got back my latest Fujica GL690 from a repair and service from Frank Marshman last month. Paid $200 for a funky GL690 with lens on eBay and immediately sent it to Frank for repair/CLA for another $140 with shipping.

Then I came across a couple of revelations, as I started to look seriously at Fuji 6X17 gear. WAY too expensive. Why not shoot two, or even three shots overlapped in the G690, scan them and stitch them... Wow... 6x17, 6X24 with careful metering, and close stitching.....

Under 500 dollars of equipment for Panoramas that often required $3000 or more of equipment.

Then another discovery. Mask the viewfinder down to just use the middle of the roll of 120 film down to a relative size that would give an equvalent of 6X12 or 6X17 from the middle of the roll of one frame out of the 6X9.

My final decision... 6X9 is the source for a huge selection of formats. I have now been through about a dozen of the big Rangefinders from Fujica. I even bought a GSW690 with the 65mm lens. It is too wide for stitching for 6X17 or more, so I did not use it much. Sold it. I stick pretty much with the Big interchangeable Fujicas, but my mainstay lens is the 100 f3.5. Handles everything. Never used the 65mm lens even when I bought on for the interchangeable body.

Most people fall prey to the idea that one should use wide angle for landscapes. In my experience, "It just Ain't So!" Proper composition and proper format are the keys. If you are stitching for panorama's a wide angle lens delivers a distortion in stitching. A normal perspective lens is best when stitching to rid of the distortion. As long as I am stitching for my panos, the normal lens is the best lens for me.

 

[Godfrey]

I prefer 6x6. Shout with Hasselblad 500CM and SWC. And Voigtländer Perkeo II.
That's enough.

G

 

[Moto-Uno]

FWIW, I've had a half dozen different 6x6 cameras ( all with good to great lens) and try as I might I have not bonded with any of them. My old Kodak Medalist 1 has given me transparencies to show off. And as much as I find perfection in my Mamiya 7, I've considered Kuzanos' choice (Fuji ~690 ) more than a few times. Peter
pm me if you'd like to try a Yashica Mat 6x6

 

[milosdevino]

If you can put up with 620 film (either re rolling or buying it that way) then you might consider a Kodak Monitor 620. Cheap, has auto stop frame counter, no rf though. Great lens.

 

[Frontman]

My vote is for the Mamiya Universal 23 for its multiple film holders covering all the formats, it's inexpensive acquisition curve and the possibility of using a Polaroid film holder!

I own a Standard 23 a previous model of the Press series and I thoroughly enjoy the system!

Second on the Mamiya, you can get a K type roll film back which will shoot all three formats. Added to this is a variety of lenses from 50mm to 250mm. The Mamiyas are half a century newer than the Voigtlander/ Zeiss Ikon cameras, though the Mamiya cameras are quite large and bulky. I like to shoot Polaroids as well, so I find the Universal to be a fun camera.

 

[V-12]

If you are looking to go larger go the whole way and get a 6x9 (unless 6x12 or 6x17 take your fancy).

For a folder a camera on the rise in popularity (and price) is the Agfa Record III, get the one with the Solinar lens and you have a camera capable of very modern looking results. Or the Fuji GSW690 or GW690 take some beating in the more modern rangefinder league. Built like tanks yes, but no bigger or heavier than a current DSLR.

V