Are there landscape 645 cameras?

dct

dct

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I spent some time investigating on 6x4.5cm film cameras until I realized all the usual suspects mask the image in portrait mode.

Yes, I understand that with a horizontal film orientation the height is 6cm. But are there reliable 645 cameras with vertical film orientation, acquiring normally held a landscape image? Maybe I should ask if there are any realtive compact 120/220 film cameras with vertical film pathway?

Thank you for comments and suggestions.
 
To my knowledge all 645 SLR cameras (Mamiya, Contax, Pentax, Bronica, ...) are in landscape orientation.
 
There are 645 backs for the Kowa Super 66, making it a landscape 645 camera. The same applies to a lot of Hasselblads too, the A16 back is 645.

Same goes for Rollei SL66/SLX/6006/6008 too I suspect.
 
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Matus said:
To my knowledge all 645 SLR cameras (Mamiya, Contax, Pentax, Bronica, ...) are in landscape orientation.
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Depends on which way the film feeds - vertically as in the cameras you mentioned gives landscape orientation; horizontally (such as the Arax-645 upgrade of the Kiev 60) gives portrait orientation.

Or grab a Mamiya RZ67 with a 645 back and have the best of both worlds. ;)
 
I have a Mamiya M645 1000s. It has landscape orientation. It's cheap and there are some amazing lenses made for this body.
 
Thank you for the kind advices. But, well... all the mentioned landscape 645 are very clunky ones, maybe because they are SLR. At least compared to a Mamiya 7. :confused:

I should have mentioned, I am looking for a RF size 645 horizontal camera. Maybe I'm just chasing rainbows...
 
The Mamiya 6 can be cropped to landscape oriented 6x4.5 by inserting a mask in the film gate, and even has corresponding blip marks on the framelines. If you insist on shooting 6x4.5 with a rangefinder camera hold landscape wise that will be your only option - but it does not save any film, all it gives you are 12 6x4.5 cropped frames per roll.
 
The Mamiya 645 super and pro bodies with the winder grip are not at all clunky, I've done a lot of handheld work with mine. Handles like a 35mm SLR, especially if you get the AE finder, which has spot or center weight metering with auto or manual exposure. I, of course, only have the plain non-metered prism :D
 
dct said:
Thank you for the kind advices. But, well... all the mentioned landscape 645 are very clunky ones, maybe because they are SLR. At least compared to a Mamiya 7. :confused:

I should have mentioned, I am looking for a RF size 645 horizontal camera. Maybe I'm just chasing rainbows...
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The film would need to move vertically, which kind of isn't really compatible with what you want.

You could get a Hasselblad SWC and use it with an A16 back, though.
 
Chasing......

Chasing......

I cannot think of a horizontal transport camera that shoots in landscape. All the rangefinders transport the film horizontally which precludes landscape and delivers only portrait mode.

Film needs to roll vertically (up to down, or vice versa) for the image to be landscape.

OTOH, the Bronica ETR series with just a body, lens, film back and waist level finder is a very small package for an SLR system camera. The minute you roll the film vertically, RF style focus goes out the door.
 
P C Headland said:
Or go 6x6 and not worry at all :D
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yes....

Agfa Isolette II Landscape....Not an RF tho:

6289974755_d430c0b03c_z.jpg
 
kuzano said:
I cannot think of a horizontal transport camera that shoots in landscape. All the rangefinders transport the film horizontally which precludes landscape and delivers only portrait mode.

Film needs to roll vertically (up to down, or vice versa) for the image to be landscape.
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Yes, that's what I asked for.

kuzano said:
...The minute you roll the film vertically, RF style focus goes out the door.
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And this is why I asked. Couldn't believe of vertical film transport beeing impossible for a RF constructiion. :(

Thank you for all propositions and explications. Have to rethink the whole thing.
 
IMO, the best solution for your wants/needs is to choose a 6x6 rf camera that feels right to you, and crop. What you waste in film is counter balanced by ease of use (rather than holding a 645 rf camera vertically to get a horizontal) and versatility - sometimes a square or a vertical format fits an image best, and you get to decide this at your leisure, after the fact. And every time, you simply use the camera the same way. That's just my view on this, YMMV.
 
No experience with them, but the Fuji GA645 series looks like a convenient camera to turn on its side :D. Auto everything => less controls to manipulate => easier to hold in awkward positions.
 
dct said:
And this is why I asked. Couldn't believe of vertical film transport beeing impossible for a RF constructiion. :(
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It's not - but then you end up with a Linhof Technika 70, and handiness and light weight go out the window.

Having said that, there's no real difficulty in using a 645 rangefinder tipped over on one side.
 
Dude.... Turn the camera sideways. It's no different than turning a 35mm RFor SLR for portrait. Or a big 6x9 like the fuji gw690iii for Portrait. Speaking of Fuji if your serious about 645rF I recomend you take a close look at the Fuji.
 
I was hesitant to buy a 6x4.5 RF because of the portrait orientation. But am glad I did. It's great for shooting both cityscapes, street and landscape. I do occasionally turn it on it's side, but really like the portrait orientation. I know that's not what the OP is asking for, but I had the same worry and it turned out to be a non-issue.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=78552143@N00&q=RF645
 
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