compact 120 rangefinder?

dazedgonebye said:
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Have that one too.
And yes, it is amazingly small!

Edit: Except I got the Enna Ennit lens, which is a blast.
 
Zeiss Ikonta, 523/16, with an Voigtlander accessory rangefinder.

The 524/16 model has a uncoupled rangefinder.

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Lots of good suggestions already. If 4.5x6 is acceptable, they can be considerably lighter than 6x6. Comparing the only two examples I have, my Petri R.F weighs 21 ounces, my ISKRA weighs 32 ounces. The Petri weighs only 2/3 what the ISKRA does. Also, you can put an accessory rangefinder in the shoe of many rangefinderless folders.
 
I have been on the same quest, and am now a proud owner of a Plaubel Makina 670.

These are the main reasons why I chose the Plaubel:
- Very small for a medium format camera
- Sharp and fairly fast lens (2.8) Nikkor Lens
- Parallax error correction in viewfinder
- Built-in meter
- Leaf shutter
- Plaubel still services these cameras today (mine was last serviced in March of this year)
- Hot Shoe

I went out on my first shoot today (just got it today), and must say it's really comfortable to carry this camera around. It weighs less than 1.5 kilos (about 3 pounds). Unfortunately it's a bit rare and thus pricey; however, my Leica M8 will hopefully soon make up for it ;-)
 
The Zeiss 532/16 is a nice option with coupled rangefinder. The one I have is in excellent condition and takes great photos. Not too big, really. Be sure these old folders are in perfect condition if you buy one, though. The finder in mine is hazy, and having one CLA'ed is expensive, so I don't use mine much. A more modern camera might be a better deal overall.
 
I have sold my Hassel because it was not compact at all. I also have sold my Zeiss Super Ikonta III - it is a great small 6x6 - because I have to fund a Bessa III which has arrived yesterday. It is so great, so easy to handle, like a Leica M8 or M7, build well. Here three of my first roll. The last one is at 3.5 and 1/15. All Neopan 400 in Tmax Dev and Canoscan 8600f.
 

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Bronica RF645

Bronica RF645

I'd also recommend the Bronica RF645 (which i got from another RFF member). Smaller format, but you get a lot of pics on a 220 roll! I had to decide what to take on a recent trip and ended up not taking the the Mamiya 7 due to its size and need for more frequent film changes, took the Bronica, 2 lenses and still had room for an R4A and 35 Summarit in a small bag! The Bronica feels nice and isn't overwhelming for street.
Folders are another solution though. And instead of the Bessa III, I recommend his brother, the Fuji GF670 which is a chrome version and a heck of a lot cheaper!
 
Have to 3rd (or 4th) the Bronica rf. Smashingly good camera in my opinion. I stayed away from the Fuji and Bronica offerings due to the whole vertical thing but it takes about 3 mins to get used to it (or rotating the camera).
 
I've got to go off-topic and agree with the other Rob. The avatar is great. My first camera in about 1967 was a very similar, though rather smaller Instamatic. Feeling a sudden rush of nostalgia.

robbeiflex said:
Mzungu, your avatar rocks! Sorry for the off topic, I haven't used a 120 RF, but someone had to say it.

Cheers,
Rob
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Although it's not super compact, the Hassy SWC variants are along those lines. I carry mine around a lot, and it is quicker on the draw than an
SLR.
 
Another vote for the Bronica RF645. It is relatively compact and handles like a smaller camera due to its wonderful ergonomics. Nothing beats folders for MF compactness, but if you are used to an M6 with built-in metering and speed of use, you will be more comfortable with a modern camera. Also consider the look you want from your images. Photos from an old folder will not look like those from your M6 or Hassy.

Steve
 
Another one you might want to take a look at is the the Fuji GS645S Wide 60. Gives you close to the same FOV as a 35mm on the M6.
 
mamiya 6 folding camera wanted

mamiya 6 folding camera wanted

If anyone knows of a mamiya 6 (the folding variety, vintage 1940's-1950's) for sale please let me know. I saw one 30 years ago and have been meaning to track one down since. Many thanks.
 
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