Ironclad Medium Format Cameras

[mfogiel]

As my Contax 645 has started having hiccups yesterday, I've realised that I have various camera systems that are inevitably exposed to the risk of becoming no longer serviceable in a not so distant future.
It's not like I need to be planning for 50 years ahead - if I'm lucky I have 20-30 years to go. Still, I would be quite upset seeing some cameras I rely on to become unusable, also, because some of the lens lines are not easily adaptable within the MF. The prime example is the Contax 645 line, which is pretty much unique, and I have 5 lenses and an extender that are at risk of being stranded.
So, while my 35mm stuff is well covered by mechanical Leicas and Nikon F2 bodies, and in 6x6 I have several TLR's and Hasselblads, the formats where I'm exposed are 645 ( Bronica RF, Pentax 645N, Contax 645) and 6x7 ( Pentax 6x7 and 67II).
What would be in your opinion a really ironclad all mechanical camera, with good reliability record and hopes for serviceability long in the future in these two formats to think of?
Ah, if this is not yet clear: I'm not intending to shoot digital.
Thanks

 

[JChrome]

Take any Fuji 6x9 rangefinder. They are bombproof.

My Mamiya Press is also bombproof.

I used to have the Pentax 67 (a couple of them). They felt reliable. I also had a Mamiya RZ67 and it felt pretty solid. But I'd put money behind the first two cameras any day of the week.

My Rolleiflex TLR is finicky but I love it.

 

[harpofreely]

Bronica 645 is so cheap these days, you could probably stock up a couple of decades worth. And the Pentax 6x7 is not far behind. But I suspect that within 10 years, no one will be fixing anything except Leica, Hasselblad, and Rollei TLRs.

 

[Texsport]

The Fujica 670, 680, and 690 cameras were originally made for hard professional use, and continue to be extremely reliable today.

I have 6 of them, and every one operates perfectly with actually no maintenance.

If you are going to shoot medium format, a 6X9 negative pretty much trumps the smaller 6X4.5, 6X6, and 6X7 cameras because you can selectively crop down to smaller dimensions to maximize image content quality.

The Fujicas are very reliable - and BTW, before anyone makes a mistaken statement - are lighter weight than Pentax 67 and Notita 66 cameras.

Texsport

 

[RedLion]

I got rid of all my medium format cameras except for the Rolleiflex.

For 35mm cameras, when they break you just get another one. They're that cheap. For example I recently got a Canon Photura for only $0.99 it it takes FANTASTIC photos!

 

[littleearth]

Alpa 12 TC with a couple of backs and Schneider lenses !

 

[Calzone]

The Fujica 670, 680, and 690 cameras were originally made for hard professional use, and continue to be extremely reliable today.

I have 6 of them, and every one operates perfectly with actually no maintenance.

If you are going to shoot medium format, a 6X9 negative pretty much trumps the smaller 6X4.5, 6X6, and 6X7 cameras because you can selectively crop down to smaller dimensions to maximize image content quality.

The Fujicas are very reliable - and BTW, before anyone makes a mistaken statement - are lighter weight than Pentax 67 and Notita 66 cameras.

Texsport

Marek,

Plus one on the Fujicas. I own a GM670 and a GL690 with a 65/8.0, 100/3.5 and 150/5.6 so with three lenses I have 6 FOV's. Also bought a 100/3.5 AE with a dead CdS cell that I had Frank Marshman install the EBC multicoated glass into a chrome manual lens barrel to have a custom lens.

The Fugicas are overbuilt simple cameras with no electronics. Nothing like a big negative (6X9).

BTW I own a Pentax 67II also and it is bigger and heavier than any Fuji.

Cal

 

[johannielscom]

Try a Kodak Medalist Marek, they are tough enough to use as construction tools and the 3.5/100mm is great. Ken Ruth (photography on bald mountain) converts them from 620 to 120 camera's.

 

[Spanik]

I see 2 options:
- you go with a very common system like Mamiya 645 that was made in large numbers and can be found anywhere for reasonable prices and has an enormous choice. They still even make new cameras and lenses.
- you go to a very simple camera like the old Fuji's 670/690 or Mamiya Press that use very common shutters that were made to last and can be serviced by a lot of people.

Something like the Mamiya Cxxx series sits in between those. Bronica RF is too fragile and lenses are not that common to find. I like the idea of the Alpa but not the price 😉

 

[Robert Lai]

Another recommendation for the Kodak Medalist II. They were used by the US military for a reason!

 

[FrozenInTime]

Linhof 612 PCII - mechanically simple , built like a tank :

LF lenses in focus mounts - 58,65 and 135 are commonly available.

 

[Calzone]

Marek,

I failed to mention that for a 21mm FOV for 6x9 I use a Plaubel 69W Proshift. Like the Fujicas a leaf shutter and a simple film transport. Fastest loading roll camera I own and it has shifts for perspective control. I love how the VF'er periscopes with the shifts and the film transport is a modified Mamiya Press 120 back. No electronics. The 47/5.6 is a Schnieder Super Augulon.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Linhof 612 PCII - mechanically simple , built like a tank :

LF lenses in focus mounts - 58,65 and 135 are commonly available.

WOW. I love your camera.

Cal

 

[Moto-Uno]

+1 Medalist,most of the mechanics are easily accessed.
+1 Fujica,another tough and easily maintained camera
However neither are in the suggested format. I'd love to suggest the ETR based Bronicas,but their default batteryless (sp) shutter speed of 1/500 pretty well eliminates that. And my fave 6x7 (Mamiya 7), pity it's only mechanical feature is advancing the film.
Peter

 

[Calzone]

Alpa 12 TC with a couple of backs and Schneider lenses !

WOW. I did a little research on the Alpa 12. What a cool and expensive camera.

Cal

 

[f16sunshine]

Recently I learned the Contax 645 lenses can be adapted to the Leica S system.
Just so it does not go unsaid, your lenses need not become orphans if the cameras go the way of the dodo 😉

 

[jsrockit]

WOW. I love your camera.

Cal

Haha, I knew you'd like that one Cal.

 

[ruby.monkey]

Get a few A16 backs for your Hasselblad and you've got 645 covered.

6x7... try a Mamiya RB67.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

As my Contax 645 has started having hiccups yesterday, ..... The prime example is the Contax 645 line, which is pretty much unique,.....
Thanks

Yes, it certainly is unique, and IMO not quite duplicable by anything else.. All told, if you like what it and the lenses do, nothing else is going to be the same. As I said, IMO.

I've got two Contax 645 bodies as a failsafe against having to switch to something else. The biggest reliability issue, in terms of not-being-able-to fix, seems to be problems with the electronic shutter. At this point Nippon Photo Clinic in NYC still has NOS replacements for those, as well as parts for other Contax 645 repairs. I've had one body done when the shutter acted up and I'm good for another 20-30 years. Camera, probably not me.

In the whole overall scheme of things, shipping to NYC from Europe not that big of a deal if you really love the camera. There are other options as others are pointing out, but this one certainly exists as well. Fantastic body and lens combo, no real reason to let it go if you don't want to.

www.nipponphotoclinic.com

 

[Calzone]

Haha, I knew you'd like that one Cal.

John,

What's not to like about the Linhof?

The 80/4.5 is about a 26mm FOV... I could see pairing the 80 with a 150/5.6.

The Alpa has Phase One capabilities... Achromatic back (monochrome)... hmmm.

Cal