Maybe you can help: Klasse W, Natura, GR1, Mamiya Universal, Fuji 6x9, or xpan?!

[PatrickCheung]

Yeah... different ends of the spectrum... or more like... all parts of the spectrum. This is more of a hypothetical... game... than me seeking advice! Though, your opinions could possibly lead to a purchase on my end, so contributions are more than welcome 🙂

THE PREMISE:

So I'm currently working an internship in Hong Kong and I've been toying with the idea of acquiring a new camera. Nothing is set in stone yet because pay isn't high, cameras here are generally overpriced, and I don't have access to my Canadian bank account to which my paypal is connected to (can't pay off my bills!)

BUT... it's always fun thinking of what you COULD POSSIBLY own!

With my current situation, the most I'd allow myself to spend would be roughly $500-600 CAD/USD, or $3500-4200HKD (about half a month's pay.) Most of these cameras can be had for less than/around this budget.

THE BACKGROUND:

I guess it'd help to know a little more about me and what I like to photograph, or how I photograph. My school works on a 4 month rotation, we study for 4 months in a small town in Canada, then we take part in an internship for 4 months anywhere we please. Our first semester of our 4th year is spent in Rome. We basically alternate between travelling to big cities/new places and staying in a quaint little town.

As such, my photography really depends on the location. At school or in a place I'm familiar with (say, the city of Toronto), I like to take my time and play with larger formats, especially 4x5 and polaroid...

When I'm in a new place (even if it's within Canada, say Vancouver), I like to keep it light and snappy, easy to move... often scale focusing and snapping away on a 35mm camera, usually a compact but sometimes a rangefinder.

There are a few exceptions though, I've recently found a bargain Pen F (basically paid for the lens, got the body "free") and began slowing down my process here in Hong Kong, and I sometimes shoot polaroid, which "slows me down" as well.

Of course, bulk and weight are factors in all this... when I'm close to home, I don't mind carrying a larger camera. But boarding a plane and living in a new place means I'm more prone to a smaller camera.

WHAT I ALREADY HAVE:

I have quite a bit and I'm quite happy with it, but you know the itch.

- Magical M-mount: M8, CL, 25/4 Color Skopar, 15/4.5 Super Wide Heliar, Canon 35/2, Canon 100/4
- Sexy S-Mount: Nikon S2, Jupiter 12, Nikkor 50/1.4
- Orgiastic Olympus Optics: Pen F + 38/1.8, XA2, OM-1 + 50/1.8
- Curious compacts: Yashica T4
- Lovely Large Format: Crown Graphic
- Playful Polaroids: Land 100, SX-70

I'm considering selling the following as well: SX-70, Canon 100/4, and Nikkor 50/1.4 S.

THE CHOICES:

So now we have a few candidates for my hypothetical but totally possible "next camera".

- Klasse W: 28mm is a favourite of mine, and fuji makes some fine lenses, cameras, and film. The Klasse W seems like a fully capable camera and I've always wanted to try one, but I'm on the fence as I sold my Contax T2 because it felt like overkill, and I had a T4 which I felt was "good enough". My only gripe with the T4 is that 35mm isn't always wide enough for me.

- Natura S: fast 24mm lens, wonderful samples on flickr... I defintely prefer this to the Klasse because of that interesting lens character. Seems more versatile. I have a greater reason to keep this than the Klasse.

- Ricoh GR1: Wide, sharp, pocketable. Wonderful form factor, would not have a reason to leave this one at home, whether I'm at home or abroad. Seems like a great choice as a "do-it-all" compact.

- Fuji 6x9: Wonderful lens + large negatives = big prints in the darkroom! My girlfriend and I have wanted this one for a while... but we're just worried about the size. She'd refuse to carry it if we took it out...

- Mamiya Universal: a more versatile GOOSE, can fill that manual-polaroid/medium-format hole in my collection. Drawback is that it's huuuuge, and sourcing all the proper backs may be time-consuming/wallet-emptying, but I'd absolutely love it with a polaroid back and some FP-3000B

- Hassy XPAN/Fuji TX-1: And the last fuji of the list... the TX-1/Xpan. My girlfriend and I have been dreaming about this one too, and it'd definitely be a joint purchase (hence why it's on this list... with the budget and all). We could get some pretty sweet panoramas, AND it has a 35mm mode... what's not to like? Pricey though... and we're afraid it's gimmicky.

I'm also always open to suggestions 🙂 If you've got any favourites that fall within that budget, please feel free to mention them!

NO REPEATS: WHAT I'VE OWNED:

I've tried/owned a whole bunch of cameras in my past few years and I don't want repeats!

Here's what I'm expecting/has come up in suggestions that I have already owned:
- Olympus XA
- Olympus Mju/Mju2
- a TLR (Rollei, Yashica, Minolta!)
- Contax T2
- Nikon AF600/lite touch
- Barnack Leica and/or clone (dunno if it'd come up... but I've bought a Zorki to use as a scale focus!)

THE PHOTOS I TAKE:

At home...:

Abroad:

SO! Knowing all this... anyone have any suggestions? 🙂

 

[Brian Legge]

Your existing cameras cover a wide range (film and digital 35mm, wide and long, automatic and manual, small and large format).

Are there any examples of photos you couldn't take - or gear that would change your ability to take them easily?

Perhaps ditch the T4 for something wider, consider consolidating 35mm options with more sales and pick up either something medium format or the XPan (since I is outside your current budget).

Edit: have you considered a TLR? Most arent bad to carry, could work well for portrait and street shooting, affordable options. Or a medium format SLR with 50mm lens? Bronica and Mamiya options are reasonable priced.

 

[mrksgrn]

Great shots, lots of emotion. +1 from me for the GR1, the form factor and rugged body really makes it a great compact.

 

[jsrockit]

X-Pan seems to give you something new if you need a new toy to play with...

 

[lam]

I agree, the only thing you're missing is an X-Pan to play with. I loved mine, and sometimes regret it. Otherwise I think you are very well setup. As always enjoy your shots.

 

[Brian Legge]

On the 6x9 front, I just picked up a converted Medalist II. The handling is nutty and it's not a light camera but I love the results. It may be more palatable than the Fuji 6x9. You could also consider a 2x3 with 6x9 back. That would be lighter and a bit harder to compose, you you could also throw a wide angle lens on it and scale focus.

 

[PatrickCheung]

Brian: I don't think there's any kind of shot that I have missed because of a camera... but there are tons that I've missed because of me! You know, hesitation, indecisiveness, sometimes fear (a group of tattoo'd men smoking cigarettes around a trash bin in a dark alley... great shot, just... you know.)

I have tried a TLR! But I've never found them too friendly for what I do.

And the T4 was actually a gift from my girlfriend, I wouldn't want to part with that! It's a very fine camera though. I think what I'm seeking is a "fresh" experience.

mrksgrn: I'm seriously considering the GR1... there are a few places here that carry them for reasonable prices. It's a wonderful camera that I can see myself keeping for long term just because it's so practical. But it also runs the risk of falling into that category of "excessive" that my Contax T2 fell into, especially with the Yashica T4 in my collection and the high price of the GR1.

jsrockit: That would certainly be a new experience! Though it'd be a joint purchase with my girlfriend... hope she'd be willing!

I should add this (and I'll update the original post):

I've tried/owned a whole bunch of cameras in my past few years and I don't want repeats!

Here's what I'm expecting/has come up in suggestions that I have already owned:
- Olympus XA
- Olympus Mju/Mju2
- a TLR (Rollei, Yashica, Minolta!)
- Contax T2
- Nikon AF600/lite touch
- Barnack Leica and/or clone (dunno if it'd come up... but I've bought a Zorki to use as a scale focus!)

 

[PatrickCheung]

Double post but new comments were added...

Dave: I believe it was your XPan that made me want one... you had the 50 R-Cron attached to it right? Such a sweet set up! And thanks for the compliment!

Brian: My girlfriend actually has a 2x3 Speedy with a 6x7 back which we use with a Zeiss 100/3.5.... wonderful set up and a 6x9 back is definitely an option! Thanks for that suggestion... will tell her now!!! A converted medalist... will take a look!

 

[Frank Petronio]

The Mamiya Universal is really heavy and kind of crude. I had a Kodak Medalist converted and it was also a heavy lump and the handling made handheld shooting at anything less than 1/200 a crapshot because the shutter release tends to rotate the camera. All in all, I was very happy to go back to a reliable, sharp, and all-around excellent Fuji 6x9. With the faster ISO 3200 120 B&W film it becomes a very versatile all-arounder that works within a couple of stops of where a Leica will.

More than the XPan or other wide, flat cameras... I'd consider a 35mm rotating lens Noblex or (good) Widelux to shake things up while remaining relatively compact and affordable.

 

[PatrickCheung]

Thanks for the suggetion frank! It's good to know that the 6x9 is a good performer... a reliable camera is all one needs! I'm just wary of medium format because... well... there's a reason why I don't own one now... I just don't know why. I've owned multiple medium format cameras but I just can't seem to keep them. Maybe the 6x9 will change that, maybe not!

I've suggested a rotating lens camera to my girlfriend too! It's definitely a consideration!

 

[lam]

Oo a Noblex or Widelux would be a pretty interesting camera there i'd think.

I did own a X-Pan with S.K. Grimes converted 50mm Summicron-R and enjoyed it as my daily carry, along with the standard 45mm f4 Hasselblad lens. Certainly useful for such instances when pano was the answer, but the sweet spot lens for the X-Pan/TX-1 is that insane price 30mm. Cheaper to get a wide Nikkor and get it converted to work.

 

[Lucadomi]

I am not sure how you feel about folders, but the folding Fujica gs645 professional is pretty nice (if you fiind a good one with good bellows). There is also a fixed lens wide version, scale focus this one.

 

[mfogiel]

Whay you want is a 25 or 28mm lens on an AE body, plus a 35-40mm lens for slower stuff. You already have the CL and the 25/ Skopar. What you need, is a Bessa R4A for the Skopar, and a 40mm lens for your CL. The 25 lens set at f8 with a Tri X @500 will get you covered to do this kind of shots:

CAFFE' A MILANO # 12 by mfogiel, on Flickr

MENDICANTE by mfogiel, on Flickr

ROOFS OVER THE DORDOGNE # 3, BEYNAC by mfogiel, on Flickr

While the CL with the 40mm will do this:

2008070520 by mfogiel, on Flickr

20111709 by mfogiel, on Flickr

20113505 by mfogiel, on Flickr

I would also keep an SLR with the good old 50-58mm for portraiture, like this:

WOMAN, SARLAT by mfogiel, on Flickr

201211431 by mfogiel, on Flickr

Get rid of fancy stuff, and concentrate on the photos.

 

[GaryLH]

In 35mm, have u thought about contax t, the folding pocketable rf camera instead.

I have the xpan, it is a great camera.. The only down side is the center filter on the 30 means that u really need to shoot faster film or shoot on brighter days.. The 45 the center filter is optional, kind of depends on your taste. W/ the 35 normal to pan switch option available as a mid roll switch, it is really great. I have had this camera since it was released. U can't go wrong getting this camera.

I have had both the wide and normal version of the Fuji 6x9 cameras. Nothing outside of a 4x5 or 9x12 negative beats a well developed 6x9 negative in terms tonal quality.... If weight is a factor consider a folder such a the voightlander Bessa II. It is more compact and weighs less. I stopped using my Fuji 6x9s after I acquired my first Bessa II. The focusing dial Is on the camera body and the shutter release is on the left hand side. The shutter release is the one thing that may be an issue for some since it is not the normal right hand one. When looking at these cameras, first thing to do is check the front standard for issues such as alignment such.

If u want a more modern design, then the Fuji gf670/Voitglander Bessa 3 w/ aperture priority and option for 6x6 and 6x7 is also a good choice.

Good luck
Gary

 

[GaryLH]

Since u were thinking about the mamiya universal, I will add another unique camera to the lst for u to think about. The graflex xlsw which is not a rf camera, comes w/ a 47f8 lens, grafloc back, has option to use both 6x9 film holders or rolls film backs from 6x6 to 6x9 from the baby graflex setup of old.

https://www.google.com/search?q=gra...hl=en&client=safari#biv=i|0;d|LBdTwbUY4a0qYM:

Gary

 

[PatrickCheung]

Wonderful suggestions all 🙂

Dave, if I end up with an xpan someday, I'll be asking you for help with these lenses 😛 You seem to know everything!

lucadomi and Gary, I enjoy folders, and all the MF folder suggestions are wonderful! But I'm not sure if that's what I'm currently looking for aside from the 6x9 ones mentioned! The Graflex XLSW will need a bit more research... definitely cool looking!

I'm leaning towards a Klasse W and GR1 right now though, I saw a GR1s for about $410 in great condition with manual, and a Klasse W in great condition for about $500. Real tempting, especially that GR1. You know, with Daido Moriyama and all...

 

[kzphoto]

Buy something which changes the way you see! Look at the X-pan, widelux, etc. You've shot large format, polaroid and other formats, so you have the experience with a larger lens. I would look at the panoramic options to visualize new ways of composing.