Medium format cameras with electronic shutters ... aside from the RF645?

Keith

Keith

The best camera is one that still works!
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While trying to do some double exposures with my 67ii Pentax I realised it's virtually impossible to shoot the same scene twice without getting image registration variations. Partly because the act of re-cocking the shutter with the multiple exposure lever activated is bound to move the camera slightly unless it's set in concrete no matter how careful you are ... and I've also disovered that the film does actually advance a very small amount during the process ... only a fraction of a millimeter but enough that it matters! If you're going to shoot two entirely different exposures on the same piece of film ... no problem of course but thats not generally the way I do my multiple exposures. I tend to shoot the same scene twice, adding or subtracting subjects and/or items for the second exposure.

My RF645 has this issue licked because it has a multiple exposure capability via an ME button on the back of the camera ... press this button and the next press of the shutter release will activate the lens shutter even though you haven't advanced the film. Because the Bronica re-cocks it's shutter electronically you barely have to touch the camera between exposures at all if you're using a cable release, which makes it rellativelly simple to get two or more identical images overlapping perfectly!

What other cameras out there are capable of this? I know I can do it with my Crown Graphic with it's lens shutter but the Crown is LF and LF isn't always the logical choice or solution for this type of mayhem!

Yeah yeah ... I know ... use photoshop! (not bloody likely!) :D
 
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All the new ones?

Contax 645
Hasselblad H's
Hy6/Afi's
Mamiya AF's
Fuji's Rangefinders

Don't want to recommend the rollei 6000 series simply because they are battery dependent and the battery is propriety. So once it's life starts to get tired you'd be hard pressed to find another one.

Probably a few more too.
 
Interesting question, Kieth. I was aware of the problem of camera-movement when manually re-cocking the shutter, but I thought I had it covered with a motordrive for my Mamiya M645 (and a sturdy tripod). I hadn't thought of residual film micro-advance, though. I think the multi-exposure lever should decouple the transport mechanism completely. Thank you for giving me a nice project to test this.

Greetings,

Dirk
 
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Neare said:
Don't want to recommend the rollei 6000 series simply because they are battery dependent and the battery is propriety. So once it's life starts to get tired you'd be hard pressed to find another one.
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Actually, you can find replacement packs for the battery. I did it on the battery for my Rollei SLX and it works really well. They cost US$40 on *bay compare to >US$150 for a "new" battery.
 
SimonSawSunlight said:
Mamiya 6, 7, 7II =)
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Simon,

I was checking the specs of the Mamiya 7 and under the section that describes multi exposures it says you still have to use the advance lever to re-cock the shutter after disengaing the transport mechanism via a sliding lever on the back of the camera ... so you're still having to apply force to the camera in some form!

The Bronica appears to re-cock it's shutter with a small internal motor of some type after each exposure. The advance lever is purel for film transport and nothing else! I was mainly curious to find out if any other MF camera works this way!

I'm quite happy to use the RF645 for doing the type of stuff I described but more negative is always better if feasible ... 6x4.5 is the low end of the scale in MF and I really like 6x7 in preference to the square.
 
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Keith

any old time folder, with the shutter cocking separate from film advance can work like your Crown does.
 
sanmich said:
Keith

any old time folder, with the shutter cocking separate from film advance can work like your Crown does.
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This is where it gets tricky, because although you are right being able to change lenses is also nice! :D

I can't complain because I have the choice of the Bronica or the Crown but something in between would be nice ... and it was disappointing to find out that it was beyond the Pentax's capabilities! :p
 
Keith said:
This is where it gets tricky, because although you are right being able to change lenses is also nice! :D

I can't complain because I have the choice of the Bronica or the Crown but something in between would be nice ... and it was disappointing to find out that it was beyond the Pentax's capabilities! :p
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Ok, you asked for it :p

Koni Omega!
 
I loved my KO - I first used one in elementary school to take team photos for the yearbook. Spoiled me for many years. A few years ago I got one for myself and I was certainly right about the quality - but what a beast to lug around. Sold it in a fit of weakness.... (smacks forehead)....
 
Keith said:
OMG ... I just googled Koni Omega! :eek:

What a beast ... I want one! :p
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Now look for the Omegaflex.

Seriously, though, the Rollei 6000 series is probably the most civilised 6x6 system out there. Loading film is a no-brainer, metering is in-body, handling is fine, multiple exposure is but a twist of a knob away, and the lenses available are superb. Even autofocus is available if that's your bag.

They are a gamble, as servicing ain't easy to find, especially for the earlier models. Admit it, though - a 180mm f/2.8 with flash sync up to 1/500s makes your mouth water, doesn't it?
 
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Hi all,

Keith, you may try the Mamiya RB67, that cocks the shuter independently of the film advance (two different levers).

Cheers
 
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goros said:
Hi all,

Keith, you may try the Mamiya RB67, that cocks the shuter independently of the film advance (two different levers).

Cheers
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I was checking the specs for that very capable but heavy camera ... and at giveaway prices no less!

MF is so cheap for such a thrill ... keep your M9s!

:D
 
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