Medium format equivalent of Leica rf and...

[dnemoc]

Hi Guys!

Does there exist a medium-format equivalent of Leica rangefinders? I've heard that Mamiya 7 does a good job. Anyone with suggestions/opinions/comments? I'm extremely happy with my Leica gear, make no mistake 🙂; just wondering about the possibility 🙄

Best regards,
- Debasish.

 

[FrankS]

1.) Choose your format: Bronica RF645, Mamiya 6, Fuji 6x7

 

[Pablito]

also check out the Fuji GS645 in the classifieds

 

[Revolucion Artistico]

I have the mamiya 7 and am very happy with it. I wouldn't compare the overall "feel" of the camera to a leica rangefinder though.

 

[dnemoc]

I'm sure the Leica `character' is unique, but as far as the negatives are concerned, modulo the differences between 35mm and 6x7 (or 6x6), in terms of sharpness, `leading into', contrast, does Mamiya 7 compare well with, say, a new summicron 50?

 

[Mafufo Acilu]

In terms of quility of the images, any medium format is better than small format leicas. Like Leica is renowned for good quality glass, hasselblad and rollei reserve this position within the MF area.

 

[FrankS]

clear advantage larger negative!

 

[Todd.Hanz]

all of the Mamiya lenses are rated at the top, you'll be very pleased if you like to shoot brick walls or newspapers 😉 The lenses are slower than summicrons (f4 vs. f2) but the results are outstanding.

Todd

 

[Solinar]

There was a Mamiya 7II up for grabs in the classifieds with a 43mm WA and finder earlier today.

The 80mm is the normal lens and compared to the above pair will be relatively inexpensive.

The extra film real estate makes a huge difference. Each frame is about four 35mm negs.

 

[Meleica]

Fuji 645 cameras:
http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/fujirf.htm


Fuji 6x7 and 6x9 cameras
http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/fuji670.htm

I prefer the Zi with 4 focal lenghts - the Quad-Elmar of Med format !

Dan

 

[Ash]

why go medium format?? for a slightly larger body, get a Razzedog 4x5 rangefinder!! 😀

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~razzle/

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Some call Plaubel Makinas "Texas Leicas"...

Chris

 

[dnemoc]

🙂 Thanks for the replies guys... very helpful. I have a Rolleicord and a Zeiss Ikoflex... I started off with 120 film and not 35mm; the advantage of larger negatives is very clear indeed, and it's one of the reasons why I fancy a small enough MF rangefinder (contradictory requirements indeed 🙂). I've done some street pictures with my Rolleicord, but am not happy with the results, and also the location wasn't good enough for real `street' flavor 🙁

Currently I can't buy another MF kit for sure, but some Mamiya-7 pictures I've seen on flickr have stirred me quite a bit, so I'm gathering information and keeping track of stuff. I've not seen too many examples of Makina and Fuji, so my judgement is quite skewed; I'll have to look more. The Mamiya lenses aren't fast, but in good light conditions they're really good, judging by the pictures. Where my Leica scores the most is difficult light conditions; the character of the lenses is unmistakable and they always deliver.

Perhaps a comparison between the Leica and any MF camera is difficult to make, the two are so different, but it's always interesting to stir the pot, set up a debate and gain from all your insights.

 

[Meleica]

here are some of my Fuji 645Zi photos (although these small compressed images are nothing compared to the 16x20 inch prints I have:

 

[Finder]

No Leica I know of can compare with my Mamiya 6 or 6MF. You need to set your sights higher.

🙂

 

[raid]

Well, my Fujica GL690 with its 6x9 format and the super sharp 100mm/3.5 lens is unbeatable in my opinion, or is lens for the the Mamiya 6/7 sharper?

 

[morgan]

Not to hijack the thread, but I'm also interested in picking up a MF camera. I see the possibilities with just my holga, and the MF stuff I've seen around is just amazing. What's the general consensus on the mamiya 645e?

 

[steamer]

No one has mentioned the big Contax 645.

 

[NickTrop]

If one is considering the Barnack philosophy of "a small pocketable camera which can easily be taken everywhere" I would recommend a restored MF folder from Certo6 on eBay (or website). Look for a model with a rangefinder. I would suggest an Iskra (first model. The second has a probably not working or accurate selenium light meter that adds bulk). Another consideration is the Agfa Super Isolette.

All the cameras suggested here in the above posts - great cameras I'm sure, (and imo nothing tops MF for image quality and portability; you can't really go wrong with any of these) but they're certainly not "Leica like" from the "pocketability" perspective.

I don't think what you're asking for really exists because when I think "Leica" I think a small rangefinder camera with great fast glass. MF's always have slower lenses - f3.5, (Many excellent Zeiss Jena Pentacon 6 mounts have a very usable f2.8, the fastest I'm familiar with/own but the bodies for these lenses are certainly not "pocketable" unless you happen to be Andre the Giant) and the cameras are much, much larger. A folder with a rangefinder won't give you the fast glass but they are the most portable. They're also much less expensive, even restored, than the cameras mentioned above.

 

[jamiewakeham]

Pentacon-6 fit 180/2.8... Not Pocketable. Wonderful glass, though.

As Roger Hicks points out in several of his books, the point here is that pretty much regardless of the glass used, any MF will simply blow even the very finest 35mm neg. I'm confident that a 6x6 frame shot using my £30 russian Arsat would show more detail, blown up, than a 35mm frame using a modern summicron.

Having said that, I could contemplate carrying a Leica and a 'cron around all day. Different cameras for different jobs.

Jamie