Medium Format

[Kai-san]

Yes, I had forgotten about the G adapter for the Universal. And I never heard of a 645 back for the Press cameras. Do you know who made them?

It's a Mamiya multi format back Type K that lets you choose between 6x4.5, 6x6 and 6x9 format. It comes with three different masks. The film is advanced with a knob, and you have to use one of three different red windows at the back (you cover up the ones you do not use by means of sliders). If you buy one just make sure all three masks are present.

 

[oftheherd]

It's a Mamiya multi format back Type K that lets you choose between 6x4.5, 6x6 and 6x9 format. It comes with three different masks. The film is advanced with a knob, and you have to use one of three different red windows at the back (you cover up the ones you do not use by means of sliders). If you buy one just make sure all three masks are present.

Ah, that was the one I was referring to but I thought it only had 6x6, 6x7, and 6x9. But I think it required masks for the viewfinder for which format and which lens. I never had that back so I may be wrong. I have seen them show up on ebay but very, very rarely. You may have the back and therefore would have more knowledge and experience.

I went for other accessories like lenses, cut film/ground glass backs and extension tubes. I got the Press over the Universal by chance, but as I got used to using it and its accessories, I was glad. Although I never used the bellows back other than to experiment. I just wish it wasn't so heavy as my back is in really bad shape.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

I’ve been setting up my 500cm for 6x4.5, and it’s less than ideal with portrait lenses. There’s no right hand grip! I should have gotten a Bronica.

Here’s a list of what you’ll need:

A16 back
42146 mask
90-degree finder: HC-1, HC-4 (often confused with HC-3), PM90, or PME90
Pistol grip
Focusing lever

Aizan, that's quite a set-up. I'd really want to be committed to the rectangular outcome...I've always gone the simple way of cropping in the darkroom. For some of the real attractive 645 cameras like the Bronica RF and the Fuji 645, I just couldn't work with the portrait orientation being the standard. Many ways to skin a cat though.

 

[Godfrey]

As some here have mentioned, the Mamiya Super Press has backs for 6x7 and 6x9. There is also a back that has 6x9, 6x7, and 6x6, but I don't know that is anything you would wish to consider given you asked for a 645 capability. ...

You can get 6x4.5 backs for Mamiya Press and Universal Press, I've got one myself. You can also get a motorized 6x8 back for these cameras using a G adapter.

Mamiya Press 23 Super with 50mm lens and Multformat 120 Roll Film Back:

😀

I've so far been unable to find the 6x6 and 6x4.5 masks required to use all three formats, so I use it as a 6x9 camera. (You can't change between formats with film loaded since the masks fit into the film gate before you fit the film.)

G

 

[charjohncarter]

My Rolleiflex has a 6x4.5 mask (and also a mask for the ground glass viewer) but as above you can't change mid-roll.

I only have used it once or twice:

2006 Rolleiflex (645 mask) Tmax400 by John Carter, on Flickr

But as above (Godfrey)(Mamiya Super 23) I use a 6x9 back and have a slick (ratchet advance) 6x7 back and I can change them but each back has to have its own roll.

 

[oftheherd]

Mamiya Press 23 Super with 50mm lens and Multformat 120 Roll Film Back:

😀

I've so far been unable to find the 6x6 and 6x4.5 masks required to use all three formats, so I use it as a 6x9 camera. (You can't change between formats with film loaded since the masks fit into the film gate before you fit the film.)

G

Good looking outfit there. Thanks for showing the back and showing that back does indeed have a 645 feature. I should have tried to find some documentation I have on the Super Press and Universal. I know it is on my computer somewhere but I haven't looked for it in a long while due to the fact I haven't been able to use that gear.

More the shame since that is such a great camera system, and system it is. BTW it is a rangefinder as well. 😛

 

[besk]

The G back on the Mamiya Super 23 or Universal allows you to use all kinds of backs that fit the Graflex. The 645 back from a RB67 is one example.

 

[markjwyatt]

My Rolleiflex has a 6x4.5 mask (and also a mask for the ground glass viewer) but as above you can't change mid-roll...

Do you get extra shots on a roll of 120? Or do you just get bigger spaces between shots (in which case, I would ask, "why"?).

 

[Deleted member 65559]

along the same lines

along the same lines

It makes little sense to me to use bigger and bigger cameras to achieve smaller negative size, but I freely admit... that's my personal hangup.

 

[wpb]

The Rolleiflex T had a mask that simultaneously changed the gearing to allow 16 frames on a roll of 120 film but you couldn’t change formats mid-roll.

 

[markjwyatt]

The Rolleiflex T had a mask that simultaneously changed the gearing to allow 16 frames on a roll of 120 film but you couldn’t change formats mid-roll.

Thanks. That sounds worthwhile. But now you have to swing the TLR depending on whether you want landscape or portrait, and why most TLRs are square format. On the other hand now that 220 is not available, this could come in handy for a few extra shots on 120.

 

[Bolo Kukus]

The Rolleiflex T. Twelve exposures on a 120 roll. Zeiss Tessar 80/3.5 in a synchro compur shutter. Probably the most versatile camera in the Rollei arsenal and as good as any F&H in Germany ever made. Yes, German. Need I say more?

Buy an inexpensive (<$50) 16 exposure kit for this camera, and you have sixteen on 120 (seventeen if you work out how to do it). This back gives you horizontals, unlike those pretty but useless Fujis which you have to turn sideways to get the same effect, and often as not distorted verticals.

Add an also inexpensive (<$100) 35mm kit, and voila! you have three entirely different formats in one ergonomically fantastic MF camera, made in Germany before 1975, so about as perfect as they ever got.

The ergonomics of the T as well as the Rolleicord Vb, suit me well. They aren't heavy cameras to work with, unlike the bigger/heavier Rolleis, especially the 2.8 range which compared to my light-bodied T, seem to me to weigh like a brick.

I use the 16 kits on my two Ts almost exclusively. Can't recall the last time I shot 12 on a 120 roll, even tho it's a format I like to work with. Given the high cost of film in Australia, it's a big plus to have 16-17 exposures in one roll. Ditto 35mm, with my 'miniature' kit the 75mm lens becomes more of a telephoto, the negatives are ultra sharp but I find it has limited use, mostly for portraits and close-ups.

There are grey-bodied Rollei Ts which were the earliest models. The later models are black. Both have the legendary Zeiss Tessar 75mm 3.5 which I find has a truly individual 'look' entirely its own. Go for a black-bodied T. Two versions were made, both equally good tho some sources claim the Zeiss Tessar lens in the latter version is (slightly) better than the earlier one.

 

[santino]

There are also folders that support multi formats. I can think of the Zeiss Ercona eg...

 

[charjohncarter]

Do you get extra shots on a roll of 120? Or do you just get bigger spaces between shots (in which case, I would ask, "why"?).

No, 16 shots, as someone said above.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

The Rolleiflex T. Twelve exposures on a 120 roll. Zeiss Tessar 80/3.5 in a synchro compur shutter. Probably the most versatile camera in the Rollei arsenal and as good as any F&H in Germany ever made.

Oz, nice to see someone else who appreciates the 'model T.' I bought mine for under $300 on the bay, piled double that into a Maxwell screen and a Harry Fleenor full spa treatment. The result is a stellar camera that has been absolutely reliable & the character of the Tessar killed any desire i had to buy a 2.8f again.

 

[KoNickon]

Very interesting comments about the T -- I do not have one, and have heard that it's not as well made as the other Rolleiflexes or Rolleicords. But the idea of 16 on a 120 roll is really appealing -- I did not know the T had this feature (and I gather it's the only Rollei that does). So I need to keep an eye out....

But with regard to the original point of this thread, namely, taking portraits, #31 above shows why maybe the T isn't so great for this purpose.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

But with regard to the original point of this thread, namely, taking portraits,

KN, if you look at the original post, there was no reference to portraits, simply to a 2-format camera. In addition, the 6x6 format is ideal for portraits as it is.

 

[Bolo Kukus]

Very interesting comments about the T -- I do not have one, and have heard that it's not as well made as the other Rolleiflexes or Rolleicords. But the idea of 16 on a 120 roll is really appealing -- I did not know the T had this feature (and I gather it's the only Rollei that does). So I need to keep an eye out....

But with regard to the original point of this thread, namely, taking portraits, #31 above shows why maybe the T isn't so great for this purpose.

The Rolleicords V range (Va and Vb) also have the 16 kit. As well a 24 exposure kit is available with two format sizes, regular 35mm and 828. The latter is slightly winder and offers a better 'panoramic' view, so useful to those who like shooting landscapes with a TLR.

As well as two Ts I have a Vb which took me a while to get used to. The shutter release is a lever below the taking lens and has to be recocked for every shoot. There is also a small lever covering an odd red dot on the left side, when in lock position it lets you take only one exposure on each image you shoot, unlocked (showing the red dot) you can do multiple exposures - super good for 'creative' types but I've never made use of it, being a one-shot sort of guy.

The 'cord has a wheel to wind on the film, not a flip-out (crank) winder like the Ts. Again, this may be important to you. As a slow shooter it doesn't matter much to me, but YMMV.

For the occasional portrait I take, I use the 6x6 (12 exposure) format. Sixteen on 120 is great for environmental people shot including the background. The 35mm kit is superb for these, keeping in mind the film format is smaller - but then the Tessar is a super sharp lens.

For me one of the best features of the Rolleis is the ergonomics - I love the way they handle and can be held. The 'cord benefits from a grip (F&H made a Rolleigrip, an odd thing which lets you hold the camera from the bottom, again this took me a while to get used to but it works well in its own German way and I now make regular use of it for all my Rolleis).

The Ts and Rolleicords can also be easily repaired. Mine haven't broken down yet, they are hardy things and usually go on shooting for many decades. A CLA now and then (I have a 3.5E2 made in 1962 which I bought in 1966, in 58 years it has been CLA'd two times) keeps them going very nicely.

I enjoy mine as minimalist cameras, but then I also own many Rollei-made small bits and pieces for them - many accessories, mostly useful, are available for Rolleis, the Ts and the Rolleicords take the bayonet I size which are usually plentiful and not too expensive.

All plus-plusses.