Recomendations For 6x6 SLR

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Steve M.

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I really like 6x6 and have been acquiring a few cameras that are 6x6 or can be cropped to that. So far I have 2 great folders, but I want an SLR too. I can't seem to find one I like, so my workaround has been to use a Rolleiflex T w/ prism finder. Works fine, but the ergonomics are not exactly typical for an SLR, and the camera is top heavy and unbalanced. I know me, and if the camera isn't easy to carry and shoot, I won't.

The problem is that all the solutions I see in 6x6 SLRs have some pretty serious downsides. I looked at the big cameras like the Pentax 67, and the even bigger and heavier Mamiyas and Bronicas. Those cameras are not any improvement over the Rolleiflex w/ prism as far as ease of use. That seems to leave just the Pentacon Six, the Kiev, and the Graflex Norita, all of which seem to have serious reliability problems. The Exacta 66 is too much of an investment. A Hassy w/ a prism finder and a grip is a possibility, but more money than I want to spend, and is probably a handful to tote around anyway.

Am I missing something, or are there any other 6x6 (or 6x7) SLR's that wouldn't be too expensive, too big, or too heavy?
 
Mamiya 6

Mamiya 6

While it is not an SLR, the Mamiya 6 has interchangable lenses and is quite portable and hand-holdable. Not as flexable as an SLR - but it is not as big or heavy either. (Afterall, this is RFF.)
 
I don't think you've missed anything.

I went through this not long ago and settled on the Bronica SQ-A as the appropriate compromise. I'm very pleased with it, but it is a big kit to carry around.
I deal with that by having a Mamiya 7 for times when light and handy is more important that versatility.
 
If you don't mind a waist level finder a Hasselblad is reasonably small and light, at least as 6x6 slrs go, or you could try the Rollei SL66, which is way better for macro and generally better thought out, if a little bulkier. These days they seem to be pretty cheap second hand.

I've owned both (still have the SL66) they are not really harder to carry round than a Rollei TLR, especially the hassy which has less protruding parts.

Put a prism on though, and it adds a lot of weight, and it'll be the same for any medium format camera, it's just such a huge chunk of glass.
 
You're out of luck, the moment you slap a prism on the weight almost double. My Hassy 500C with 80/2.8, 2 back, WLF and Prism cost me $560, not too shabby, if that's within your budget I think so can find something similar. It's very light with the WLF but add the prism and it's into insane land, so I just give up on it.

P.S: Why not buy a known good Pentacon Six, yes it has trouble but once sorted out it's not too unreliable. The prism IMO is dim though, so I dont like that either
 
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I guess it is relative. The body size and weight of my Pentax 6x7 is approximately the same as a Canon Mark XX (you know the full frame one). You add the lens and it is more than the Canon unless you use one of their canon size zooms. Many people don't like the Pentax 6x7 and I can see why, but it really is as easy to use as a film SLR, you just have to want to carry it.

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Good suggestions. Looks like big and heavy is just the nature of the beast. Big jump in weight and size when you leave 35mm. The Pentacon Six is maybe a possibility. I have a Kiev TTL/ spot metered prism w/ an adapter for my Rolleiflex and it is much brighter than the Rolleiflex prism. Not much lighter, but sure looks a lot more modern. It will go on the Pentacon Six w/ a different adapter, and I think it gives full coverage as well, vs the 80% or so that the Six has w/ a waist level finder. The Mamiys 6, unfortunately, doesn't give me anything my folders don't, other than a lever advance. My Super Ikonta IV has comparable image quality and auto-stop film wind. The Bessa RF w/ Heliar has even better IQ, but you have to use it slower as it's a red window camera. I just crop it to 6x6 on the enlarger and that has worked fine.

I'm not sure the Rollei SLX series is a step in the right direction. Great glass, but questionable portability, and repairs are very expensive. I can probably buy a Pentacon Six and a lens or two for what some of the SLX repairs cost.

But sometimes I just enjoy seeing the image come into focus in the viewfinder, especially w/ a portrait. Maybe I can find someone that overhauls and sells reliable Pentacon Six cameras. I know some people do that w/ the Kievs.

That Pentax is huge John! I picked one up in a camera shop once and set it right back down. Hopefully the Pentacon Six will be smaller. Actually, my Rolleiflex T w/ Kiev prism is a lot smaller and lighter than the Pentax, but as you say the Pentax handles like a regular 35mm SLR because it was designed like one, just bigger. A lot bigger.
 
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I like the Pentacon 6, but could not get over the reliability issues, so if I want to use my Pentacon 6 glass, I use the adapter to use it on the Mamiya 645.

Bronica, price has really dropped as people are afraid to have to get parts, but have seen some at give away prices in kits with multiple backs and lenses.

Hasselblad, you may love it, or not, should be able to get one at a good price.

Pentax 6x7, really reasonable, Igor has one or two for sale with lens. People seem to either love them or not.

You have a lot of choices, agree with the prism thing, the Pentacon becomes very heavy, but I have a shot with one and the WLF and the 30mm Russian fisheye. I used to haul them back to Prague for overhaul, they have the parts and skill, still, best to buy two. Kiev 60 or 88 screen can be made to fit to brighten things up.

You did not mention what your budget actually is?

I would give Igor a call, and check the usual sources as well.

Regards, John
 
Yeah, the reversed image trips me up often if I'm in a hurry, ergo the prism. Makes a SLR out of the TLR, but the ergonomics are a little odd. I guess my budget is small, maybe $600. I have a lot less than that in the Rolleiflex T w/ Kiev prism as I found a user camera that works well.
 
In medium format, I think if you want to use as an SLR frequently and get reasonable handling, you have to go down to 645 format, but it's not 6X6 (crop maybe?). Anything larger with a prism is really noticeably larger and heavier. But to each their own.

Hassy with a Kiev prism if you just want the prism occasionally, or SQ-A is not that much bigger. I actually find the Kiev/Hassy quite light and easy to use w/o the prism; have not really used the Bronica but from checking it out, in handling it's similar.
 
I love my Bronica SQa with prism finder and speed grip. Yes it's big but so is my Nikon F4s (but smaller than a P67 or RB/RZ 67). With the speed grip, the Bronica handles just like a 35mm SLR and even easier to hold since you can wrap your hand around the grip. Takes no time to get used to having to work the thumb advance twice. Plus you get a hot shoe on the grip.

They are rugged cameras, never had a problem with mine from the swamps of SW Florida to the sands of New Mexico. And like others have said, they're dirt cheap.
 
kowa/kilfitt, fujita/kalimar/fodor/soligor, great wall, and the two pre-war 6x6 exaktas complete the list, i think...the kowa is probably the best of the bunch.
 
Armoured said:
In medium format, I think if you want to use as an SLR frequently and get reasonable handling, you have to go down to 645 format, but it's not 6X6 (crop maybe?). Anything larger with a prism is really noticeably larger and heavier. But to each their own.
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Yeah, if you strip a Mamiya 645 down to its basics (manual winder) and the 80mm lens, it's not bad at all to carry. They're also built like a tank and don't need to be babied in a studio. But to stay with 6x6 I'd go with a used Hassy 50-something.
 
Just an idea, you might try a L bracket/flash grip with the rollei. Somebody must have made something for wedding photographers that might work well. I'm thinking of something like that sculpted hasselblad grip, maybe with a rolleifix.
 
After trying several cameras, including a Hassy kit, I find that Kiev 88 is a good camera if you get a well woring one. Lenses are very good. But after everything I have settled for a Kowa Six - superb lenses, nice cameras, no worse than a Hassy and far cheaper too:
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You got my attention w/ the 6008I recommendation Thardy, but it's way out of my price budget. I looked at the Rollei 6006 and it looks like one w/ an 80 Planar would be in the budget, but one w/ a prism would put it well over. I have to wonder if a 6006 w/ a prism would be that much different than the Rolleiflex T w/ prism that I already have in terms of weight and ergonomics. Going to one might be more of a lateral move.

I suspect it's a naive idea I could ever find a 6x6 SLR camera that I could sling over my shoulder on a strap and go on walk abouts. That's what the folders are for. Maybe I'll just have to get used to the T w/ prism. It has a great Tessar lens on it, and I have a very reasonable amount of money tied up in it considering the image quality. Those Pentacon Six cameras interest me, but having had such horrific luck w/ Fed cameras I better stay away.

I love that photo from your Kowa Krosya, but the setup looks even bulkier and heavier than my Rolleiflex T.
 
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I'm also looking for something to accompany or even replace my rolleiflex - I did not know about the Rollei SL66, but it seems they go for much more than hassies.. But thanks for pointing out the Kowa, I'll check it out. (But anyway, wouldn't the hasselblad be much nicer to drive with in my good old swedish volvo.. ? :) )
 
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