Recommend a MF Camera. Criteria Inside.

[markjwyatt]

Mamiya C330f or C220f with 80mm lens, probably $400 in top shape, probably with waist-level and prism finder. I used them for years and love them. With your budget you might fit an additional lens in (55mm is very nice).

 

[mpaniagua]

No bellows love though 🙁

 

[B-9]

No bellows love though 🙁

Go ahead sneak a few in! ;p

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I had a C220 for a while, and thought it was very good, but since bellows are apparently off limits this would seem to exclude the Mamiya TLRs.

I'd suggest a good Rolleicord V–Vb twin lens, the Xenars are a very good lens.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

If you’re happy with a TLR I would also recommend a Autocord. Your budget will get you one in excellent, serviced condition with money to spare to add to your 120 film collection. And that 75mm Rokkor ��

 

[markjwyatt]

Sorry- did not catch the "or bellows" criteria attached to the folder criteria. I like the bellows. With the paramender, I had macro capabilities.

My wish list for MF is a Super Ikonta, but I am used to bellows.

 

[oftheherd]

A Mamiya Universal would fit your desires, but is heavy. It has interchangeable lenses. I have the Super Press 23 which has a bellows, but that is on the back and would normally only be used for perspective control.

 

[Gerry M]

Doesn’t TLR really stand for “Tilt Left/Right”—and still get the framing wrong? I feel (and no doubt look) like a bobblehead when I hang a TLR from a strap. Keeping it on a light monopod helps minimize the shuffle-a-stoop-a-dope.

**Too funny!!**

 

[JeffS7444]

My top pick would be the Fuji GA645zi, which is perhaps the most advanced medium format film camera ever made. Plus it's also a super-handy grab 'n go package. But I don't think you can really go wrong with any of the GA-series cameras.


The 6x9 cameras handle nicely and they're not too heavy for what they are, but they are large. And in order to exploit all that the optics and the big negative are capable of, you'll want to hold the camera extra steady. Note that if you buy the 6x7, 6x8 and 6x9 cameras from Japan they may have high mileage, as these were popular for group photos at scenic spots (which is why they also have provisions for 4-exposure rolls of film)

 

[mpaniagua]

Mamiya C's TLR series are nice, but heavy. If you are into 6x9, you can try the Horseman "tech" camera, like Horseman 970. They go pretty cheap and lens are pretty good. They also have some tech movement on both the front standard and the back one.

I've one of those with 3 lens, and they are pretty fun to use, although they are heavy and slow.

I would say your budget could get you one camera, back and probably 2 lens.

Best regards

Marcelo

 

[MCTuomey]

If you’re happy with a TLR I would also recommend a Autocord. Your budget will get you one in excellent, serviced condition with money to spare to add to your 120 film collection. And that 75mm Rokkor ��

+1 I've never heard anything but praise for these cameras. Mine doesn't get the use it deserves ... shame on me.

 

[Godfrey]

As a long-time Rolleiflex TLR enthusiast, I started to recommend one of those ... but if I were actually looking for another camera of this type, I'd buy a Fuji GS645S in a heartbeat. It's got a stunningly sharp 60mm lens on 6x4.5 format, a nice rangefinder/viewfinder, and is pre-electronic-controls (what I hated about the GA645Zi). Light, compact, about a 35mm eqFoV lens, etc etc.

That'd be my pick. Of course, I'll just keep using my Voigtländer Perkeo II 6x6, which doesn't meet your criteria.

G

 

[ChipMcD]

I learned photography on a Yashicamat TLR almost 50 years ago, and they are still available and working. A Rollei MVS would probably be within your budget. Almost any other Rollei within that price range is likely to need servicing, which would restore it to perfect working order, but which would blow your budget bigtime and would mean that you would be without the camera for weeks or months. The Fuji 690s of various series are likely not going to be within your budget, or be at the high end. I'm unfamiliar with some of the other cameras suggested.

 

[aizan]

Almost everything in this filtered list of completed auctions meets those criteria. I have some of the usual suspects and have tried many more, and I'd recommend all of them for different purposes.

Can you tell me more about what you intend to do?

I looked at your IG, and I see you really like rangefinders (duh), and you sold off a Fujifilm GA645zi several years ago. I take it the automation and motors weren't doing it for you?

Going off of those clues, I'd recommend the Fujica GS645S since it doesn't have bellows, or any of the Fuji 6x9/6x8/6x7 cameras. I really enjoy the GW690III and GSW690III, and I liked the GL690 that I used to have. They're very solid feeling, more so than the GF670. I'd also look at the Mamiya Universal Press cameras and the like.

If it were up to me, I'd look at bellows cameras, too. Lots of great options.

 

[B-9]

Well played Godfrey!

With all the GA hype in my searches I nearly overlooked the GS models...

The "Wide 60" would meet the criteria well at the lower end of my budget.

Edit: Aizan my Zi was a basket case. The viewfinder was butchered and required some pretty serious mods to get it "working". Sold the lemon. Loved the camera.

Also does anyone who has a GS645 know if the odd 80's techno grip covering removable?

 

[santino]

Pentacon Six - inexpensive and some incredible lenses - eg the 180 2.8 Sonnar.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Since you aren't keen on TLRs I'd suggest the Fuji, GW670,680,690 series. The Fujica 645s historically have more problems (bellows etc). I'm personally not a fan of 645. On the subject of TLRs..... medium format & large format are (clearly) an entirely different thing from Leica rangefinders. Once i got over the learning curve my favourite is the Rolleiflex.... it has killer lenses, is small and light. I often carry both the leica M and the Rolleiflex while travelling. The Fuji are big but moderate in weight.... Pentax 67 are heavy and bulky. You won't find a Mamiya 6 or 7 in your price bracket. Results from all will bury a 35mm... Let us know what you decide.

 

[Godfrey]

Well played Godfrey!
With all the GA hype in my searches I nearly overlooked the GS models...
The "Wide 60" would meet the criteria well at the lower end of my budget.
...
Also does anyone who has a GS645 know if the odd 80's techno grip covering removable?

Glad to help. I may just have to buy one of these again for myself, you've gotten me thinking how much I liked the one I had so many years ago... I may have to acquire one. They seem fairly plentiful at reasonable prices. Darn you!

I made the mistake in my post before talking about the 45mm lens that I've corrected now. The 45mm model is scale focus only; the 60mm model has the rangefinder. For me, and I had four different Fuji GS/GA 645 cameras over the years, this was the best of them. Very nice handling, very nice lens, simple and reliable.

I don't recall there's anything removable on the grip. The tripod screw mount is on the end of the grip so it has to be a pretty sturdy.

BTW: Search for "Fuji GS645S instruction manual" and you'll find M.Butkus has the PDF file. I just sent in another donation ... he's provided a boat load of manuals for me over the years, so I post some money to the site now and then. 🙂

G

 

[aizan]

Also does anyone who has a GS645 know if the odd 80's techno grip covering removable?

Yes, it's removable.

 

[filmtwit]

Mamiya C330 w/80mm will do everything you want and more.