wich medium format (6x6) for reportage?

[Laurence]

I was able to use a previous Agfa Isolette in a quick-mode "journalistic" venue quite often. It's a very hand-holdable unit. The f:4.5 was a little slow for interior work, but the lightweight nature of the camera goes a long ways toward "quick shots". Certainly not "ideal", but there are various attributes of folders that bear looking at, most notably the price point as compared to what you are looking for.

 

[David Goldfarb]

It is hard to beat the Mamiya 6 in this application.

If you want a 6x6 interchangeable lens rangefinder that is absolutely solid, you could find a 6x6 back or two for a Technika 23 or Technika 70. One doesn't see 6x6 backs for the medium format Technikas that often, but they do still make them, if you've got the cash.

The Tech 70 has a combined rangefinder/viewfinder, but you'll want to find a kit with three cammed lenses that match the viewfinder lines.

The Tech V 23 and current 23b use a separate viewfinder and rangefinder, so it's not as quick to use as a Mamiya 6 or Tech 70, but you've got more flexibility in choosing lenses that can be cammed for rangefinder use with the adjustible finder.

 

[caila77]

It is hard to beat the Mamiya 6 in this application.

If you want a 6x6 interchangeable lens rangefinder that is absolutely solid, you could find a 6x6 back or two for a Technika 23 or Technika 70. One doesn't see 6x6 backs for the medium format Technikas that often, but they do still make them, if you've got the cash.

The Tech 70 has a combined rangefinder/viewfinder, but you'll want to find a kit with three cammed lenses that match the viewfinder lines.

The Tech V 23 and current 23b use a separate viewfinder and rangefinder, so it's not as quick to use as a Mamiya 6 or Tech 70, but you've got more flexibility in choosing lenses that can be cammed for rangefinder use with the adjustible finder.

I'm not sure to be able to use quickly this camera without a tripod, have you experience on this?
thanks

 

[caila77]

first let me to thanks all the one that wrote to me, second I want to add another information: I want to use only 6x6 format because I love it, so the camera shoul support it.
thanks again

 

[David Goldfarb]

I'm not sure to be able to use quickly this camera without a tripod, have you experience on this?
thanks

I shoot my 4x5" Tech V with cammed lenses handheld often, both with sheet film and rollfilm backs. Here's a series of handheld 4x5" shots with flash (click the image to cycle through about a half dozen shots)--

http://www.echonyc.com/~goldfarb/halloween/

Here's one I should have used a tripod for, but I was just casually walking around, taking snapshots with the Tech V, and as they say, the best camera is the one you have in your hand--

Here's another one I did just walking around with the Tech V and a 6x7 rollfilm back, handheld. Film flatness on the Linhof backs is outstanding, by the way.--

I recently acquired a Tech V 23b and I have to have my lenses cammed for it, so I haven't used it with the rangefinder yet, but I have used it a bit handheld with scale focusing. It's much lighter than the 4x5" and very comfortable to hold.

I like traveling with the Technika, because I can use it rangefinder style like a press camera, or put it on a tripod and have all the view camera moves when I need them.

 

[Krosya]

Great photos. Love the table and chairs. Do you have more ?
George

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

that's right but the title (for reportage) explain a lot of the caracteristics taht I'm looking for. I want a camera for reportage (so, light, rapid and easy to use) with intechangeable lens (I prefer a normal lens and something like 28/24mm in 24x36 format). I don't want to buy mamiya6 because it has a very frequent problem ofn lever advance. I take slides and BW photos.
thanks

I think that the camera you are looking for is indeed the Mamiya 6. If you are truly worried about the lever advance, buy a second Mamiya 6 body as a back up just in case the fabled lever advance problem should arise.

To worry about something that hasn't happened yet is like paying interest on a loan you haven't taken out yet.

Wayne

P.S. I normally take two of everything on an important shoot, two like camera bodies, two meters, two flashes, etc. And I don't worry, I have had equipment fail or get broken on a shoot and I just reach for my back up.

 

[David Goldfarb]

Great photos. Love the table and chairs. Do you have more ?
George

Thanks, George. More at http://www.echonyc.com/~goldfarb/photo but not all are rangefinder shots.

 

[caila77]

Koni-Omega Rapid. It's 6x7 format...so crop off the extra cm if it really bothers you. Or the Pentax 6x7.

koni-omega is only 6x7 format?, no back available for 6x6?
thanks

 

[AOI Photo]

I would also voice support for the mamiya c series tlr's. RUgged, reliable, interchangable lenses, and six by six.

 

[caila77]

I think that the camera you are looking for is indeed the Mamiya 6. If you are truly worried about the lever advance, buy a second Mamiya 6 body as a back up just in case the fabled lever advance problem should arise.

To worry about something that hasn't happened yet is like paying interest on a loan you haven't taken out yet.

Wayne

P.S. I normally take two of everything on an important shoot, two like camera bodies, two meters, two flashes, etc. And I don't worry, I have had equipment fail or get broken on a shoot and I just reach for my back up.

buy 2 mamiya 6 is too expansive for me, and also I think that the costs for repair levere of mamiya is also to expansive. Buy a camera that is not very affidable is like make a loan with unknow interest.
thanks

 

[Ben Z]

I'm one of those people who has trouble getting in strangers faces with a camera and I really like my Rollei for that kind of shots. I have a choice of either the waist (chest)-level or eye-level (sport finder), I can even point the camera sideways to shoot so I'm not even facing the subject. The camera is small and many people don't even recognize it's a camera unless they're over 40 🙁 and those that do are reassured I'm not a professional photographer going to use their image for nefarious or profitable use 😀 It's also quieter than my Leica when the shutter trips. The lens is a wee short but the big neg allows for a lot of cropping.

 

[rool]

koni-omega is only 6x7 format?, no back available for 6x6?
thanks

No 6x6 back for Koni Omega as far as i know.
But 6x7 is so nice...

 

[venchka]

koni-omega is only 6x7 format?, no back available for 6x6?
thanks

Not that I'm aware of. What's the big deal with 6x6? If you want rectangular prints from 6x6 you have to crop. If you want square prints from 6x7 you have to crop. Maybe less cropping to go from 6x7 to 6x6. The Koni-Omega is big, but bullet proof by all accounts.

 

[venchka]

...But 6x7 is so nice...

Yup!

That makes two opinions that no 6x6 back is available.

 

[caila77]

Not that I'm aware of. What's the big deal with 6x6? If you want rectangular prints from 6x6 you have to crop. If you want square prints from 6x7 you have to crop. Maybe less cropping to go from 6x7 to 6x6. The Koni-Omega is big, but bullet proof by all accounts.

That's right but I love so much 6x6, but I'm going to consider seriously 6x7 format
thanks for your interesting opinion

 

[Gravatar]

Something Completely Different

Something Completely Different

If you can live without a built in light meter, you might look at some of the high end folding rangefinders from the 50'. and early 60's. They are light and make great street cameras. I have a low end ziess Ikonta and have had almost as good of results as I did when I borrowed a friend's Mamaya 7. I personally prefer the Fuji 645 and 6x9 for more modern stuff, but sometimes I like to go old school. The optics also tend to have a unique asthetic. There were several excelent, sturdy folders made, though most need an overhaul by now. Jurgen Kreckel is one of the best at this sort of thing. I had him refurb a few of my antique store finds. He could probably hook you up with something nice for a few hundred bucks. I am sure someone will say they aren't quick to use, but once I got used to it, I can use my uncoupled rf Ikonta as fast or faster than my other rangefinders. It's another option.

http://www.certo6.com/cameras.html

 

[Avotius]

hm...I was going to say mamiya 6, but I ended up selling mine because I had a lot of problems with durability

 

[Adam Muir]

my mamiya 6 has no trouble with lever, it has no lever. It is a lot smaller than the new ones. the lens coatings are corrupted which is great for a random soft effect when shooting towards a light source. I dont think it has X sync (only FP is my guess) but I love it. the lens folds out with a beautifull click.
and yes it is 6 X 6 , or 6 X 4.5 but I have never tried that.

 

[caila77]

thanks to all, now I'm evaluating to use a 645 camera, is a mamiya 645 pro a good choice for street reportage? also can someone tell something to me about a bronica RF? any other suggestion will be apprecciate.
thanks again