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Medium format for landscapes

Pierrard

New member
Hello,

I'm thinking about upgrading my current Mamiya 645S system to a larger format like 6x7, but I'm not sure what the best option would be. Large format itself is prohibitively expensive to develop in my location, so I'll stick with medium.

It will be almost exclusively for landscape shots, tripod-mounted, and a high percentage will be long exposures of between seconds and many minutes (or longer, if possible).

My consideration is that I have to physically hike around with my setup, and so I'd prefer something not ridiculously heavy.

Budget is around $1000 for the whole setup, but if possible, $750 would be great.

Previously I've considered the Mamiya RZ system as I'm interested in the shallow depth of field of the 110/2.8, and the bellows focussing system.

And I've also considered a Fuji 690BL, but the wide-angle lens is really hard to find.

I appreciate any and all suggestions!
 

Jorgen Udvang

Subscriber Member
I use a Fuji GX680, but it's very large and very heavy. Having tilt and shift with all lenses is rather nice though. Apart from that, and with your budget, the RZ (or RB) seems to be your best bet. A more lightweight solution would be the Mamiya 7, but that's more costly.
 

johnnygoesdigital

New member
What about a Horseman or Fotoman 6x9? You can use LF lenses and 120mm roll film. I had a Fotoman 612 and a Schneider 58xl - fantastic combination with amazing detail. I currently shoot with the Mamiya RZ Pro II, and love the resolution. My favorite lenses are the 50mm ULD-L-A and the 110mm f/2.8 (that's pretty fast for 6x7). I'll bring this camera to very remote locations with no issues, and using MU is absolutely vibration free...perfect!
 

Pierrard

New member
I had actually considered using a 120 back on a large format body like you suggest, but ran into a problem relating to available room to achieve infinity focus with wide angles on a 2X3" body I was looking at from a local camera store.

Can this be avoided by using a different 2X3" body, or would I have to go right to 4X5"?

Thanks for describing your personal experience with the Mamiya RZ!

Jorgen: I do wish I could afford a Mamiya 7 - that with the 43mm would be perfect!
 

JoelM

Well-known member
There are a few options, but with your budget, I think that the Pentax 6x7 is the best option. I actually have never used one, but those that have, seen to love them and they are rediculously cheap these days. Also, you can add lenses as you accumulate cash.

Joel
 

Hausen

Active member
The MF camera that has contributed the most landscape shots that I have mounted on my wall is my Rolleiflex 3.5F. I love the square for landscapes and WLF for low level work on a tripod is so logical to me. If you want something even smaller you could get the Rolleicord Vb both could be found inside your budget.
 

biglouis

Well-known member
If you can push your budget to a secondhand Fujifilm GF670 or Bessa III as it is better known it would be ideal for hiking. I own the wide angle variant which I carry with me on most of my urban adventures. Only 1kg all in which is pretty light for a MF 6x7 camera.

LouisB
 

Pierrard

New member
Wow, the Bessa III Wide looks perfect for what I'd like to do, but I can't find the wide version either by the Bessa or Fuji GF670 name - do you know what they go for (used)?

I've heard good things about the Pentax 6x7, and have a friend who owns one. I'm not sure though, mostly because of the size and mirror slap.

Honestly I think the rangefinder cameras like the Bessa III or one of the interchangeable 6x7/6x9 Fujis would fit me best in terms of portability, and would also allow me to use them more comfortably in other circumstances.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!
 

biglouis

Well-known member
Wow, the Bessa III Wide looks perfect for what I'd like to do, but I can't find the wide version either by the Bessa or Fuji GF670 name - do you know what they go for (used)?

I've heard good things about the Pentax 6x7, and have a friend who owns one. I'm not sure though, mostly because of the size and mirror slap.

Honestly I think the rangefinder cameras like the Bessa III or one of the interchangeable 6x7/6x9 Fujis would fit me best in terms of portability, and would also allow me to use them more comfortably in other circumstances.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!
At present there are a number of s/h Fuji GF670 or Bessa IIIs on ebay. I also have seen them in the UK at Ffordes and a London based company called Aperture that I can highly recommend.

However, the wide version the Bessa IIIw or the GF670w is unlikely to be around s/h. They are pretty rare as it is. But they can be found with some dealers in the UK and US.

A Hasselblad 500c or 500CM with a 80/2.8 is a very good landscape camera. I use mine quite often (see my Flickr) stream. It is not so much heavy as bulky, as it is a rectangular shape. You'll also need an external meter which is more weight. But the results are worth it.

LouisB
 

bensonga

Well-known member
I think a Pentax 67 with a waist level finder and the 90mm f2.8 lens weighs about 4 lbs. That's compared with 2.2 lbs for a Bessa III. Not an insignificant weight difference, but with the Pentax you have the added flexibility of interchangeable lenses.

Re the Pentax mirror slap....it certainly does sound loud! When I shoot with it on a tripod, I always use the mirror lockup (very easy to do). I have also taken quite a few hand held shots with the P67 and like the Pentax 645, I think the P67 mirror is very well damped (as are the Hasselblad 500 series cameras I own).

Gary
 

biglouis

Well-known member
The truth is that there are lots of good choices for all budgets because the majority of human kind has rejected film for digital.

Thank goodness. Lots of good film bargains out there!

LouisB
 

Hausen

Active member
I have been carrying around a Linhof 612 for landscapes. I often pair it with my Sony RX-1 and with the weight/space saving of my on RX-1 over any other digital the Linhof is an easy carry. Results are worth the heft in my mind.
 

Oren Grad

Active member
Wow, the Bessa III Wide looks perfect for what I'd like to do, but I can't find the wide version either by the Bessa or Fuji GF670 name - do you know what they go for (used)?
$2000++ when you can find one.

If you don't mind a fixed lens camera, you might be able to get both a Fuji GW690 mark I or II (90mm lens, comparable to 39mm on 35) and a GSW690 mark I or II (65mm lens, comparable to 28mm on 35) within your $1000 limit. The mark III versions tend to be much more expensive, but the glass is the same.
 

JoelM

Well-known member
Very nice pictures, but the OP stated his budget was $750 to $1000 and your cameras certainly don't fit that requirement. Of course, if you're selling the Linhof in that price range, consider me a buyer :)


Joel


I have been carrying around a Linhof 612 for landscapes. I often pair it with my Sony RX-1 and with the weight/space saving of my on RX-1 over any other digital the Linhof is an easy carry. Results are worth the heft in my mind.
 

Hausen

Active member
Thanks Joel, will keep that in mind:) My second choice would be a Rolleiflex then. Am going to Hawaii in July and I think Rollei will be going. WLF on a lightweight tripod works well for me with landscapes. And I love the square. I have a 6x6 wall in my office and needs filling.
 

Shashin

Well-known member
Trade in your Linhof for a Horseman SW612 or SW612 Pro--the pro model has shifts. The Horseman can take 6x12, 6x9, and 6x7 roll film backs. The down side is the expense.

Horseman made a beautiful 6x9 view camera. You could also get a 4x5 view camera and get roll film holders for it. You could get dedicated 6x6, 6x7, 6x9, and 6x12 holders. Or you could look for the Sinar model that will do any format between 6x4.5 to 6x12. I think another company made a multi-format holder for roll film, but the name escapes me.

One of my favorite cameras was the Mamiya 6 if you like the square. Unlike the Mamiya 7, the lens collapses making it very compact. Three lenses were made for the 6 and they are very good.
 

GrahamWelland

Subscriber & Workshop Member
:facesmack:

Aww crap, I didn't need to see that 612 Pro ... I've been wondering about getting something with rise/fall as an alternative to my Fuji G617 and now I see this!

Thanks!
 

GregMO

Member
:facesmack:

Aww crap, I didn't need to see that 612 Pro ... I've been wondering about getting something with rise/fall as an alternative to my Fuji G617 and now I see this!

Thanks!
Rise & Fall was a major feature when I choose a Gaoersi 617. I use it all the time. Gaoersi was the least expensive camera with that feature & also shoots 6x12 & 6x15 formats.
 

Texsport

Member
The Fujica 690 cameras with 65mm lens offer a 6x9 negative.

The Fujinon lens is very sharp.

With some effort, you can buy this combo at a reasonable price.

The 50mm Fujinon lens is wider, but very, very scarce + >$2,000 generally. I find the 65mm better for long views of landscapes, because the 21mm equivalent 50mm sort of makes details disappear. The 50mm Fujinon is better for closer panoramics, such as getting a wide view of a confined space or detail which are closer.

Another possibility is the Noblex 150 camera. I bought mine for about $1,000. This camera gives 140* views and is very! very sharp.

6x6 and 6x7 cameras don't fit my eye for landscapes - too narrow a field of view!

Texsport
 
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