Medium Format Travel Camera - Dilemma

Strapps

Strapps

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Dean
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I'd like a MF camera to use on my travels, so it's got to be robust, not too heavy and conveniently sized so it's easy to include in a weekend bag.

I'd also like good results with the ability to see what I'm focussing on, which knocks folders down the list as many have uncoated lenses and are zone focussed. Those with rangefinders tend to go for silly money, coupled rangefinders even more.

645 format is acceptable but I really like 6x6. I'm going to sell my Mamiya kit (eventually) to enable the purchase of a 'blad but while it's lighter and smaller, it's still not quite the travel option I've been looking for. I think.

I like the Fuji GS645S, great lens, rangefinder styling (which is a plus for me), built-in light meter and 15 shots to a roll.

I'm in two minds about TLRs; generally speaking they have great lenses, I like the feel of the mechanical bits, people often don't realise you're photographing them and 12 shots to a roll. But most will need a separate light meter, they might not take being bumped around in a bag so well and I sometimes find my YashMat awkward to use (fat fingers).

So, great people of the F&C forum, what are your thoughts? Is the extra flexibility from cropping a 6x6 worth losing 3 shots a roll? Is there another option I haven't considered?
 
Join me Dean in my quest to get 127 film back in production and get a Yash Baby Grey or even a baby Rollei... square but tiny thats the way forward.
Mind you in your huge, shovel-like hands people will be barely able to see a camera that small. :D
 
If you've got the cheddar spare, one of the Fuji GF670 folders could be worth a look, coupled rangefinder, metering and some auto modes but the price is a little high
 
robhooley167 said:
If you've got the cheddar spare, one of the Fuji GF670 folders could be worth a look, coupled rangefinder, metering and some auto modes but the price is a little high
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I think you could right Rob, I just need to sell a few cameras to be able to afford one.

So, who wants to buy a Hassy, a couple of Voigtlanders and a Fuji GS645?
 
robhooley167 said:
If you've got the cheddar spare, one of the Fuji GF670 folders could be worth a look, coupled rangefinder, metering and some auto modes but the price is a little high
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My first reaction was to make a facetious comment relating the camera to how much I'd spend on a car but maybe that's my problem. I want the best but when I find out how much it's going to cost, I baulk and compromise with something I'm not happy with, justifying it by saying that my photography isn't good enough to warrant it. I reckon if I added up everything I'd spent on film cameras, I'd probably be able to buy the GF and have change for a couple of rolls of film and I'd have a camera I'd want to take everywhere.

On the other hand, if I hadn't gone through so many cameras then I probably wouldn't know what I'd like to use anyway. Maybe I should sell everything and start over with a clearer understanding of what I want.


RaglanSurf said:
So, who wants to buy a Hassy, a couple of Voigtlanders and a Fuji GS645?
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I remember the GS from the London meet, very nice camera with an awfully loud shutter :) Now, is the Hassy a 500c/m, by any chance?
 
Strappy said:
I'm in two minds about TLRs; generally speaking they have great lenses, I like the feel of the mechanical bits, people often don't realise you're photographing them and 12 shots to a roll. But most will need a separate light meter, they might not take being bumped around in a bag so well and I sometimes find my YashMat awkward to use (fat fingers).

So, great people of the F&C forum, what are your thoughts? Is the extra flexibility from cropping a 6x6 worth losing 3 shots a roll? Is there another option I haven't considered?
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Obviously the GF670 and Mamiya 6/7 would be great options for 6x6 or 6x7, but I don't think there's any denying that TLRs are great for travel. Why I like these cameras for travel is that they are relatively light, inconspicuous, fairly reliable, and take great photographs, while also being inexpensive. If my Autocord gets beaten up, stolen, knocked around, or whatever, it's £100-£150 or so to get another comparable TLR. You can't take a picture if you don't have your camera and there are a lot of places I'd be willing to take my £100 TLR to that I would hesitate to bring a £500 or £1000 camera.
 
I travel with my Hasselblad and it isn't too heavy. I usually take the Billingham that I turned up for the London meet (a large Hadley I think?). Full up the camera with lens drops in the middle, a lens either side, filters, film light meter and a couple of spare backs in both the front pockets. I can carry that all day and as you could probably tell from the shabby chic look of my Billingham I have been carrying it for quite some time!

Mark
 
Threeracers said:
I travel with my Hasselblad and it isn't too heavy. I usually take the Billingham that I turned up for the London meet (a large Hadley I think?). Full up the camera with lens drops in the middle, a lens either side, filters, film light meter and a couple of spare backs in both the front pockets. I can carry that all day and as you could probably tell from the shabby chic look of my Billingham I have been carrying it for quite some time!

Mark
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Yeah, as much as I think TLRs are great travel cameras, I almost always travel with my Bronica SQ-A myself, which should be a similar weight and size to the Hasselblad. I suppose I just prefer the handling and through-the-lens view offered by SLRs. I take the TLR when I'm really tight on space or when I know that things could get really rough and tumble.
 
Strappy said:
My first reaction was to make a facetious comment relating the camera to how much I'd spend on a car but maybe that's my problem. I want the best but when I find out how much it's going to cost, I baulk and compromise with something I'm not happy with, justifying it by saying that my photography isn't good enough to warrant it. I reckon if I added up everything I'd spent on film cameras, I'd probably be able to buy the GF and have change for a couple of rolls of film and I'd have a camera I'd want to take everywhere.

On the other hand, if I hadn't gone through so many cameras then I probably wouldn't know what I'd like to use anyway. Maybe I should sell everything and start over with a clearer understanding of what I want.
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I quite often think this might be a good idea but then I think that a lot of the fun is in trying out all those lovely, varied cameras out there so I sit down, get Roberts to fetch the calming water and head off to e-boy...bliss
 
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I have to admit, my TLR was perfect when I was in Kuala Lumpur. Descrete, not many people realised it was a camera AND took fantastic photos (when I didn't fluff the metering).
 
Threeracers said:
I travel with my Hasselblad and it isn't too heavy. I usually take the Billingham that I turned up for the London meet (a large Hadley I think?). Full up the camera with lens drops in the middle, a lens either side, filters, film light meter and a couple of spare backs in both the front pockets. I can carry that all day and as you could probably tell from the shabby chic look of my Billingham I have been carrying it for quite some time!
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I like this in principle but I'm planning to do a few more motorbike tours or weekends away with a small backpack where space is at a premium, hence the thoughts of a smaller travel camera. Besides, I'm happy with a fixed lens in circumstances like those. I'd like to have a Hassy too though and I still have my large Billingham at home (it's currently in the "going to be sold but maybe not" pile).
 
I've travelled with both a TLR and a 500C/M.

TLR was more discreet, lighter, and less faff.

500C/M offered much more flexibility (I had 2-3 backs) for changing light conditions. The weight did begin to annoy me a little bit at the end of a day though!
 
Strappy said:
I like this in principle but I'm planning to do a few more motorbike tours or weekends away with a small backpack where space is at a premium, hence the thoughts of a smaller travel camera. Besides, I'm happy with a fixed lens in circumstances like those. I'd like to have a Hassy too though and I still have my large Billingham at home (it's currently in the "going to be sold but maybe not" pile).
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One year I rode down to Le Mans on a bike with a rucksack containing camera gear - a well packed Billingham full of Hasselblad loveliness - and a passport and wet weather gear! I sent my tent and clothes on ahead (Fedexed to the pub) and had a friend return then to the UK.

This year I am going down in a 110 Landy so it's the full bag of kit and no worries in space!
 
I've got a K100RS that sounds like it's on its last legs and a '98 FireBlade that needs headstock bearings, among other bits.

Take me with you :(
 
Ha ha, I have a Monster S2R with a tank bag........

We need to arrange a French Frolic on bikes!
 
The problem with pricing on the more interesting bits of usable travel kit is some pros either with drum scanners or the coolscan ED8000 figure they can get more out of 120 than with a £40 000 medium format digital back hence all the things like the Mamiya 6 and 7 still get good prices while relatively speaking the studio system cameras are worth peanuts.

I think it would pay you to look at the Mamiya 6 as its the format you prefer and has several lens options you could gather.

In the better end of the old folders market have you considered the Super Ikonta IV ?

http://www.certo6.com/cameras/zeiss-super-ikonta

http://photo.net/medium-format-photography-forum/00bTZz

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ZEISS-IKO...ography_VintageCameras_SM&hash=item258fc6de74

I picked one up a couple of years ago for £150 really nice condition with working meter ... as long as I turn it upside down first.

Not sure if I'll get to the next London meet but if your interested in the Ikonta and still working in Dorking ? I'll most likely be visiting Polesden Lacey several times soon so can drop it off.
 
That's an extremely generous offer, thank you :D

I am in Dorking for now but there's been a lot of talk about our budget and cancellation recently. That's the joy of contracting, though. :)

I like the Mamiya 6 but for similar money I could get a 'blad kit. I think I need to find one I can fondle while I think about it.
 
My MF travel camera is a Fuji GA645Zi which is basically a big P&S but with the benefits of medium format quality results. Built-in light meter means no faffing about with a seperate one, and the zoom lens is convenient and very high quality. The fixed-focal length versions are equally as good if a zoom doesn't appeal, and the prices are lower :)
 
Mr Bump said:
This cheeky Number

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Plaubel-M...574176?pt=UK_Film_Cameras&hash=item258f561860
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Ooof! :jawdrop:


magicolor1 said:
My MF travel camera is a Fuji GA645Zi which is basically a big P&S but with the benefits of medium format quality results. Built-in light meter means no faffing about with a seperate one, and the zoom lens is convenient and very high quality. The fixed-focal length versions are equally as good if a zoom doesn't appeal, and the prices are lower :)
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I'll be honest - I prefer manual focus. There, I've said it, I'm clearly some sort of luddite. I need to feel some sort of engagement with a camera to encourage me to pick it up when I go out and your description of the GA-Zi as a P&S puts me off. I think the GS645S is the one for me, I like everything about it from the size and feel of it right down to the funky roll bar.
 
Strappy said:
I'll be honest - I prefer manual focus. There, I've said it, I'm clearly some sort of luddite. I need to feel some sort of engagement with a camera to encourage me to pick it up when I go out and your description of the GA-Zi as a P&S puts me off. I think the GS645S is the one for me, I like everything about it from the size and feel of it right down to the funky roll bar.
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Yes that's fair enough - if I'm taking it on holiday I like to not have to bother thinking about it, so using it as a P&S leaves me just to concentrate on the composition. The manual-focus Fuji's have a good reputation, although I've only used the bigger ones like the GS670W and GS690W - the results from those are stunning :)
 
I had the GS6450Wide and it takes unbelievably good pics, i just found the rangefinder experience lacking for me, very uninvolved.
It is also portrait rather than landscape in native.
 
Strappy said:
I'll be honest - I prefer manual focus. There, I've said it, I'm clearly some sort of luddite. I need to feel some sort of engagement with a camera to encourage me to pick it up when I go out and your description of the GA-Zi as a P&S puts me off.
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I'm with you 100% here regarding manual focus for two reasons: I prefer to be in total control of my photography and I am no longer willing to trust electronics-laden cameras (don't get me started on my experiences with my notoriously unreliable GA645).
 
skysh4rk said:
... (don't get me started on my experiences with my notoriously unreliable GA645).
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Oh, go on, you tease ;)

I wouldn't say it's a total control thing for me (because half the time I'm not sure what I'm doing anyway), more that I find it to be a right faff when you're trying to line up certain points with your focal point in the image, then you reframe and your finger slips and the camera refocuses and you have to start again. Add in the frustration of the metering changing and having to wait for the lens to finish racking back and forth...

Yes, I could use AE lock or switch to manual but then why bother with all the automation in the first place? Take something lighter and easier to carry around all day. It's why I hardly touch my F100 and that's a cracking camera.

My FE2 has been in and out of the 'sell' pile for weeks as on the one hand, it's so simple to use that it's bordering on lack of engagement but on the other, the results can be spectacular with the 50mm f/1.4. It's so good that I think typing this has helped it finish making it's way to the definite keep pile. :)

I'll admit to a level of hypocrisy in that I love using my x-pro but that's got focus points all over the frame and I can select them in a couple of seconds without taking my eye off the finder. And it looks a bit like a rangefinder. And it's like, totally awesome and cool and stuff. Yeah.
 
Strappy said:
Oh, go on, you tease ;)
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I've talked about it previously in another thread, so I don't really want to harp on about it too much again, but I had problems with twitchy electronics, malfunctioning flash (it went off for every shot), and malfunctioning autofocus. When it worked, it was great, as it was quite compact and the lens on it is fantastic, but it's propensity for failure meant that it was usually in the repair shop instead of with me on holiday.

I really would only recommend purchasing if the camera comes with a good warranty or if you get a very good price, so don't mind taking the risk that your camera could become a doorstop without warning.
 
The FE2 is my go to camera and its the camera I will be taking on my greek 3.5 week trip later in the year :-) I also love the 50mm F1.4
 
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