Square Medium Format ?

[Steve Boykin]

Can anyone recommend a MF camera that shoots in the square format. I would really like to get the Fuji GF670, but that ain't going to happen unless I find one a lot cheaper than $1600.

I am trying out shooting square with the X100 to see how I like it. It's kind of hard but I think I like it.

I was thinking I might like to shoot some MF also for the film class I'm taking this Fall. It would be better for me if the camera had some kind of meter on it. I think I like the folder concept better than the one where you look through the top. However, beggar's can't be choosers.

Thanks!

 

[Pete Askew]

A Mamiya 6 would be nice if you can find one at a reasonable price. It might be worth waiting until the course though as they may have some examples of different cameras to play with. I think you might just like a waist-level finder you know, especially for your urban work.

 

[Steve Boykin]

A Mamiya 6 would be nice if you can find one at a reasonable price. It might be worth waiting until the course though as they may have some examples of different cameras to play with. I think you might just like a waist-level finder you know, especially for your urban work.

Is it hard to focus with one of those? I watched this Vivian Maier documentary on Youtube the other night. I think it was a BBC show. Anyway, I am VERY intrigued by the square. I tried shooting some squares this AM with the X100. I think I took 4 or 5 shots. Of course you have to use a JPEG, but I think I like it. I'm going to try again tomorrow if I have time to take any pictures.

I'll look on Ebay and see what those are going for. The instructor is a MF only person. He uses a Hasselblad. It's a really nice camera. Like a lot of community college professors he's retired. He was a professional photographer. I'm sure I am going to drive him crazy.

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Is there a chart somewhere that shows what MF lenses = in 35mm. I am a bit confused by it. I'm sure it's some easy formula that I am too stupid to grasp.

 

[Pete Askew]

She was using a Rollei twin lens reflex. A Mamiya C3 / C33 / C330 might be an option. No, they are very easy to focus and looking down onto the scene really alters the way you see composition. Much less centre focused and gives a great impression of the final image. A Hasselblad C/M + 80mm lens could be much more affordable than you think. They are my personal favourites.

 

[Beth Carter]

great, pete has garnered himself a square disciple. [doh]

 

[Steve Boykin]

great, pete has garnered himself a square disciple. [doh]

Well in fairness to Pete, I have always been square, just not aesthetically until now.

 

[Brian Moore]

Steve, for now, until you're sure you want to get into MF square, why not go the route of low buck/high fun quotient and get a Holga 120? They're about $30 and give you a square image (they also come with a mask that will give 6 X 4.5). They have a tripod mount as well as a bulb setting for the shutter, too. The images are often interesting because of the plastic lens.

If you're determined to get a more serious, non-plastic camera, I would agree with Pete about the Mamiya C3/33/330 TLRs. Check out KEH. (They happen to have a free shipping deal through tomorrow, and all their stuff carries a warranty.)

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Steve,

Mamiya is a great choice, although from personal experience I'd suggest getting a Haselblad 500 c/m and maybe a prism viewfinder if you don't like the waist level viewfinder.

500 c/m and a standard Zeiss Lens, optional meter prism viewfinder (which you'd need, if you wanted a built-in meter)

I used this guy on EBAY for my blad purchase - couldn't be happier with the camera.

HASSELBLAD 500C M 500CM CAMERA 80MM C T PLANAR A12 CLA'D EXCELLENT items in marcmiller29 store on eBay!

He has a 500 c/m for $1,068.00 incl the Zeiss 80mm lens

And he has a meter prism viewfinder for $398.00 which could added at a later date as funds allow

 

[Steve Boykin]

Steve, for now, until you're sure you want to get into MF square, why not go the route of low buck/high fun quotient and get a Holga 120? They're about $30 and give you a square image (they also come with a mask that will give 6 X 4.5). They have a tripod mount as well as a bulb setting for the shutter, too. The images are often interesting because of the plastic lens.

If you're determined to get a more serious, non-plastic camera, I would agree with Pete about the Mamiya C3/33/330 TLRs. Check out KEH. (They happen to have a free shipping deal through tomorrow, and all their stuff carries a warranty.)

I am going to take a look at the Holgas. Thanks!!!!!!

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That is a beautiful camera Chris.

 

[Larry Bolch]

This one is a bit funky, but has had long years of service. It was pretty much a folding version of the Rollei it was contemporary to, with a Zeiss Tessar f/2.8 in a Syncro-Compur leaf shutter that synced at any speed. A Zeiss Super Iconta BX. Square format on 120 film. I have not checked prices recently, but last time I did, I found them startlingly high for such an old camera. This one worked perfectly, the last time I shot it.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Cheaper than but in a very similar form to the ikonta is the nettar. No RF admittedly, and the lens isn't quite as highly regarded. But a later nettar can be had for £20, square format mf and fits in a (large) pocket.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Zeiss nettar ... Rob has one

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Steve, medium format and square format are my favourite formats! I have a few Sets on 500px reserved for different cameras:

Mamiya C330S: 500px / Rob MacKillop / Mamiya C330S

I'm growing to love this camera. I prefer the images from the RB67, but that camera is very heavy and requires a tripod, which all becomes a bit cumbersome - plus it's not square The C330S is very portable, and is easy to use, although, as mentioned, focus for close subjects can be a bit tricky, despite the magnifier in the viewfinder.

Zeiss Nettar: 500px / Rob MacKillop / Zeiss Nettar 515/16

A beautifully-built camera, extremely portable, fun to use and with a nice Zeiss lens. £30 off eBay, and worth ten times that, at least, compared to a digital.

Holga 120 - one of my Flickr Sets: Holga - a set on Flickr

OK, but I don't use it now that I have the Zeiss Nettar - the Zeiss was almost the same price, and is a much nicer camera to use, and has a real lens.

But to use any of those mentioned, you will need a light meter. I have a Weston IV from Ffordes - a few on ebay. But this last couple of weeks I've been using the FotoMeterPro app on my iPhone.

Hope that helps.

 

[Brian Moore]

No light meter required for the Holga.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

True...

 

[Steve Boykin]

Brian,

Is this the Brownie camera you are talking about?

Matt's Classic Cameras: Kodak Brownie Hawkeye

 

[Brian Moore]

That's the one.

 

[Steve Boykin]

That's the one.

I think I saw one at the St. Vincent DePaul thrift store a couple of weeks ago. I am going to check on my lunch break tomorrow. Thanks!!!!!!!!

 

[David Mitchell]

Zeiss nettar ... Rob has one

And me along with many other cameras lol

 

[Brian Moore]

I think I saw one at the St. Vincent DePaul thrift store a couple of weeks ago. I am going to check on my lunch break tomorrow. Thanks!!!!!!!!

Steve, usually the lens and viewfinder need a clean-up. Not difficult to do (although sometimes the screws that hold the retaining pieces together can feel like the are welded in).