lightweight medium format camera for long hiking trip

I am leaving in less than one month for an extended hike and

want to bring a medium format camera with me. My problem is

that I need my camera to be as lightweight as possible since I

will be carrying it for four months. As I am leaving for this hike

only a few days after graduating from art school, I do not have a

huge amount of money to spend. My ideal camera weight is one

pound or less; I have tried to research the old folding Mamiya 6,

but have not been able to find statistics on how much it actually

weighs. Does anyone know how much this camera weighs or

have any ideas on any other lightweight medium format cameras

to look into? Your suggestions are much appreciated!

My choice would be a 645 viewfinder camera, both for the

additional frames per roll and the more compact lens required.

 

The Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta A is very compact when folded, light

weight and has a beautiful lens. The Super Ikonta Bs are a bit

bulkier and heavier, still quite compact.

 

Modern cameras ... The Fuji GA645 is a bit bulky but is

remarkably light weight and has a superb lens. I find it very easy

to carry and the lens is excellent.

 

Godfrey

While the Bronica RF645 is not as light as a folder, is has interchangable lenses. It is smaller than most of the 645 SLRs that are available. Not much data out there, but reviews have been mostly favorable (see MF equipment reviews on Photo.net).

I do a lot of hiking, and used to do multi-day trips regularly. This question has been something in which I have invested a lot of thought and which I continue to think about pretty often.

 

A 645 rangefinder is almost certainly the answer for lightweight and portability in MF. Any of the Fuji manual rangefinders would fit the bill (I am currently using the one with the 60mm lens with what looks like a roll bar; there's also a folder with a 75mm lens, and a wide angle with a 45mm (?) lens with scale focusing) -- also, no dependence on batteries.

 

The Fuji AF rangefinders are also good choices. They require batteries, obviously. I had the GA645Wi -- the wide angle (45mm?) -- for a while. Superb lens -- I prefer it to the one on the manual Fuji by a substantial margin. Surprisingly compact -- I could fit it in a padded 4x5 film pack holder (made by F/64, I think). However, the autofocus was pretty pathetic, the flash was totally pathetic, and the instruction manual was even worse. Still, I think I'm finding more and more that I miss it. GREAT lens. Folks seem to like the zoom version a lot, and it gets you around the problem of a single focal length.

 

The Bronica RF645 also seems excellent. VASTLY better rangefinder than in the Fujis (which are irritatingly dim). Again, battery dependent; however, it has interchangeable lenses. Seems very smartly designed, based on my in-store play.

 

Last suggestion -- Plaubel Makina 67 or 670. Folding camera with a 80mm Nikkor f/2.8 lens. It folds to a very compact shape, and you get that great 6x7 neg. It's pretty expensive, though, and the tong-style folding mechanism is not the most trouble-free device, and that's a consideration on an extended trip.

 

I'd avoid the Fuji 6x7 or 6x9 rangefinders -- fine cameras, great lenses. Nice big negs, to be sure; however, they're a bit on the heavier side, and significantly bulkier.

 

I don't have enought experience with the M6 or M7 to say.

 

For what it is worth, I think your instincts are right. There are a lot of times hiking or skiing when I have seen something and wished I could capture in medium format instead of 35mm.

 

Good luck

What kinds of stuff do you envision yourself shooting? What is your budget? Are you new to MF? It sounds like weight and price are your two biggest concerns?

 

There are many folding cameras that might work well for you. But do you want to do guess focusing, or do you need a rangefinder? Do you have a light meter?

 

Sorry for all the questions.

 

I guess I'd say that if you're not new to MF, can learn a new camera very quickly, don't need a light meter or rangefinder, have figured out a good way to keep your 120 film dry as you hike, etc., then you have plenty of options.

 

If buying used, and given your time frame, I'd suggest that you buy something as close to mint as possible, since you won't have time for a CLA. Buying from a store might be your best option. There are plenty of dealers out there.

 

However, if you've never done MF, not sure if you want to learn a new camera, would have to buy peripheral gear and go over budget, etc., then I'd suggest you stick with whatever camera you currently use, if possible (assuming it's not a behemoth already).

 

You will be going on a once of a lifetime trip. Better to capture the moments accurately with an "inferior" camera (e.g., the one you already own, or a good P&S, etc.) than to get home and find out you had a light leak in your bellows on your Isolette or whatever.

 

Sorry. I didn't mean to be a downer. But if I were leaving in less than a month and backpacking for four months (!) and space and weight and money were at a premium, I'd take my 35mm P&S and tons of 36 exp. film (that's another hidden "cost" of MF: 6x6 will yield only 12 shots per roll...and this costs you space in your pack, unless you can periodically ship some off). But if I had more time, I'd find a mint, already CLA'd 645 folding camera, shoot some test rolls to learn its quirks, figure out a way to ship off exposed film during the trip, and then be on my merry way.

 

Of course, I'm looking at this with a scarcity mentality. I'm sure others will rebut my folly with better arguments as to why you definitely should go MF on the trip.

 

Garvey

I would think that the Fuji 645 zoom RF cam would be ideal,rather than an old folder.The old folder might be more prone to failing under harsh field conditions.I would haul a 35mm kit as a back up too.

I own a mamiya 6, but couldn`t tell exactly you how much it weighs, I have that information in my office and am now at home. It is quite light though. It weighs less than my Canon EOS 1n. It`s very nice to handle, not terribly fast. The 50mm and 75mm lenses are great, but a bit slow and do not focus closely, no tight shots of people or animals. seeing as though you are hiking I think a 35mm camera might be better. they are hardier and take the bunmps better. Nowadays with the fine grain films like Velvia you can definately get results which rival 6 x6. I use a canon eos 1n with a 17 to 35 zoom and get excellent results. Maybe try a 28 to 70 as your only lens, you`ll be able to do close ups and use polarizers, etc. I went to Machupichu and cuzco last year and took a 17-35 and a 35-135. I think it was a perfect combination and was very satisfied with the results. There was so much going on there at carnaval time, I think if I had brought the mamiya I would have missed a lot of great shots. FWIW. Good luck on your trip.

The old Mamiya 6 is heavy-very solid and all metal, I'm holding it right now and it weights about the same as my Rolleiflex-must be a few pounds. It is not the most compact old folder.

 

I think one of the fixed lens Fuji 645 cameras would be your best bet. By the time you add in a meter, and the "fussing" time required to use an older camera, I don't think you'd be happy with any of the old folders as a 4 month travel companion.(don't get me wrong -I like them and use them, but not as an only camera). I personally have started taking a high quality 35mm compact instead of a medium format camera when I'm traveling light. Less film and developing hassels, 36 exposures per roll, and still good enough for quality 8X10's.

Definately don`t buy a Point and Shoot (the fuji 6 x 6`s are not P&S, they would be a viable option). You went to art school to be able to do a professional job. Get a professional camera. If you can`t afford a good camera, buy a simple camera but buy a good lens. The only thing that comes between the subject and the film is the lens. Get the best one possible and upgrade to a better body later.

Diana, travel light. I have an old Mamiya 6 and would not consider taking it on a long hike, the lens is less than spectacular and its not what I really consider a lightweight. I`ve done a lot of walking, carrying a variety of cameras and generally found that on long walks a good manual focus, mechanical shuttered camera is hard to beat. A 35mm with a very sharp lens might be a better choice.

Some point and shoot cameras are very good like the Ricoh GR1.

 

BC

It doesn't get smaller and lighter than the Voigtlander Perkeo II. It's actually smaller and lighter than my Voigtlander Vitessa-L folding 35mm rangefinder. They run about $200 (figure another $80 for a CLA if it hasn't had one). Features: great Voigtlander 80mm/f:3.5 Color-Skopar coated lens and leaf shutter (quiet, low vibration for handholding, and flash sync at any speed), mechanical frame counter, regularly can get 13 6x6cm exposures on a 120 roll with auto-stop winding knob (unusual for a folder of this vintage), scale focusing, no meter. You can add a shoe-mount rangefinder for about $25-50 (avoid the Leica, which is very nice, but has an inflated collector's value). You can use a handheld meter of your choice, if you feel you need one, but if you want one that's compact, the new "Voigtlander"/Cosina produces a modern shoe mount meter for these kinds of cameras. They also make a double accessory shoe attachment if you want to mount two accessories at once. I really like this camera for travel.

 

Here are a couple of sample pix:

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/668752&size=lg

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/668757&size=lg

i don't think you can get much lighter then a yashica mat 124g. and it's a non-expensive mf camera, so you can feel comfortable lugging it around all the time, without much worry about breaking it. just my opinion.

 

thanks for the bandwith.

 

eph.

Lots of good answers here. If you like square and are into light weight and inexpensive with quality I'm with Ephraim, an older TLR might be your answer. I would like to suggest a Minolta Autocord. A workhorse for not much money purchased used capable of very fine images. A small light meter and 120 film and your ready to go. Decide you don't like it, after your trip you can probably sell it for what you paid for it. Good shooting and have a great trip, Rick

holga?

I looked at the Fuji Zoom Range Finder and that would be nice but the only thing that stopped me from buying it was the 645 RF was vertical... a bit disconcerting for me. Just a thought to be aware of.

Diana, I don't know if you were referring to the Mamiya 6 old folding camera or the "new" Mamiya 6 camera with retractable (not folding)lens. This "new" Mamiya is pretty old - discontinued for about ten years. Anyways, with the 75mm standard lens it weighs 2 and a half pounds.

Just to disabuse people of the "TLR's are light" theory, a Yashica 124G weighs 2 lbs 6 oz. (1080 g).

 

Yes that is light compared to lots of other cameras but by no means is that light when you're talking about backpacking. Maybe some other TLR's are a few ounces less but I'm sure that none of them are around a pound as the poster said the desired weight is.

 

BC

It's got to be a folding 6X6 plus shoe leather zoom, hasn't it?

I think the two lightest 6x6 cameras I have are a Voigtlander Perkeo from the 1950s and a Franka Solida II, same era. Both fold up to nothing much and weigh not much. If you use Tri-X or colour neg film you can leave the light meter at home too. Just guess using the icons on the box. You won't be far out. If you want slides you can get a belt fitting light meter. I'm rather envious, having worked out I was in the same position 25 years ago!

As a former Green Beret who spent a lot of time "hiking", I carried a Rollei 127 4x4 in the early 80's. I still have two that I use on a regular basis. The cameras are small, light and have very good Schnider lenses (60mm f/3.5).

 

The biggest problem is film. There are only two companies making film in 127 size: Efke & Macrophot. Freestyle carries 127 Macrophot 127 B& W film at $3.99 per roll. B&H also carries it.

 

Baby Rolleis are readily available in the 1957 grey model. Early versions of the grey 4x4 had advance issues. If you get one you will have to have it CLA'd at a cost of $150.

 

Expect to pay $150 for decent grey 4x4, $40 for a lens shade, and $15 each for a couple of filters (Bay 1 or B30 size). You will also need a handheld light meter.

 

The Rollei 4x4 is a great backpacking camera, but is a bit esoteric. Tke current crop of 645 RF would do just as well.

 

Tony

I use a Rolleicord V for hiking. It's much lighter than a "real" Rollei, or the Yashica for that matter. I have a few folders, and most of them weigh at least as much, and the quality isn't nearly as good (less rigid than a tlr). It's lense isn't as good, true, but it's more than enough for most uses, especially landscapes, etc. The other thing is that they are relatively tough when the lense cap is on. I pack mine in two 2-quart zip-locks in my pack. It's light, simple(very little to break) and tough. The hardest part is trying not to fall over when I'm looking through the viewfinder and panning for the right shot. The reversed left-to-right view has made me dizzy on more than a couple cliffs. www.mpex.com typically has a couple for around $200-$250 in good condition. Stick with the reputable guys as anything reasonable (whatever the camera) is going to be fairly old. Also, their is very little shutter vibration so I can use a mini-tripod and cable release for longer shots. Takes alittle getting use to for handheld shots, but once you get it down it's real quick. Just don't fall off a cliff while panning.

I'll side with a 35mm for wide lenses and lots of DOF as well as a smaller quanity of film and in camera meter. Storing alot of 120 rolls will be a nuisance on a long hike; 35mm containers are better as you can keep them in the (strong) plastic container which makes them waterproof as well. I shoot every format, and tho that big neg is real nice, I would take a 35mm and two lenses; One replacing the meter that you would probably need with a folder or older MF camera. Take Provia and 3 filters; Polariser, 81B and a 2 or 3 stop ND; Another nice thing about 35mm.

My vote goes to the discontinued Fuji 645 rangefinders. I used a GS645S w/60mm lens( equivalent to a 35mm in 35 format)for backpacking for 7 years. Sharp, quiet, light, decent meter.

I'll second the vote for the Fuji GS645S (60mm f/4.0, non-folding). It's a wonderful camera. A tad bulky and the rangefinder's a bit fiddly (you have to find a nice contrasty line), but it's lighter than most 35mm SLRs and the lens is great. The various GA645's (GA645i, GA645Wi, GA645Zi) might need more batteries than you'd want to carry on an extended hike.

Consider an Agfa Isolette, a beautiful little 6x6 folder from the 50's-60's. Tiny and light. Best source is seller certo6 on the auction-site-not-to-be-named, in the $75-$300 range. Less available and slightly more costly is the Agfa Record, if you prefer 6x9, but some people complain about film flatness problems with the 6x9.

 

CXC