What choices are there in 6X9

I am looking for a medium format camera that has the 6X9 dimensions.

I am familiar with Fuji's 690's and the old Mamiya press cameras but

are there some other alternatives?

Thanks,

Troy

6x9 back from Calumet for 4x5 camera.

There are the Horseman and Cambowide cameras that use

rollfilm backs, but if you are looking for an SLR or a rangefinder

outside of the ones you mention the closest I can think of is the

6x8cm SLRs made by Fuji.

Some wonderful, expensive ones are made by Horseman, Silvestri (available from Bromwell - http://www.bromwellmarketing.com/) and Alpa (www.alpa.ch). If you decide to go with a Mamiya Press, get a Universal and definitely buy from http://members.cox.net/gmhsint/. Tony refurbishes the equipment to factory specs. There's lots of photos of the Mamiyas on http://digilander.libero.it/clabo/mamiya/. Also, there's a Mamiya Press section on this bbs.

If you do not want to spend alot of money, the Kodak Medalist and Medalist II are 6x9.

I am looking over a Horseman 985 technical camera with 65 and 105 lenses and two 6x9 backs tomorrow. I have never actually used one so I can't offer any advice until then. I am hoping it meets my '6x9 with interchangable lens' needs. Horseman 970/980/985 series cameras show up fairly often on that well-known auction site (that for some reason nobody ever names, why is that?).

Another option is the Graflex Century Graphic. See http://www.graflex.org for more info.

>>I am looking over a Horseman 985 technical camera with 65 and 105 lenses and two 6x9 backs tomorrow. I have never actually used one so I can't offer any advice until then. I am hoping it meets my '6x9 with interchangable lens' needs. <<

 

If you can find a Horseman VH-R, that would be preferable because it has the revolving back and revolving viewfinder (it was the last one before they removed the rangefinder and viewfinder and called it a VH). The Horsemans (Horsemen?)are nice cameras except for these things:

 

1) The rangefinder and viewfinder are separate windows, like the old Leica screwmounts. None to swift in operation.

 

2) Each focal length has a separate rangefinder cam which has to be changed when you change lenses. Also none too swift.

 

3) 65mm is the shortest lens you can use because of the minimum bellows draw.

 

4) The Horseman film backs, especially the 6x9 (there are 6x7's also)have a little trouble keeping the film flat especially if you leave the film in it for more than a few hours.

 

5) The lenses (Tokyo Kogaku--makers of the old Topcons, for trivia buffs)are good but modern lenses have better coatings and more contrast. They also have 2x3 image circles which limits the amount of shift you can safely apply. Better to use 4x5 lenses on Horseman boards (will accept anything 65-210mm in a #0 or #1 shutter, but the rangefinder cams are made only for 65-75-105-150-180).

How come there was no mention of Linhof cameras? There are many models, from the latest M679cc (both as a digital and film camera, depends on the configuration), Technikardan 69, Technika Vb to the older Technika 70, Technika V, IV etc. The older models are easily found in used market. They are reputed for excellent built and tight tolarance, their super rollex film backs are the best roll film backs I have ever seen.

What do you want to do with the camera?

 

Do you have a budget in mind?

 

Do you want interchangable lenses - for what range of focal lengths?

 

Would you appreciate being able to use other formats?

 

Do you need portability or transportability?

 

Do you need (full) movements e.g. for architecture?

 

If you have 10s of 000's available, and a secure 1 ton truck, and you need a full range of movements... get a Sinar P2 (54) and roll film adaptors.

 

For less money you can get a whole range of convertable 5x4 cameras, with or without movements, very cheaply (by Hasselblad standards)on E-Bay.

 

You could try asking the question on the Large format forum.

You could check out the <a href="http://www.zeroimage.com/692.html">Zero 6x9.</a> I have the Zero 2000, an earlier 6x6 model, and can vouch for the quality of their products.

Jeff;

 

Do you have the 6 fps motor drive for your Zero? :)

<i>Do you have the 6 fps motor drive for your Zero?</i><p>

 

Maybe I could make one if I have the time.<p>

 

Hey, the older model doesn't even have the cable release option, you have to manually open and close the shutter. This makes short exposures, a common event with reasonably fast film outdoors, problematic, but, hey, every camera has its problems.<p>

 

Sure takes nice pix tho.<p>

 

<center>

<img src="http://www.spirer.com/images/statuepin.jpg"><br>

<i>Bust (Ravello), Zero 2000, Copyright 2001 Jeff Spirer</i>

</center>

A 1953 (ish) Zeiss Ikon Super-Ikonta.

My Moscova 5 6x9 120 roll film folder cost a mighty 60 dollars; plus 12 dollars shipping form Msocow to the USA. Its lens is a 4 elemnt tessar clone; an Industar 24; a 105mm F3.5 coated lens. My camera had a small pinhole in the bellows; which I fixed with liquitex black. The camera has a rangefinder.