Which camera produces largest film format and works for travel?

[asimrazakhan]

<p>I'm trying to maximise the area of the film and minimize the size and weight of the camera. So what camera will produce the largest film format yet will still be a small sized camera? </p>

<p>This camera should be great for travel. Also, it should be easy enough to be used handheld in street shooting... which is common in travel photography.</p>

<p>Is there anything that beats the Mamiya 7 or 7ii?</p>

<p>I don't think there's anything in Large format that could be shot handheld. 35mm format is almost always 24x36mm so it doesn't leave much in choosing film formats. I'd just end up having to buy the smallest camera.</p>

<p>So is the best balance really found in a Mamiya 7 or 7ii? Or perhaps the older Mamiya 6 with its collapsible lenses...</p>

[alan_rockwood]

<p>How small do you want it to be? How about a Crown Graphic? Since it was the standard press camera back in the day it is hand-holdable, and since it folds up it is not as big as you might expect.</p>

[jpo3136b]

<p>Does it have to have interchangeable lenses? If so, I would think that the lens collection could take up a fair amount of the bulk and weight. If not, I would suggest a Yashicamat. It's lightweight, sturdy, all mechanical, and takes up about as much room as two 35mm film bodies back to back. They're cheaper; but they're okay knockaround cameras.</p>

<p>The storage and processing concerns with sheet films, I think, would be too inconvenient for "travel"; that is, people take view cameras wherever they want to take them, but you don't see anyone trying to get 150 undeveloped sheet film negs through an airport or anything. So, 120mm films. I haven't used the Mamiya 7's, so I can't comment on those.</p>

<p>I'd keep an eye on that lens weight, if weight's a factor. I like my Pentax 645, but lenses are clearly heavier than a small format 49mm diameter lens kit. I think the lens choice is going to matter for bulk and weight.</p>

[luis_g]

<p>The new Fuji folder might work:</p>

<p>http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/18141/fujifilm-medium-format-camera/</p>

<p>or...</p>

<p>http://www.dantestella.com/technical/ga645.html</p>

<p>Which gives you more frames per roll, but is smaller than 6x7.</p>

<p>Biggest format for travel? Fragile.... Ungainly, with film holders, film-changing bag, very heavy in the pack, but fits the bill.</p>

<p>http://www.littman45single.com/</p>

<p> </p>

[berlinhennig]

<p>Try <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_camera">field cameras</a> :</p>

<ul>

<li><a title="http://www.horsemanusa.com/" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.horsemanusa.com/" title="http://www.horsemanusa.com/" >Horseman</a> </li>

<li><a title="http://www.linhof.de/" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.linhof.de/" title="http://www.linhof.de/" >Linhof</a> </li>

<li><a title="http://www.toyoview.com/" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.toyoview.com/" title="http://www.toyoview.com/" >Toyo-View</a> </li>

</ul>

<p>Heavy, but still handy and great in format.</p>

[ed mendes]

<p>Well, I love my Mamiya 645 system but it isn't ideal for hand holding. I think you only real option would be a medium format range finder system. There are many wonderful systems out there, Mamiya 7 is certainly one of them. If you really want to cut weight, cost etc. you could go for the moody look of a Holga, it shoots 6x6 if I remember right, is very light and only cost about $10. Of course its all plastic, may have a number of light leaks and has a plastic lens but many people love it.<br>

Ed Mendes</p>

[berlinhennig]

<blockquote>

<p>Mamiya 645 system but it isn't ideal for hand holding</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Who t.h. is not able to handheld a Mamiya 645? It's just a little bit larger and heavier than a Canon D1 DSLR. If you can't hold this, try painting!<br>

For travel & shoot there is also the new <a href="http://www.voigtlaender.de/cms/voigtlaender/voigtlaender_cms.nsf/id/pa_fdih7jzkae.html">Voigtländer Bessa III RF/MF</a> camera out in a few weeks. Lesser camera & more film isn't possible at that time.</p>

[western_isles]

<p>I have used a Mamiya 7 mk1 for a number of years and the reason why I went for it is film size, light weight, high quality lens, and robust build. The Mamiya 7 has all these. In particular the lens are stunning producing very high quality images even hand held.<br />There is very little to choose between the Mk 1 and 2. I would go for the Mk 1. they are available second hand and significantly cheaper than the 2.<br />Currently Ffordes of Inverness in Scotland has both marks and I have purchased from them by post on a number of occasions. Google Ffordes photographic for the website. They have photographs of their stock on the site.</p>

[paddy_macmahon1]

<p>There are any number of cheaply available 6 by 6 format folding rangefinders on the second hand market. It seems both Fuji and Voigtlaender are bringing out modern versions, but these will come in at the £2000 mark, I'd imagine - a second hand model in reasonable condition will cost a small fraction of that. Look here:<br>

<a href="http://www.cleanimages.com/articles/MediumFormatInYourPocket/folders.htm">http://www.cleanimages.com/articles/MediumFormatInYourPocket/folders.htm</a><br>

for some advice on models. For travel you have the following advantages: compact, cheap and rugged.</p>

[janne_moren]

<p>The Fuji 6x9 rangefinders would be your best bet, or an folder - either the new Fuji/Voigtländer, or an older, used one. They'll all be lighter and a lot more compact than a Mamiya 7, and with bigger film area. I recently saw a link to a guy who produces an 5x4 format LF folder; that'd probably beat any other option here, but isn't any kond of mass-market or production item of course.</p>

 

[frank_bunnik]

<p>You could consider a Fuji GW670 or 690 rangefinder. In Japan, there was also a GW680 that turns up in the west on occasion sometimes. There is a wide-angle variant called the GSW690. The new Fuji/Voigtlander folder is nice but is very overpriced. For that amount of money you better buy a Mamiya 7 with some lenses.<br>

The Horseman or Linhof option is a good one. I can put a Horseman VH-R 6x9 camera with 3 lenses, one filmback, a lightmeter and a poupe in a Lowepro ProMag 2 AW easily. If I choose the rangefinder exclusively, I can put in an extra lens and filmback. The camera is easy to shoot handheld but myabe not so useful for streetshooting. The camera folds up very compact so it is a joy to use for travelling.</p>

[mohir_ali]

<p>Hassy SWC with a fixed lens, but what a lens! I traveled to many countries with it and a Leica kit.</p>

[stuart_richardson]

<p>I must disagree with Janne, I used to own a Fuji G690 and it was both larger AND heavier than a Mamiya 7...and the lenses were not as good either. Don't get me wrong, they were good, just not as good. Personally, I think the Mamiya is the best balance of film size, camera flexibility (interchangeable lenses, 120/220, AE operation etc), and camera size. Obviously there are a number of ways to go.</p>

[stwrtertbsratbs5]

<p>I use a Mamiya 7 II when I travel. There are some limitations, such as close focus, but it's an excellent choice.</p>

[Andrew in Austin]

<p>I own and use the FUJI GW 690 III - but I will put a plug in for the Mamiya 7 series. Late model Fuji 6x9ers were pretty much built like an overgrown compact 35mm fixed-len rangefinder. The BIG FUJI does take a good photo, but ..............</p>

<p>The Mamiya is a system camera and makes more sense. Their optics are pro quality. The 7 series Mamiyas have a more professional feel and handle more professionally than is the case with the Big Fuijis during their later years.</p>

[danny_wong2]

<p>Linhof Technika</p>

[bms]

<p>Another vote for the Mamiya 7 - got mine recenly used in near mint condition and I love it. You need co carry quite alot of film, especially if you use 120. I also have the 135 panoramic adapter, which is a little cumbersome but it gives you the advantage of being able to develop film amost anywhere (prints are nother matter, though).</p>

[arthur_gottschalk]

<p>The Mamiya 6 is a great camera, perhaps my favorite of all time. But it has some very fragile components that unfortunately can no longer be replaced or repaired. Most of the used ones on the market have seen lots of action, so buying one is risky at best. The Mamiya 7II is a much better bet. If you are primarily a wide angle shooter the 43mm lens is supurb and very compact.</p>

[berlinhennig]

<blockquote>

<p ><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=43021">Arthur Gottschalk</a> , Apr 26, 2009; 10:22 a.m.<br>

The Mamiya 6 is a great camera, perhaps my favorite of all time. But it has some <em><strong>very fragile components ... </strong> </em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>... which are? Could you please specify so that other can take care of their own M6 before anything will broke? Thx.</p>

[Ian Taylor]

<p>I used the Pentax 645N on the road in Asia for a couple of years. Not a massive neg, but big enough for most applications. Great bulletproof camera, the autofocus makes it super quick and easy for travel portraits.<br>

And they are dirt cheap these days.</p>

<p><a title="old girl by ko-knia, on Flickr" href=" title="old girl by ko-knia, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/28/45558841_7b02a34101.jpg" alt="old girl" width="500" height="395" /> </a><br>

<a title="twins by ko-knia, on Flickr" href=" title="twins by ko-knia, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/33/37231728_7ba9384703.jpg" alt="twins" width="500" height="443" /> </a><br>

<a title="colonial era street by ko-knia, on Flickr" href=" title="colonial era street by ko-knia, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/45/132549532_6a23af9461.jpg" alt="colonial era street" width="500" height="389" /> </a></p>

[vel_ziliuse]

<p>I think that the answer to your question should be "the Razzle".<br>

You can find it here: http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~razzle/index.html</p>

<p>And you can see the "commercial" below:<br>

<img src="http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~razzle/Razzle_on_a_unicycle.jpg" alt="" width="453" height="624" /></p>

[eric_brody]

<p>As most of the posters have said, the Mamiya 7 is likely the best combination of image size, lens quality, and weight for travel, with the usual caveats about rangefinders, close focusing, limited lens choice. But no camera does it all, and within the specified parameters, the M7 is the one to beat. Were you to do a search on the Mamiya 7, I am certain you'd find a large number of threads all of which reach the same conclusion.<br>

Good luck.<br>

Eric</p>

[jack_welsh]

<p>The Mamiya 6 &7's , I've heard are great cameras. Have a 4x5 Graphic, Mamiya RB, Universal and TLR. But, I bought the 645 pro for traveling, etc. Also. got the 401 Powerdrive to make it easier to handhold. It's like using a DSLR. It also can hold more shots per roll. The neg is almost 3 times larger than a 35 neg.</p>

[charleseagan]

<p>My Mamiya 645 afd is fine for hand held medium format photography. It's a bit heavy, but it feels good as a hand held camera.</p>

[rick_fisher1]

<p>Do a search Gowlandflex...I used to have and 8x10 hand held I did aerials with in the mid 80's...awesome...only problem you might have is fixed focus...but he made a 4x5/5x7 focusable version..</p>