Pentax 67 photo courtesy of Chuck Rubin chucker@iglou.com
Current Medium Format Camera Listings
by Robert Monaghan
Current Medium Format Camera Listings
by Robert Monaghan
Index:
Current Cameras
Current Lenses
Related Links:
MF cameras list
Q: Where can I see a listing of current MF cameras?
See our available MF lenses pages for listings and prices.
See also Hasselblad lens MTF charts
See Kiev 88, Kiev 60
(Pentacon) lenses
See Mamiya RF
Lenses
See Rollei
Lenses
See Tamron/Bronica's How to
Buy A Lens
rec.photo.equipment.large-format
From: ar7500@aol.com (AR7500)
[1] Huge LF Catalog
Date: Wed May 06 1998
I ordered a 4x5 enlarger from B and H a few months ago which, I suppose,
is why they sent me their new large and medium format catalog. It's about
an inch thick and contains writeups on many LF cameras, lens and
accessories. Sure, they are written by the manufacturers, not independent
reviewers, but at least there's information to consider. If you didn't
get one, you might contact B and H for a copy. Art
From Contax Mailing List:
Date: Thu, 02 Mar 2000
From: "Bob Shell" bob@bobshell.com
Subject: Re: [CONTAX] 645 concept/marketing
George,
It is very simple. Copal decided to build a bladed shutter for medium
format and sell to camera makers. To get the flash synch speed and top
speed high enough was tough, but could be done in a shutter module for
645. It could not be done in a shutter module for 6 X 6. The Contax
645 and Mamiya 645 AF are both cameras built around the shutter
module, not the other way around. Since there is no planned 6 X 6
shutter module, there will not be any 6 X 6 cameras.
Bob
- ----------
>From: george day geod@cwo.com >To: contax@photo.cis.to >Subject: [CONTAX] 645 concept/marketing >Date: Thu, Mar 2, 2000 > > Here's the thing: Why did Contax go after the 645 market, pure and simple? > Why not produce the Contax "66" -- a square-format base, multi-format > capable, system?
From Rollei Mailing List:
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2000
From: Bob Shell bob@bobshell.com
Subject: Re: [Rollei] Compur manufacture
Which Hasselblad lenses use a size O shutter? All of them that have
leaf shutters.
When the 500C was developed, Compur in Munich made a Synchro-Compur 0-MXV
for Hasselblad. Not generally known is that Compur made the whole lens
barrel and Zeiss screwed complete lens cells into them. These shutters
are identified as type CS-1210 with a three number suffix depending on the
lens. Special MXV shutters were also made for Adox, Agfa, Balda, Braun,
Diax, Franka, Graflex,Iloca, Kodak, Linhof, Rollei, SEM, Schneider,Sinar,
Voigtlander and Zeiss according to a 1967 complete listing.
The CS-1210 is a number 0 shutter. All of the original Hasselblad lenses
were fitted into this size. When Hasselblad made the switch from shutters
identified as Synchro-Compur to those now called Prontor the diameter was
not changed. This has been a limiting factor in Hasselblad's lens
development and the reason they are unable to offer fast lenses with leaf
shutters. So a number 0 Prontor definitely is in production, and if
Rollei wanted them I am sure they could buy them. Since the Hasselblad
38mm Biogon uses a number 0 shutter I would guess that the Alpa version
of this lens, when purchased with the Compur option, comes in a number 0
Compur. I have asked Roger Hicks to confirm this from his Alpa.
Rollei solved the shutter diameter problem for SLR cameras by making their
own shutters in two sizes, one of which is equivalent in diameter to a
number O and one of which is larger and allows lenses like the 180mm
f/2.8.
Bob
.....
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2000
From: tintype@megsinet.com (Peter Mikalajunas)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Medium-format 6x9
Michael Eschner
michael.eschner@chemie.tu-chemnitz.de wrote:
>I like to restart with MF-photography again. Therfor I am looking >for 6x9 cm cameras. My preference for this format drives from the >fact that this format has the same side proportion as 35 mm. What >I am looking for is a manual camera preferentially a SLR for >landscape photography which should feature interchangeable lenses >(wide angle, normal, a light telephoto-lens corresponding to a >100 mm for 35 mm format). > >Until now I could not get to many information on 6x9 cameras. It >seems to me that this market is very small and thus there are >only a few manufacturers. Can sombody give me names of companies >building 6x9 cameras? > >Thanks, > >Michael
These are current makers, none are SLR... Arca-Swiss - view camera Calumet - view camera Toyo - view camera Camogli 69/58 and 69/47 Fuji GW690 and older G690 Horseman SW612 (does 6x9cm) Linhof M679 Linhof Aerial Linhof Technikardan 6x9 Linhof Super Technika 23 Linhof Technika IV
There is a much longer list of older makers, none produced a 6x9 SLR
to my knowledge. The closest is the current Fuji 6x8 SLR.
Peter Mikalajunas
Photo links
http://www.megsinet.com/tintype
---
[Ed. note: if you need a 6x9 SLR...]
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2000
From: "Shinichi Hayakawa" shaya@gol.com
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Medium-format 6x9
....
There were several 6x9 SLRs in the past. Plaubel Pecoflex, Rittreck SP
and
venerable Graflex all accepted 6x9 holders.
Shinichi
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 1999
From: "Rick Rieger" rrieger@voyager.net
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Bronica GS-1 Opinions
Robert,
I have two GS-1 bodies and five lenses, along with extension tubes, 1.4x
extender and both meter finders. My overall satisfaction is very high.
This system is very easy to use and all the parts/pieces are well
integrated. You don't have to remember to do things in a sequence like
you do with Hassleblad. I particularly like the small size of the GS-1
compared to Mamiya RB/RZ or Fuji 680. The quality of manufacture seems
fine. I've never owned a Hassleblad or Rollei, so I don't know how the
quality measures up to these. All I can say is that the end results from
the GS-1 are competitive with any MF system. Optical performance is very
good, especially the 100mm PG. No complaints about the lens quality.
The camera is fun to use and has produced outstanding results for me.
The Rotary Finder G pretty well makes up for the lack of a rotating back,
but I have to admit that a rotating back would be nice.
Weak points:
1. Poor marketing by the importer. The system is not promoted well at
all.
2. Lens shutters will probably need service after 7-10 years. Lenses
will start failing to complete their exposure cycle during cooler weather.
Service by Tamron is currently $190 per lens. I don't believe such
service requirements are unique to Bronica.
3. Backs will eventually overlap frames after heavy use. Again, this is
not a problem unique to this brand. So far, I've had no problems with any
of my five backs. If you buy used, try to avoid heavliy used backs.
4. System depth - relative to 6x7 Mamiya or Pentax, the GS-1 is a
relatively small system (e.g., 9 lenses). However, it had what I needed,
so this was a moot point for me.
5. Rental - the rental market for Hassleblad is a whole lot better than
Bronica, particularly the GS-1. If you shoot GS-1, you better have all
the accessories you will need, since it's unlikely you'll be able to rent
them.
RD Munger rdmunger@execpc.com wrote
> Hello all. I'm fascinated by this machine and would like any > opinions regarding overall satisfaction, quality of manufacture > and optical performance. > > Are there any peculiar quirks to be aware of? > > Thanks to all. > > Regards, Robert
From: "John Stafford" John@Stafford.net
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2000
Subject: Re: SILVESTRI?
> Anyone using this camers? > Got any info? URL?
I have all the literature, and you can find recent information by
calling the best USA distributor (he also handles Ebony, Osaka, Corfield
and Gandolfi)
Ted Bromwell
3 Allegheny Center #111
Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5319
(412) 321 4118
Ted has a web page: http://www.bromwell.com but Ted always has more
information than is on the page. He's in touch with Silvestri directly all
the time.
You really do have to call him. Don't bother with the e-mail URL. (He
does not maintain the page himself.) If you call him, and leave your
phone number with his answering machine, Ted _will_ get back to you, even
at home if you prefer. He's very good to work with. The personal approach
is alive and well with his business.
...and the last time I talked to him, his prices were $2000 under typical
retail for the Silvestri system. It's a great, albeit specialized, system.
From: Dermot Conlan dermoc@bellatlantic.net
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2000
Subject: Re: SILVESTRI?
A guy from Australia, Nick Rains (do a search on Yahoo or Netscape for
his web page) uses a Silvestri set up for landscapes. It's an
interesting camera, should say system. Also go to"
www.robertwhite.co.uk" he sells the system at a better price and you'll
find a link to Nick's site there. I've spoken a few times to him and he
can give a lot of info.
In the USA Ted Bromwell/ Bromwell Marketing in PA is the distributor,
call him and he can send a very good color system chart.
Dermot
First of all, the medium format Leica is not a rumor. It was announced to
a group of the photo press by the President of Leica. I was not there,
but I have spoken with people who were and there is no question that the
announcement was made. He would not give any details at all, so the
format is not known. It is also not known if it would have
interchangeable lenses.
Second, Leica does have a deal with Kyocera to make some lenses for them,
as well as supplying electronic components. But I don't think Kyocera is
building any complete cameras for them. I don't think this new Leica
medium format camera will come from Kyocera.
In the past Leica has sold cameras under their name built by almost every
company that makes point and shoot cameras, so it could come from a
variety of sources. My guess is that it would be designed in Solms
but built elsewhere to save production costs. And don't forget that,
so far as I know, Leica still has their production facility in Portugal.
Bob
> From: adam forrester aforrester@callnet0800.com > Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 > To: contax@photo.cis.to > Subject: [CONTAX] contax medium format rangefinder > > Contax already have a connection with Leica in that they manufacter in Japan > several Leica R zooms EG. the current > 80-200f4 so maybe they are going to make the rumoured MF Leica camera and > lenses ? Is the format 645 or 6x7 -does anyone know ?? > > adam
From: bhilton665@aol.comedy (Bill Hilton) Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format Date: 22 May 2003 Subject: Re: Pentax 645 system comparison to other medium format systems >>"Bill Hilton" bhilton665@aol.comedy >> But if I were buying a system new today I'd think carefully about the >> future path to a digital back, something that's easier to do with the >> interchangeable back bodies than with the Pentax. >From: "P†l Jensen" paaljensen@sensewave.com > >There exist digital back prototypes for the Pentax 645 by some third party >company. Who? > Pentax also have patented such backs. There is no difficulties in >designing such a back as the Pentax have interchangeable film magazines. I hope you are right, since it would mean I could use my existing Pentax lenses on a future digital product, but so far there are digital backs from several companies that work on many different medium format systems, but I don't see much for Pentax. Here's what's listed in the B&H; catalog, for instance ... Mega-Vision S3 back for Bronica, Contax 645, Hasselblad, Mamiya 645 Pro, Mamiya RZ and RB. Kodak digital backs for Contax 645, Hasselblad H1, Mamiya 645 AF & AFD. Fuji 11 Mpix back for Fuji GX-680, Hasselblad, Mamiya RZ. It's not listed at B&H;, but the Phase One H 10 works with the Hassy, the Mamiya 645 AF, the Mamiya RZ Pro and the Contax 645. And the Leaf-C supports the Hassy and the Mamiya 645 AF as well. Nothing for Pentax, except a brief statement from PMA that they are "working" on a digital back. Compared to viable solutions from several manufacturers for Contax, Mamiya, Hasselblad and even Bronica. >Digital cameras that take 645 lenses are more likely. How the future will be >is impossible to say but it is noteworthy that Pentax is the only major >manufacturer who makes MF. The new Hassy H1 appears designed for digital from the ground up. Pentax hasn't announced anything similar. >They are also one of the few that bother with >digital slr's at all. And yet everyone else making MF appears to be way ahead of them. >My guess is that Pentax is in best position to make >viable digital solutions for MF. It looks to me like it's exactly the opposite, they are far behind with no published roadmap on how they might catch up. Bill
From: "David J. Littleboy" davidjl@gol.com Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format Subject: Re: auto focus mf camera Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2004 "Don" nospamdonbo@comcast.net wrote... > What cameras are there in the Medium Format that are auto focus.I was at > camera store today and could not find one. Anyone have any suggestions for a > auto focus MF camera? I can think of 5 off hand. The claim is that the Hasselblad H1 is the best/fastest. It's a tad pricey. I'd guess that it has the best glass. Other options include the Pentax, Mamiya, and Contax. The Pentax is probably the most reasonably priced. The Contax glass may be the best of the three, although the reviews I've seen say there isn't much difference. There's an AF version of the Rollei 6008, although AF lenses are in short supply. I don't know about the Pentax, but all the other cameras have limited choices for AF lenses. I'd personally lean towards the Pentax. Observing the landscape magazines in Japan, the Pentax is clearly the 645 camera of choice for landscape photography here. All are glacially slow compared to the cheapest Canon Rebel 35mm film camera. If you really need AF, you probably don't really need MF. Get the Canon 300D for your sports, kids, available light work, and a manual focus MF for quality work. David J. Littleboy Tokyo, Japan
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