Author Topic: square format only cameras????  (Read 8753 times)

astrobeck

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square format only cameras????
« on: March 18, 2010, 05:22:41 PM »
Has anyone compiled a list of square format only cameras?   ???

Just curious.

I'm looking for something with a square format,  more control than a Holga or Diana but not as high dollar or rare as  a Mamiya 6.

I can't afford a Hassy or Bronica kit, so am looking for alternatives.     :)

Preferably a 120 size since re-spooling to 620 is not ideal.  Thanks!


« Last Edit: March 18, 2010, 05:24:18 PM by astrobeck »

Andrea.

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2010, 05:53:34 PM »
Voigtlander Perkeos are real nice - as are Kowa6 - if you can find one.

DS

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2010, 06:05:00 PM »
There's loads! I'm a cheapskate and I love the 6x6 format:

For pocketable take everywhere cameras there's quite a lot of 6x6 folders around- I've had a few Agfa / Ansco Isolettes which are really fun (I have piles of 120 film to develop from them I shot over the last few weeks so watch this space). I find these at charity shops / fleamarkets for $5-10. They go for a bit more on ebay. There's a whole bunch other brands too- Weltas, Frankas, Etc. The image quality is not top notch but good enough for my nefarious purposes.

There's quite a few cheapo TLRS ranging from the almost toys to quality ones- Lubitels and Seagulls at the cheap end, Yashicas, Ricoh and Minolta Autocords at the pricier end (but still a fraction of a Rollei). I haven't used many of these.

So far as SLRs go have a look at the Pentacon 6, Kiev 60 and Kiev 88. These are cheap, have stunning optics but can mechanically dodgy. I think these might be your best bet if you can find a good one. I've just got my grubby hands on a Pentacon 6 to act as a stunt double for my Hassy. Needs some TLC but I think that it might become my new favourite camera of the moment- it seems robust and is comparatively silent for a 6x6 SLR.

Phil Bebbington

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2010, 07:00:08 PM »
I have a lovely Rolleicord - it was cheap on ebay and takes the most delightful images. It probably $70

vicky slater

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2010, 07:03:35 PM »
my yashicamat was ?40 on ebay and was awesome ...i regret selling it now.

Francois

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #5 on: March 18, 2010, 09:00:29 PM »
Yashica made more models than the fabled Mat.
They had the Yashica A, B, C, D, E, 635, EM, YashicaFlex, LM, 12, 124G, 124.

I voluntarily left out the Yashica 24 as it used only 220 format film.
Francois

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mart

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #6 on: March 18, 2010, 09:25:37 PM »
Becky,


Depends what look you want. I've had all the Yashicas and the Rolleis, Flex and Cord and Zeiss Ikoflex and the Czech Meopta. These are good cameras with good lenses. Minolta Autocord is quite fine as are  Ricoh things.

Right now I have the set of Kodak Crestas, there are three all UK made. #1 looks a bit toy while #2 and 3 become much sharper.

Lots of stuff around.

If you're looking for very good quality at a price, try the Yashica C.

Regards.

Martin




mikeg

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2010, 11:32:49 PM »
Don't forget the Mamiya C series TLR cameras.

Interchangeable lenses, built like tanks, relatively cheap. Try and get one of the later models such as the C220f or C330s. Great cameras.

Mike

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #8 on: March 19, 2010, 03:44:32 AM »
the Kowa six. A very capable camera quite a bit less expensive than a hassy or bronica. I use the folder, the Zeiss Ikon Ikonta, and a Rollicord for my lightweight 6x6 cameras.  The Zeiss prices can be rather high on auction sites so it's best to look for them in antique shops and flea markets.  As mentioned above - there are lots of excellent folding cameras.
« Last Edit: March 19, 2010, 01:38:53 PM by gregor »

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2010, 04:19:52 AM »
Two words: Great Wall.

moominsean

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2010, 04:39:44 AM »
yeah i love my great wall...





i can also vouch for the kowa six and super 66 (you can get a pola back for the super). but they aren't all that cheap, particularly when you start buying multiple lenses.





there are also tons of relatively cheap TLRs...ricoh, etc. always a good place to start...same level of control as more expensive cameras.

my dream is to someday make a pola back for my great wall!
« Last Edit: March 23, 2010, 04:45:48 AM by moominsean »
"A world without Polaroid is a terrible place."
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Phil Bebbington

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2010, 12:47:52 PM »
These are just great, Sean. The more results I see from the Great Wall the more I am liking what I see.

I know nothing of the Great Wall's computability with Polaroid backs. Is your desire to make one out of necessity or is it just something you want to do?

Ed Wenn

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2010, 01:25:30 PM »
These are just great, Sean. The more results I see from the Great Wall the more I am liking what I see.

I know nothing of the Great Wall's computability with Polaroid backs. Is your desire to make one out of necessity or is it just something you want to do?

Great Walls are hands-down awesome. I only sold mine to pay for one of my Bronny's and while I don't regret it for a second, I do miss the Great Wall. They are great for shallow DOF work and for putting home made/modified lenses onto. The only slight issues are the relatively slow max shutter speed and the fact that the build quality isn't great. Now I'm a huge fan of cameras with low build quality so don't think I'm being a snob, but I got a bit tired of getting scratched negs from my Great Wall despite all the cleaning in the world.

Regarding Sean's dream of a Pola back for his Great Wall -and without wanting to talk for the man himself - I would assume it's just because he loves tinkering with this sort of thing and because it'll marry two of his favourite things; the Great Wall and instant film.

Phil Bebbington

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2010, 01:30:11 PM »
Thanks, Ed. I sensed it might be a tinkering issue.

vicky slater

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #14 on: March 23, 2010, 02:08:20 PM »
yep, really love the great wall too, one of my faves,  but a complete bugger to use :)



[Sorry, image deleted during forum software upgrade. Please re-upload if so inclined.]

moominsean

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #15 on: March 23, 2010, 04:31:59 PM »
These are just great, Sean. The more results I see from the Great Wall the more I am liking what I see.

I know nothing of the Great Wall's computability with Polaroid backs. Is your desire to make one out of necessity or is it just something you want to do?

i NEED a pola back for my great wall. actually i just want one. it would take some work and some cutting.
"A world without Polaroid is a terrible place."
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Alan

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #16 on: March 23, 2010, 04:45:51 PM »
I use 3 6x6 format cameras particularly for lo fi shooting.

Holga 120
Balda Baldixette
and Lubitel 166B

The lubitel offers much more control over
the other 2 and is a TLR type camera,
very compact and lght  and most of all
cheap.

Here are some of my samples . .  although
my copy is showing the results of lots of wear
from rolling aroung in the car.

http://www.lofiimage.com/Lubitel.html

Phil Bebbington

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #17 on: March 23, 2010, 06:49:21 PM »
Vicky, I love number one in particular!

Sean, you have a serious habit there, my friend. Feed the habit I say.

Karl

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #18 on: March 23, 2010, 09:39:32 PM »
6 by 6 being my preferred format, I would say
1. If you find a Rollei T then that would be ideal. It's the one camera of mine that I wouldn't sell. The Rolleiflex series of cameras are the best TLRs going and the T series is a good bridge between the Rolleicords (a bit less user friendly) and the full blown Rolleiflex 3.5 and 2.8 planars (???$$$). The Tessar lens is a cracker and often on Ebay for a reasonable sum.
2. If not a Mamiya C220 or C330. C220 is cheaper and produces the same standard of image as the C330, it's just a bit larger and slightly less user friendly (shutter cocking required.

If yo are serious then spending a bit more on a Rollei T would be my advice
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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #19 on: March 23, 2010, 09:58:42 PM »
Zeiss-Ikon also made a few, like the Nettar. It's a folder with guestimating focus that takes 120.
Francois

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #20 on: April 30, 2010, 10:31:42 AM »
I should also add that the Moskva 5 is a dual format MF camera with both 6x6 and 6x9 capabilities. Leon and I bought one each years ago. I still have mine; he's re-used the lens from his on his new Shen Hao. I wish I used mine more. It's great fun.

Another  6x6 camera that I've always hankered after is the old Soviet, Iskra-2 120 folder.

Both of these are rangefinders.
« Last Edit: April 30, 2010, 07:55:49 PM by ed.wenn »

cmdrray

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #21 on: April 30, 2010, 10:53:00 AM »
I can vouch for the following:

Rolleicord IIa (1939, with the wonderful Triotar lens...bokeh to die for and a very sharp lens, too The Rolleiflexes from the 30s and later can be a dodgy prospect unless they have been recently serviced...their advance mechanisms are more complex. Apart from the film advance, there is no difference in the build quality between a 'cord and a 'flex...and the 3.5 vs. 2.8 lens debate is a lot of complaining about how the groundhogs have dug up the garden...the 3.5 lenses are every bit as good, and often sharper at wide open.)

Mamiya C33 (mid 1960s..yes, it weighs about 4 pounds, but it and its C-series cousins are the only interchangeable TLRs out there...great lenses and wonderful quality)

Agfa Isolette (do not fall for the myth of all of them needing new bellows...that simply is not true).

Pentacon Six TL (the ones made in the late 1980s/early 1990s are quite good, and do not suffer from as many quality issues as the earlier ones).

Yashica (the D models are quite good, avoid the "A" model which suffers from a poor lens and the 124G suffers from an iffy advance mechanism and very high price tag [keep in mind that these sold for $119 in the early 1980s...they are not worth much more than that now.]

I personally would avoid the Lubitels (eye-strain waiting to happen and poor quality throughout...ditto the Seagulls....) Any of the over-priced dreck from Lomography should be avoided...those people are nothing but a shower of morons. Avoid hipster chic (what my generation called "Blue Jean Conformity.")

If all else fails....there are a lot of Agfa-Ansco 120 box cameras from the 1930s and 40s out there...often for a couple of dollars, because no one seems to know about them. If you see these and they state "B2 film", that is Agfa-Ansco's designation for 120 film.

Also....if you see Kodak Brownie Hawkeye cameras with the gray plastic advance knob, they will often accept 120 film...if you have a 620 take-up reel. These too are often very cheap. They are far better quality than the Holgas.

One does not need to spend a lot of money on these. Avoid the Idiot-net. If you play your cards right, many times you will find these locally...and for cheap...and possibly even for free. Most of what you will find on the net passing for information is nothing but nonsense and hearsay..I've been selling cameras for nearly 30 years. Feel free to email me...happy to help.
« Last Edit: April 30, 2010, 10:55:16 AM by cmdrray »

Ed Wenn

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #22 on: April 30, 2010, 07:57:08 PM »
...those people are nothing but a shower of morons. Avoid hipster chic.

That's fighting talk, Cmdrray...but I love you for it!

 :D :D :D

roman

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #23 on: May 01, 2010, 01:14:47 AM »
older non metered 3.5 rolleiflex should be pretty cheap (around 200+). I love mine and the Schneider lens is amazing
sample: shot with kodak 400vc

sample: shot with kodak ektacolor 160
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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #24 on: May 01, 2010, 03:49:21 PM »
I have both a YashicaMat and a Yashica A. I tried the A last fall and must say that even if the lens is not the best, I was still happily surprised by the results I got from it. The A is almost Bulletproof. The weak point for me is the lack of choice when it comes to shutter speed selection. But it is still a lot better than any Lubitel or Holga or Hawkeye.

The groundglass is a bit dark on the corners (doesn't have a fresnel lens). But it's still very usable.

Here's a very inadequately exposed shot I just salvaged.

[Sorry, image deleted during forum software upgrade. Please re-upload if so inclined.]
Francois

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BVStaples

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #25 on: May 19, 2010, 08:15:58 PM »
I use a Zeiss IkoFlex Favorite with a Tessar lens. It takes extraordinary pictures. I like to push my old rolls of TechPan through it. And I LOVE the square format. Look on the auction sites, there are plenty of TLR camera out there, some more costly than others. I also see them with regularity in the local thrift stores...


astrobeck

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #26 on: May 19, 2010, 09:12:34 PM »
thanks millions to  :everyone for the square suggestions!

You can of course keep posting options for the others lurking that may be shopping, but my dream has come true since I purchased a Mamiya 6.
 :) :) :)
thanks again all!

Becky


Ed Wenn

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #27 on: May 19, 2010, 10:07:52 PM »
Now who would be stupid enough to sell a Mamiya 6? Probably some old hippy who decided to move into LF and ditch the small format. Your gain, Beck!

 :D :D :D

LT

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #28 on: May 20, 2010, 06:47:29 AM »
Watchit Wenn.
L.

Ed Wenn

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #29 on: May 20, 2010, 07:38:15 AM »
WHAT!? What did I say?

 :D ;D

LT

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #30 on: May 20, 2010, 08:16:41 AM »
I'm 38 years young.
L.

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Re: square format only cameras????
« Reply #31 on: May 20, 2010, 06:29:01 PM »
Lucky you didn't invert those numbers... the result would have scared me ;)
Francois

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