Lightest 6x7?

[peri24]

if you want to enter into the guessing game with filters and rangefinders, i just found a neat solution from Lee.
http://www.leefilters.com/downloads/...mallWonder.pdf
maybe an experienced rangefinder user can throw us some light to the subject

[brian steinberger]

It is not too difficult to use ND grads with rangefinders after running a few tests. If you want lightweight and you want 6x7 the Mamiya 7 is the option.

[superbass]

I have nothing new really to add ... Besides that I have a Pentax 67 and a Bronica GS-1, and while the Bronica is lighter than the Pentax 67, it's still pretty heavy. So if you really need light, I'd say you have to go with the Mamiya 7 or one of the Fuji rangefinders. They're all pretty pricey though. But the Bronica's have really good grips IMO. And if you slap a grip on a Bronica, they're pretty easy to handle and you still get all the flexibility of a slr vs a rangefinder. Not to mention the GS-1's are less than half the price of a Mamiya.

Also, if you want to buy a Bronica GS-1 to test it out, I have one for sale in the Classifieds. I ever have a 65mm lens that I could package with it

[ChipMcD]

It is not too difficult to use ND grads with rangefinders after running a few tests. If you want lightweight and you want 6x7 the Mamiya 7 is the option.

Brian is right about the Mamiya 7's being light. I have never tried ND grads with mine. I don't own it, but Mamiya made (maybe still makes) a polarizer that fits on the lens, flips up over the viewfinder for adjustment and then back down for the shot. I think B&H carries them. My memory is that they are pricey (north of $200).

[Shawn Rahman]

No contest; Plaubel Makina 67W

Very pricy however.

Agreed. On both the light weight & exhorbitant price. But an incredibly fine machine if you can find one in good condition.

[coigach]

Just curious, why would folders be difficult to use w/ grad filters? Are you using gelatin or threaded filters?

I've never actually used a folder, but the Lee adapter ring is threaded to the lens thread and looks like it might be incompatible with a folder's shape?

Can anybody confirm this?

Cheers,
Gavin

[coigach]

But guys, if folders are out because the difficulty using grad filters, then Mamiya 7 isn't going to cut it either. Read the OP again.

Bronica GS-1? Maybe too heavy too? A small LF camera - like a Galvin with a 6x7 rollfilm holder and a 65 mm Angulon.

It's not actually the difficulty of using grads on a rangefinder (I use them easily enough on my Fuji GA645zi and Fotoman 617), more the shape of a folder - it looks like the Lee lens-mounted thread might be incompatible?

Cheers,
Gavin

[craigclu]

I use both the P67 system and the Mamiya 7 system. The Mamiya is indeed more compact and a lighter burden but the actual difference is very little compared to the support system differences required for each. The Mamiya is easily controlled with a good, light-weight tripod where the Pentax requires quite serious and bulky tripods to work properly, even with wider lenses. The Mamiya wide angles are wonderfully distortion-free and will bring back superior images in more situations. The Pentax glass is very good but the Mamiya rf optics (especially the wides) are in a different league, in my experience.

Something I also found is that because of the ease of carry, I actually have the Mamiya with me. The P67's and heavy pod got easier to leave behind as the years passed and I missed some good opportunities just for that simple reason. I wouldn't fret the filter issue as a little practice will get you tuned into that.

[MattKing]

Definitely not a Koni-Omega!

[2F/2F]

I suggest the best of both worlds: a folding medium format view camera with a rangefinder. Graflexes will be among the lightest, simplest, and least expensive, and Linhofs and Horsemans among the most full featured. You can use it hand held, or you can use the ground glass. You can precisely position your grad filters because you have TTL viewing (albeit upside down and backwards ). You also get a large reduction in weight and cost over the Pentax, and the ability to use any lens you can fit on a board. Finally, you get some camera movements. You may find the rear shutter of a Speed graphic to help you out if you wish to use barrel lenses.

Personally, I would go for a Horseman VH or VHR (with rangefinder, which works only with Horseman lenses) if I wanted the best compromise of features – including extensive movements – and price. (The VH does not have a rangefinder, so has no hand held shooting ability.) I'd go for a Crown or Century Graphic if movements were not important, and a Speed Graphic if you want a rear shutter for barrel lenses at the expense of a little bit of bulk and weight.

Check out this link: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/roundup2x3.html, and this one: http://www.bnphoto.org/bnphoto/LFN/LFGalleryPress.htm.