6x7 for travel?

Hi All,

I'm looking for a suitable medium format camera for travel photography (well not quite travel but it describes my needs best). Basically the camera has to be able to look after itself without bags/cases in much the same way that an LX would. Whilst the make model don't necessarily need to be Pentax, the 6x7 seems the only logical choice. The Plan would be to get a three lens setup (roughly 135 equivalents of 28mm, 50mm & 100mm).

I'm currently using a Mamiya 645 and this doesn't seem up to the job (and feels too boxy to really work).

Those who have used a 6x7, is it suitable for 'throwing over your shoulder' for a day out and putting it into un-padded bags etc.?

I know it's heavy, but I'm more concerned about bulk (mostly depth front to back).

Regards,

John.

The 67 is a tremendous camera and will be instantly familiar as it's effectively a "35mm on steroids". The viewfinder is wonderful and the results are staggering.

Yes, you could pop it over your shoulder and keep another two lenses in large jacket pockets, but it will all be very heavy. Also, the camera works best with its wooden grip, so that adds more bulk. But at least it's not boxy. It should also be up to heavy use and should be reasonably priced. Get a MU 6x7 or a 67 body and they will be much more reliable than the alternative East European and Russian models, or even the Fuji rangefinders.

Thanks John.

'results are staggering' is not what my bank balance was hoping for...

I'd considered a rangefinder (the Fuji's, Mamiya 7ii & Bronica 645RF) but the Fuji's don't have interchangeable lenses, the M7ii lenses are very expensive and the Bronica 645RF kit is hard to find (and not cheap either).

I have 'played' with a 67ii at FOCUS one year (can't remember whether it had the grip on or not). I wouldn't necessarily be carrying three lenses around all the time, but I would have to be happy taking the camera and one lens wherever I went.

John.

The issue that you should consider isn't the camera that you want use but the total weight and since even modern combinations of DSLR camera with a bright telephoto zoom lens f/2.8 or even brighter primes weight more, this isn't a real issue.
So if you support certain weight on certain modern camera combinations, you could support the same with the Pentax 6x7.

I took a 6x7 ( Mark I) to KENYA and to USA & Canada thinking I would get some photos to earn money from my Agency BUT it was a waste of time and BACK ACHE as I got about only ONE sale and now all my 'Hard Copy' trannies have been sent back un-used -- they want only 'Digital Files' from full-frame cameras now ! I had the 105mm,75mm shift and 200mm lenses for Kenya and in USA I got the 45mm -- the weight on the aircraft was horrendous ---
ONE SALE from this Taken in KENYA , Pentax Club trip 1980's AGFA CT18 film, 200mm f4 SMC Takumar


Kenya 02 by pentaxpete, on Flickr
NO SALES from Canada 1987 trip -- 105mm lens, Fuji Velvia, Lake Louise


Lake Louise by pentaxpete, on Flickr

Just food for thought, what about a Mamiya 6, one of the best cameras I have and still use sometimes, I took it on a 12 week Greek island hopping holiday, about 10 years ago,never heavy, never got in the way and the big plus point was I never stood out from the crowd using it.

My girlfriend at the time and now my wife took a Fuji GA645 another superb bit of kit but with a fixed lens, both cameras took up very little room, unlike all the film, filters, meters etc etc we had to carry around with us.

I know it's hard to resist sometimes, but please keep to Pentax-related subjects. We're talking here about the Pentax 67, other marques being off topic.

Many thanks.

Sorry John, but the question was asked, best medium format camera for travel, and unfortunately it ain't the 67, so we give fellow forum members the best info and experiences we can.

You for one should know its not good practice to give advice that you believe is incorrect, how is anyone supposed to make any sort of for and against argument if you just talk about one model, as then we have nothing to compare to.

That wasn't the question MattyH, the question was about the 67. Please see the title also.

Pentax and Pentax-related only is the forum rule, so it fits that profile.

Sorry yes you are right John, it was the members second post, about what other models their were ie Fuji,Mamiya and Bronica that put me of kilter

Thanks to all comments, to clarify, the question was aimed at the various Pentax 6x7s. Not necessarily because it's the best camera for travel, but the only one that I feel would suit my purposes (or maybe perhaps not). The alternative would be 35mm in one form or another (LX most likely) and maybe some Limited lenses.

Hopefully I'm able to mention the reasons why I discounted rangefinders. Fuji ones have fixed lenses, Mamiya 7ii lenses (and I suspect Mamiya 6 too) are very expensive and Bronica 645RF kit is very hard to find (and I suspect expensive too).

I'm looking for a robust, non-boxy camera I can carry around without needing a bulky padded camera bag, sometimes with just one lens, sometimes up to three. While I'm reasonably happy buying a 'well used' Pentax 6x7, I'd think twice about anything else, helping to keep the cost reasonably low should it eventually come to grief.

If it's too big, heavy and cumbersome, I'll be using 35mm instead - but at 24/36 exposures a roll, it might need two bodies for mono/colour (with only ten shots on 120 you're not that far from the next roll).

Regards,

John.

Thanks for the comments Peter.

I'm not really interested in stock photography (yours are excellent by the way) and I can understand in today's digital age why agencies don't want to hold libraries of trannies anymore. Thanks for the caution of the weight issue, I'll think more about that.

John.

A quick update:

I've acquired a 67 + metered prism + S-M-C-Tak 75mm f/4.5 lens fitted with the split-image focus screen. I bought it from a proper camera shop and had some time to consider the purchase before buying it. All of the rangefinder options previously mentioned would have been much more expensive - even if they were readily available.

My first impressions were that it was lighter than I expected and the mirror/shutter smoother than reports on the web suggested. Surrounded in the shop with various RBs & RZs it didn't look too big - the sheer size of it wasn't really that obvious until I'd left the shop (or was that the looks it attracted from passers-by?).

Since then I've shot a roll (not processed yet). Loading is rather fiddly compared to other medium format gear I've used (at least at first) , but the first roll looks to have run through without problems. Handling feels good if using similar techniques to a manual 35mm SLR - vertical shots are comfortable cradling the lens in 35mm style and I feel the wooden grip would interfere with this.

It is the right camera for the purposes I outlined in my original post (wish I'd bought one years ago...). Thanks for the comments (and Peter's images), the PM's received and those who looked at this.

Regards,

John.

I really wanted one of these, so fantastic that you've been able to get one now. That viewfinder is just....amazing!

I've been thinking about one too. I've shot a lot of medium format film on fixed lens cameras, it might be nice to be a bit more flexible.

K.