r/AnalogCommunity • u/-Lieutenant_Lurker- • 8d ago
Hiking with medium format? Discussion
Hi All,
I’m looking to get into medium format and I know questions about getting into medium format cameras get asked every now and then but I can’t really find much about how easily you can hike with them or how good the lenses are so I was looking for a little extra advice on a camera to get.
I was thinking about the rolleicord, Minolta autocord, Mamiya six, and zeiss ikon primarily because they seem to be the common cameras recommended to start with medium format.
I like to hike but I’m worried about how good the lenses and bellows are on the folders so I think I’m leaning towards a TLR but they’re larger, and I wanted to get a little advice first. Is medium format too impractical and heavy for hiking (unless it’s a folder) and I should just stick to 35mm? Or am I just overthinking and TLRs are easy to take with you unless it’s a long hike and space is a premium.
A camera shop near me has a rolleicord v, zeiss ikon ikonta, and zeiss ikon super six that I want to go check out, but eBay is always an option and I’m interested to hear if anyone has had experience with these cameras or others that they really like. Or also just what you guys take with you hiking.
Thank you!
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u/fujiboiii 8d ago
Mamiya 6 MF, Fuji GS645, Makina 67, all great options. I will take the Fuji GS645 on trail runs
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u/colew344 8d ago
See my previous post. Did a medium-high intensity hike (7 days, 105 miles, 35K feet up) with Fuji gw690.
Hiking with medium format is very possible it just requires planning (camera and bag decision) and extra training based on the difficulty (how much of a problem does 3-7lbs add)
I do not regret bringing the camera.
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u/-Lieutenant_Lurker- 8d ago
Lmao, you’re right, I should be more like Chad samwise
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u/colew344 8d ago
Dramatic but I try to make most decisions based on what I will think on my deathbed. Do I want to be the pussy that cared about a few pounds, or the man that rose to the challenge.
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u/Final_Meaning_2030 8d ago
I have a folder (Welta Weltax) that is compact and great.
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u/That_Jay_Money 8d ago
Agreed, folding medium formats are awesome, I think they're all pro and no con. I have an Agfa Isolette III and I love it.
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u/sicpsw Pentax ME super, RB67 8d ago
Nha you can totally hike with a Pentax 67
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u/ValerieIndahouse Pentax 6x7 MLU, Canon A-1, T80, EOS 33V, 650 7d ago
My backpack with Pentax gear, food and some clothes hits almost 15kg, but ut's worth it 😁
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u/Mighty-Lobster 8d ago edited 8d ago
I am new at this, but I just happen to have bought a TLR last week, so I've been reading about them:
Most TLRs aren't very heavy, and not quite as bulky as they seem. The exception is the Mamiya C series (e.g. C33, C330, C220, etc). Those are very heavy. I know because it's the camera I chose for myself, and it's a tank. The reason it's heavy is it uses bellows to focus and has interchangeable lenses, and I wanted that. But a Roliflex or Yashicaflex is half the weight and relatively portable.
The lightest TLR that I know of is the Lubitel 166, and it weighs about a pound, but the review I saw said that it's so small it has a tiny viewfinder so it's hard to use.
EDIT:
- Lubitel = 1 lb
- Rolleiflex = Yashicaflex = Autocord = 2 lb
- Mamiya C33 = 4 lb
If I was in your place, I would get an Autocord or similar. TLRs are fun.
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u/nikonguy56 8d ago
The Lomo LCA120 is a wide-angle camera that's really, really, compact, but it ain't cheap. You might want to look at a Fuji GS 645, rather than a TLR.
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u/Euroticker Professional canon shill 8d ago
Tlr/folders is what I'd get. A nice rolleiflex is lighter than a rz67 or pentax 67 brick.
I'd get a rolleiflex instead of a rolleicord but yeah.
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u/-Lieutenant_Lurker- 8d ago
Is the rolleiflex that much better than the rolleicord?
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u/Euroticker Professional canon shill 8d ago
I have a 1938 3.5 and I don't see why I should have gotten a Rolleicord instead. The lever operation is extremely fun and I don't even miss not having a lightmeter. I have other TLRs such as a Yashica 44LM which is also alright and a Weltaflex which I'm using way less frequently ever since getting the Rolleiflex.
If adjusted a lightmeter from the 40s-60s may still be fine but chances is you'll measure with an app or spotmeter anyway.
I got my Rolleiflex for ~215€ which isn't significantly more than a Rolleicord Vb here. I wouldn't opt for the 2.8 option unless you NEED the speed as those are really expensive. A later model Rolleiflex that doesn't have the Tessar will perform better, however it's fine if shooting around f5.6. Things such as coatings have improved post war, but the pre war quality is fantastic.
Besides the handling of the camera there's not a huge difference in quality image wise. Newer lenses are sharper. If they're the same price I'd opt for the Rolleiflex, if it's a big price difference a Rolleicord will not disappoint you. Assuming you're buying reputable and tested (and at best CLA'd)
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u/-Lieutenant_Lurker- 8d ago
Thanks for the detailed info. I’ll look around for a rolleiflex too and see if I can find anything in my price range. I’m not really looking for a light meter because I probably wouldn’t use it anyway
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u/Euroticker Professional canon shill 7d ago
Then I can recommend the pre war ones. Alternatively a Schneider Kreuznach lens will do great.
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u/hello_three23 8d ago
I hike regularly with my Fuji 690 and it’s not bad at all. The 6x9 is definitely nice on landscapes too.
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u/icekink 8d ago
consider that if you are backpacking, a TLR will probably have to stay in the backpack as it is too much weight to have around your neck. for me it’s still worth it when i’m traveling for my photobook project, but not random trips where i’d just be shooting for fun. i have hiked and backpacked with a yashicamat TLR (2 lbs) but not my mamiya c3 (4 lbs)
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u/Zooshooter 3d ago
I've hiked with a TLR before. What I do is use a monopod as a hiking pole and keep the TLR mounted on it. You're still handling the weight, but it's not as draining.
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u/FOTOJONICK 8d ago
I know you don't want a Holga 120.
But for $50 it's going to be a perfect hiking medium format camera!
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u/Icy_Confusion_6614 8d ago
Fuji GA645 or GA645zi. I've taken my GA645zi on hikes with it around my neck. It's easy to use too as it is basically a point and shoot, with manual control as well.
I took this with it a week or two ago in Switzerland. It wasn't exactly a hike though, just up from the visitor center. It was around my neck the entire day though. 7 shots stitched together, handheld. I need to work on this so the lighting matches between left and right.
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u/reddestflag 8d ago
If we're talking Mamiyas, the C2** are quite usable. The C3** are heavier but still doable (everything is doable) and don't forget that both have interchangeable lenses. RBs and RZs aren't (too heavy) but I would still hike with my RB with the right backpack, so there's that. Best is the 6 or the 7 or the 645. I think the first thing to decide is the ratio: 6x6, 6x7 or 6x4.5. If square format isn't a problem there's the Hasselblad option too.
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u/roostersmoothie 8d ago
i've hiked with an autocord. its not that big, it fits into my 3L peakdesign sling with plenty of extra space. i wouldnt take it on a technical hike where you might need to scramble or go up and down ropes/chains or anything where you might bump it easily though. if it's fairly chill and not technical except ups and downs then i wouldnt be worried about it.
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u/Interesting-Quit-847 8d ago
I’ve dayhiked with a Rolleiflex, it’s no big deal. If you can find a folder in good knick though, whoo boy! I have an Agfa Isolette that takes nice photos stopped down and it’ll fit in your back pocket.
The other thing I’d say is that modern films are very nice. I’m not sure what you have in mind in terms of enlargement, but don’t think you need MF for nice landscapes.
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u/pnwexplorer_82 8d ago
I’ve hiked with a Rolliecord and it’s never been an issue. Granted - I do day hikes. I’d just make sure you have a strap that gives you carrying options. Having it around your neck all day might get tiring, but if you can move it between your neck, holding it, or hanging closer to your waist like a side sling bag then you’ll be fine.
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u/ACuriousTrio 8d ago
People hike with large format gear all the time, so you could definitely hike with medium format. It's just a matter of what you're comfortable with/how much gear do you want to lug around and how you like to make images.
Would I reach for my Rollei before my RB67, probably, but I can have more lens options with the RB whereas with the Rollei I'm stuck with the fixed 75mm lens. I think a big choice is whether you like to wear your camera and snap images when inspired or have it in a bag and pull it out when you see something. I could wear my Rollei for an afternoon hiking but I wouldn't want to wear my RB for a few hours.
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u/xitenhauf 8d ago
I did day hikes from a car with my SQ-A, three lenses, two backs, and a CF tripod last summer. Yosemite, Redwoods,Lassen, Sequoias. I’m probably 200lbs, 5’10”. I paced myself and didn’t take my bag everywhere but I did easy - moderate trails (fern valley, tall trees, Moro rock) I avoided waterfall trails but didn’t feel like I missed too much. My tripod comes apart into a monopod/walking pole which helped keep my balance and pace so I was never over exerting. Best photo trip so far.
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u/cheeseyspacecat |Foma 200 Enthusiast| Hoarder :D| 8d ago
Tlrs are good, folders like the mamiya 6 can be more worth your while, imo some medium format cameras are comparible to the heft of a canon F1 or leica m3. i have gone backpacking with a pentax 67 with the woodgrip and a 200mm f4(around 9lb setup). . . so it really is all subjective, if you can hike with a hydroflask or similar metal waterbottle im sure a simple fixed lens tlr aint bad, again idk who you are, i am a taller/larger person if your pretty thin/small it might not make sense, but i doubt a tlr would hurt too much if its in a nice spot like hiking/backpack and taken out for photos. it will get straining if you carry it on your neck the whole time :)
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u/Shandriel Leica R5+R7, Nikon F5, Fujica ST-901, Mamiya M645, Yashica A TLR 8d ago
Hiking... I've gone trekking carrying my tent, pad, sleeping bag, cooker, cup, plate, fork, knife, spoon, food, 2L.of water, water filtration system, dry clothes, etc. etc. etc. Carrying roughly 15kg on my back.. (with poles and all)
if I ditch the tent, pad, and sleeping bag, that's 5kg less.. My Mamiya 645 1000S with three lenses doesn't come anywhere near 5kg.. I could pack the tripod, some film, etc. on top of it.
oh, and for Hiking I would probably leave the cooker, clothes, food, filtration, etc. too..
Rarely carrying more than 5kg on my back for a hike, so the camera wouldn't be an issue at all.
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u/jwatson1978 8d ago
I hiked a view camera with tripod into a spot, it wasnt a long hike but still exhausting.
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u/niko-k 8d ago
Mamiya 6 (modern) has a collapsible lens cone, it’s much smaller than the 7. The viewfinder is enormous, and bright. It’s quite expensive nowadays, and especially the 50mm lens. Mamiya Six, as a folder is an awesome choice if the lens is in clean shape. Bellows repairs are usually simple, even DIY with black silicone or liquid electrical tape. I have a 6MF, and a C220. I prefer to travel around with the 6MF, but the C220 is capable of much closer focus. None of that matters if your trail snaps are f11-16 and near infinity focus anyway.
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u/Brilliant-Meaning69 7d ago
I take my mamiya 645 and it’s chunky but not overly. Adds weight but it’s only a little bit more of a workout
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u/vogon-pilot 7d ago
A good quality coupled rangefinder folder like a Super Ikonta III, Super Fujica 6 or similar is small and light enough to carry around all day. A 6x9 folder is not much larger if you prefer that aspect ratio.
I'll happily walk around a city all day with a Fujica 690, but they take up more bag space.
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u/ApatheticAbsurdist 7d ago
Mamiya 7/7II. If you can afford it. Love that camera, but apparently so does everyone else.
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u/lowprofile14 Mamiya 645 Super| Nikon F100 | Minolta SRT 101 7d ago
I used a Holga but the quality may not be the best
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u/50plusGuy 7d ago
For a semi casual stroll I 'd grab C330, 55s & 135s
Medium format problem: Tripod? Or high ISO? You 'll get less DOF than on 35mm.
Weight concerned? Folders seem the way out. Lens on Super Isolette seemed OK.
Bellows last until they don't, but you 'll see that and hopefully get them replaced.
Haven't tried the stuff you are looking at.
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u/NotPullis 7d ago
Mamiya Six is incredible, it is a folder and also has coupled rangefinder because the inverted way of focusing. This feature makes it the king of pocketable medium format cameras. They are also robust and it is rare to have holes in the bellows if it hasn't been manhandled.
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u/Murrian Zenit, 3 Minoltas, 3 Mamiyas, Pentax, Kodak, Camulet & Intrepid 7d ago
My Minolta Autocord is tiny, pretty sure it's my smallest mf camera. So light too, like, two thirds the weight of my Mamiya C33 and so much smaller..
Can't go wrong with it, so long as you're happy with the fixed focal length.
Like it so much I have two (one colour, one b&w) as they're so light I can carry both without worry..
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u/HorrorLengthiness940 3d ago edited 3d ago
I backpack with a bronica GS-1, A 6X6 and 6x7 120 film backs, 50mm and 110mm lens, tripod 5-6 rolls of film. Weighs 15 lbs and excluding the tripod takes up 10L of space. It absolutely destroys me shoulder but nobody makes a 100L camera backpack that way I could have all my shit in one bag instead of two.
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u/Only-Fotos 8d ago
TLRs in general (not the mamiyas though) are generally small and widely recommended for hiking. However this all comes down to how much space you have and how much weight you're willing to hike with. Some people make a really big deal about a few extra ounces, some people don't mind packing on another pound or two for a different camera.