Film Photography - 6x6 Cameras
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- I really, really like 6x6 cameras, they are my favourite format without question.
In this video I discuss some of the reasons why I like the format so much and also go through my collection of cameras from high end SLR to plastic toy.
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Email: steveonions1@gmail.com Twitter: Steve_ONions / steve_onions Instagram: steveonions1 / steveonions1
Steve's videos are really worth watching and learning from. There is no padding to fill the time. Everything is straight to the point and very relevant.
Thanks Bob, that's very kind of you.
Agreed. This is one of my favourite CZcams channels partly for this reason.
It’s hip to be square.
Ariston thank you Huey Lewis
And shoot from the hip
If I were asked, "Barry, you can keep only ONE film camera out of your collection, which one would it be?". My answer would be (Without hesitation!), "My Mamiya C-330 Professional F!" I love TLR cameras and the 6x6 format. The bonus with the Mamiya C-330 is, you have access to interchangeable lenses, and bellows focusing, (Allowing macro shooting.). The Mamiya C-330 is my "go to" camera, (And, much easier to use than lugging around my Mamiya RB67 ProSD!).
Thanks for the video, Steve!
Thanks Barry. I’d also opt for a 6x6 camera but probably one I’ve never owned - a Mamiya 6 with all three lenses.
The standard 75/80mm lenses on 6x6 cameras are so versatile. Wide enough for landscape and long enough for portraiture with a little cropping.
I agree, especially 75mm which is just that bit wider than the ‘standard’ suits me fine 😀
I was making photographs with a 6x6 camera, an Agfa Super Isolette, and found myself turning it on its side to seek better framing of a subject. It took me a while then it dawned on me.
Yes, easily done at first 😀👍
My Rolleiflex is 66 years old and still works perfectly. Love 6x6.
Testimony to the build quality Graham and when you look at the cost v use it is probably one of the best returns you could ever make.
@@SteveONions Agree 100% It is my favourite camera.
I’d agree I could live with just 6x6 quite easily, mainly as it takes away the decision between portrait vs landscape and you just seem to search for the perfect square, but which one, I’ve gathered around 15 over the years but it’s SWC/M vs Rollieflex 2.8F.
My Yashicamat is just over 60 years old and I love using it.
Nice choice to be faced with Adrian 🙂
Always wanted to try 6x6 format. The least expensive option for me at the moment is to add a 6x6 film back to my Mamiya RZ-67, which can also serve as a boat anchor if needed.
Haha, or an artificial reef!
Boat anchor!! :-D
I picked up a 6x6 back for my RB67. Can't argue with the incredible image quality those lenses produce, and the camera is a joy to use. But with the amount of weight I'm hauling around with that thing, my back is actually better off carrying my entire large format kit. Don't shoot the RB67 much anymore, but once in a while I like to pull it out of retirement to go on a (short) hike in the mountains, and when I do, it's always with that 6x6 back.
Never could I have imagined the quality one can pull out of a Voigtlander Perkeo. Truly amazing
I know exactly what you mean 🙂
I was surprised how sharp and clear they were too.
Steve is one very few real photographers who actually use the gear! The brief intro. to 6x6 is stellar. The 12 exp is great! I once started a film in Canada finishing it in South Africa. A portrait of a world famous photographer. A 220 roll (24 exp) lasted 18 months! My success rate and i am cruel, was 23 perfect exposures. The Pentax 6x7 was a disaster. I bought it for the rectangular format and hated it! A superb camera and lenses more than equal to Hasselblad 500 series. Reason film in straight line, no bends.. A problem with TLR and Your Bronica. Only affects last exposure and only on older film and certain makes.. I loved 12 exposures for model shoots, larger contacts, extra contact sheet for model. Go 120..
Thanks Jason. Sounds like you can make a roll go a log way.
One advantage I always liked about medium format when I had my portrait studio was the ability to leave lots of room in the shot and crop as needed later when making the print. And still getting a high quality portrait. The square format is great for that. Now that I am retired and shooting Landscapes my Hasselblad is really having me love the square print.
Yes! The first camera I bought was a Rolleicord Vb. I was just out shooting it today.
I just started shooting film about a year ago. Last winter I picked up a Mamiya C330 and I've fallen in love with it. There is just so much detail in the larger format! And 12 frames per roll is just enough; usually 2 frames per scene, so 6 scenes per roll, means I never have to leave film sitting in my camera waiting to finish.
12 is about right for me too. I really struggle with 35mm so it’s often reserved for longer days out when I can use it up.
I purchased my Mamiya C220 in the 80's and still have it today. I like most photographers have progressed to digital and that's what I shoot most of the time. I still do however love the quality and output my Mamiya gives and still shoot with it regularly. Thanks for the excellent video. Great job.
Thanks Wayne and it’s good to see that you kept the Mamiya and still use it at times.
The yashica 124 G is so light and easy to carry with a large negative. Fixed 50 mm lens is fine for street as that is what I use.
I bought a Minolta tlr new in the sixties. The winding crank broke within a few weeks.
The focus lever system was taken from the Flexaret tlr.
I used 2 Yashica Mat Tlrs when I was a working wedding photographer. Very reliable and fast to load and use. The results were great.
I still use a 1957 Yashica Mat with a 75mm 3.5 Lumaxar lens which is incredibly sharp.
I also like the Yashica TLR’s Neil, I’ve had a few of the later 124 models and been very pleased with the results 🙂
Something that I like about 6x6 is the fact that it has helped me a lot to improve my understanding on image composition, for some reason I find it easier to get better at image composition in a square format.
I also find 1:1 the easiest aspect ratio for composition, there is no decision on camera orientation and everything feels balanced.
Very well explained. There is something much less aggressive in looking down the waste level finder as opposed to looking through a prism of an SLR or DSLR when pointing it at people. The square format also concentrates the mind on the composition without the usual distractions of the 3:2 aspects ratio formats.
It is indeed less intrusive and I never feel self conscious working with a waist level finder.
My first 6x6 camera was a Kodak 66 model ii, for £10 from a charity shop and it got me hooked on old 6x6 medium format folders especially when you can get some of them for not much more that the price of a fish supper, that's good old British fish and chips for anyone not from the British Isles reading this.
There are indeed many cheap old folders out there, a bit of a lottery though in my experience!
Rolleiflex sl66 . The best 6x6 imo
Has bellows tilt for depth of field
Can reverse the lenses without adapters and do super up close macro and even add tubes for extreme macro.
I've always been around photography, whether it was snapshots on a vacation or a celebration of one's birthday or national holiday etc etc. I first took a more focused black and white class back in high school and I only had access to broken equipment and a teacher who wasn't really enthralled in teaching. So I was put off from the subject for the most part. a year later I had to focus on digital photography much more as I was a committee member of that years yearbook organization. I also had an old digital camera my grandfather gifted to me when I was in middle school. Right about my graduation from High School is when smart phones were beginning to find their way into the hands of teenagers. I used my phone almost exclusively for photos. I didn't have a "good" digital camera to use so that was that. Once in College I started a design degree and I was connected more and more to photography as more than a documentary tool and more of an expressive way to capture elements around you everyday. My final semester in my fourth year required that I take black and white photography class and lab. I wasn't extremely excited as I still remembered my previous class in high school and how it left me wanting. My professor completely hooked me, the very first day of class. He had found his father's old Kodak Autographic Brownie that he hadn't seen in fifty years. And on the first day he brought it with him to show us an example of photography's past. I was very honored that he, without even knowing this body of students, brought something as important as a camera he hadn't seen in decades. I went out that weekend to find a SLR for my class and found a good Konica FC-1. My grandfather then gifted me his Canon AE-1. My parents gave me their old cameras as well, a few Instamatics, a Canon Sure-Shot and a couple of others, thus my journey into a deep love affair with photography began, with a strong case of GAS to boot. That was three years ago, I have shot near a thousand rolls of film, and have acquired over 200 different camera models in various film formats and frames. I'd say my favorites are easily my 6x6 cameras, if I want to have quality negatives and a format that suites just about any situation, I immediately go for my 6x6s. Just yesterday I fixed my Mamiya C220. Truly 6x6 is my favorite.
I’m so glad that you found what works for you and it ignited a passion for photography. There are so many more ways to express what you feel than the latest digital camera, it doesn’t matter what you use as long as it inspires you to shoot. Enjoy the journey 🙂
My first camera was a Rolleiflex 2.8F, which I still have. I need to send it off somewhere for a good cleaning and adjustment, and have some lens fungus removed. In spite of that, it takes gorgeous pictures. I picked up a Yashicamat somewhere along the way too, and I have a bag of Nikon 35mm bodies and lenses. I came into the digital age about ten years ago, but I still shoot and like film. I agree with your points about medium format. I have printed full-frame and cropped to suit many times. If you crop 35mm and want to enlarge it to 8x10, you get a lot of grain in the final print. Not long ago I picked up a 4x5 view camera. I've always wanted to get into large format photography. There seems to be no end to this madness.
Join the club Lex, there's never a time I stop thinking about another camera or format. It does keep things interesting 🙂
I really enjoyed shooting 6x6 on the Mamiya C3 but recently moved on an RB67 and yes it's a beast to carry around but I do enjoy the 6x7 just a little bit more
I feel the same
Agree, the rotating back and the huge screen are amazing features.
I also enjoy my Fujica GM670 rangefinder. Easy to shoot in portrait mode.
I love the Mamiya's capabilities but I struggle enough with the Bronica to be honest, any more weight and I'd only be able to manage short trips!
@@SteveONions I even strapped the RB67 on the back seat of my BSA back in the 70s. But it was a brute I admit. The biggest I've hiked with is the Fujica.
You didn't mention my absolute favorite aspect of many 6 x 6 cameras--the gorgeous chimney viewfinders. There is no better way to see and compose an image than those bright and detailed viewfinders. They make everything look great.
Good point Curtis.
Except that they reverse everything left to right, which makes it hell to pan with moving objects!
@@MalcolmBrenner Yeah! You should search for an Deardorf 8x10 camera that's make easy to pan with moving objects 🤔🤔🤔. Sir, Medium and large format cameras are not meant for sport photography. Reversed image has its advantage, it oblige you really slow down for an ideal composition. My thoughts.
THANK YOU! You've read my mind. Nothing beats the 6x6! The square is so utterly pleasing in its own right. Set me up with a Hasselblad 500 + the 100/3.5 planar and I'm good to go.
My 6x6 camera is a 1954 Kodak 620, modified to fit 120 film. No filters, no meter, one speed, but built like a brick. I love shooting with it, so simple, images are ~ sharp, but when I’m out and about, it’s always a conversation starter!
I bet you get stopped all the time Shaun, I can’t do pinhole in busy places as everyone want a to talk about what I’m doing 🙂
In my youth I shot weddings with the combination of a Yashica 635 and a Mamiya C3. They were brilliant before I moved on to a succession of Rollei SLRs (SLX, 6002, 6006, 6008 ) with which I made a good income in the 1980s/1990s - the SLX and 6002 being my favourites for studio portrait photography. That said, I still love and regularly use my Pentax 67...........
I always wanted one of those Rollei’s.
I've been taking photos for 65 years and the best camera has been my Bronica EC-TL that I bought in Japan in 1977 !!
I have taken 1000's of photos over the years and i wouldn't trade it for any digital !!
A 20x25 pic is easily made with this and You manually adjust the shutter speed, f stop and focus- manually to Your liking !!
Sounds perfect 😊
@@SteveONions ...that's my opinion, too !!
never shot 6x6 but i've been looking at the mamiya six folding cameras. so portable and so capable!
Well worth a try, they are lightweight but give excellent results 👍
My first serious camera was a Minolta Autocord that I purchase in 1959, High School, for about $40, 2 weeks pay. Still shoot regularly on a Mamiya C330.
That’s impressive Michael, quite a lot of money back then.
I agree that 6x6 is the sweet spot format. My favorite film camera, and one where the quality of my images improved dramatically, was my Mamiya C220 with an 80mm lens. I use my digital cameras a lot in square format, not because of Instagram (yuk!), but as a holdover from those medium format days.
I started off with a Ricoh TLR that lasted for one roll of film and moved on to a Yashicamat (the shutter stuck on vacation once-had to hit it with a hammer) and finally the Mamiya TLR series in Mamiyaflex, and a bunch of C330's which I used professionally for awhile with full range of lenses. Favorite for all around use for portraits was the 135 but the 180 for tighter shots.
Steve! I travel back and forth between 6x6 and 35mm. I enjoy the former over the latter because of the amount of information that can be packed into the negative. What I dislike about 35mm is that the tiniest speck or scratch on a frame makes it fit only for the trash. My only cavill with your "modern" 6x6s is that each of them weights more than my tent. Hence, my Zeiss or Voigtlaender are my weapons of choice. For the Pentax 6x7 I would need a wheelbarrow.
I also waver between convenience and quality, there’s no right or wrong answer. A long time ago I settled on using a 6x6 system camera for all my static photography where the weight wouldn’t be a burden, leaving the 35mm for more dynamic work (and urban situations). Whilst the 120 system cameras aren’t light I can’t think of a better setup once I come across a scene that cries out for greater detail in the final print.
I appreciate your discussion of not only the image quality of each camera, but how those images fit with each other in body of work. I tend to get wrapped around individual system quality and composition, but not on how to create a portfolio--big pile of images... now what? That was a broadening insight. Thank you!
Glad you found it useful John.
Fantastic info, and demonstration, love your work.
Thank you 🙂
My feelings exactly! Wonderful presentation, and I for one agree with everything you've said. The square is so pleasing, so symmetric. Very few set-ups can rival a Hasselblad loaded with Tri-X capturing a scene through the 100mm/3.5! Just marvelous. I always wished that someone had created a 4x4 large format film holder for use on the LF cameras like Linhof or Toyo.
That’s true Joe, 4x5 is so close to square it makes sense.
This brings back memories.
I started, as a pre-teen, with two (2) formats: 35mm (Zeiss) and a 6 x 6 Yashica Mat. The Yashica was a bit fragile (file advance problems), so I graduated to a TLR Rollei (3.5 Tessar and then 2.8 Planar). The Rollei's were terrific: excellent build quality and a genuine revelation regarding photographic quality when compared to 35mm. Both were purchased used and never failed to perform, regardless of environmental conditions.
Make no mistake: I enjoy 35mm, particularly the new digital formats. However, the 6 x 6's taught me the value of the larger image and composition advantages, as opposed to the traditional rectangular 3/2 image. While sheet film (4x 5 and larger) is nice, I completely agree with the stated overall advantages of 6 x 6.
I would enjoy Steve's comments upon the current digital 6 x 6 equipment. The amount of data available in post processing would be quite a treat for an expert like Steve to play with.
Thank you. I had a few Yashicam Mat's and one (a later model I recall) used more plastic in the internals so it was quite fragile. Im always amazed at how good the image quality of the TLR lenses is even compared to modern optics but then again I have always enjoyed the older, less contrasty designs.
I use a Kiev 6c 6x6 slr with a 90mm 2.8 Vega lens. I have a waist level finder and a prism finder. I get 13 images on it.
I make my own enlargements in my windowless bathroom using a Gnome Alpha Rangefinder condenser enlarger.
The enlarger lens is a 100mm Schneider Componon S 5.6 lens.
I also have a 1957 Yashica Mat with a 75mm 3.5 Lumaxar lens.
Excellent quality lens.
Sounds like a setup that works well for you Neil.
I very much recommend that anyone interested in some simple photography try shooting with some of these older, very simple cameras. A couple of months ago, I decided to take the 1950’s era Kodak Brownie Bulls-Eye 620 camera that had been sitting on my shelf for many years, hand wind some 120 film on the 620 spools it takes, and shoot with it. A bit more work to wind the film on to the spool, but the aesthetic from the simple two-element lens design and the huge 6x9 negatives was lovely. Only 8 shots on the roll meant that it was easily shot in one outing rather than being left in my camera for weeks. I had more fun shooting that day than I have in a long time.. the fixed f/11 lens and the single shutter speed just forced me to relax and concentrate on composition.
I agree with your thoughts on the 6x6 format, it is kind of liberating to not have to worry about rotating the camera, and a square format has it’s own benefits. Often it’s difficult for me to find a composition that will take full advantage of that 35mm 3:2 ratio, so I often crop my digital images in post to 4x5 aspect ratio or maybe 1x1 square anyway.
Thanks Veronika, your Bulls-Eye 620 sounds like a 6x9 version of the Holga but with a more sophisticated lens :)
Steve O'Nions it’s very much like that, with fewer rubber bands :-)
Started with a Hasselblad 500C 50 years ago and updated it 2 years ago with a digital back.
That's been excellent value then John, I bet there will be upgrade options available in another 50 years too!
@@SteveONions I remember VAT at 25% on the 500C from a long gone photographic shop in Birkdale the back is a Phase one P30+
Excellent video. I used to shoot 6x6 and square format cameras, mainly twin lens (Yashica, remember them). You've re-awakened my interest, ebay here I come!! Thanks Steve.
Glad you liked it Rob.
I am 72 years old. Got a Brownie Hawkeye in 1958. I like the film loading process of medium format and the small no. of exposures on a roll of film. I seldom need to take more than 12 shots of any one subject. Currently have a Yashica Mat 124 and Mamiya C330. Last summer I purchased an Agfa Isolette. Lens could use cleaning and not sure of shutter speed accuracy. Shoot sunny 16. At f16 not too concerned with focus setting. Some of my favorite photos have been taken with this camera.
Love my 6x6 Voigtlander Perkeo II ... it does a great job at 6x6.
You're right, great format! I keep coming back to it more and more... My 6x6 camera is a 1954 Rolleicord IV. I bought it 19 years ago and had it serviced a few years ago. I like it for landscape, (not too fast or anticipated) street photography, and especially for portraits! The advantage of this format is also the beautiful background blur that it can provide... 🙂
Thanks Luc, I also find that the depth of field drop off can be lovely at larger apertures.
I started my photographic career in 1962, and I wore out two Autocords, and still have a couple of them that work. Back then I don’t know of anyone who was thinking of them for square photographs. That seems to be a relatively recent idea. They have two sets of 645 lines in the viewfinder, and we tended to think of them more as a 645 camera that didn’t need to be rotated to switch between landscape and portrait. But we always assumed the photograph was a rectangle. It did have the advantage that the rectangle could go outside the 645 and easily visualise any shape such as 6x4 , 3:2, 5:4 etc. in the one camera, which is very practical, but the one thing I never saw anyone doing, was making square photographs.
Square was typical of amateur cameras, like Kodak Brownie’s shooting 127 film that would be printed on small square enlargements at the chemist shop. As much as some of my best photographs were shot on an Autocord, I actually enjoy shooting 645, 6x9, and 6x7, more than 6x6. I was one of those who just liked to see the rectangle and nothing else in the viewfinder.
Rather than the Bronnie SQ, I liked the ETR and GS-1. I moved away from the Autocord because of lenses, but also because I liked being able to swap films mid roll which you can’t do on a TLR.
BTW, about 12 shots on a roll, most people these days don’t realise that back in the 1960’s 35mm film was commonly sold in 12 shot rolls, although 24 shots was the most common size. 36 roll 35mm film kind of grew in popularity in the 70’s and later, and eventually 12 shot film was discontinued. A pity, because 12 shots was often a very convenient size for many jobs. In the studio I usually hand cut and loaded 35mm film from bulk loaders and often cut 12 shot lengths. As you say, it is a great film length. However, I also would sometimes cut 30 foot lengths (250 shots) for the Pentax with a motor winder back. They could be a pain where I sit down, but necessary on some fashion shoots.
Thank you. I never knew they did 12 shot rolls of 35mm film, it would be useful to make people think carefully about what they are shooting.
Steve O'Nions yes, 12 shot 135, just like there was 6 shot on 6x6 half length 120 film as well, although it wasn’t common, however, a lot of businesses would take a group shot plus CEO, and didn’t need a full 120 roll for a job. Also useful for portrait shoots where the person would pay extra to get their photo same day and saved processing a whole roll that only had a couple of shots on it.
But you made me smile about 12 shots causing people to think about their shot. I was taught by people who shot Speed Graphics for a living. They thought my TLR as high tech and over the top. We normally went out on a job with 2 or 4 shots loaded, although, admittedly we tended to have a dark bag with us, and could load another couple in an emergency. However, i was taught to shoot once for each subject, and be prepared (f8 and don’t be late was the motto).
Ansel Adams was of that philosophy. Most of his famous photographs were the result of a single exposure. One of my favorites of his was a result of returning to the same spot and setting up camera for a whole month before conditions were right and he pressed the shutter. He said, however, that in the couple of minutes when he actually took the photograph he was using a spot meter to meter different parts of the clouds so that the result would exactly match his pre-visualisation.
I had 2 main teachers, the Speed Graphic guy, but I was also taught by a fashion guy who was a 6x6 guy, and he always underlined that the photograph be made in the camera. If time was needed to manipulate it in the darkroom you had failed. With those kind of taskmasters you learned good, and you learned quick, or you weren’t going to be there very long. With both, pre-visualisation was everything and every shot was made by the gray matter rather than the film. Pressing the shutter was simply a small part of a bigger process.
Another great, informative video, I use a YashicaMat EM which has a pin sharp lens, in fact I prefer it to my blue dot 80mm and Mamiya C330. If anyone is looking for a budget option any of the the Yashica TLRs are great, including the three element versions like the Yashica A. The experience of looking through a TLR is also hugely enjoyable as everything looks good! Thanks again Steve 👍
Thanks Simon, I’ve also had a few Yashicamats and they are hard to beat.
I got done shooting my first wedding with the C330f and I immediately went on a trip but only took my Yashicamat as I didn't want the risk taking the C330. Was up in the mountains of Colorado at Bear Lake one evening and some pro photographers came up from a Denver convention. They threw me some new pro 400 film. I loaded it up in the Yashicamat and they took some pics with it of my wife and I sitting on a rock. The shutter locked up in the colder weather. I ended up taking the camera under my sleeping blanket and removing the film and rolling it back up and reused it (turned out ok) and fixing the shutter with a hammer.
Try using that approach with a modem camera Keith 😀
Ansel Adams adopted the use of the Hasselblad for a roll film camera because at the time (mid 1950s) it was the only 120 roll film camera of reliable quality with interchangeable lenses, not for a 6x5cm format prrference. He also has a "relationship" with the company.
Thanks for the extra information Randall, that's very useful. I recall in his autobiography that he was an early adopter of the 1600F/1000F but found it quite fragile.
Like you I struggle with 35mm and the 36 shots on a roll, I find film sits in the camera for months. I love the 3 dimensional quality that 6x6 offers and 12 shots on the roll is ideal. However, I do struggle more when loading 120 film onto the spirals for developing, frustrating to get a crease in the film as a result. I need to keep practicing. The Bronica SQ-Ai is a beautiful camera and the compromise I make to 35mm is using the 135W back which produce a fantastic pano effect.
try cutting the corners to a triangle or at angle when you are feeding the film into the spiral...find it works for me , if I'm having problems getting the film to take on the spiral..
120 is definitely more tricky to load and quite thin too, over the years I've got better at it and usually load two rolls back to back to save time and money but occasionally I get a kink somewhere :(
I couldn't agree more. I got hooked on 6x6 after discovering John Gay's work, and own quite a few now. I sold some of the most expensive after realizing that many of my favorite images were taken with Lubitel TLR's.
I also love the soft images Jon, so much emotion.
I've been thinking of a Hasselblad SWC for the mantel. Maybe now I'll even use it!
In the day, I skipped 6x6 and got a Pentax 6x7. What a beast! With lenses it became problematic for my handheld shooting, though the quality was wonderful, esp. with transparency film.
I love the look and feel of the big Pentax but that shutter was just too much for me 🙂
Thanks for this "show and tell" video. 6x6/square format has always been part of my life. My mother made the first pictures of me with her 6x6 Agfa Isolette camera (and contact printed them). And my very first own camera was a Kodak Instamatic with 126 (square) film. Today I have a Rolleiflex in perfect working condition, which I really cherish. But I have to say that 6x6 is one of those things that I want to love but somehow not quite can. So I find myself nearly always cropping these pictures when I print them... You are therefore right about the flexibility of the format. I think it will stay being part of my life...
I think you either love it or hate it to be honest and I know a lot of photographers who have never got on with it at all. 🙂
Steve - you convinced me about 6x6.
I have a Minolta Auto Cord that i prolly - some how - acquired which has a (finished??) roll of TriX. I have to confess apparently the film is 25 years old. The logic was I could afford the film but not the processing at the very time switching careers with $0 to spare.
Now itching to shoot more 120 TriX.
A week ago ironically the auto cord was staring at me in the face. The leather is very dry and fragile so I’ll treat it with a leather cleaner.
The other extreme of 6x6 is my Mercury half frame. I have a rapid winder which is worth more than the camera. The box for the rapid winder is worth more than the winder. The uniqueness of the Mercury was it was the only 35mm camera made in NYC!
Is that’s a camera I’ve never heard of Robert, how many frames on a roll?
Steve O'Nions The Mercury (aka Mercury I) takes 35 min roll film (Mercury II takes cassette 35mm). Both yield 65 frames per roll. Portrait is held horizontally and landscape vertically. The winder was kept in the box because it didn’t fit under the leather case
Maybe one day I’ll get to see one for real 👍
at first i wanted to get a 4.5X6 formate but seeing the folding voigtlander camera, that really peaks my interest . a couple days ago seeing it recommended as well and quite affordable but still need to watch out for any defects or light leaks as i've heard.
They are excellent cameras but it is worth paying more for one which has either been serviced or comes from a dealer.
Love the vid. I use a Mamiya C330 after having used many different 35mm film cameras. I Just love 6x6.
Right on Steve. Back in the 70's I bought a new Bronica S2A wth a suite of lenses for $350, and discovered the square is the natural format for the just the reasons you describe.
I was hoping that Fuji would have went to a 6X6 format instead of the smaller 4X3 format, and I think if camera makers started offering offered a taller 36X36mm square format sensor once people became aware of the advantages it could be very popular.
I think the square format would be ideal even in this age, so many options for a simple camera design.
Hi Steve! I share your reasons for loving the 6x6 120 film format. I found my dads Yashica-A camera recently and shot a roll of Portra 800, and love the results! Wanting other 120 cameras on a budget, I picked up a few Kodak Hawkeye and Duoflex cameras, and am testing one now with Ilford Delta 100 film. Can’t wait to see the results. I know the lens quality is not up with the Yashica, but love the format just the same. Thanks for your great video and inspiring me to do more with this format. Cheers from USA 🇺🇸! Anthony.
Thanks Anthony, the results with old cameras can be surprisingly good even when they have very basic lenses. The very large negatives from something like a 6x9 means enlargement factors are quite low and the tonality is superb.
i recently started emulating the 6 by 6 format on a hasselblad 907x with the f1.9/80mm lens. i'm loving my compositions. i'm loving the flow. i'm really enjoying the process of taking pictures
Great choice of cameras. Bronica, Autocord and Perkeo are hidden gems and future classics.
I love 6x6, and bought myself two Rolleiflex cameras three years ago. First I bought a 3.5 Tessar from the early 50s, and I got so hooked I bought a mint condition 3.5 F Planar from the early 60s two months later! God I love shooting with them! I also regret selling my old Hasselblad 500CM workhorse about 13-14 years ago, but the Rolleiflexes are so much fun.
Cheers,
Eivind
I’m jealous Eivind, just don’t tell me you’re getting a 2.8f anytime soon 😡
Steve O'Nions Hahaha! I’ll do more than make you jealous Steve, I’ll try and shock you. :p After doing tons of research and talking to many Rolleiflex users of both the 2.8F & 3.5F around the world, I decided I didn’t want (gasp!) a 2.8F. I actually like the look of the images from the 3.5F better. But I do love the look of the 2.8F camera. Hmm... Now you’ve made me lust for a 2.8F after all.... 😃😛
What a fantastic, down to earth and inspiring review of 6 x 6 medium format photography. Makes me want to go out and shoot! Thanks, Steve!
Thanks Daniel, I want to go out and shoot too but I’m not allowed 🙁
I've owned several TLRs including the Minolta Autocord. I usually find non-working TLRs and repair them myself - most don't work due to gummed up shutters or focusing mechanisms. Easily fixed and a lot of YT repair videos to help. I invested in some simple micro-tools to get the job done. Great video Steve.
Great point, some bargains to be had if you're willing to take the risk. I recently got a very nice FE2 for £35 in non-working condition, turned out it just needed new batteries :)
My fav format too Steve. I also like the look of square framing. Most of the walls in my home are square frames. I also shoot 35mm and frame with square print in mind, where I enlarge 8x8 inch usually. Nice cameras. Oh that Bronjca!
Thanks Roger, I like making 7” square prints in the darkroom as they are big enough to see all the detail but not too big to store or transport (try doing this with a lot of 16x20’s). I also like to crop down large format as it is pretty close to 1:1 already.
One thing you might add to the compelling reasons to use 6x6 is how easy the negs are to handle in the darkroom. They just fit the hand so perfectly, the odd spec of dust is negligible, and they’re easy to inspect. You’ve got my juices going with this video, because I have every flavour of 6/6 camera and I need to dust one off and shoot a roll. :)
Very true Joseph, I hope you get out with one of your many 6x6’s soon 👍
I'm with you on basically all of these points. 12 shots on a roll is great. I can easily make a superb 16x20 from a cropped 6x6 negative and I virtually never print larger than that anyway. I don't honestly have a lot of square format images in my portfolio, but I'm warming up to the square format somewhat. Still I usually crop to a 4:5 aspect ratio from a square negative and just never have to rotate the camera. And this is probably unimportant to most people, but 12 negs of 6x6 fit perfectly into a standard print file sheet. Can't do that with 6x7 :D
My go-to 6x6 camera is my Yashica Mat 124 and it's great. But I would love to get a Bronica SQ of some sort.
I've always found 12 to be about right too Andrew, even 16 from the 645 cameras feels unnecessary. I know a lot of people who always crop their 6x6 (Ansel Adams) but I find it a restful aspect ratio so typically leave it as is.
Totally agree with you on 6x6. Or medium format in general!!! Great job 👏 my man!!!!!!!
I couldn't stop watching! This guy is spot on when talking about the ideal format. Luckily I have a folding camera 6x6 and a Mamyia Press able to cover from 6x4.5 to 6x9, obviously 6x6 included!
Thanks Luis, I’d love to try the big Press.
@@SteveONions it is an interesting concept, very complete with lots of lenses and backs! I am planning to upload a few videos about the Mamiya Press and when using it outdoors!
Excellently said. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Steve seems to like my personal camera types. Luckily I bought many when they were available before prices went up. My digital photography never grabbed my interest. Have a few.Never liked how they went out of date b4 the next model was out. Film, luckily will never die,(hope). One opinion worth a mention, CZcams videos have very good instruction ones. compared to the old earlier ones. many thanks S Onions.
Thanks Donald. I should have held onto all my film and darkroom equipment instead of having to buy it back at inflated prices 🙁
Always a pleasure to listen to a Good ramble 👍😄
Glad you enjoyed it Stuart.
Great discussion as always. My Bronica GS-1 weighs about six pounds (2.7 kg) with a standard lens, film back, metered prism viewfinder and I think also the speedgrip. I think not much more than the SQ-A similarly fitted but not sure.
That is a beast Mark, I can get the SQA-I down to about 1.5kg with a waist level finder and no grip and I still find that hefty when I add in the extra lenses.
great subject. I shoot Bronica ETRS and absolutely love it - picked up a $20 Agfa Isolette V and after cleaning it up the first roll was an eye opener! That 6x6 is really a nice compositional boost. I the ability to have it your pocket is such a bonus too!
I used to have an Isolette III with 75mm Solinar and it was my favourite lens of all.
your comments on ansel Adam's is spot on you know love your work.
My very first camera and still my only is Pentacon Six TL, it's a 6x6 from former Eastern Germany. 5 prime lenses by Carl Zeiss Jena, it is all amazing, I'm in constant awe. It's quite heavy though, especially with the bigger lenses like the 2.8/180mm Sonnar. I'm still learning the basics of photography but I love the slow process of thinking about the scene. It's also worth thinking twice as one frame costs me like 3 dollars (with Fuji Pro 400H) including the costs of having it developed and scanned by a lab. In the future I'd like to start developing and scanning the films myself.
That's a great camera system to own Radim, the lenses are well renowned and can deliver excellent results with modern films. Developing and scanning your own films will save a lot of time and money and I can highly recommend it.
@@SteveONions thank you sir! I'll try my best. What's also nice is that these lenses are not that rare to get and there is a lot of experimenting possible. But I'll tackle the basics first. For me it's a hobby and a pretty relaxing one, and I got to it only because it's film. For some reason digital doesn't appeal to me at all, maybe except for astrophotography. But even then I would like to overcome all the difficulties and manage to take a good photo of the Orion nebula on film. It's just exciting with film, I love it haha
@@SteveONions oh and by the way, this video was excellent, very helpful, thank you for such content.
Great video Steve. Love your relaxed but very informative style!
Thanks Mark 🙂
All good reasons to prefer 6x6 film. Something else I like about 120 film is that the contact prints I make are big enough to view for marking up the best crop for images to be printed. And also big enough to see which negatives are not worth printing.
Good point Bill. I don’t actually make contact sheets any more as everything gets scanned even if I’m going to make darkroom prints.
When I switched to film (I started with digital), I got a Yashica Mat 124G to give 120 a try. Took some photos of the front yard and couldn't believe quality of the images. And if I wanted portrait or landscape end results, a little cropping did the job. 6x6 really is the next step up, at least for me.
I've found all my older lenses were quite soft wide open and for best sharpness f/11-f/16 works well on 120 cameras.
Yashica Mat 124, always was the next best option. A very good reliable model. Mine still works, even it was second hand when I bought it. Yashica cameras come in many types. My first model, bought in 1966, from the NAAFI. It practically took the shot for me. Some positive ones. Digital,????.
My first 6cm camera was a Mamiya twin. I always crop my images and the 6x6 format allows croping either way. The format also taught me economy of images. I don't waste film! When I moved to the RB67 I found the 6x6 backs to be cheaper. I own 16 backs in 6x6 2 in 6x7 and 1 645. Thanks for mentioning pinhole, I removed the huge heavy RB lens and submitted a Kodak brass pinhole shutter mounted in a front camera cover. It has 4 different diameter holes which allow some exposure latitude. Your videos are a source of information and pleasure for me. I'd love to meet you someday and show you my shop where I rebuild my old finds. My old beauties never miss drawing crowds where ever we go. Digital owners are shocked to hear something that doesn't have a battery can produce up to 180 mega pixel images.
Thanks David and I’d love to see your collection one day. Having variations on pinholes is a good option as often the typical super wide is too much - body cap versions work well.
Whilst digital offers so much it doesn’t inspire me, there’s a fascination with film that never seems to fade.
Thanks Steve! As a photographer you're awesome! As a human being you are a godsend! I enjoy your tutorials so much, your love of craft and warmth as a person stun me!
I just picked up a Yashica Mat 124g, and I am looking forward to getting out with it soon. I have settled on HP5+, and Fomapan 100 in. the 4x5 format, but I am going to try using T Max 100, and some Portra 160, and Ecktar 100 with the 6x6. I hardly ever shoot color, so I am stretching my boundaries a bit.
Enjoy the Yashica Monty, it’s a fine camera 👍
The Voigtlander Perkeo2 with Color Skopar is the one to go for. It has a Coated Tessar type lens design with excellent image contrast.
Sounds nice Edward, I had a similar isolette III with 75mm Solinar, wonderful lens.
Yes, that 4 element triplet lens design crops up in many cameras and enlarger lenses. It must be one of the most successful lens designs ever! . Surprisingly good for a lens of that age.
I think the tessar design is my favourite of all lenses.
Absolutely brilliant.
Thanks Darren.
Great video. Absolutely true. I have a Hasselblad 500 C/M, and Rolleiflex. Both are my favorites by far. Love square format. Easy to crop. Square looks great on the wall. Regards, Jerry LLanes...
Thanks Jerry, so many of us seem to have both the SLR and TLR options.
I agree, the 6x6 format is the coolest!!!
Great talk Steve, have used the Fuji GX 680 for plant photography for the last few years. It is like carrying half a concrete block around in a backpack though. However the tilt and shift option makes
it worthwhile. 120 film is also my favourite film. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Carl, you get brownie points for lugging round the 608!
With pinhole it is not about film resolution, it is mostly about physical image size - the larger, the more resolution you can get with the same angle of view due to diffraction (pinhole diameter has to be larger with increasing "focal" length, but the image area increases faster than the pinhole diameter). I think that this is why most commercially available pinhole cameras are very wide angle - images have more resolution and look more detailed. You just can't get the same resolution out of a 24 x 36 mm negative (or full-frame digital camera) as with a 6 x 9 cm one (or a 4 x 5 inch - I'm thinking about going this route for pinhole, gaining more flexibility regarding "focal" lengths too as a side effect).
For me it’s the tonality that really improves with the bigger formats, much trickier with 35mm.
Great video about 6x6 medium format Steve. 6x6 used to be great fro composing family groups at weddings. Charlie Waite uses the 6x6 format to great effect in landscape photography. I sold my Yashicamat 124G a few years ago. I still have my Seagull twin lens made in China. I looked at the Minoltachord. Boy they are expensive second hand, but beautiful. I had the chance to buy a mint Mamiya C330s recently. A bit too bulky for me, but what a piece of kit.
It’s only a matter of time Simon, you will end up getting one. My Autocord was supposedly in excellent condition but needed a full CLA when I got it and it still has a problem with the bulb setting. No chance I’ll be selling it soon though as the lens is absolutely beautiful.
Two thank you's :) First is thank you for always answering your comments on here. I know if is hard to keep up but it is appreciated. Thank you for also giving my weekends my usual dose of Steve on CZcams. I work in corporate America and you dont get much more of a stress than that and your video's are my connection back to the UK and relaxing out with my camera. All the very best to you and yours. Cheers
Jim
Thanks Jim, glad you are enjoying the videos too, I also use them as a way of switching off from the rigours of working in highly regulated environments with little scope for creative input.
I totally agree. I too love 6x6 format.
Thanks Christopher.
Yes, quite right about square format 35mm Steve. Agfa used their long-defunct 'Rapid' cassette loading system that gave 24X24mm negatives. It was a very imaginative system offering cassette-to-cassette loading that meant there was no need to re-wind film. Sadly for Agfa, Kodak's 126 format began to dominate and the Rapid line was phased-out.
I've never come across that system Alan but it would have been great fun to use and the cameras would be quite compact too I imagine.
I loved my 6X6 cameras, A Mamiya C330 with interchangeable lens, Yashicamat 124G and a Lubitel. I did have a Mamiya 645 but I never warmed to it. Sadly some scroat burgled my apartment some years ago and stole all my cameras. I should have replaced the 6X6 but I chose the moment to go digital. Happy memories, thanks.
Bad luck with the cameras David but I hope they are making someone else very happy now - not the thief of course !!!
As always, Steve an education!
Thanks Roy.
6x6 was a favorite format of Ansel Adams as well he found it easy to work with. Its really easy to print an image from a 6x6 negative. I really like the 6x6 format. I have a Zeiss Ikon Nettar from the late 1930's that shoots 6x6 and a Mamiya 645 and I prefer the 6x6 format.
I also shoot 4x5 large format and 35mm.
It’s good to have a choice of formats and I think large format comes close to the ideal in terms of aspect ratio - after 6x6 of course 🙂
@@SteveONions oh yeah, I've been blown away by some of the large format images I have obtained.
Thanks Steve. I have a rollei TLR, a couple of agfa 6x6's and even a holga equivalent.Thus gives me some incentive to actually use them. Thanks. Geoff
And all your images can sit nicely together Geoff, one of the advantages of shooting 6x6 👍
@@SteveONions I did use a hasseblad many years ago on a work assignment and did enjoy the experience.I was shooting paintings of fighter planes engaged in combat and the results were great. I had been given some tips by one of our staff photographers.The gallery is still there and the paintings so I should go back and ask permission to shoot them on my rollei.Look up the Frank Harding Gallery,Renmark on the internet. cheers Geoff
I’m very lucky to have a Hasselblad 500C with the Sonnar 150mm f4 lens. It is very easy to use and while I use it mostly on a tripod I can easily hand hold it. I sometimes think my images handheld with it are sharper than my Olympus EM1X with all the image stabilization turn on.
I used to have that lens too Robert, I loved the fall of in focus when shooting closer objects and it was sharp at all apertures 🙂
Really great overview of the format 6x6; Although I am somewhat a TLRaholic..also have bronica and zero image your thoughts are concise and spot on about the quality and utility of the 6x6 compared to view camera... I too am coming to your same point about 6x6 and thank u for reenforcing the advantages. As always, I look forward to your posts and wish u the very best! Thanks Steve.
Thanks Randy, glad someone else thinks like me :)
Very inspirational video, Steve. My old Hassy 500 is screaming for some film. But, trying to buy a single roll of film, these days and all local camera stored out of business..... I did find a single roll of Fuji Velvia on Amazon. And I will get a roll color film , too . My plan is to pay for processing only, then scan with my digital camera , mounted to a copy stand and post process. Had the Hassy serviced about 5 years, as my daughter wanted to see what film was all about. That lasted about 1 roll of film, too much work . She took over my wedding business , as I'm retired. Now , waiting on the mailman to deliver my film. Take care. KB
It’s nearly all packs of 5 these days Ken and not cheap either sadly 🙁
Thanks Steve. I'm debating on transparency or color film . Leaning towards Fujicolor 400. Yep, I'll settle for the 5 pk. once I decide on which film. I'm going through your videos for ideas. Today, 1 Roll for Velvia 50 came in the mail. Ken B.
Thanks for the great video Steve. I'm going back to film having shot digital for the last 20 years and its good to know I'm not the only one who wants to shoot 6x6. Brushed down the Bronco and dug out the Durst, so it's time to be square.
I’ll bet it feels good to be back 👍
Pretty interesting admission stating your favorite format. I agree with your choice more so now than when I was younger. I didn't like the square format back then but that has changed. I shot with the Pentax 67 for years because I could get standard sized enlargements (in America) without or with little cropping thereby taking advantage of all the films real estate afforded by that format. Large prints looked phenomenal with the 6x7 and since I was all about "The quest for the best", that was my choice. Silly young mind. I gave up a lot for that. The interchangeable backs being the number one sacrifice followed up by flopping that beast on its side for verticals. My main area of photography was and still is macro. Then of course switching from horizontal to vertical radically changed the carefully set up perspective. Resetting it was a pain and upon occasion, I disrupted or completely ruined the scene by knocking it out of whack with the tripod legs during repositioning. If I were to go back to shooting film and had the choice today, it definitely would be the Bronica SQ or Hasselblad for certain!
Thanks Bradley. I use to do a lot with the Mamiya 645 but hated flipping it over and needing to fit the prism finder - everything just felt wrong and this inhibited my compositions. Never needing to change the camera orientation is liberating, same goes for the large format gear too.
Steve brilliant video I have two 6_6 camera thank you
You’re most welcome 😊
Completely agree Steve, 6x6 all the way. Biggest regret was selling my Bronica SQ system a few years ago when we were told "film was dead, digital is the future"......However, I did keep my Rolliflex which gets a workout now and again.
We've all done it Marc, I sold all my Hasselblad gear and so much more too - just spent the last 5 years buying it all back again at inflated prices :(
I canot agree more. As the first format I used, my father's Flexeretta whitch was a cheaper version of the Rolieflex 3.5, this format is my favourite. Like you if I had to choose a format or single camera, it would have to be a 6x6 format. Thanks for the vlog Steve.
Also great for making stereoscopic images if you have a sliding mount for your tripod.
Very true
There is a reason 6x6 isn't more popular. We don't see the world in squares. What size do you order prints? 8x10, 11x17, 24x30. What size paper do you write on? What's the size of a bank check? A billboard? A TV or monitor? And the most popular subject, people. I can't recall ever seeing so much as an art book with square sized photos. Its just not done. In fact, watching the video my first thought for most of the images was "that would have looked so much better cropped".
I'm no stranger to 6x6. First camera I ever used was a Minolta twin lens. When I shot advertising 99% of it was shot on Hasselblad 6x6 and 4x5. You can always crop, what you can't do is move the wasted space you will eventually crop to make your image rectangular to the long dimension to better utilize the resolution of the increased image size.
Each to their own Len 🙂