It’s our final installment of our medium format film camera series! Today we’re highlighting 6×7 cameras. “6×7” refers roughly to the size (in centimeters) and ratio of images shot on this type of camera: 6×7 cameras shoot rectangle images. As a plus, 6×7 matches the golden ratio, so these dimensions are particularly pleasing to the eye. If you’re wondering where to buy one of the cameras listed below, check out our post about buying used gear here.
Adam Welker | Portra 400 | Pentax 67
Taylor Grayson | Ektar 100+1 | Pentax 67ii
Pentax 67 or Pentax 67ii
Why we love it:
- Extremely user friendly: it feels like a big 35mm camera.
- Huge negatives with 67 format.
- The 105mm 2.4 lens is legendary. There is a reason it gets used on other camera systems as well (Pentax 645).
- The P67ii has a really bright viewfinder.
Things to watch out for:
- You get 10 photos on 120 or 21 on 220. That’s it. 10 frames and you have to reload.
- Loading film into this camera takes a lot of experience. It is NOT easily done if you’ve never done it before. It can be quick, you just have to get used to it.
- Batteries are available but are not something you just go to the store and get.
- The Pentax 67 and Pentax 6×7 are older versions and have considerably darker viewfinders vs the P67ii.
- The one thing that breaks on these cameras is the film advance. It can be fixed but it is pricey.
Lexi Marie Photography | Portra 400 | Mamiya RZ67
Mamiya RZ67
Why we love it:
- Rotating backs! You can shoot vertical or horizontal by just turning the back!
- Bellow focusing! Every single lens can be used as a macro lens!
- The pistol grip is really convenient and saves you from back pains.
- So many great lenses to choose from. The flagship is the 110 f2.8 lens. But the 50mm is an amazing wide angle, and the 180mm is literally a steal for $80 or less!
- Leaf shutter! This means you can sync your flash to any shutter speed AND with leaf shutter you can hand hold at 1/30th and get tack sharp images.
- For what you get, this is really a great economical choice for medium format.
Things to watch out for:
- This thing is HEAVY. Add a prism instead of shooting at waist level and you add a pound and a half!
- Batteries are not the easiest to find. If your battery dies you can still shoot, just at 1/400th of a second.
