Are all 6 x 4.5 cameras vertical?

[nightfly]

Stupid question but do all all 6 x 4.5 have a vertical orientation? That is the film is in portrait rather than landscape so you have to turn the camera to get the wider side of the film going across the frame?

[Frank Version Two]

The SLR style 6x4.5 cameras transport their film vertically so they are natively taking horizontal photos. Many of the rangefinder cameras transport their film horizontally, so they are orientated vertically.

Even though I like shooting verticals and do it often, it is strange to switch to a vertical camera....

[Andy Kibber]

Like Frank said, most SLR 645 cameras are horizontal. Maybe all of them, actually.

[nightfly]

So Pentax 645 shoot horizontally, I assume.

[brian steinberger]

Originally Posted by nightfly

So Pentax 645 shoot horizontally, I assume.

Yes. The only ones that I know of that shoot vertical are the Bronica RF645, which I have and love, and the Fuji 6x4.5 RF's.

[kuzano]

SLR modular system cameras using removable backs... that's the clue to landscape (or horizontal) format. These backs have the film inserts where the film rolls from the top roll to a bottom roll, or bottom to top.

To name a few:
Bronica ETR, ETRS, and ETRSi
Mamiya 645 SLRs from early through Super, Pro, TTL and AFD to current
Pentax 645

Cameras that have the film loaded into the body with the film rolling sideways from left to right or vice versa are always portrait (vertical) format.

Examples:
Most folders that shoot 645 or dual format with 645 as one of the formats.
Bronica 645RF
Fujica (Fuji) rangefinder 645 models, both GS and GA.
There is one special back for the Bronica ETR, ETRS and ETRSi which loads the film sideways and shoots in a protrait mode (quite hard to find)

There are also a couple of backs for Bronica and Mamiya 645 SLRs that shoot 135 film in a panoramic mode horizontally. They show up occasionally on eBay for the Bronica 645SLR system.

[DanOnRoute66]

Likewise, the Mamiya and Contax 645 cameras shoot horizontal images. Wish I had one of them!

[dreilly]

If you're like me and tend to shoot and "see" horizontally almost always, a camera like a 6x4.5 or even a half-frame 35mm is a fun exercise in seeing differently. Yes, I know, you can always turn your horizontal format camera sideways, but it just doesn't feel natural, like you're on the poseidon or something...

[segedi]

Originally Posted by brian steinberger

Yes. The only ones that I know of that shoot vertical are the Bronica RF645, which I have and love, and the Fuji 6x4.5 RF's.

Love my Bronica RF645 as well. Very small for a 645 system, takes great photos and I got used to quickly and rather enjoy the vertical orientation.

[BTMarcais]

FWIW, the 645 back for the mamiya RB is also vertical.

But yes, all the native 645 SLRs I know of shoot horizontal.

-Brian

[shadowfox]

Originally Posted by nightfly

Stupid question but do all all 6 x 4.5 have a vertical orientation? That is the film is in portrait rather than landscape so you have to turn the camera to get the wider side of the film going across the frame?

In theory, a 6x4.5 TLR could have a landscape oriented view.
The question is, does one exist?

[jan normandale]

Originally Posted by shadowfox

In theory, a 6x4.5 TLR could have a landscape oriented view.
The question is, does one exist?

I'd be very interested to know of TLR's shooting 6/45 format. I've not seen this in my travels.

[ruby.monkey]

Originally Posted by BTMarcais

FWIW, the 645 back for the mamiya RB is also vertical.

But yes, all the native 645 SLRs I know of shoot horizontal.

-Brian

The 645 back for the RZ67 gives one the best of both worlds. Love that system.

[DougK]

Originally Posted by jan normandale

I'd be very interested to know of TLR's shooting 6/45 format. I've not seen this in my travels.

My Lubitel 166U came with a 645 mask and it's oriented horizontally. I've never used it, though

[tlitody]

And just for fun, with a sinar zoom 2 film holder on a 4x5 you can have 6x12,6x9, 6x7, 6x6, 6x4.5 in either horizontal or vertical format.