Advice needed for first medium format camera

IOS

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Ive been thinking about upgrading from my 35mm to medium format and was wondering what would be a good choice ?I was looking on ebay at Mamiya cameras but i dont know if they are a good choice or not. Thank you for your advice !!!

Jim
 

Ian Grant

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Mamiya 645's all models are excellent MF cameras, nice format, if you don't mind the weight & bulk then an RB67. My 645's are 30+ now and still OK.

Ian
 

Nick Zentena

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You first need to decide what you intend to do with them.

Then decide which features are a must

Then which features would be nice.

That will narrow down the field.

Lots of good first choices. The problem is finding the one that fits you.
 
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IOS

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Ian, thank you for responding to my post. The 645 is the model is what i was looking at on ebay. Do you have an idea of what is a fair price for a 645 ? I have no knowledge of values for medium format and dont want to get ripped of from an ebay seller. Again thank you for responding.

Jim
 

Sirius Glass

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Check KEH.com for comparison prices. They are highly recommend by others here and myself. Excellent return policy too, unlike eBay.

Steve
 
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IOS

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Sirius Glass said:
Check KEH.com for comparison prices. They are highly recommend by others here and myself. Excellent return policy too, unlike eBay.

Steve
Click to expand...


Steve, Thanks for the link ! I was very impressed with the choices they have. Thanks again.

Jim
 
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IOS

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Nick Zentena said:
You first need to decide what you intend to do with them.

Then decide which features are a must

Then which features would be nice.

That will narrow down the field.

Lots of good first choices. The problem is finding the one that fits you.
Click to expand...


Nick, thank you for your reply ! I dont have any special features in mind except for manual focus. I use a Canon 35mm and seem to like the shots better when i manual focus.

Jim
 

Nick Zentena

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If you do a lot of outdoors flash work you might want a leaf shutter system

If you need to switch films often or if you just need to reload quickly you might want backs instead of fixed film holder.

You might want something with a built in meter.

You might want a certain type of finder.

You might want a certain format.

You might want TTL flash.

I'm sure the list goes on.

You need to think about what you are doing with the camera mostly.
 
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IOS

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Jon Shiu

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Hello, you don't need extra backs to change film. Only if you want to change to a different film in mid-roll. I have used the Mamiya 645E for about 5 years and like it. It has a great bright viewfinder with adjustable diopter, excellent metering (aperture preferred auto, or manual), easy mirror lock up, multi-exposure switch etc. Very much like a 35mm with a larger, easier to focus and compose viewfinder. To add, the 645E model does not have a removable back, but I rarely shoot color so don't need to switch films in mid-roll.

Jon
 
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Tom Hoskinson

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I just bought a Mamiya 7II (6cmx7cm) plus the 43mm WA lens from KEH.

I'm very happy with the camera and KEH.
 

Sirius Glass

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Yes, and I change backs mid-roll all the time.
  1. Why waste the rest of the roll to change film types?
  2. I will shoot the same scene in Color and Black & White
  3. Some times I will need to go to a higher or lower speed film because of lighting changes.
The point is, once the ability to change backs is available, you use it. Besides it beats buying a second camera body.

Steve
 

Bob Carnie

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I would go with the Mamiya7 rangefinder or Fuji 6x9 rangefinder, I love both these cameras and they give excellent negatives for enlarging.

If the Mamiya 645 is a range finder it should be good, but my money would be on the first two.
We just got a Pentax 6x7 with two lenses and plan to use in the mirror up position, I am have seen lots of negs and pos from this camera in mirror lockup and the sharpness is really good.

I would suggest going to a used camera shop and seeing which camera feels right for you before you jump up in size.
The cameras I have mentioned are very easy to use in the field.

good luck and have fun.
 

23mjm

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Well which MF camera you kinda boils down to MONEY--the Mamiya 645 are very inexpensive now--so inexpensive I have 2 bodies (1-645e & 1-1000s) to get over the non-removable back--1 loaded with slide & 1 with B&W. with the 645 the glass is inexpensive and you can get metered prisms. The Mamiya 7 seams to be a great camera BUT it is spendy spendy spendy and so is the glass. The RB-67 camera & glass is also inexpensive but its a BIG BIG camera (I also own one). If you are just getting into MF I recommend the Mamiya 645 it is a great starter MF that you probably won't out grow---I didn't still use'em even though I have the RB and a TLR.
 

Fintan

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Moving to MF is really fantastic, I remember seeing some slides on the lightbox for the first time and being knocked out.

I think you need to decide three things first before you get into a make/model.

What format, rectangular [6x4.5, 6x7 etc] or square? [6x6]
Manual or Automatic/Semi-Automatic?
Rangefinder or SLR?

I'm not going to tell you what to choose, but tell you instead how I made my choice.

When I was thinking of MF, I decided that I wanted square and that narrowed down my options. I also wanted to be totally manual and had a preference for a SLR as I liked to use Graduated ND filters and thought it would be fiddly to use them on a rangefinder [though not impossible, just this mere mortal might find it difficult] I was into Landscapes and into portraits of bands and singers etc. I liked doing sill life with flowers and things like that. I used studio flash but not flash guns.

I got to try a Mamiya RB67 and I really loved it even though it was rectangular. I thought it might be too heavy for general purpose, bringing it on holidays or carrying it in my rucksack to work on the offchance of a photo opportunity. I was thinking of a Bronica SQA or a Hasselblad and just by chance met a colleague of mine who just happened to have a Hasselblad 500CM. Once I shot a roll or two with his 500CM I was smitten. It was square and manual, not too heavy but felt solid, it had plenty of accessories and lenses and a sensible modular system. My colleague gave me his copy of The Hasselblad Manual by Ernst Wildi which answered every question I had on their system. I got a lovely mint- one with a small bank loan and never looked back.

That was how I went MF, take your time and find the best system for you. We all have our favorite, and only you know what best suits you. Good luck with whatever you choose.
 

pesphoto

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I was wondering the same thing a few days ago myself. I settled on a Mamiya M645 1000s and CDs prosm finder for $200 from KEH. Should be here Tuesday. I figured it would be the easiest step up from 35mm for me and not be overly bulky to use.
 

JBrunner

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It's nice to be able to change backs. If you are or become a zoner, you can carry backs labeled for different development. I don't do this however, because my only functioning 120 cameras are a Mamiyaflex, Holga's, and a 6x17. If I was mondo MF though, thats what I would do.
 

Sirius Glass

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pesphoto said:
I was wondering the same thing a few days ago myself. I settled on a Mamiya M645 1000s and CDs prosm finder for $200 from KEH. Should be here Tuesday. I figured it would be the easiest step up from 35mm for me and not be overly bulky to use.
Click to expand...


I am sure you will be happy with it.

Steve
 
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IOS

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One thing i have noticed is that the shutter speeds listed for the camera dosnt include bulb or any long exposure settings. I have used 30sec exposures with my 35mm canon and realy liked the results. Did i misread the info on the shutter for the Mamiya's ? I thought they stated 1 sec to 1/400 sec ? Please correct me if im wrong on the shutter speeds.

Jim
 

TheTrailTog

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The 1000s has B and 1 - 1/1000. You can download a free manual for it HERE. Looking forward to seeing some shots with the new camera

Aaron
 

okto

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Everyone seems to have overlooked Bronica's ETR and SQ (and GS) series. Not particularly exciting in terms of body features or lenses, but durable, plentiful used and CHEAP. Just another option to consider.
 
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IOS

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okto said:
Everyone seems to have overlooked Bronica's ETR and SQ (and GS) series. Not particularly exciting in terms of body features or lenses, but durable, plentiful used and CHEAP. Just another option to consider.
Click to expand...



Okto, i will look at the camera you mentioned. Thank you.
Jim
 

toadhall

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I have recently gone through the exercise that you are going through ... and it ain't easy. The one difference is that I had previously owned a Pentax 67, and a Pentax 645 and a Mamiya C330.
I ruled out going back to a Pentax 67 because I did want to be able to change films mid roll. I ruled out the Pentax 645 because I didn't want complicated metering (I use an assortment of handheld meters).
I seriously considered one of the Mamiya 645s but finally concluded that a square 6x6 format made more sense because I could crop 'down' to a rectangle; but if I had a 6x4.5 I couldn't crop 'up' to square. The Mamiya RB67 is a nice camera, but since I do landscapes, and trek about in the bush, I couldn't justify the weight.
I briefly considered a Hassie, but the cost of the glass is scary, and I don't buy the myth of European manufacturing superiority (Oh, I know I'm going to get flamed for that! To set the record straight: I didn't say it wasn't good equipment - whether Zeiss, Leica, BMW, Hassie, Rollie, Mercedes - just that I don't believe it superior to what the Japanese produce - Mamiya, Nikon, Bronica, Lexus, Infinity, Acura etc.)
I finally settled on a Bronica SQ-A with speed grip and plain prism (because I wanted mirror lock up, but don't need the flash capability of the SQ-Ai). With winter and Christmas, I haven't used it extensively, but what I've shot, I've liked. I've got a couple more lenses coming and hope to get out (weather be damned) and use it.
When it's all said and done, you need to sort out all the variables and determine what is the best fit for you.
Good luck in your search.
John
 
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