Advice Needed on new Camera

GWalls · Jul 24, 2015

Hi Folks,
I have been hanging around here for a couple years but never posted. Have been doing a good bit of reading past info on the list but have not come up with an answer to my questions.

I want to get into a MF camera and probably a couple of lens. I have a bit of experience with 35mm and several Nikon cameras and had an old C-33 about 1969 while in Viet Nam. Some dark room experience years ago. No plans of doing that now just too old to fool with it. My intended use for a new kit would be for mostly landscape, wildlife, people. Only used the 2.250x 2.250 format in the past.

Have looked at Hasselblad but not sure which model nor do I want to spend a lot of time or money having it repaired either. I want my Nikon reliability in a MF camera.

Suggestions/advice?

Thanks
George

cliveh · Jul 24, 2015

Rollicord Vb.

Paul Howell · Jul 24, 2015

Do want 6X6 or a larger negative? You had a TLR, do you want a TLR or SLR? If buy a Hassy do you intend to buy a lens set?

Derek Lofgreen · Jul 24, 2015

Hi George,
I would say you should figure out what negative ratio you want. 35mm is a rectangle and many medium formats are different ratios of rectangles as well as square. MF comes in these most common negative size, 6x4.5 (645), 6x6 (square), 6x7, 6x9, 6x17 (panoramic). Look up what these sizes compare to 35mm to get your bearings and then figure out what size of medium format you want to shoot. From there you can figure out what camera system you want to consider.

Good luck!

D.

Malinku · Jul 24, 2015

I recommend a mamiya 645. It is the cheapest system MF cameras And very reliable. All the lenses are really Good as well.
was scanning a roll I shot with my mamiya m645 and 80mm f2.8 c. the rendering the len gave the gave the shots is really nice. Good sharpness and bokeh.

I got my mamiya m645 with two lenses for around $150. I'm sure you could find one for less.

mweintraub · Jul 24, 2015

Bronica SQ-A. Love the guy. No problems at all.

rthollenbeck · Jul 24, 2015

It's hard to not like Hasselbad V. Except for the foam rubber and light seals they need very little maitence. ELMs can be had for almost nothing. The interchangeable backs are convenient for many reasons. The SWC is a gem, that I would have in place of a 35mm rangefinder for portability (abite the lens is big by comparison). It's a great system. I sugest that if you can't find Hasselbad lenses you like, the problem is yours.
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Still, being a little unreasonable, I'd say even the Hasselbad is a bit bulky. For traveling and just having with me at all times I'd like to have a Plaubel Makina or a Fuji Folder. These cameras mean dealing with bellows that will leak sooner or later. Each has its own unique mechinical weakness. But they are convent to carry.
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The Pentax 67 is also an awesome machine.....with and awesome big size to match. But they are great and handle like THE SLRs your used to but on steroids.
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There are 6x9s & 6xLarger I like but most of them are more like mini-large-format cameras in my book that you can use roll film
with.
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Shrimp Salad, Shimp Sandwich.....huh....yea that's about it.

Paul in Arizona · Jul 24, 2015

For bang for the buck with interchangeable lenses and reliability you will be hard pressed to beat a Mamiya m645. I have a Bronica but many are leery of it because of reputed parts availability troubles. Mine has never had a problem.
Either one of these have glass better than you are likely to ever want.
The Hassy fans will come out in force telling you that is the only thing to have. Fine if 2 or 3 times the initial cost doesn't bother you.

Me? My go-to cameras are Rolleiflexes. I just prefer the way they handle.
Rolleicord would be a lower cost option that will do a superb job.
For square format w/fixed lens a Yashica D is excellent and quite cheap. I think better than Yashicamats.

Jim Jones · Jul 24, 2015

Paul in Arizona said:
. . . For square format w/fixed lens a Yashica D is excellent and quite cheap. I think better than Yashicamats.

I agree. The later Yashicas have cult status and prices with perhaps no improvement in image quality. Earlier models like the 635, D, and LM (if they have the Yashinon lens) are better buys. The build quality in a Rolleiflex is better.

rbultman · Jul 24, 2015

All good responses so far...

What is your budget?
How much automation would you like? Build-in light meter or external?
Is autofocus important or is manual focus just fine?
Is one, fixed lens ok or do you want interchangeable lenses?
Do you want interchangeable film backs?

trythis · Jul 24, 2015

I'll 3rd the mamiya 645 as being the best system for a couple hundred bucks.

They are heavy

Typos made on a tiny phone...

Luis-F-S · Jul 24, 2015

I have 7 Hasselblads that I bought in the early 1980's that afforded me a very good living for the next 30 years. Retired them in 2005 when I went digital for commercial work. I'd look for a clean 500 C/M or any of it's flavors, 501, 503, etc. Get it with an A12 back and the 80 CF Planar. That camera lens will take you a long way. For WA, get the SWC/M. A wonderful camera/lens. Still my favorite. L

Xmas · Jul 24, 2015

c330 mamiya and a couple of lenses.

If you need reliable they will need servicing by a pro.

GWalls · Jul 24, 2015

Good info so far with things I need to consider.

Budget is what ever I want to spend. I buy what I want but not waste it. I prefer more manual cameras then the newer ones. I say that and here I set with a F5.
Don't like zoom lens. prefer fixed lens manual focus. Interchangeable backs would be nice. Want 120 film. Where to find a nice Hasselbad ?

Paul, where in AZ? I am from Yuma originally.

George

What is your budget?
How much automation would you like? Build-in light meter or external?
Is autofocus important or is manual focus just fine?
Is one, fixed lens ok or do you want interchangeable lenses?
Do you want interchangeable film backs?[/QUOTE]

Alan Gales · Jul 24, 2015

Hello George and welcome to APUG!

I've owned a bunch of medium format cameras and as far as the best overall camera I would have to say get a Hasselblad. It's lightweight, a joy to use, has plenty of accessories available, great lenses. and can be serviced. Since money is not a problem get a later model.

KEH, and the forum's for sale section would be great places to buy. Of course there is always Ebay too.

hsandler · Jul 24, 2015

One factor that has not been raised thus far is how you intend to process the images. You stated you dont intend to get into darkroom work. one big issue you must consider is that the number of labs that will process 120 film for you is severely limited, especially for black and white film. You may have to rely on mail order. Personally, I use a lab for colour and do b&w developing myself. I don't make analog prints.

That said, a big factor that has not been mentioned is what type of viewfinder you like. some like waist level finders; others can't get past the reversed image. If you hate WLFs, skip TLRs. If you hate rangefinders, skip folders and Fuji rangefinders.

If portability is important, and interchangeable lenses, Pentax, Mamiya and Bronica 645 systems are very roughly similar in cost and capabilities. If you like square photos, or don't want to rotate the camera, or prefer a WLF, Hasselblad or Bronica SQ-A or Mamiya C series are good fits.

GWalls · Jul 24, 2015

Have a good lab right here in town, still does 120, BW and color. Does all 35 film and LF. Still do it all by hand.

fotch · Jul 24, 2015

Well, you really want the Hasselblad & why not, its a great camera. The CM would be my choice. Go for it.

Paul in Arizona · Jul 24, 2015

George:
I'm in Tempe.

Paul Howell · Jul 25, 2015

GWalls said:
Good info so far with things I need to consider.

Budget is what ever I want to spend. I buy what I want but not waste it. I prefer more manual cameras then the newer ones. I say that and here I set with a F5.
Don't like zoom lens. prefer fixed lens manual focus. Interchangeable backs would be nice. Want 120 film. Where to find a nice Hasselbad ?

Paul, where in AZ? I am from Yuma originally.

Hasselbad will work well as would a Bronica. Do you have pro level camera store near by? If not from KEH or B&H, or other on line store. I have a Kowa 66 and a Mamyia Universal, when shooting 6X6 for landscapes with the Kowa I find myself using a 65mm wide, when shooting 6X7 or 6X9 I use the 100 standard lens. A wide for the Hassy will set you back some.

Sirius Glass · Aug 10, 2015

fotch said:
Well, you really want the Hasselblad & why not, its a great camera. The CM would be my choice. Go for it.

OR 501 OR 503. I have a 503 CX, I do not need the ability to have a power film winder that comes with a CW.

Advice Needed on new Camera

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