Beginner to Medium Format

[JADoss23]

Just recently delved into the Medium Format world and have two questions I'm sure you amazing APUG users will have insight into. I have a Yashica Mat 124 which I have only shot a couple rolls through and love it so far but noticed to get any decent portrait or close up shots I need a bay 1 close up lens. Was curious if anyone had any recommendations or possibly getting rid of one that would work?
Also was curious about any other budget medium format camera options I should check out? thanks!

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

A Mamiya 645 body can be bought dirt cheap, and the excellent 150mm f3.5 M645 lens can be had for $70. It is a very nice portrait lens.

 

[R.Gould]

The best close up lenses I have used are the rolleinar, they are in three parts two close lenses and a prism type lens that corrects for paralex, they are in 3 strenghs, rolleinar 1,2,3, 1 is the weakest and is great for close head shots, 2 and 3 each take you closer, For the yashica you need baynot 1, as far as another camera, then maybe a slr, I suggest a Bronica, etrsi for 645 or Sq range for 66, good range of lenses and accesories such as backs and viewfinders, and they use leaf shutters, so like your yashica you have flash syc at all speeds,
Richard

 

[bvy]

The 124G is a beautiful camera, but it has a fixed 80mm lens, which on medium format is a bit wide for full face portraits. It focuses to about three feet without any help, which is about as close as you'll want to get for a portrait anyway. Get closer and facial features will distort. For that matter, it's a great camera for environmental portraiture, but if that's not what you're after though, consider a medium format camera that takes interchangeable lenses and get something longer so you can fill the frame from a comfortable (more flattering) distance.

 

[jgoody]

I have a Minolta Autocord which also takes Bay 1 filters etc. I have the Rolleinars -- which is a close up lens set for both the viewing and taking lens so you can focus correctly - the viewing lens attachment also corrects for parallex so that framing is correct. I believe they came in 1,2 or 3 power - I have 1 and 2. They came in the older version (which I have) that has two lenses that attach for the viewing, one with the prism, and the newer version with the prism built into the viewing lens. They work very well. The #1 focuses, I think, from about 3 feet to a foot and a half. The 2 is more powerful. If you are getting only one get the #1. You can get the Rollei accessory manual on line which has some info on them.

 

[markbarendt]

For close up work an RB67 is tough to beat and can be had at very reasonable prices.

For extreme close ups extension tubes are available.

Since it's an SLR its easy to focus too.

 

[Paul Howell]

I think the Mamyia 645 is ideal for portraits, when cropped to 8X10 no loss if the negative as with a 6X6, other option is a Mamyia C33 or 220 with a 105 or 120 lens. The Yashica is a very good travel camera, light weight, easy to use, good lens, while a Mamyia is a good studio camera.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG

 

[Alan Gales]

If you like TLR's then Mamiya is the only one that has interchangeable lenses. I own a Mamiya C220f. It weighs roughly the same as a Hasselblad which I think is light. Keep your Yashica for when you want to carry a really light camera.

For lenses the 135mm was a favorite of wedding/portrait photographers. It's not tack sharp which is very nice for portraits. If you like razor sharp then look at the 180mm Super. There is also a 250mm if you like something longer.

The standard 80mm is nice for a normal lens. The 105mm is a Heliar copy so it has very good bokeh. The bokeh of the 80 isn't bad either.

Mamiya TLR's and their lenses are a bargain if you are on a budget and want a medium format camera with interchangeable lenses. You can also look at Mamiya and Bronica 645 cameras.

 

[Moopheus]

Also was curious about any other budget medium format camera options I should check out? thanks!

These days just about anything MF that's not Hasselblad or Rolleiflex is going to be fairly inexpensive, and even there, older models might not fetch premium prices. I've used Mamiyas (C330 and RB67) and they are fine professional-quality kit that can be had for half-nothing these days. Many were well used in their day, though, so it pays to be a little picky about condition.

 

[jgoody]

My advice would be to get a Rolleinar 1 and shoot some and see if the Yashica's lens is too short to give the images desired. I understand the use of a longer "portrait" lens - I usually use an 85mm - 100mm on a 35mm camera for that purpose - but many great portraits have been taken with TLR cameras

 

[Sirius Glass]

I suggest that you check out what is available at Dead Link Removed which has an excellent record and great return policy and the APUG classifieds. The Mamiya C3xx are excellent cameras with interchangeable lenses. I like the 55mm, 80mm and 250mm lenses for them. The Mamiya has built-in bellows so that one can take close up photographs.

 

[Mark R. Bradshaw]

For close up work an RB67 is tough to beat and can be had at very reasonable prices.

For extreme close ups extension tubes are available.

Since it's an SLR its easy to focus too.

I couldn't agree more. I use an RB67 Pro S, with 65, 90, 127, and 180 mm lenses. I also have both extension tubes. With the bellows extension of the camera itself, some close up work can be done with any of the lenses. I recently purchased a 140 mm macro lens and look forward to seeing what I can do with it combined with the extension tubes. A very nice kit can be built up over time without breaking the budget. At least that's what I did.

 

[jvo]

welcome to apug...

another vote for the mamiya 645!

 

[flavio81]

Just recently delved into the Medium Format world and have two questions I'm sure you amazing APUG users will have insight into. I have a Yashica Mat 124 which I have only shot a couple rolls through and love it so far but noticed to get any decent portrait or close up shots I need a bay 1 close up lens. Was curious if anyone had any recommendations or possibly getting rid of one that would work?
Also was curious about any other budget medium format camera options I should check out? thanks!

All posts above are correct. You shouldn't get that close for a portrait.

If you want my suggestion for a system, i'd recommend the Mamiya TLR system for portraits with either the 105, 135, or 180mm lenses.

 

[neilt3]

I've also got a few TLR's that use the bayonet 1 size fitting .
Apart from the close up diopters there are also wide angle adapters and telephoto adapters available .
If you want to get closer without distortion , the telephoto adapters the answer .
As with close up fittings both the wide angle are supplied as a kit with one lens for the taking lens and one for the viewing lens .


As for other suggestions , a Mamiya TLR with a couple of lenses is a good option or some thing like a Bronica ETRSi .
Need to decide if you want to stick with 6x6 with WLF or prism or if your happy with a 6x4.5 plus prism if your shooting in portrait orientation .

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I couldn't agree more. I use an RB67 Pro S, with 65, 90, 127, and 180 mm lenses. I also have both extension tubes. With the bellows extension of the camera itself, some close up work can be done with any of the lenses. I recently purchased a 140 mm macro lens and look forward to seeing what I can do with it combined with the extension tubes. A very nice kit can be built up over time without breaking the budget. At least that's what I did.

on a budget?heck,everyone is on a budget in one way or another but when it comes to MF, the best and most flexible camera system is made by Hasselblad.a500 series glad is an inexpensive used camera that will grow and stay with you for a lifetime. a Hasselblad will not let you down and can handle anything from portrait ,architecture landscape or close ups;it's just money,who cares? You can't take it with you;the last shirt doesn't have any pockets!

 

[bvy]

If you like TLR's then Mamiya is the only one that has interchangeable lenses.

Really? This is news to me. Makes selecting my next MF camera a little easier...

Edit: Oh, wait. TLR's. So there are medium format SLR's with the option...

 

[Alan Gales]

Really? This is news to me. Makes selecting my next MF camera a little easier...

Edit: Oh, wait. TLR's. So there are medium format SLR's with the option...

Yes, plenty of medium format SLR's with the option.

 

[Chris Livsey]

These days just about anything MF that's not Hasselblad or Rolleiflex is going to be fairly inexpensive.

I think you should add Contax 645 to that list

 

[ransel]

I have the Yashica D, which predates the 124G. I think it is great for portraits as is. The Mamiya TLR's - I have a C220 and for my $ the 80mm lens is fantastic for portraits. At f/2.8 the bokeh of that lens is to die for.

 

[Stephen Prunier]

Welcome to apug. You'll get plenty of solid advice on here.

 

[chassis]

Welcome to APUG.

Another RB67 fan here. 645 film inserts are available if you like to shoot that format. Plus you have the option with the RB67 of shooting 6x7 and 6x8 with different film inserts/backs. 6x6 is available also with a third party film back. Lots of lenses and accessories available. Solid construction. Beautiful images.

 

[flavio81]

Also was curious about any other budget medium format camera options I should check out? thanks!

Another bit of advice: Don't worry about lens quality. ALL medium format camera systems with interchangeable lenses have lenses that range from very good to fantastic to ohmygod;
Hasselblad users swear for their Carl Zeiss lenses. Fuji lenses as well.
Mamiya 7 are perhaps the sharpest medium format lenses ever
Mamiya RB/RZ users love their lenses.
Mamiya TLR lenses have creamy bokeh
Bronica cameras often have fantastic Nikkor lenses
Pentax always makes great lenses and the lenses for the Pentax 67 system are no exception.
etc etc

Welcome to APUG.
Another RB67 fan here. 645 film inserts are available if you like to shoot that format. Plus you have the option with the RB67 of shooting 6x7 and 6x8 with different film inserts/backs. 6x6 is available also with a third party film back. Lots of lenses and accessories available. Solid construction. Beautiful images.

+1
I'm a fan of the RB67 as well. It is easy to use in 6x4.5 mode as well.
But if you buy one, make sure it goes through technical service because there is a lot of light sealing that needs to be checked/replaced on the RB camera.

 

[ac12]

You need to define what YOU mean by portrait.
Portraits runs from multiple person group (family or wedding party), to couple, to single full length, to waist up, to head and shoulder, to head, to tight face.
The tighter the shot, the longer the lens you need.
IMHO, a "normal" lens is rather too wide for head shots. And as was said, you do NOT want to get too close, or you start to get facial distortion that is usually not pleasing to the subject, and you tend to intimidate the subject with the camera practically in their face. If you want head shots, then you NEED a longer lens.
The common 6x6 portrait lens for the Hassleblad is the 150, with some preferring the slightly longer 180 or even 250. The difference is working distance and resulting perspective. Example, I might use the 150 for head and shoulder, the 180 for head, and the 250 for face. But if I had more working distance, I might use the longer 180 for head and shoulder.
So, if you want to do a lot of head and shoulder portraits, I would get an interchangeable lens SLR. Then you can more easily select the lens you want.

You need to define what you mean by "budget medium format camera." Specifically, define "budget."
Because you can indeed get a Hasselblad 500/cm for what I call a budget price. I got a Hasselblad 500/cm + back + 80CF lens for a fair amount less that I paid for my Nikon D70. So for me, using that perspective, I consider it a budget purchase. If you are looking for something below a certain $ point, you need to specify what that $ point is. If below $400, then the camera selection changes.

Budget also affects the lens selection. Example, I originally wanted the Hasselblad 180. But I did not want to pay the significant price premium over the 150. So I settled for the slightly shorter 150. A compromised based on cost. BTW, this is affordable (for me) USED prices $$$, not unaffordable NEW prices $,$$$.