Best Camera for my needs under £1500

The Mamiya 6 (modern series) seems to have fallen in price again, it is down in the pretty decent range now. A person could build up a 2 body and 3 or 4 lens kit for the 1500 GBP we are talking about.

The Mamiya 6 would be a good choice.

However, all things being equal I would probably choose the Fuji GA645Zi with its variable focus lens (50-90mm) for about $800 used over a three lens Mamiya 6 outfit used that would cost about twice as much and only offer a bit more tele solution. In fact, you could probably buy two Fuji GA645Zi for the price of the Mamiya 6 outfit.

And just for the record, a Fuji GA645Zi is only slightly larger and heavier than a comparable 35mm SLR with comparable zoom lens. And if you use 220 film you can get 32 shots per roll. Blows the best 35mm out of the water in terms of print quality at 16X20".

Sandy King

Greg_E said:

The Mamiya 6 (modern series) seems to have fallen in price again, it is down in the pretty decent range now. A person could build up a 2 body and 3 or 4 lens kit for the 1500 GBP we are talking about.

Click to expand...

I would like to ask the OP how many photos do you think you will take on your round the world trip and how many of those are destined for fine art quality 20x16 inch prints?

Let's keep this in mind from the OP:

"As in parts of my travels i'll be in very secluded places and unlikely to be anywhere near a city or places that will be able to repair my camera, so really my most important factor is that it is reliable and built like a brick so that's it's unlikely to break however still has quality glass."

For what it is worth-
My first choice for remote travel, mf would be a rollei in good shape, but you give up interchangeable lenses.
If you need interchangable lenses, and the mamiya 7 is too expensive, I would go with a 645slr.
I have been shooting a pentax, with a 55 and 150 lens that makes a very nice travel kit. Really no bigger than a 35, with much improved image quality. The pentax is battery dependant, so if that is a concern, get a mamiya.
As to the format- you will be told and read all sorts of stuff, lots of which is really nothing more than urban myth. The pentax was my first foray into 645. Prior to that I have shot everything from minox to 8x10, and my take is that contrary to what others may tell you, yes, you will see a big difference between it and 35. The old adage that bigger is better may not always be true- there are all sorts of factors that impact image quality, format being just one.
When I got the pentax, I did a little test. I shot the same scene, with three cameras, the pentax 645, a pentax 67 and a 4x5 with 150mm ektar lens.
I used the 55 on the 645, a 55 on the 67, acros in the mf, and trix in the 4x5. I shot the same scene, on a big zone VI tripod, using shutter speeds of 125th second or more. The tripod was moved to get the same framing in each.
What i found was that with full frame 11x14 prints handed out to a bunch of friends, there was no difference that anyone could see. I cranked my d2 enlarger as high as it would go and made some more prints. Both the 67 and 645 were sharper than the 4X5. Again, very little if any difference could be seen between the mf images.
My take is that there are all sorts of factors- film flatness, lens quality, film ability, vibration, that affect the ability to give a high quality image.
A really good 645 is going to give better images than a mediocre 6X6,6X7, or 6X9, and maybe even bigger.
What you want is a camera that will hold the film really flat, not shake much, have the best glass available,be light enough to carry around, and not die in the middle of nowhere.

Being a Rolleiphile I hate to say it but if I was traveling the whirl and had the money I would take a Mamiya 7... though I like to look at things close up and the Mamiya 7 needs that closeup attachment that looks kind of goofy.
Dennis

WHAT!!?? what am I thinking? No I wouldn't I would take my Rollei. Geez. I must have been inhabited by an alien for a minute.
Dennis

rob champagne said:

I'm not disputing that medium format can give better better quality at 20x16 and I did say good as opposed to excellent but what I am suggesting is that upto 16x12 there is little difference and technique plays a big part. The OP didn't say how big he wants to print and I'm just making the point that if 16x12 or less is the size he wants to print, then a high quality 35mm setup using good technique should provide excellent results and be much easier and compact to use as a travel camera for a lot less money.

Click to expand...

What's with the giant prints? I limit print size from 35mm to 5x7", the difference in image quality compare to 8x10 prints is easy to see.

Actually, all of us left out a very important choice... If you want the most rugged of devices, then it is hard to beat a good solid box with a pinhole on the front. Few moving parts means it just will not break, no lenses to get whacked, etc....

Just one more choice for you. though it may not be the kind of image quality you are looking for

This is one of those questions that has to be often re-visited.

Turns out that I will be going to China again this fall for about a month. So, what to take? Choices are, 1) Mamiya 7II outfit with one body plus 43mm, 65mm, 80mm and 150mm lens, 2) A couple of Fuji GA645Zi bodies, plus a Fuji GW690III.

The Mamiya 7II kit offers more possibilities and will allow larger prints, up to about 24X30. A couple of Fuji GA645Zi bodies plus the Fuji GW690III offers more portability, with more back-up in the two Zi bodies plus the GW690II.

Sandy King

For those quick and easy grab shots an Olympus Stylus Epic. Small clamshell camera that doesn't attract attention. Still available for under $100 US and still works well for a lot of stuff. An extra battery, some film and you are ready to shoot in most any location you are likely to hit.

A twin lens Rollei or Yashica with a Calculite X or XP light meter? Can get decent here for well under the budget.

An older Hasselblad 500 series or a Bronica 6x6 series. Very cheap. Work well and interchangeable lenses make them more versatile.

Or, in 35mm, a Contax G1 with two lenses. Very light, work well and good quality images from top glass on a small budget. Doesn't look big and flashy so not quite as likely to be stolen and small & light means easy to carry.

Or, one older cammed Linhof Technika, four holders & changing bag, meter & the guts to use it as designed. Big negs and great quality. Couple this with the Olympus or Contax G1 and you are in heaven with little compromise.