"Budget" Medium Format options?

agphotography · Oct 20, 2011

Ok I'm in need of more advice my friends.

As we all know, when buying from eBay you inherently take a risk, sometimes things are great, other times... Not so much. I'm right in the middle at this moment.

The Rollei arrived and upon inspecting it, there are some immediate concerns. Cosmetically it wasn't quite as clean as shown in the images, but that can be forgivable as it would just require me to do a little cleaning myself. However! The taking lens looks like it has some major cleaning smudges inside one of the elements, and the viewing lens has quite a bit of fungus, the mirror is very dirty, and the focusing screen is dirty and quite dim. Shutter speeds sound ok to my ears, and the aperture opens and closes without trouble (Though the blades do look a little worn).

I have already contacted both the seller and Harry Fleenor (of Oceanside Camera) so I can have a better scope of my options.

Harry quoted me roughly $350+/- to do a CLA & install a Maxwell screen, he said he may be able to clean the fungus, but if not I would need to sent it to Focalpoint in Colorado for cleaning and re-coating (no word on time or cost from them yet). Harry also said his turn around time is about 12 weeks right now.

The seller has given me two options, I can return the camera to him for a full refund (minus the cost to ship it back to him) or he will give me a partial refund of $150 to help pay for the repairs.

What do you think I should do? I'm torn, I like the look of the camera quite a bit and I was excited to get it, but with the expense of the repair and the wait time I'm a little discouraged.

Jeff Kubach · Oct 20, 2011

It depends on the repair bill.

Jeff

CGW · Oct 20, 2011

agphotography said:
Ok I'm in need of more advice my friends.

As we all know, when buying from eBay you inherently take a risk, sometimes things are great, other times... Not so much. I'm right in the middle at this moment.

The Rollei arrived and upon inspecting it, there are some immediate concerns. Cosmetically it wasn't quite as clean as shown in the images, but that can be forgivable as it would just require me to do a little cleaning myself. However! The taking lens looks like it has some major cleaning smudges inside one of the elements, and the viewing lens has quite a bit of fungus, the mirror is very dirty, and the focusing screen is dirty and quite dim. Shutter speeds sound ok to my ears, and the aperture opens and closes without trouble (Though the blades do look a little worn).

I have already contacted both the seller and Harry Fleenor (of Oceanside Camera) so I can have a better scope of my options.

Harry quoted me roughly $350+/- to do a CLA & install a Maxwell screen, he said he may be able to clean the fungus, but if not I would need to sent it to Focalpoint in Colorado for cleaning and re-coating (no word on time or cost from them yet). Harry also said his turn around time is about 12 weeks right now.

The seller has given me two options, I can return the camera to him for a full refund (minus the cost to ship it back to him) or he will give me a partial refund of $150 to help pay for the repairs.

What do you think I should do? I'm torn, I like the look of the camera quite a bit and I was excited to get it, but with the expense of the repair and the wait time I'm a little discouraged.

Take advantage of the seller's sense of guilt and grab the refund ASAP. From your previous post, he was less than honest about condition and probably knew it. Gear this compromised isn't worth the trouble and expense to repair. The camera sounds smoked. Another camera will come along, probably better, too. Old Rollei TLRs have proved to be money pits for several friends who had to have them.

Get a newer, working camera.

agphotography · Oct 20, 2011

Fair enough. I was leaning that way, but I just wanted to get a second opinion.

Thank you gentlemen, I will return the camera, and continue my search

agphotography · Oct 21, 2011

Well the Rollei is back off to its original owner and I should have my refund shortly. Back to the drawing board.

Admittedly I didn't get to spend a lot of time with the Rollei, but I did handle it and try to practice with it to see if I liked the way it handles. I forgot how disorienting the WLF can be but I imagine one can get used to it pretty easily. I admit that I have a preference to SLRs and RFs in general practice. I can see the appeal of a TLR though.

I'm going to keep searching, but I'm not going to focus solely on just a TLR, gates are back open again.

The ideal camera for me would be the Mamiya 7 with an 80mm, but I've rarely seen them go for my budget range.
I think I would like to find something that is either 6x6 or larger. 6x7 was my favorite of the three I've owned but square format has always intrigued me.

I went back through the suggestions and I haven't come up with anything conclusive yet it would seem.

Still open to ideas from you guys

brucemuir · Oct 21, 2011

You acclimate to the reversed wlf pretty quickly.
I wouldn't let that rule anything out.
After you use it a few times as soon as you pick up the camera you are already instinctually adjusted. (hows that for grammar )

Anyway I think you made the right decision sending that back.
It would likely need a new mirror and things add up after that.

GLWSearch

2F/2F · Oct 21, 2011

I suggest a 6x4.5 or 6x6 component SLR. Mamiya 645 Pro, Hasselblad, Bronica SQ or 645, Contax, etc. Good size, very versatile, very high quality, and very affordable for what you get. My favorites would be of the Hassy style, like the Hassy itself or an SQ.

agphotography · Oct 21, 2011

Having never owned a 500 series Hasselblad (only the Fuji-coverup H1) What would be the best thing to look for? A 500 C/M? I imagine the 80 f/2.8 would be fine for now, but there are SO many versions. I never know where to begin looking.

2F/2F · Oct 21, 2011

Given the prices, I would choose the SQ for myself. 90 percent of what you get with a Hassy, at probably 50 percent of the price, or less. Most people will not miss that 10 percent.

agphotography · Oct 22, 2011

What about the Pentax 645n with a 75mm? Any thoughts? (Still trying to find a Mamiya 7 though)

2F/2F · Oct 22, 2011

I like the Pentax 645 a lot, but it has a fixed prism and must be turned sideways for verticals. I like being able to use a WLF, and I find the square format very convenient in terms of framing.

bushpig · Oct 22, 2011

2F/2F said:
I like the Pentax 645 a lot, but it has a fixed prism and must be turned sideways for verticals. I like being able to use a WLF, and I find the square format very convenient in terms of framing.

It's a shame there's not a 6x7 camera that doesn't need to be turned sideways for shooting in portrait orientation.

If only they made a camera with a...i dunno...a....Really awesome Back.

Yeah.

Really awesome
Back.

RaB
in a 6x7 format.

Maybe someday...

agphotography · Oct 22, 2011

Haha funny funny I am well aware how awesome the Mamiya rotating backs are. (I haven't yet ruled out an RZ or RB, I just wasn't necessarily looking for a studio camera this time around.)

MattKing · Oct 22, 2011

agphotography said:
Haha funny funny I am well aware how awesome the Mamiya rotating backs are. (I haven't yet ruled out an RZ or RB, I just wasn't necessarily looking for a studio camera this time around.)

Studio Camera?!?:munch:

Shot using a 65mm lens on a Mamiya RB67 Pro S (albeit with a monopod):

agphotography · Oct 22, 2011

Well obviously they aren't limited to only studio use, but you can't deny that is where they are ideally used.

Anyways, I have experience with the RZ, very positive experience and I would consider it again.

mopar_guy · Oct 22, 2011

agphotography said:
So I'm dabbling with the idea (again) of picking up a medium format camera. This would honestly only be used for fun and probably some candid street photography (I can imagine the reactions of people seeing one haha!)

For this type of use, I use a Crown Graphic. Within it's limitations, I find it very useful. Yes, the body is wood, not metal. You should also be able to find one in reasonably good shape for less than your budget.

mopar_guy · Oct 22, 2011

Oh, I am talking about the 2x3 size cameras.

PaulMD · Oct 26, 2011

Get a Kirk L-bracket if you want to shoot portrait alignment with a SLR. Not the best solution in the world but it works fine.

lxdude · Oct 26, 2011

2F/2F said:
I like the Pentax 645 a lot, but it has a fixed prism and must be turned sideways for verticals.

True that, though one nice feature of the Pentax 645's is the second tripod socket on the side. That solves balance issues and with a quick-release on each, switching is about as fast as flipping a 3-way or ballhead. It also means a 2-way will work fine.

vpwphoto · Oct 26, 2011

Hasselblads are bargins now compared to used prices 8 years ago. The SWC advertised in Apug classifies was pretty darn fair.

agphotography · Nov 7, 2011

I'm still shopping around, I'm actually still leaning towards the Fuji rangefinders. I use my Fuji X100 very regularly and I think it would be fun to have a Fuji MF camera to tote along with it. I like the idea of the Fuji 645 cameras because they are quite compact (relatively speaking).

I understand the differences between the GS645s and the GA645, but in actual use which one works better?

awwsheeet · Nov 9, 2011

the ga645 is autofocus.

i have a ga645zi for sale if you are interested. 800 obo.

--Eric

John Austin · Nov 9, 2011

For $50 you could get a Flexaret

Another cheapie is a Meopta Flexaret, in Australia about $50 - I have one with a sticky shutter, but postage would be more than it is worth

In reality, these cameras have made some amazing images, see Jan Saudek's work - My test film showed the lens to be very good for a four elephant design - They are also very simple so there is very little to go wrong, just sticky shutters

John

ParkerSmithPhoto · Nov 9, 2011

agphotography said:
Anyways I am open to suggestions from you guys. I am not looking to necessarily build out a kit right now. One lens would be fine (I am a big fan of 35mm and 50mm in 24x36 terms).

The Bronica SQ with a 50mm lens is a pretty dinky MF camera. I had a great afternoon photographing tourists at the Acropolis with this setup. MF for street candids is surprisingly good, much less intimidating and eye catching than someone with a 35mm up at eye level. The wide angle lets you get really close, yet still relatively inconspicuous.

snay1345 · Nov 10, 2011

I have a voightlander perkeo ii and zone focus and black and white film equal easy street photography.

"Budget" Medium Format options?

agphotography

Jeff Kubach

CGW

agphotography

agphotography

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2F/2F

agphotography

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agphotography

2F/2F

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agphotography

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