Budget Medium Format SLR Type Camera

[wiltw]

And square is 1:1

So you would never deliver an 8x10 of an individual portrait shot on 6x6 film? Not indicating that is at all 'wrong', but merely trying to understand the logic of your earlier statement about 'overlong'.

 

[wiltw]

The 645 Super is nice and cheap, but check it carefully because the gearing used in it tended to wear prematurely if used with a power winder.
A lot of them were used by wedding photographers. still use. .

For wedding work, for which flash is needed so often, would all those wedding pros shoot with a Leaf Shutter lens, or deal with the somewhat slow X-sync speed of the focal plane shutter?
The leaf shutter in every lens was one major reason for wedding pros to select Hassy or Bronica.

 

[JADoss23]

I've been browsing for a little bit. Have looked on KEH and such in the past and done some research but never went fully engaged into searching out for one but decided now is best time to do so. Good time to have some GAS.

 

[Sirius Glass]

So you would never deliver an 8x10 of an individual portrait shot on 6x6 film? Not indicating that is at all 'wrong', but merely trying to understand the logic of your earlier statement about 'overlong'.

I usually print 8"x8" on 8"X10" paper unless is screwed up the composition when I took the photograph. That would be a rare occurrence with a probability of 1.00*10-22.

 

[Alan Gales]

For wedding work, for which flash is needed so often, would all those wedding pros shoot with a Leaf Shutter lens, or deal with the somewhat slow X-sync speed of the focal plane shutter?
The leaf shutter in every lens was one major reason for wedding pros to select Hassy or Bronica.

I've only seen one photographer with a Hasselblad at a wedding. A lot of Bronicas and Mamiya C series cameras though. The Mamiyas also used leaf shutter lenses.

The Hasselblad is a great camera but my theory is that the average wedding photographers couldn't afford them. I'm sure some of the top wedding photographers may have shot them but I didn't know anyone who could afford those photographers.

 

[MattKing]

The wedding market seemed to vary with region.
There were lots of Hasselblad shooters around here, but that may have had something to do with the availability of lease financing for pros.
I used a Mamiya TLR for my wedding work, and I wasn't alone.
The Bronica 645 cameras also had leaf shutters.
The Mamiya 645 leaf shutter lenses were also fairly common among the wedding crowd.
I had a friend who downsized to a Mamiya RB67 and a Koni Omega for his wedding work - he had previously used a Speed Graphic and a view camera in his studio.

 

[hsandler]

From what you've written, a 645 format SLR seems to be indicated. It's different in two key ways: not square, and you will be viewing through a prism in most cases, so at eye level and non-reversed, compared to your TLR. Also, 645 SLRs are a bit cheaper in most cases than 6x6 or 6x7 SLRs (although bargain Mamiya RBs can sometimes be found, but they are less portable. Anyway, all of the "big three" in medium format - Bronica, Mamiya, Pentax- made 645 format SLRs and lenses are readily available. Personally, I owned and liked the Bronica ETRSi with the excellent speed grip and AEII prism. They go for peanuts these days, especially if you get the older EII normal lens, which is no slouch. I think the original Pentax 645 with the pushbutton shutter speed adjustment and the older versions of the Mamiya 645 go very inexpensively, but I don't know that system.

Before going to the auction site, look through what KEH has. You have a generous return policy there if there are any issues.

Thanks for all of the info. I love my TLR but was just wanting a good companion that is a little different. I'm not necessarily looking for the cheapest camera available just looking for something a little more budget friendly and not as pricey as a hasselbalad or some of the expensive fuji rangefinder/mamiya 6/7's all of those. I've been looking at the different Mamiya models and like all of them. Are there a lot of differences between the 645 models that Mamiya has made? Pros/Cons? Also like the Bronica cameras you all have mentioned as well. After reading all of the above with already having the 6x6 TLR is there any pros/cons of having another size negative or not really? I was leaning towards getting an SLR medium format for the interchangeable lenses and for something different. I probably won't shoot a ton on tripods so which of these would be best for portability? Thanks again. Means a lot

 

[ohsnap]

If you're looking for a good 120mm SLR on a budget I would definitely suggest the Pentax 645
It's cheap, has a good meter, lots of lenses available on ebay. Takes great shots

Downside is it's a bit on the heavier side, but I would definitely recommend

 

[baachitraka]

- Pentacon Six TL (120mm Biometar and 180mm Sonnar)

 

[JADoss23]

Thanks for all the info. Ended up grabbing a mamiya rb67 for a good price off auction. So shall see how it works out. Has a Polaroid back with it too so can run a couple shots of fujifilm fc to test. Looking forward to shooting with it.

 

[Sirius Glass]

If you're looking for a good 120mm SLR on a budget I would definitely suggest the Pentax 645
It's cheap, has a good meter, lots of lenses available on ebay. Takes great shots

Downside is it's a bit on the heavier side, but I would definitely recommend

Welcome to APUG

 

[John Wiegerink]

Thanks for all the info. Ended up grabbing a mamiya rb67 for a good price off auction. So shall see how it works out. Has a Polaroid back with it too so can run a couple shots of fujifilm fc to test. Looking forward to shooting with it.

I hope you're one of those Kentuck boys that wrestle bears for fun! Cause you are going to be wrestling a bear of a camera. I used one for two weddings and gave up and bought a Hasselblad. I just wasn't a big enough boy I guess. They are excellent and very nice cameras, but you have to get used to cocking and film winding.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Yep, 'round about here them RB67 come with groin trusses.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Yep, 'round about here them RB67 come with groin trusses.

That's 'cause you Southern Cal guys are a bunch of pussies. At least us Michigan hillbillies don't gotta wear no damn groin trusses. You gotta picture of one of them groin trusses? I'd kinda like to see what they look like.

 

[Sirius Glass]

That's 'cause you Southern Cal guys are a bunch of pussies. At least us Michigan hillbillies don't gotta wear no damn groin trusses. You gotta picture of one of them groin trusses? I'd kinda like to see what they look like.

No, our parents raised brilliant children, not so much in your area. But see
https://www.google.com/search?q=gro...X&ved=0ahUKEwj35oeGvrnUAhVOyWMKHUCbCnwQsxgIKA
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...rnia/expert-answers/hernia-truss/faq-20058111
https://www.amazon.com/FlexaMed-Right-Inguinal-Groin-Hernia/dp/B0056BR40M?th=1

 

[chassis]

Thanks for all the info. Ended up grabbing a mamiya rb67 for a good price off auction. So shall see how it works out. Has a Polaroid back with it too so can run a couple shots of fujifilm fc to test. Looking forward to shooting with it.

Congratulations. There are several RB67 users here on the site, including some with very extensive repair experience, should that be needed. Don't hesitate to post questions as they come up.

 

[Alan Gales]

No, our parents raised brilliant children, not so much in your area. But see
https://www.google.com/search?q=gro...X&ved=0ahUKEwj35oeGvrnUAhVOyWMKHUCbCnwQsxgIKA
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...rnia/expert-answers/hernia-truss/faq-20058111
https://www.amazon.com/FlexaMed-Right-Inguinal-Groin-Hernia/dp/B0056BR40M?th=1

Here is me wearing my truss back in my RZ67 days.

Oh, wait a minute. That's Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange. Never mind.

 

[David T T]

The RB67 is a great camera! The only downfall is that once you get used to it, you'll never be able to switch to a different/lighter camera. There's a lot of great cameras out there, but there's always something the RB can do that they can't. Flash sync at all shutter speeds/interchangeable lenses/close-up focusing/rotating back/swappable film backs/etc.

 

[ohsnap]

Welcome to APUG

Many thanks!!