DOF & 6x6 MF systems

[PamelaHL]

I find the DOF issue to be a bit unnerving with my Yashicamat 124. I also have trouble seeing well through the WLF when out-of-doors. Then of course there is the desire for fast & interchangeable lenses. Every time I think I've decided on a Hassy, I come back here & reconsider.

So, here I am again, wondering which system incorporates all of my wishes:
6x6
at least a DOF preview
fast, sharp, interchangeable lenses
fast/easy focusing--I worry that a rangefinder would be too slow for me
SLR

I should mention that I had RK surgery that left me with blurry vision when my pupils are dilated such as on dark days, so I sometimes need glasses or might find a diopter handy.

I think I would choose lenses in the range of 60mm, 80mm, and 180mm.

Once again, thanks...
Pamela

 

[Troy Hamon]

Your desire for DOF preview rules out a rangefinder automatically (though I wonder, having never used one of the MF rangefinders myself, whether it might help provide a bright, easy to focus, viewfinder?).

If you feel like you really have a lot of demands for how the system works, or how you will work with it, you would be much better off renting or borrowing a couple of different systems and using them. What works for me may not be at all helpful to you and vice versa.

Good luck.

 

[Sanjay Sen]

I believe a Bronica SQ system would fit your requirements fairly well. It is a 6x6 SLR system, has DOF preview available on an interchangeable lens system with fast & easy focusing and available prism finders with AE or ME. The prism finder can be especially convenient when moving up from 35mm.

And cheaper than a Hassy!

Just my $0.02.

 

[r-brian]

Another $0.02 for a Bronica SQa. That's $0.04 and counting.

 

[Mick Fagan]

I also have blurry vision due to an eye disease. Basically I cannot see anything sharp at all, never will again I'm afraid.

With that in mind, I hunted around last year looking at MF and was given a Bronica SQA with 80mm lens to road test. The camera only had the WLF with the pop up magnifier.

I was astounded at how easy this was to focus accurately with, compared to my F3 Nikon's.

I have used Hasselblad, in a studio environment with WLF and a prism top, I think it was pretty much the same as the Bronica.

I also have a Sea Gull Chinese 6x6 which only has a WLF, it wasn't quite as easy to use as the Bronica.

I didn't get the Bronica, too much money.

Mick.

 

[digiconvert]

Another $0.02 for a Bronica SQa. That's $0.04 and counting.

Make that $0.60 . If you don't need metering an SQ-B might be worth considering but price wise there is little difference these days, A good hardly used kit can be had in the UK for £400-£500 so I guess it will be about that in USD.

Cheers CJB

 

[gnashings]

There is a ridiculously cheap ETRSi package up for sale - closing soon - on e-you know what. Its mis-listed in the Film category. But... it is only 645 as far as I know.

 

[Bob F.]

Also, the SQA with WLF has a pop-up magnifier that I find useful for low-light situations and for critical focusing. I need reading glasses for close up vision, but the standard magnifier (you can get other dioptres for it) works fine for me. Haven't tried a prism finder on it.

Cheers, Bob.

 

[David Henderson]

It really comes down to a choice between Bronica and Hasselblad I think; and you'll get a younger, more extensive Bronica system for the same budget. But in reality both systems are capable of making exceptional photographs. I have a couple of SQ-Ai and a SQ-B with which I've been very happy.

You're right not to pursue a rangefinder since you can't see dof at all.

The Bronica prisms and wlf have interchangeable dioptres ( not a variable dioptre) though knowing the best one for you is not alweays easy because viewing through a finder/viewing screen is not the same as seeing the same subject naturally. I think I recall from somewhere that viewing through a Bronica finder is equivalent to seeing something from a couple of feet or so away and certainly with my very short-sighted right eye I can see much better through the finder than I can in real life. So what I'm saying is that its not exactly the same as a distance prescription for spectacles.

Having just been through eye surgery myself I've changed the dioptre in my prism finder and have a -1.5 spare if it turns out that this is what you need.

The final point is that whilst Bronica screens are quite bright they aren't the brightest. I believe the same to be true of Hasselblads until the most recent incarnation. The screens for Bronica at least are very easily user interchangeable and Maxwell and Beattie make screens which add a stop or so of brightness and I find the Maxwell in particular much easier to focus.

 

[waynecrider]

Pamela, sometimes the question is not so much which system, but more the cost of the lenses and accessories. The Hassy lenses and accessories are still pretty high priced. Sure there's some deals around on Ebay but their not that prevalent and then they are usually bid on extensivley. You can generally find a Hassy kit for a reasonable price with an 80mm, but then add another lens and your off into credit card finance land. From what i have read for years now, "some" of the Bronica's lenses are referred to as just as good as the Zeiss glass but their cheaper. If I was to put together a 6x6 kit today based on my knowledge of having owned Hassy and Rollei, and if my pockets weren't all that deep, I'd probably go with the Bronica as well. Just for giggles you might consider a 645 AF, but I don't know where prices are today on the bodies.

 

[papagene]

Another $0.02 for the Bronica SQA!!

 

[PamelaHL]

Oh, my! Thanks!

 

[hortense]

Your Criteria

ISo, here I am again, wondering which system incorporates all of my wishes:
6x6
at least a DOF preview
fast, sharp, interchangeable lenses
fast/easy focusing--I worry that a rangefinder would be too slow for me
SLR
I think I would choose lenses in the range of 60mm, 80mm, and 180mm.
Pamela

Last year I added to my LF camera system a Hasselblad C with three lenses, 50mm, 80mm, and a 150mm. For viewing mostly I use a NC2 45° prism (Novoflex, W. Germany). However, I have a Satin Snow Gr Glass for reflex viewing that is the sharpest on I ever used. You will find that Hasselblad prices have dropped considerablely. I use a Pentax V spot meter that has been color corrected.