First camera

carmenloofah · Nov 6, 2009

Please can you offer your valued opinions as to which medium format camera I should buy, it's my first one. I am an amateur, post grad student and the work I make needs to reach professional standard. I want to buy one with a Polaroid Back. I also need your advice on what lens to look for. Budget is a huge issue as very limited and I will buy on Ebay. Many thanks

Christopher Walrath · Nov 6, 2009

If budget is a huge issue then forgo the Polaroid back. Go for a Mamiya C220 or C330 TLR with, well, the 80-100mm range would be a normal lens. If you have to have the Polaroid back then the Mamiya RB67's are going for next to nothing. I have one with two 120 backs, WLF and a 90 that I might be willing to part with.

Q.G. · Nov 6, 2009

If you want a camera that is reasonably versatile, don't get a TLR (not even the 330), but an SLR with changeable lenses, backs and viewfinders.

bill spears · Nov 6, 2009

RB67's and lenses are a superb buy at the moment. Top quality for very little money.

Barry06GT · Nov 6, 2009

carmenloofah said:
Please can you offer your valued opinions as to which medium format camera I should buy, it's my first one. I am an amateur, post grad student and the work I make needs to reach professional standard. I want to buy one with a Polaroid Back. I also need your advice on what lens to look for. Budget is a huge issue as very limited and I will buy on Ebay. Many thanks

.

You write "the work I make needs to reach professional standard".

That has nothing to do with the camera format you select. Nor does it have anything to do with film versus digital.

Tiger Woods can beat you at golf using a shovel. Don't equate camera selection with professional results. A shaky, poorly composed large format landscape is worse than a sharp well composed camera phone shot.

If medium format is the road you want to take, all of the brands are good. Bronica, Mamiya, Hassy, Rollei, Pentax, even my auto everything Fuji, were all aimed at working pro's, and will all render, in the right hands, great pictures.

Best of luck on your hunt and purchase!
.

Q.G. · Nov 6, 2009

Barry06GT said:
Tiger Woods can beat you at golf using a shovel. Don't equate camera selection with professional results.

So that's why those professional golfers have so many different clubs that they need someone to help them carry them all...!

Of course the choice of equipment matters.
Tiger Woods couldn't win any of the major tournaments using a shovel.
He couldn't with only a putter either.

carmenloofah · Nov 6, 2009

thanks, having a look at prices...

Christopher Walrath · Nov 6, 2009

Remember to have a go at your local newspapers and perhaps sites like Craig's List. Especially with the postal situation over there. Might speed things up a bit.

Vaughn · Nov 6, 2009

I question the need for a polaroid back -- especially in these days of no Polaroid film. A digital camera set up next to the MF camera would serve as well.

The most versatile would be one of the SLR MF cameras -- perhaps even the Pentax 6x4.5 would be a good choice, along with the RB67 mentioned earlier. The range of MF cameras out there is wide. I am heavily biased towards the Rolleiflex TLR due to that is the camera I learned photography with, and I like the solid simplicity. Another camera to consider is the Fuji 6x7 (or 6x9) -- rangefinders. Wonderful optics and ease of use (except for the funky "T/B" setting they have).

Just about all the modern MF cameras will provide you with professional grade standard. The question remains -- how do you photograph? If you are slow and methodical, than a non-SLR would be good for you. If you need to make a lot of images in a short period of time, using different film types and/or focal length lenses, then a SLR with multiple backs would be better.

Good luck making your choice. But one thing is nice. A quality MF camera keeps it market value. If you buy one and decide that it does not meet your requirements, you can easily get most of your money back on it if you decide to get a different type.

Vaughn

PS...I have played several games of golf -- Woods could easily beat me playing with only a putter! LOL!

carmenloofah · Nov 6, 2009

Mamiya RB67 ProSD camera with 180mm F4.5 K/L lens - is this worth considering - what is + WLF and is it necessary? - please advise me on the basic equipment I need to get started with medium format, I have seen several Mamiya RB67 bodies I may be able to afford so please could you tell me what lens to buy separately thanks!

Christopher Walrath · Nov 6, 2009

WLF is the Waist Level View Finder. It pops up to allow you to view through the ground glass and holds that GG in place. Also, when purchasing film backs, make sure they come with the dark slides. I know that Mamiya RB67 film back dark slides go for about $35.00 USD each slide. Almost as much as a back goes for sans slide. Also, go here to view owners manuals for cameras you might be considering so you can make a more informed decision.

carmenloofah · Nov 6, 2009

thanks, reading latest posts....yes, I am slow and methodical, I like night and day reportage portraiture, landscapes, architecture and abstract things

Christopher Walrath · Nov 6, 2009

I have always found the larger the format the more slow and methodical I generally am. I have to force myself to slow down when shooting 35mm with my Minnies but I do it. Good luck.

Tom Kershaw · Nov 6, 2009

Christopher Walrath said:
Remember to have a go at your local newspapers and perhaps sites like Craig's List. Especially with the postal situation over there. Might speed things up a bit.

Royal Mail gets reported over in the USA?

Tom

Q.G. · Nov 6, 2009

Vaughn said:
Just about all the modern MF cameras will provide you with professional grade standard. The question remains -- how do you photograph? If you are slow and methodical, than a non-SLR would be good for you. If you need to make a lot of images in a short period of time, using different film types and/or focal length lenses, then a SLR with multiple backs would be better.

You can be slow and methodical with any camera.
That is about how you approach photography. Not about what tool you use.

Nice though they may be, the trouble with TLRs is that they are one trick ponies.
You need the verstality of a 'system' camera. And though the Mamiya 330 with its changeable lenses comes close, only SLRs are versatile enough to tackle any and all tasks.

As slow and methodical or fast and happy go lucky as you wish.

Vaughn · Nov 6, 2009

You can be slow and methodical with any camera.
That is about how you approach photography. Not about what tool you use.

True, but if one needs to work fast and furious (fashion, fast-moving reportage), then TLR are not the "best" tools, which was my point.

Nice though they may be, the trouble with TLRs is that they are one trick ponies. You need the verstality of a 'system' camera.

No, one does not need such versitility. A lifetime of images can be obtained with only a fixed-lens camera. Of course, it is perfectly fine if someone desires the versitility of changable lenses and multiple backs.

And there are cases where a SLR camera may not be at all desirable -- street photography and intimate events may not work well with a camera with an excessively loud mirror slap (try being subtle with a Pentax 67!LOL!)

Vaughn

tim elder · Nov 6, 2009

carmenloofah said:
Mamiya RB67 ProSD camera with 180mm F4.5 K/L lens - is this worth considering - what is + WLF and is it necessary? - please advise me on the basic equipment I need to get started with medium format, I have seen several Mamiya RB67 bodies I may be able to afford so please could you tell me what lens to buy separately thanks!

The 180mm F4.5 K/L lens is a very nice lens. It's about equivalent to a 90mm lens in 35mm format. I would start with the 127mm or the 90mm lens but that's just my opinion. The 90mm lens is equivalent to a 45mm lens in 35mm and the 127mm is a little bit tighter. Mamiya has a lot of information available on their web site.

Good luck!

Tim

carmenloofah · Nov 6, 2009

Thank you!

Q.G. · Nov 6, 2009

Vaughn said:
No, one does not need such versitility. A lifetime of images can be obtained with only a fixed-lens camera. Of course, it is perfectly fine if someone desires the versitility of changable lenses and multiple backs.

No, no.
Needing versatility is very real.

Though yes, if all you want is perform one trick, a one trick pony will do. If you so desire.
The concept of professionals having customers, who themselves desire things of you, is foreign to you, i guess.

David Brown · Nov 6, 2009

Q.G. said:
So that's why those professional golfers have so many different clubs that they need someone to help them carry them all...!

Of course the choice of equipment matters.
Tiger Woods couldn't win any of the major tournaments using a shovel.
He couldn't with only a putter either.

Lee Trevino used to win bets by playing a whole round with just one club, and still having the lowest score!

Q.G. · Nov 6, 2009

David Brown said:
Lee Trevino used to win bets by playing a whole round with just one club, and still having the lowest score!

Bets.
But what tournament?

Vaughn · Nov 6, 2009

Q.G. said:
...The concept of professionals having customers, who themselves desire things of you, is foreign to you, i guess.

I believe you are confusing the OP's desire for making images that reach the quality of "professional standard" with that of making commercial work involving clients.

If Carmenloofah wishes to be a commercial photographer, then yes, versitility is a very important factor in choosing equipment. However, an amateur or professional fine art photographer does not need that versitility, but may desire it.

Vaughn

Q.G. · Nov 6, 2009

Vaughn said:
I believe you are confusing the OP's desire for making images that reach the quality of "professional standard" with that of making commercial work involving clients.

If Carmonloofah wishes to be a commercial photographer, then yes, versitility is a very important factor in choosing equipment. However, an amateur or professional fine art photographer does not need that versitility, but may desire it.

No, no. Again.

I was contesting your assertion that we (or "one", as you put it) do not need, but only desire versatility.
Speak for yourself, i'd say to that.

Vaughn · Nov 6, 2009

Dang, that must mean I really do need a new car to be truly happy! LOL! Sorry, I am still trapped in the 60's/70's outlook on the difference between needs and wants.

Vaughn

Q.G. · Nov 6, 2009

I too remember those years, and know the difference between needs and desires. (Not that you need to remember those years to know that). Don't you worry.

Now stop telling people they do not need something because you desire different things! That's a very un-60's/70's thing to do!

First camera

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