First Medium Format Camera - Advice

[RobPhoto]

Grateful for advice on a good economic intro to medium format. Should I scour ebay for Pentax, Bronica, Kiev, Mamiya, Salyut etc. and which model?

 

[photobum]

I've found that KEH will sell for at or below ebay prices. If you don't like the gear you can sent it back, no problem. Not so with ebay. I would stick to name brand cameras. Kiev is made out of used Russian soup cans. I never heard of Salyut.

First decide TLR, SLR or Rangerfinder or RF folder. MF is so cheap now there is no reason to buy off-brand cameras.

 

[knifeinthedark]

I m going to add on to the previous poster about KEH, their ratings are amazing. I recently nabbed a 500cm at EX+ and it was in MINT condition according to ebays standards. As far as answer to your question goes, you should try the Bronicas, they are pretty good. I had them before i sold them to get the hasselblad, as i decided medium format was what i would be shooting.

 

[5stringdeath]

Yea, Bronica ETR-S(i) if you want 6x4.5 ... very economical. If you want square (6x6) then SQ-A series or Hassy etc. I love my ETRS system especially nowdays when prices are ridiculously low .. and I find this gear holds up really well. I've yet to have to repair anything I've purchased. BTW there are also 35mm backs in case you want to keep shooting 35mm and don't want to lug around two cameras.

 

[Dave in Kansas]

Agree with the KEH suggestion. I've been burned too many times on Ebay to suggest it.

However, if you're not sure which particular MF camera to get, you might try to visit some stores in your area for used equipment, just so you can pick it up and handle it. Camera repair stores sometimes have something for sale and prices might be comparable to KEH. You might also check some pawn shops, but I would probably never buy from one. The pawn shops around here are way over priced on MF equipment, but at least you can look at it there.

Good luck. You are certain to enjoy.

Dave

 

[photobum]

Thinking about your post and the key word "economic" leads me to suggest a TLR Yashica from $115 to $339 from KEH or a TLR Rolleicord for.$105 to $254. As listed in their #4 2010 catalog.

This would allow you to get in cheap, see the quality of M/F and then if you wanted a SLR sell for what you paid.

BTW I have a 40 year old Rolleiflex F model that I would never sell. This from a 'Blad system owner who's SLR is getting dusty. There's a lot to be said for "One camera, one lens"

 

[Necator]

KEH has already been recommended. If you live in Europe, take a look at Ffordes also. Excellent service. The cheapest entry into medium format SLRs are probably the Bronica ETRS series. I have one and love it. If you decide on a ETRS, I wrote a buyers guide after buying my own, it can be found (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[jnoir]

I agree with Dave, you're just deciding if you like the format or not, do not invest heavily from the beginning.

I cannot praise folding cameras enough... Look for a Super Ikonta, Super Isolette or Ensign Autoranger 220 if you want top-notch quality (Ikontas are offered in 6x4.5, 6x6 and 6x9, but that won't be cheap...), an Agfa Isolette III with uncoupled rangefinder may be perfect for you (curiously, I have two for sell ;-). If you want a SLR, I'd go for a Pentacon Six (I own one), it's 6x6 and cheaper than Bronicas and Hasselblads. For a TLR, my vote goes for a Flexaret IV or V (I also own both) because it's cheap and at the same time a great performer.

 

[Hikingman]

+1 KEH suggestion. I purchased a 'bargain' MF camera (Yashica TLR) for under $100 in the last two months. The Yashica Mat LM camera and Yashinon lenses were in very good condition! And, as others stated, this was not a pricey introduction to medium format.

 

[bl1nd]

I bought a Mamiya 7II at Adorama for $599, and am extremely happy with it.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I would go for Mamiya RB67. A bit heavy but doable with tripod.

Jeff

 

[photomat-]

I started out with a Yashica D on eBay that I got lucky with as it worked perfectly. The recommendations for a Yashica from KEH are a good one imo. TLR's are a lot of fun, I 'upgraded' to a Rolleiflex and it's the camera I most enjoy using. They do have their limitations but it will give you a chance to see if you like shooting medium format and whether you feel you need more focal lengths. I eventually went with an SLR so that I could add a wide angle lens to compliment the normal length 75 and 80mm lenses.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I've found that KEH will sell for at or below ebay prices. If you don't like the gear you can sent it back, no problem. Not so with ebay. I would stick to name brand cameras. Kiev is made out of used Russian soup cans. I never heard of Salyut.

First decide TLR, SLR or Rangerfinder or RF folder. MF is so cheap now there is no reason to buy off-brand cameras.

If the Ruski stuff was made of soup cans they would have been better made.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I've found that KEH will sell for at or below ebay prices. If you don't like the gear you can sent it back, no problem. Not so with ebay. I would stick to name brand cameras. Kiev is made out of used Russian soup cans. I never heard of Salyut.

First decide TLR, SLR or Rangerfinder or RF folder. MF is so cheap now there is no reason to buy off-brand cameras.

I m going to add on to the previous poster about KEH, their ratings are amazing. I recently nabbed a 500cm at EX+ and it was in MINT condition according to ebays standards. As far as answer to your question goes, you should try the Bronicas, they are pretty good. I had them before i sold them to get the hasselblad, as i decided medium format was what i would be shooting.

Agree with the KEH suggestion. I've been burned too many times on Ebay to suggest it.

However, if you're not sure which particular MF camera to get, you might try to visit some stores in your area for used equipment, just so you can pick it up and handle it. Camera repair stores sometimes have something for sale and prices might be comparable to KEH. You might also check some pawn shops, but I would probably never buy from one. The pawn shops around here are way over priced on MF equipment, but at least you can look at it there.

Good luck. You are certain to enjoy.

Dave

KEH has already been recommended. If you live in Europe, take a look at Ffordes also. Excellent service. The cheapest entry into medium format SLRs are probably the Bronica ETRS series. I have one and love it. If you decide on a ETRS, I wrote a buyers guide after buying my own, it can be found (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I think I see a pattern emerging here and I agree with the above postings.

Steve

 

[photomat-]

I think I see a pattern emerging here and I agree with the above postings.

Steve

Even when they get it wrong they make it right, can't ask for more than that.

 

[jeckyll]

I just picked up a Pentax 645 for $180 (w/ 120 back and 75mm f2.8) off craigslist. Put a roll through it and really like it. When you get something at that price point, I'd suggest just going for it and shooting. Then see what direction you want after 'playing' with it for a while. Especially if it's not for paid work.

Just my $0.02

 

[2F/2F]

I suggest a 6x4.5 or 6x6 SLR as a good budget entry into medium format coming from 35mm. They are easy to handle cameras that are not too bulky, and they are very affordable these days.

Some systems to look at, off the top of my head, are: Mamiya 645 (manual focus), Pentax 645, Bronica 645, Bronica SQ, and Bronica S2. My favorites are the Mamiya and Pentax 645 systems, and the one I have is the Mamiya ('70s version, before they had exchangeable magazines, so it really is pretty much just like using a 35mm SLR). Basic kits (body, lens, insert/back, WLF) for all of the 645s I listed can almost always be had for under $200 in good working condition. SQ and S2 stuff is cheap too, though I do not know how much because I haven't shopped for them in a detailed manner.

 

[Chazzy]

Koni-Omegas are excellent, rugged cameras and are very inexpensive. Excellent choice, unless you want an SLR. But remember that with any older camera you may need a CLA, so allow for that in your budget.

 

[Q.G.]

Prices being what they are today, i think none of the entry level camera systems of old make any sense anymore.
So skip the Yashicas, the Koni-Omegas, and all of that sort, and aim to get a top rate system rightaway, like the Rollei, Hasselblad, or Mamiya 6x7. They're cheap as dirt, considering that you get the best there is for whatever small amount you have to pay.

Yes, those entry level thingies are even cheaper. But you will want to upgrade, move up the quality ladder very soon, and will have to spend more money. The cheaper thing is to spend the little extra now to get something you will hang on to, instead of paying for two camera systems.

 

[RobPhoto]

Thanks some very useful advice.I am in UK so KEH a bit distant but their site looks good. I wonder where QG is finding dirt cheap Hasslebads! but there are certainly Mamiyas and Bronicas around. The Pentax 645 indeed does look nice and simple.

 

[Q.G.]

Rob,

You must not look at the number on the price tag only.
Two other things are more important: the value of the thingies for you as a photographer, and the amounts of money you will (no doubt about it) spend feeling your way through the also-rans to end up getting one of the three systems i mentioned.

It may look like these thingies are still expensive. But they are not, both for what you get and in light of the total expenditure. They really are cheap as dirt.

So skip the entry-level thingies (which includes Mamiya 6x4.5s, Pentax, and Bronicas) and pick a grown up system to begin with.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Rob,

Ffordes may even give you some advice re your requirements. However, they're not open at the weekend.

www.ffordes.com

Tom

 

[Ian Grant]

MIFSUDS are also good for S/H equipment, I bought from them at a Camera fair -no Guarantee, but through the shop you get one.

Very helpful family run company, should be open today.

Ian

 

[5stringdeath]

So skip the entry-level thingies (which includes Mamiya 6x4.5s, Pentax, and Bronicas) and pick a grown up system to begin with.

I'm pretty sure this line will send this thread into multi-page delirium .....

 

[NJS]

I wouldn't say that ruski stuff is made of cans and such snobbery, these newer upgraded Kiev 88CMs are great cameras and some Zeiss DDR lenses are giving better performance than hi-jacked Zeiss, but the price of a new modified Kiev starter-kit seems unnatractive when you start looking at used stuff from mamiya 645, RB67, Bronica GS-1, SQ-A, ETRS etc...
if the OP mentioned what particular type of shooting he intends to engage in - giving advice would be much easier.

not intending to start any flaming but, IMHO, Hassies are a bit overrated stuff, and there are a lot of specialized repairsmen out there earning their bread for decades on these cameras... because they are faulty, too, and do have their quirks just like any other camera.
the most important thing to me with any MF system is glass - quality, price , availability and perfomance. I haven't seen anything that tops mamiya, with all these terms in mind.