Giving Medium Format a Second Chance

[RichardJack]

Hi,
As mentioned Hasselblad makes the best SLR and has a huge system, but is very pricey. If you decide you need interchangeable lenses consider a Bronica SQ-AI, they are reliable, handle very nicely, and produce great results.
Many love the Pentax 6x7 system, great optics and the prices have come down.
You can't go wrong with a Rollieflex but you won't be changing lenses. As you know it is light, compact and a joy to carry around. While the 2.8 Planar is the best lens the 3.5F Planar is not far behind. While lower in price the Yashica TLR optics are the worst in the medium format group.
Another consideration are the medium format 6x7, 6x9 rangefinders. I've often considered one, they look like they would be a joy to carry around. Though pricey, Bronica made a 645 rangefinder with interchangeable lenses, it is small and compact.
Just couldn't resist throwing my two cents out there. Glad to see your coming back to medium.

 

[jeffreyg]

Regardless of what you settle on consider a decent camera backpack to carry your gear in. Proper weight distribution and support will save your back.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[Luminousoctaves]

After thinking about it a bit more, I might try out a TLR (Yashicamat 124G, Rolleiflex 3.5/2.8) since it looks like a good balance of compactness, lightweight, and won't try to cannibalize my Leica's like a Mamiya 7 would.

Good choice. You won't be sorry.

 

[Luminousoctaves]

While the 2.8 Planar is the best lens the 3.5F Planar is not far behind. While lower in price the Yashica TLR optics are the worst in the medium format group.

Having used both the Rolleiflex 3.5F and the Yashica Mat-124G side by side for years I would say that the optical difference is heavily exaggerated. The Yashica Mat-124G has a fine lens with fine coating. Considering the price difference and weight I would probably go for the Yashica Mat 124 G before the Rollei.

Also, I've heard from others that the 3.5 Planar is a better performer than the 2.8. I would say that both of them are simply outstanding.

 

[RichardJack]

Hi,
I've used several Yashica TLR's including the Mat-124G as well as several Rollieflex's and Mamiya TLR's. I was always disappointed with the Yashica's, they seemed to lack the contrast of the Rollie's and were soft in the corners. The Minolta Autocord was a good camera as well.
This is just one guy's test, but I tend to agree with his findings. There is a section near the bottom for TLR's. It's worth a peek for the curious, tests on MF lenses are hard to come by these days. I wish I saved my old Peterson's Photography magazines and ShutterBug, they had pretty honest reviews.
http://www.hevanet.com/cperez/MF_testing.html

 

[JPD]

You can't go wrong with a Rollieflex but you won't be changing lenses. As you know it is light, compact and a joy to carry around. While the 2.8 Planar is the best lens the 3.5F Planar is not far behind.

On the Rollei's the 2,8 Planar isn't better, but a half stop faster than the 3,5 Planar. The six element 3,5 Planar on my late 3,5F is sharper and contrastier than the 2,8 Planar I had on my 2,8E and 2,8F. The center of the image is at its sharpest already at 5,6.

 

[TareqPhoto]

Better get a lot of money and buy more than one body, i did that first time when i bought Mamiya RZ67 ProII and Hasselblad 501CM bodies only, then later i bought film backs for each and i couldn't be happier, liked that Mamiya results more, and i keep saying i don't like the Hassy focusing mechanism, Mamiya is very easy to do though and larger focusing screen.

After all, asking others will lead to many options, i always ask on forums and never get one answer, it is like asking someone which fruit or food is good to eat, so with gear, you won't get one answer, so i advice you to follow your heart and just watch answers/recommendations/suggestions here.