Help me choose between a Mamiya 645 kit or a Bronica ETRs

[altair]

NJS: Ah, is that shot of the guy with the sax yours? I noticed it on Flickr..a good shot. Thanks for the tip! And oh..surprise surprise, I though the SQ-A would be heavier than then M645!? See, now you're swaying me towards the SQ-A

DLM: Ok, thank you! Good luck finding that 80/1.9

Sirius Glass (in response to DLM): Wow, intense stuff..that sounds like the mantra for GAS sufferers

Canquixote: Thanks for the info on lens adaptation..so you've mounted P6-mount CZJ lenses on M645 bodies before? Do you hack it or is there an adapter for that?

 

[DLM]

Canquixote: Thanks for the info on lens adaptation..so you've mounted P6-mount CZJ lenses on M645 bodies before? Do you hack it or is there an adapter for that?

I'm interested in a response to this also, although the last thing I need is another type of lens to be looking out for.

 

[NJS]

there are few adapters available either via fleaBay or through Mikhail from KievCamera.net, the latter supposedly made by Hartblei... although I've seen from few people that certain adapters from PRC seller tend to stuck on the lens (permanently!?!), so little bit of investigation is recommended before ordering purchase.

 

[ignatiu5]

Thanks very much for the helpful and informative replies, all. Sorry I'm late in replying, but here goes:...

Any other things on the Bronica strike you as being better compared to the Mamiya?

...

I think all of the responses in this thread are painting a picture that you won't go wrong with either of the Bronica or Mamiya 645 packages. People love them both, and rightly so. Both have reputations for reliability, very-good-to-great glass, and can yield excellent negatives/chromes. The details between them are generally small, and it will come down to personal preference.

My preferences came down to feel/function in my hands, and the swappable backs. For the former, the ETRSi with a Speed Grip E feels like my manual Pentax Spotmatic on steroids. Not an original statement, but true. The thumb winder is in the same place, the shutter is tripped with the same finger at a similar angle, the body is balanced and the lens focused with my left hand the same way as with my Spotty. The transition was easy. Now, if I shot with a WLF as you have mentioned you might, I have a feeling that the grip might not provide the same advantage.

For the second point, an example. I wanted to experiment with Kodak 320 TXP in 220 pushed to EI800, just to see what it might look like. I loaded that roll 4+ months ago, firing off a few exposures every once in a while when I was in a low light scenario. I finally finished the roll this weekend, but have shot dozens of rolls of TXP, TMX, TMY, FP+, Portra etc. in other backs in the interim. That EI800-loaded back has been in the bag the whole time, ready just in case, and I never wasted any of the 30 exposures because it was going to be the wrong film for the task at hand.

So I won't say the Bronica is "better", because it's not. It's just better for me/my hands/my shooting style. But that 80/1.9 has always made my mouth water...

 

[alexmacphee]

I think all of the responses in this thread are painting a picture that you won't go wrong with either of the Bronica or Mamiya 645 packages.

I have found this thread enormously useful. Until now, my dalliances with medium format had been with a Yashica TLR and a handful of charming folders ranging from 6x4.5 to 6x9, but had a hankering for more of a system camera approach.

The comments and observations here tilted me towards the Mamiya 645. The high speed synch is not really an issue for me, and if it ever is, there's a couple of leaf shutter lenses to cover that. I now have a 645 Pro with an assortment of 55/80/150 glass in immaculate condition, with a power grip and AE finder and an assortment of 120/135 backs thrown in. All for a price that comes pretty close to virtual theft.

This is stuff I could only have lusted after a few years ago. I foresee much fun. I'm grateful to those who contributed so much of their valuable experience and knowledge to this thread.

 

[Sirius Glass]

You have spent your life working to buy others what they needed and what they wanted, but never anything for yourself. You deserve to get something for yourself. You do not need to justify it to anyone. If you will get enjoyment from it, then buy the f/1.9 lens.

Steve

NJS:Sirius Glass (in response to DLM): Wow, intense stuff..that sounds like the mantra for GAS sufferers

That is what my girl friend always tells me.

Steve

 

[Leighgion]

Yea, I find the WLF to be a hassle because I shoot about half vertical and half horizontal. I love looking at a WLF over a prism, and I like who people seem to be less intimidated by it but it just doesn't work that well for a rectangular format without a rotating back

Rectangular format isn't really the problem for me. Even if I was shooting a 6x6 camera, I'd find the WLF bothersome for the same reasons I find it bothersome on my 645. The entire handling of a WLF is a bit contrary to my style of shooting the bulk of the time and I find it much harder to be positive of my focus looking down at the finder so far from my eyes than with an eye-level view. It's hard for me to shoot fast with a WLF, and I'm by inclination something of a fast shooter.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Rectangular format isn't really the problem for me. Even if I was shooting a 6x6 camera, I'd find the WLF bothersome for the same reasons I find it bothersome on my 645. The entire handling of a WLF is a bit contrary to my style of shooting the bulk of the time and I find it much harder to be positive of my focus looking down at the finder so far from my eyes than with an eye-level view. It's hard for me to shoot fast with a WLF, and I'm by inclination something of a fast shooter.

After using one for a few years I still would swing the camera to the left to track a target moving to the right. That is why I use a prism.

YMMV

Steve

 

[altair]

NJS: So there are adapters available to mount P6/Kiev lenses onto M645? Have you tried any yourself?

ignatiu5: Excellent example there, made me think hard about interchangeable backs for a minute there I guess it'd be a nice feature to have, definitely. Your example made me see the point quite well, thank you.

alexmacphee: How much did you get it all for? Man, you're fast! Congrats on the acquisition by the way.

 

[alexmacphee]

How much did you get it all for? Man, you're fast! Congrats on the acquisition by the way.

In GBP, I paid £535 for :-
- Mamiya 645 Pro body
- Waist level finder
- AE prism finder
- Power drive grip & spare manual crank
- 2 x rollfilm backs with 2 x 120 inserts
- 1 x 135 film back
- 1 x 220 insert
- 1 x 55mm f/2.8 S lens
- 1 x 80mm f/2.8 N lens
- 1 x 150mm f/3.5 N lens
- carry strap, front and rear lens caps.

It is all in excellent condition (I mean proper excellent, not that weird dealer ad. 'excellent' that can mean broken and bent). All the glass is pristine, not a coating speck or a dust speck, and only the 55mm shows any signs of use, that being some rubbing of the paint on the aperture coupling link. Just got to get some film thawed now, and play with my new toy.

 

[NJS]

@altair- nope, I haven't used any. I'm kinda pussy, seeing different results and experiences from various folks at flickr, I don't want to risk and have my Sonnar 180/2,8 permanently on M645 mount.
until I find another back-up Sonnar copy...

 

[altair]

alexmacphee: Although that's more than what I could afford, you're right...that IS virtual theft! Enjoy your new gear, guv!

NJS: Ah yes, you should've mentioned you got the Sonnar 180/2.8...it makes it all clear now as to why you're hesitant to try to mount it on your M645..that glass is something to treasure!