Ed_Davor said:
I've got all the time in the world to talk, In fact, from now on, that's all I'll be doing regarding photography, talking. I've got to save every penny for this.
But I'd still like to know how things are in real world, in extreme magnifications, which lenses perform best in this range
Ed:
I have a Mamiya c330 TLR with 4 lenses (plus a backup C220 body). I have owned the C330 and the 80mm standard lens since the mid 1970s. It has been used for weddings, portraits, product shots, birthday parties, vacation photos, fun shots etc. - i.e. a wide variety of uses. For part of that time, I was doing a fair amount of (part-time) professional photography, while working as a printer in labs.
Recently I have purchased a fair amount of used Mamiya M645 equipment on eBay and through KEH.
If you had a chance to spend a lot of time and effort testing and familiarizing yourself with the following (assume all square format or 6x4.5):
1) a Mamiya TLR with a standard lens;
2) a Hassleblad with a standard lens;
3) a Rollie SLR with a standard lens;
4) a Bronica SLR with a standard lens;
5) a Mamiya M645 with a standard lens; or
6) a Rollieflex.
then you would notice some differences, but those diffferences would be suprisingly small.
Each of the cameras and lenses yield high quality, professional results. Each of the lens systems are different, and will have their own character, and therefore some may appeal to your taste more than others, but in terms of resolution, and technical quality, all of them can yield amazing results.
Where there are fundamental differences is in respect of handling and range and type of lenses and accessories. Each has their strengths. For example, the TLRs are quiet and very reasonable in cost, but they have limited or no choice in lenses, which tend not to have large maximum aperatures. Between the SLRs, a Hassleblad is more likely to have a leaf shutter in the lens than a Mamiya M645.
Within this range of choices, all have very high quality, so it is more important that the camera and system that you choose suits your style and preferred workflow. It is quite possible, for instance, that you will find the controls on one of the cameras to be intuitive, easy and comfortable for you to use, whereas on another you may find the controls to be unclear, awkward and uncomfortable to use.
Being of professional grade, with reasonable maintenance, all of them are capable of lasting for a very long time. Used professional cameras are seriously worth considering. In the current market, if you buy used and familiarize yourself with a camera, whether or not you find you like it, you can probably get your money back upon re-sale or, more likely, you can keep what you have as a very usable backup, and buy something newer too. In
most cases, the interchangeability between older and newer models is excellent.
My Mamiya C330 and lenses were recently CLA'd - for the first time in over ten years, and only because I thought it time, not because I was experiencing any problems.
B & H does not provide a good source of comparison - their business model is out of date when it comes to pricing of used equipment (i.e. they are too expensive!).
IMHO you would gain much more benefit buying used sooner, at lower cost, and spending the time shooting then you will by waiting and buying new or used from B & H. When you are comfortable and experienced with a camera, you will no doubt want to buy more lenses and accessories, and you can always consider buying those new then.
Please don't think that I am disagreeing with those who suggest a Yashica TLR, or something similar. That too is a great way to start, and will give you a real exposure to the benefits of quality MF. Compared to the listed examples (excepting the Rollieflex, of course) it is however less flexible in terms of opportunities to expand.
