Yeah, but he also quoted a budget that sounds a bit tight for top-grade medium format---he can get a damn good camera for US$500, but he won't get a Planar 'flex or a Mamiya 7. And for some of us who *do* have top-grade MF stuff, it still shares time with "cheap-ass garage sale classics".
That said, I wouldn't really suggest a scale-focus folder here either. A good RF folder, sure, but that's out of the US$10 arena unless you happen to pick the right garage sale.
If the OP intends to *compete* with his Leica gear, I hope he's planning to spend more than US$500. But he specifically said "not necessarily better" and sounds like he's looking to try out the format, not to switch systems in search of better image quality.
I bet a hat there are plenty of F1 drivers who have a great time messing around with restored 1965 Ferraris, even though they wouldn't be competitive cars in their day jobs.
Not sure yet, she has 12 weeks of vacation saved up so I am really bugging her to take it. We will probably pick one place and hang out as we both like to get to know the place and people more than just skin deep...
Give me a shout if Shanghai is on your itinerary!
Lol!
The guy says his most used lens is a Leica 35mm 1.4 ASPH and yet people are on here recommending cheap-ass garage sale classics for $10. Unless you have used an M 35mm 1.4 ASPH for a length of time, you have no idea what a spectacular negative or slide this now $3,000 used lens produces, I had one for 3 years before I sold off most of my Leica gear in favor of my Hasselblad stuff. I do have one M3 and a 50 Lux left, all the Leica I need.
I'm not saying it is all about the camera, but if you intend to compete in Formula One, you don't show up in a restored 1965 Ferrari.
If one wants to *really* experience the jump in image quality from 35 to 120, then put the glass first, especially coming from Leica folks. If hooked, he can do more research and pick the camera or system that works best for him.
My wife and I are going to be traveling abroad for three weeks next year. I could bring my Nikons, the Leica M3 with the Xpan, Hassy or 4x5. I am bringing a 501CM with a 60 and 100 and two backs, I daily carry a 501CM all the time, at least a few times a week, it's not much bigger than an SLR and it is a joy to use, great self promotion too.
It's all relative I guess....
There have been some really rude and vicious pile-ons in this thread to what seemed to me a fairly innocuous response early on. Also, this site spans across a world of languages and cultures. Just my opinion and observation, but it shocked me and I find them to be insulting and revolting. I think some apologies are in order. I hope I'm not next. I'm almost sorry I kept reading through this thread.
It seems mean to me, anyway, just my personal reaction, which, as always could be wrong. I would never see this kind of behavior on the arborist site, where I am a member.
Jeff
So, are you saying the arborist site is boring, dull, or?
No, it's anything but. I'm just saying in this case the OP threw some red meat in the ring, and the only person who called him on it got lambasted. I guess it's all in good fun. Sorry for the interruption.
No, it's anything but. I'm just saying in this case the OP threw some red meat in the ring, and the only person who called him on it got lambasted. I guess it's all in good fun. Sorry for the interruption.
I did nothing of the sort. I simply stated that I owned a Leica... And from that, it was assumed that I was some kind of coat tail rider by another user. He got some flack for it... Deservedly so in my opinion, but at the end of the day I'm not offended by something typed on a camera forum. Why in the world would you be?
Man... Internet drama is annoying.
.......
Anyway, as it stands I'm going to go shoot a couple of the mentioned folders as well as a Rolleiflex this weekend in an effort to see what feels right. Bought the film today. I'm excited!
My buddy is also bringing his 500c kit. I'm really hoping I don't take to it. In fact, I don't want to even pick it up in fear it will start a new obsession.
I recommended the Ansco Super Speedex mainly because of it's superb image quality in a nice coat pocketable package. It also generally comes in under the stated budget by $100. So what if it's older than the 1965 FerrariI don't know if you were referring to this recommendation in particular, but I want to put out there that I think the quality of the images are on par with what I get from my Hasselblad. It's certainly not as flexible as a system camera, but it's also a lot more portable. Because of that I don't feel silly walking around a grocery store or hospital carrying it, whereas I don't usually bring any camera that requires a bag on non photo related trips.
You may want to pick up one for your trip abroad to supplement the Hasselblad
You bought the Agfa? Looks very nice. How much was it?
Excellent choice. Now, a word to the wise, from time to time experiment with a tripod, small aperture settings and longer exposures (where appropriate), you will be amazed what a Solinar lens is capable of.
We'll have you on here again soon asking about LF!
I played around with three different folders. The only one I took to was the Super Isolette. I learned I have no interest in any camera with an uncoupled rangefinder. The coupled rangefinder on the SI made the camera usable for me. I liked the SI and it was totally usable, but not sure I would ever bond with it.
...Nah, not much for experimenting, I use tripods all the time, so they get deployed as tools when needed. I'll run one test roll through it and then it goes to work producing images that count...
As far as LF, you might want to peruse some of the images I have uploaded, I own a fairly comprehensive Chamonix based 4x5 system...;-)
...
Let's just say it was over Ryan's budget....
Nah, not much for experimenting, I use tripods all the time, so they get deployed as tools when needed. I'll run one test roll through it and then it goes to work producing images that count...
As far as LF, you might want to peruse some of the images I have uploaded, I own a fairly comprehensive Chamonix based 4x5 system...;-)
Since the camera will not fire without film in it, I assume you shot at least a roll? So with that, how did it handle in regards to steps to make the shot, how did both the view finder and RF patch compare to a Leica M? I suspect this camera will be able to live in my small RF bag with my M3 and Xpan, the bag being an Artisian & Artist Oskar One Day, love it for travel...
So, I have been getting deeper and deeper into the world of film in the last 6 months. Starting with just casually shooting my film M as a companion to my M9 to now leaving the M9 at home most of the time and shooting film almost exclusively, developing it myself, and I've even set up a darkroom... Literally all in less than 6 months. Apparently, I'm sick.
Anyway, for some reason I can't explain or rationalize I now want to play around with an MF camera - more specifically something in the square 6x6 format.
I've got a budget of around $500. What would you guys suggest? Is there anything out there that I won't grow out of quickly and that can give me something (maybe not necessarily better) over my every day setup of an M7 with a 35mm ASPH Lux? I shoot Kodak Tri-x and Tmax 400 almost exclusively. I've never even so much as held a MF camera.
Ideas? Thoughts?
your budget is adequateto get a well-treated used Hasselbladof the 500 series with a standard lens.start with that.You won't regret it and can build it up from there.It is the most flexible systemand the quality is a major step up from 35mm.Also many 35mm enlargers can also do 6x6
all the best and elcome in the MF ,league.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?