If you could start from scratch, what would you get?

L Gebhardt · Jul 19, 2019

Probably the Hasselblad 500/cm and 50, 80, 120, and 150. The 120 would be for Macro, otherwise just the other three lenses are a perfect set.

I have Mamiya 7 and 50, 65, 80 and 150mm lenses. Great camera system, but I find I reach for the Hasselblad more often.

markbau · Jul 19, 2019

If I was starting over I would have gone MF much earlier. I also would have got a hand held light meter much earlier than I did. I've always been very happy with my Pentax 67 although I fully understand that they are not everyones cup of tea.

NedL · Jul 19, 2019

I really like what I have right now ... could afford to get something different if I wanted to but I don't want to. So I guess I wouldn't do anything different.
I bought a few very cheap folders that had various problems ( one had a light leak, one had pinholes in the bellows, a grease-turned-to-cement ansco viking ) and it would have been better to avoid those headaches I guess, but I can't say I didn't have fun trying to get them to work for me.

johnha · Jul 19, 2019

Depends if I was shooting the same subjects as I was back in the day (airshows & aircraft), I went for Mamiya 645 for a winder, removable backs and 1/1000th shutter speed. I should have bought a Pentax 6x7 earlier but they were over my budget. I'm shooting different subjects now and digital covers most of what I'd shot on 35mm film so I should have directed more of my budget to MF instead of 35mm.

LeftCoastKid · Jul 19, 2019

Same as I've done to date: An eight body Nikon system, with manual focus lenses from 15mm to 600mm; a two body Hasselblad system with lenses from 50mm to 250mm; and a four body Leica system with lenses from 28mm to 90mm. What I would not do? Sell my Linhof 4x5, or my first M4P (the former because of - at the time - limited use, the latter because I needed money for tuition).

BradS · Jul 19, 2019

Hmmm, tough question. I've had a variety of Mamiya and Bronica medium format kits over the years...none of them really suited me. I guess medium format is not really my thing.
Today, the only meduim format camera I have is a Franka Rolfix folder (ca. 1951). It is pocketable, pretty good results and just plain fun. Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with 35mm.

(EDIT) If I had to start over, and had the discipline to not buy a bunch of gear, I think I' buy a Leica M6 TTL and 50mm Summicron...and maybe, a 28mm Elmarit

MattKing · Jul 19, 2019

I would buy new examples of all the new and old cameras I currently have, and then have them serviced regularly.
And maybe a Fuji 6x8 rangefinder, because I like the aspect ratio.

voceumana · Jul 19, 2019

I had a Pentax KX that I really like--impressive prime lens--it was damaged when I lent it out. But I'd probably opt for my Bronica SQ-Ai system if i only had one camera system. I like the square format for an occasional square image, and it's easy enough to compose to a vertical or horizontal rectangular image when I want that.

cooltouch · Jul 20, 2019

Price no object, my choice would be either a Rollei SL66 with a complete set of lenses or a Linhoff Technica with a complete set of lenses and backs.

Dennis-B · Jul 20, 2019

L Gebhardt said:
Probably the Hasselblad 500/cm and 50, 80, 120, and 150. The 120 would be for Macro, otherwise just the other three lenses are a perfect set.

I have Mamiya 7 and 50, 65, 80 and 150mm lenses. Great camera system, but I find I reach for the Hasselblad more often.

You describe my Hasselblad kit to a "T".

BMbikerider · Jul 20, 2019

I would go back to basics. It was with this type of equipment, I had my finest inspiration. By basics I mean a manual focus camera(s) Possibly a Nikon FM or FM2 (2 bodies, one for B&W and the other for C41 colour) Ad to this a selection of Nikon manual focus prime lenses from 20/2.8. through to perhaps a 300/F4, including a 28/2.8mm, 35/2.8mm, 50/F1.8, 85mm/F2 135mm/F2.8 (or a 105mm Macro) and a 200mm/F4 and the 300mm. To to complete the list, add a Metz 45 CT1 flash and Minolta Spotmeter F.

eddie · Jul 20, 2019

I don’t think I’d change anything equipment-wise ( even though I have things that I haven’t used in years), but I’d like to add about 3 hours to each day.
Time is the hardest thing to come by.

Seriously, if I had to “start from scratch”, I’d trust my instincts more, worry less about how others viewed my work, and follow the muse ( as weird as it may get) to wherever it goes. I’ve never felt limited by my equipment, only by my own lack of imagination and vision. All of my equipment ( from Diana to large format) can produce excellent images. I’m always the weakest link in the chain.

Ariston · Jul 20, 2019

Even with 3k, I think I would still stick with my RB67 because, as you say, $2,500 will buy a lot of film. And the RB is a stellar performer. I also like my Autocord just fine. I will admit that I would like to try a rangefinder, but not at the prices I've seen, even if I had $3k.

alentine · Jul 30, 2019

Hasselblad 500 body.
Yes not as big as 6x7, but pure, no electronics, no plastic(polycarbonate), not heavy, modular, last longer and can do everything from macro to landscape.
Then about lenses, a T* 38mm, 50mm FLE, 100mm, 180mm.
Every other system has its advantages of course, but always each with a big disadvantage, compared with Hasselblad 500, IMO.
6x7 is certainly bigger(and better) than 6x6 and 645, but it does not come free.
If I started with all camera systems at once when I was young, I do not think all of them will continue to be used or work when I retire from job, except Hasselblad. Some could break with time and others will be heavier than a retired man could tolerate.

baachitraka · Jul 30, 2019

Making prints is should be the ultimate goal. So start with simpler gear, shoot, develop and print them. Print them till you exhaust...

My recommendation is either Holga or Diana
or
A humble pinhole

Chan Tran · Jul 30, 2019

I don't think they make any new medium format film camera any more except the Hasselblad H series with the film back. I really don't like the H series. If buying used I think I would want one of those 2xx V series but I am not sure which one. They are quite expensive even used.

cooltouch · Jul 30, 2019

Age doesn't matter, I don't believe. A high quality medium format system, if properly maintained, should last forever -- or at least will outlive our grandchildren.

mrosenlof · Jul 30, 2019

I have a complete enough hasselblad system that I've put together in the last eight years or so. If I had to get rid of everything but one system, that's what I would keep. Starting over and a hard $3K limit? I could possibly find the classic hasselblad 50-80-150 lens set and a decent body for that price. Maybe. I might consider a Bronica system, and have the ability to add another lens or two. I started in medium format with the Mamiya TLR starting in March 1982. A 23rd birthday present to myself. I could get a nice body, one of ALL the lenses, and a bunch of film for $3k, and it would be an OK choice also.

It's all about the lenses and fixed focal length lenses have been pretty good for a lot of years now.

cooltouch · Aug 1, 2019

Mike, I think you're being overly hard on yourself. Doing a bit of shopping on eBay just now, I was able to put together a Hassy 500 CM system with Zeiss T* lenses and two 120 backs for $1900. And these weren't the lowest prices I found either, rather more mid-range. Plenty of room for more toys.

Sirius Glass · Aug 1, 2019

mrosenlof said:
I have a complete enough hasselblad system that I've put together in the last eight years or so. If I had to get rid of everything but one system, that's what I would keep. Starting over and a hard $3K limit? I could possibly find the classic hasselblad 50-80-150 lens set and a decent body for that price. Maybe. I might consider a Bronica system, and have the ability to add another lens or two. I started in medium format with the Mamiya TLR starting in March 1982. A 23rd birthday present to myself. I could get a nice body, one of ALL the lenses, and a bunch of film for $3k, and it would be an OK choice also.

It's all about the lenses and fixed focal length lenses have been pretty good for a lot of years now.

For $3,000US you could buy a Hasselblad, 50mm lens, 80mm lens, 250mm lens, a metered prism, film backs, film, fly to Hawaii for several weeks and have a good vacation photographing and drinking Mai Tais.

By the way, at 23 years old your body should be in good enough condition that you do not need to replace it yet. Wait another 40 years before you start to think about replacing your body. Many of us are still using our original bodies which are much older.

If you could start from scratch, what would you get?

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