Is this a good one to start with?

As a complete MF beginner, I've been asking questions under the MF wanna be thread and gotten a lot of good feedback. Reaction has been fairly well divided between those suggesting the 6x4.5 format and a larger portion believing that one should go direct to the 6x7 negative. While all of the cameras available on the market can do the job, I've decided that given their price and availability the decision for me boils down to the 645 and the RB67.

I've just looked over a local Mamiya 645 Pro TL the owner will sell for $600 USD. It includes 2 120 backs, the 80 mm and 127 lenses and the prism view finder with working light meter. It also has the accessory grip/trigger and original case. There are no wear signs on the body, backs, or lenses. The only thing I can see less than new is there is a small plastic cap that would go over the knob that selects film speed missing. Owner says she has had it for 7 years, unused for the last 3. Everything seems to be working mechanically though I have not run any film thru it.

This is probably not in the "deal of the century" category but how would this group rate this purchase? Shall I keep looking or buy and start learning?

Thanks for the input.

Robert the rookie

Look for a Bronica ETRS for much less and better quality as well.

HiNDri said:

As a complete MF beginner, I've been asking questions under the MF wanna be thread and gotten a lot of good feedback. Reaction has been fairly well divided between those suggesting the 6x4.5 format and a larger portion believing that one should go direct to the 6x7 negative. While all of the cameras available on the market can do the job, I've decided that given their price and availability the decision for me boils down to the 645 and the RB67.

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Heck, split the difference and get a 6x6! You would enjoy that too. Besides then you do not have to turn it on its side to take a vertical shot.

Steve

Congrats, Paul, with your new love!

Robert, why don't you say what kind of things you plan to shoot. Is this going to be mostly for landscape? Portrait? A mix of everything?

I think a decent TLR is a good entry into medium format. Yashicas are cheap, and easy to learn to use. They will get you used to the mechanics of using medium format film, and are more than good enough to show you what the format is both capable of and incapable of. If you "dig" it, then move up to a more system-oriented camera if you feel restricted by the TLR.

The Mamiya does sound nice...perhaps a bit high, but not totally ridiculous, and at least you can purchase it in person. (Imagine that!) There is a lot to be said for that. Though I truly do believe what I said about starting with a lower-end TLR, I might just go for that kit if you have the budget for it.

There is no such thing as a good entry level MF camera. Kind of like looking for that entry level crack pipe.

You might get the first one cheap but then one camera won't be enough. Two lenses will just be a tease and soon Medium format won't begin to scratch the itch. Some pusher man will advertise a cheap "user" LF kit and you'll feel the pull, again and again with each new piece as you move up to bigger and heavier cameras. Next thing you know you're out on the streets selling yourself to sickos. Whoring for some photopimp who lets you grope a 20x24 when you drag you exhausted body home stained with amidol and sex. He strings you along with sheets of film, but he makes you pay for developer and fixer with your body and soul. When the end comes, and it will, you will be found naked in a halo of your own vomit among shards of glass, a bottle of collodian and Everclear beside you. Just another poor sucker who started manufacturing their own.

Do you really want that innocent "user" 6x4.5 crack pipe?

Pass that crack pipe over here if you don't want it!

mark said:

There is no such thing as a good entry level MF camera. Kind of like looking for that entry level crack pipe.

You might get the first one cheap but then one camera won't be enough. Two lenses will just be a tease and soon Medium format won't begin to scratch the itch. Some pusher man will advertise a cheap "user" LF kit and you'll feel the pull, again and again with each new piece as you move up to bigger and heavier cameras. Next thing you know you're out on the streets selling yourself to sickos. Whoring for some photopimp who lets you grope a 20x24 when you drag you exhausted body home stained with amidol and sex. He strings you along with sheets of film, but he makes you pay for developer and fixer with your body and soul. When the end comes, and it will, you will be found naked in a halo of your own vomit among shards of glass, a bottle of collodian and Everclear beside you. Just another poor sucker who started manufacturing their own.

Do you really want that innocent "user" 6x4.5 crack pipe?

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Your stuff is better than mine. Please send some to me!

I can quit any time I want to.
Ria

I am a little confused about the reference to a "127mm" lens, because as far as I am aware there is no such lens available for the Mamiya 645 series cameras.

There is, of course, a 127mm lens available for the Mamiya 67 series cameras.

If you are referring to the 120mm macro lens for the Mamiya 645, that is a great deal - that is a relatively rare and quite expensive lens.

The 645 Pro or Pro Tl are very usable cameras.

Matt