Looking for a medium format camera

[removed-user-1]

The closest thing I ever saw to a sensible ranking system was done by a site called camerareview (I don't see it online any more).

I remember this site - my old bookmark to it no longer works, BUT it is available at the WayBack Machine. The link I posted is to the last version of camerareview.com, dated August 2008 but there are many prior postings as well. The main page of the WayBack Machine is here.

Just wanted to add that I agree with others here, an inexpensive TLR is a great way to get started in MF.

 

[Andrew Horodysky]

Hello Kelvin, and welcome to the forum.

I will second Frank Schifano's suggestion to go to keh.com (Dead Link Removed) to see what's available, and at what prices. You'll find very good used equipment, there, at very good prices. Their camera condition rating system is quite conservative, so you're likely to get items that are in great shape. Other suggestions, here, are also very good as an introduction to the format.

The other thing to do, and most important, is to find some stores in your area, in Arizona, that carry medium format outfits -- new and used. Talk with the sales people and actually handle the cameras/lenses, to get a sense of how they feel. Think about what your most likely uses/approaches will potentially be for a medium format camera, and, whether you'll want to build/expand a system on it. You mentioned you're looking to do portraits; you've got some great choices and options, ahead of you.

Good luck, and let us know what you end up with.

 

[Q.G.]

Mamiya is the best
Hasselblad is second best
Rolleiflex is the third best
Bronica is fourth best
After that is Fuji

No, no, no.

Hasselblad is best.
Mamiya is second best.
Rollei is third best.
Mamiya is fourth best (their 6x4.5 isn't in the same league as the three mentioned above).

Who else is there?

 

[RalphLambrecht]

No, no, no.

Hasselblad is best.
Mamiya is second best.
Rollei is third best.
Mamiya is fourth best (their 6x4.5 isn't in the same league as the three mentioned above).

Who else is there?

QG

You got Mamiya twice. BTW, I was talking about Mamiya 6, superior optics.

 

[Q.G.]

Yes. Mamiya twice.
Because there is Mamiya, and there is Mamiya. Their 6x4.5 isn't in the same league as the rest of their stuff.

 

[frank]

First, decide which camera type is best for you.
In RF, I'd recommend Fuji 6x7 or 6x9, normal or wide lens version.
In TLR, I'd recommend Rolleiflex with an f3.5 Planar lens.
In SLR, I'd recommend a Hasselblad CM.