Im looking to upgrade from my current MF set-up (Mamiya C330f) and Im considering either a Mamiya RZ67 or possibly a Mamiya 6 or 7 (although this would be a much larger investment). I shoot mainly landscapes and general walk-about photograpy, family portraits the occasional bit of close up (although not serious macro photography) etc.
As mentioned in another recent thread Im borrowing an RZ67 at the moment to see if I like it. The handling is really quite different from the C330, as you would expect and Im not sure what I think about it at the moment. The C330 is a brick and I dont mind carrying a fairly bulky camera around but the RZ is definitely a larger beast. Having played with the RZ67, I think Im happy to say that Ive ruled out an RB67, I think the extra lb of weight will make a difference to me.
The reason I have been looking at an SLR is that I have found it difficult to work with filters on the TLR. You can never be sure of the effect of a polarizer, or how much compensation to give if using one and Ive not even bothered trying to use ND grads, which would be of real benefit to landscape work. I also think the lenses on the RZ would be a genuine step up.
The person I borrowed the RZ from suggested I consider a Mamiya 7. I am aware of the great reputation that this cameras and its lenses have but they are still hugely expensive. Mamiya 6s are a little cheaper but they are older and still far more expensive than an entire RZ kit even with just one lens. Going for one of these cameras seems unlikely at the moment but Id like to know how others feel about them and their pros and cons for landscape work. I know I would gain significantly in portability but I would have the same issues with filters. They are also not great for close up work.
So, Id love to hear from RZ users who take their cameras out in the field. What do you think about them as a camera for landscapes (on tripod) but also for walking around and using hand held?
Conversely Id like to hear from MF rangefinder users about what they think of these cameras for landscape use. How do you work with polarizer/grad filters? Are they worth the serious price tag that is still attached to them? Is it worth me delaying building my darkroom shed build, probably for a year or more, for one of these cameras?
Just to say that I have ruled MF rangefinders with fixed lenses such as the Fuji/Voigtlander out. Im probably also fairly set on the RZ if I go down the SLR route. They offer significantly better value than the Pentax 67 and I like the rotating back over having to work with the camera on its side (Bronica GS-1). I could be possibly be convinced by an SQ-Ai but I would need a good reason.
Thanks for your thoughts.
As mentioned in another recent thread Im borrowing an RZ67 at the moment to see if I like it. The handling is really quite different from the C330, as you would expect and Im not sure what I think about it at the moment. The C330 is a brick and I dont mind carrying a fairly bulky camera around but the RZ is definitely a larger beast. Having played with the RZ67, I think Im happy to say that Ive ruled out an RB67, I think the extra lb of weight will make a difference to me.
The reason I have been looking at an SLR is that I have found it difficult to work with filters on the TLR. You can never be sure of the effect of a polarizer, or how much compensation to give if using one and Ive not even bothered trying to use ND grads, which would be of real benefit to landscape work. I also think the lenses on the RZ would be a genuine step up.
The person I borrowed the RZ from suggested I consider a Mamiya 7. I am aware of the great reputation that this cameras and its lenses have but they are still hugely expensive. Mamiya 6s are a little cheaper but they are older and still far more expensive than an entire RZ kit even with just one lens. Going for one of these cameras seems unlikely at the moment but Id like to know how others feel about them and their pros and cons for landscape work. I know I would gain significantly in portability but I would have the same issues with filters. They are also not great for close up work.
So, Id love to hear from RZ users who take their cameras out in the field. What do you think about them as a camera for landscapes (on tripod) but also for walking around and using hand held?
Conversely Id like to hear from MF rangefinder users about what they think of these cameras for landscape use. How do you work with polarizer/grad filters? Are they worth the serious price tag that is still attached to them? Is it worth me delaying building my darkroom shed build, probably for a year or more, for one of these cameras?
Just to say that I have ruled MF rangefinders with fixed lenses such as the Fuji/Voigtlander out. Im probably also fairly set on the RZ if I go down the SLR route. They offer significantly better value than the Pentax 67 and I like the rotating back over having to work with the camera on its side (Bronica GS-1). I could be possibly be convinced by an SQ-Ai but I would need a good reason.
Thanks for your thoughts.