runswithsizzers
Subscriber
Presently using a Mamiya C220 on loan from university for a medium format photography class. Love the big square negatives (but I don't love the waist level viewfinder with it's reversed image). Now I want to get a medium format film camera of my own.
I have a lot of experience with SLR film cameras in 135, but the Mamiya C220 is the only medium format camera I have ever used.
My predjuces and preferences are, in decreasing order:
- I am NOT looking for a TLR
- 6x6 or 645 format. definitely not looking for anything larger than 6x6
- moderate cost: I'd like to get a working camera and "normal" lens for around $400-450, US (less would be better)
- smaller and lighter prefered over bigger and heavier
- through-the-lens viewfinder prefered, the brighter the, the better
- OK image quality; I don't need the best, but hopefully no worse than the Mamiya C220. I will be shooting B&W, mostly
- minimal hassles: hope to avoid models which are known to jam frequently, take weird batteries, etc.
What I don't care about:
- no need for a bult-in light meter
- no need for a "deep" system; I may get one additional lens (wide angle) and a couple of filters but that's about it.
- synch speeds; I almost never use flash
So far my list includes
Pentax 645
Mamiya 645
Zenza Bronica - either 645 or 6x6
Kowa Six
Am I on the right track, or should I add / remove models from my list?
I have a lot of experience with SLR film cameras in 135, but the Mamiya C220 is the only medium format camera I have ever used.
My predjuces and preferences are, in decreasing order:
- I am NOT looking for a TLR
- 6x6 or 645 format. definitely not looking for anything larger than 6x6
- moderate cost: I'd like to get a working camera and "normal" lens for around $400-450, US (less would be better)
- smaller and lighter prefered over bigger and heavier
- through-the-lens viewfinder prefered, the brighter the, the better
- OK image quality; I don't need the best, but hopefully no worse than the Mamiya C220. I will be shooting B&W, mostly
- minimal hassles: hope to avoid models which are known to jam frequently, take weird batteries, etc.
What I don't care about:
- no need for a bult-in light meter
- no need for a "deep" system; I may get one additional lens (wide angle) and a couple of filters but that's about it.
- synch speeds; I almost never use flash
So far my list includes
Pentax 645
Mamiya 645
Zenza Bronica - either 645 or 6x6
Kowa Six
Am I on the right track, or should I add / remove models from my list?