Need help deciding on a medium format camera

[MattKing]

Parallax is only a significant issue with rangefinders and TLRs at camera to subject distances less than 10x the lens focal length.
So for a standard 80mm lens, the threshold is 800mm, or about 32 inches. Everything that is farther away will be reliably viewed in the viewing system without taking any special steps.
And for distances closer than that (for TLRs), you just need to raise the camera about 50mm or two inches to bring the taking lens into the position of the viewing lens, immediately before releasing the shutter.
My earlier post included a photo of forest floor foliage that was taken with my C330 and a 65mm lens.The camera was about 130cm or four feet above the subject. I didn't have any parallax concerns, and didn't need to do anything about parallax for it.

 

[1kgcoffee]

jgood,
If the Kiev88 in the classified is Arax, it's been refurbished to modern specs and should be fairly reliable. But its still a soviet union camera and therefore unreliable. The kiev88 is notoriously more unreliable than its cousin the 6c. But Arax users report fairly good reliability. The most important thing is the glass. If they are pentacon six mount (which arax are) you can use them on both kiev88 and kiev6c, which refurbished bodies come by cheaply. They do have some minor issues with frame spacing, but I love my 6c.

I don't know if I would jump on it for either lens, or the camera itself. It's a matter of taste.

To get into medium format cheaply, go for one of the one of the kievs or a folder or yashicamat.

Japanese brands are certainly more reliable, but the old soviet clunkers have a special charm to them.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Thanks! I didn't realize that.

Yeah, I guess there are more things to do in Mexico City than just photography! I hope you had a great time!

I had a blast. Good food, cool stuff to see, friends to visit.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Actually, an RB/RZ is an 8x8 camera - you can get 6x8cm backs for the RB (which can be adapted to the RZ). So yeah, it's a big pig. But I just came back from a three-day excursion to Mexico City with an RZ and three lenses (50, 110, 180)..

It is part of your physical fitness. If you wanted to be unencumbered you would have used a Hasselblad.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

It is part of your physical fitness. If you wanted to be unencumbered you would have used a Hasselblad.

If I wanted to be financially unencumbered by spare cash in my wallet, I'd have used a Hasselblad. My RZ outfit with three lenses and two backs cost me what a 500C/M, 80mm and one back would have run me. And I can say that I like the look of the Mamiya glass better, having shot with both of them now (I used to have a 500C/M, 50, 80, 120, and a Superwide, so I know of what I speak).

 

[Sirius Glass]

If I wanted to be financially unencumbered by spare cash in my wallet, I'd have used a Hasselblad. My RZ outfit with three lenses and two backs cost me what a 500C/M, 80mm and one back would have run me. And I can say that I like the look of the Mamiya glass better, having shot with both of them now (I used to have a 500C/M, 50, 80, 120, and a Superwide, so I know of what I speak).

The first line of my signature addresses your point.

 

[Alan Gales]

I've always thought of the RB/RZ 67 as a portrait camera, the Pentax 67 as a landscape camera and the Hasselblad as a general purpose camera. Of course you can use any of these cameras to shoot anything you want.

The funny thing is that you pay more for a Hasselblad and get less. Less size and less weight of course. With most things you pay more to get more!

 

[Sirius Glass]

 

[barzune]

Hello, I just joined this forum so bare with me please I hope Im posting this is the right spot as well. Anyway, I am deciding between 3 or 4 cameras, The pentax 645, mamiya 1000s, and surprisingly the rb67. That is about my price range so if there are any other cameras you recommend feel free to post. I am mainly wanting a medium format camera for architecture, and some landscape so Im in no hurry but I would rather not use a tripod. I do have one but its just annoying. I don't mind slowing down but there are times where I have to take the picture pretty quick but most of the time I don't. To be honest, I am not sure if I will need interchangeable backs or not because I have never used a camera like this before so I guess I will take your word for that and I have had thoughts about wanting one on my 35mm lol. I know that the Pentax system has a built in light meter which I hear is very good but the mamiya doesn't so i don't know how long it takes to use a light meter or how expensive a good simple light meter costs? Also, looking around at photos taken by these, I can't seem to find good photos taken with the pentax, i don't know if it's because i just don't like how the pentax looks compared to the 1000s or if no one is posting great photos on flickr and such. But I did find some super amazing shots on youtube from the pentax 645n, I think they have the same quality? I also did however find great photos taken with the 1000s and amazing photos with the rb67. So if anyone has some stellar shots with the pentax or any of them please post them. Sorry for sounding like such a noob but i guess I just am. I hope thats enough information for you to help me with this decision and if you need any more just ask below, I usually respond pretty quick. Thanks.

I am mainly wanting a medium format camera for architecture, and some landscape so Im in no hurry but I would rather not use a tripod.

Architecture particularly, but also landscape, deserve study and attention: slow down, observe, let the picture come to you. Use a tripod, if only to develop the discipline to study and appreciate the scene.

 

[Scott Micciche]

Fuji GW670 has been exceptional for me, especially when traveling. It can be shot in 6x6 or 6x7, extremely quiet, exceptional EBC lens, quick focus and has a very good meter.

 

[RattyMouse]

Fuji GW670 has been exceptional for me, especially when traveling. It can be shot in 6x6 or 6x7, extremely quiet, exceptional EBC lens, quick focus and has a very good meter.

You mean GF670 or GF670W?

 

[Scott Micciche]

You mean GF670 or GF670W?

GF670, sorry for the mixup.

 

[JCook0113]

Thanks everyone for your help, I just decided to buy the mamiya 645 pro just due to it being at my local shop for a good black friday deal. Well, my gas tank is empty until next year when ill want to buy a large format camera ......crap