Newbie looking for first MF gear - opinions please

JBrunner

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Leighgion said:
Yeah, I've been there, but I still don't own a press camera. Trick is to defer the less convenient hardware dreams.
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In the OP, he stated he was interested in shooting landscapes. It's is true that one persons convenience is another persons albatross. I find shooting a landscapes without perspective control incredibly inconvenient, and downright frustrating in some cases. I probably wouldn't shoot street with a view camera though, and I don't shoot many landscapes with a fixed format. I actually have quite a few cameras, ranging from 35mm to 8x10, and I use and enjoy all of them. All camera systems and formats are trade offs. If what the OP gets for the trade up in neg size and focus and perspective control seems to enhance his goals, it makes sense, if not the small format is the way to go. If you get a press camera for landscape, you might become frustrated after a time. Press cameras aren't the ideal view camera for landscape. The are comparatively heavy, and offer reduced movements in the few they have. About their only advantage is the ability to fold quickly and wear the lens. If I was hell bent on Weegeeing though they're the horse for that course, but myself, I would consider a 35mm rangefinder the quintessential tool for street.

I have never felt rushed or inconvenienced shooting a landscape with a view camera. Composing on the ground glass is a sensual pleasure for me, and I find the ritual in its entirety to be an aspect of photography worth experiencing once in a while.
 
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Teriann

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tkamiya said:
Now, all kinds of weird thoughts are coming into my mind.... such as buying a press camera, walking up to a person and ask if I may take his/her picture, then pull out a huge press camera and go ka-chunk!
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You can go a lot smaller and lighter weight in a 6X6 format with a 620 film camera. I like to respool 120 film onto 620 spools and shoot B&W with my Brownie Hawkeye. It is about as small and lightweight a medium format camera as you will ever find. Detail is not all that great but I like that 1940's & 50's feeling of the prints.
 

Dave Pritchard

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Chazzy said:
I think that my Koni-Omega is a thing of beauty, and it is a damned efficient camera.
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Well, I just bought an ugly one. Minutes ago. I am intrigued with these, but for sure, the industrial designer was on vacation when this one was fitted with knobs and applique. And don't forget the three cold shoes. Now that's cool looking.

I am looking forward to getting my hands on this, and comparing it in size and clunk factor to a Pentacon Six and a Kiev 6C.
 

MattKing

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Dave:

Somewhere on the web there is an explanation why there are three cold shoes, and it makes sense! At least one of those shoes is there for use with the auxiliary finder for the 58mm lens.

As to clunk factor, I don't know that this is a fair contest. When you release the shutter, the Koni-Omega is quieter than a Leica M.

When you wind the film, things are a little bit different.

Given its size, the Koni-Omega is surprisingly efficient and ergonomic.

Matt
 

Dave Pritchard

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Well, when you wind a FSU camera, it's quiet. (You have to go slow so as not to break anything.) When you trigger the shutter, you might as well stomp out the back door and slam the screen. Same noise.
 

asp.artist

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Ah, but the smiles you get from those who recognize the Koni-Omega.............then you snap their picture!

Anne
 
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tkamiya

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Hello.... OP here....
I am trying to NARROW DOWN my selection, not widen it!
 

MattKing

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tkamiya said:
Hello.... OP here....
I am trying to NARROW DOWN my selection, not widen it!
Click to expand...

And you asked your question on APUG?

Matt
 
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tkamiya

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THAT'S IT!! I'm going DIGITAL!!!!

Just kidding
 

mklw1954

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I got into medium format last year with a Pentax 645 manual focus camera. I notice no one here mentioned the P645 but I am very pleased with it - I'm not professional but I shot 35mm for 30 years and still develop b&w film and produce traditional wet prints. The P645 handles similarly to a 35mm camera. Mirror operation is very smooth and I have had sharp shots hand-held at 1/60 with the 120mm macro lens. The meter is very good.

A body, standard 75mm lens and 120 insert in EX+ condition at KEH goes for around $300. They were made from 1984 to 1999 so you can still get one that is around 10 years old. I also picked up the 45mm, 120mm macro, 150mm, and 200mm lenses which are each around $150 to $250 so you can build a nice system. I think the lenses are excellent. Used AF280T (smaller) and AF400T (handle-mount) flashes can be bought from KEH for $40 and $90, respectively.

Potential disadvantages, depending on your preferences, are: it is not modular - all have a metered eye-level viewfinder and motor drive, and the film insert cannot be removed until the roll is finished.
Some complaints I read about before deciding on one: the controls are awkward; but after using the camera a little while, I do not find this to be a problem; exposure compensation is only in full stops (3) but if you really rely on this you can use the ISO for 1/3 stop compensation.

Just thought I would throw in another alternative to consider.
 
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tkamiya

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The choice gets wider.... wider........... and wider........................................ :confused::confused::confused:

I did, actually, consider Pentax. I had to cut it out of my selection because of its (in)ability to compensate exposure at increment smaller than 1EV and that light meter works on 1EV increment as well. I also disliked push-button control of most functions. I prefer knobs and dials. Thanks for your idea though.
 

Mike1234

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More often than not it's a matter of taking one in your hands and carressing it. If you fall in love then buy it. Otherwise, move on to the next bee-otch. The good thing about cameras is if one ever fails to satisfy you can always just sell it to another who will appreciate it. You then use those funds to move on to another bee-otch that does what you want.

Okay... plenty of negative connotations in the above but these really are just CAMERAS, after all.
 
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tkamiya

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Are we still talking camera gears???
Strangely, I do agree with you though. This is getting a bit ridiculous on my part.
 

Mike1234

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Err... yes... I think... same concept though. Just find one you like and "take the plunge" so-to-speak. Sometimes "thinking too much" is overrated.
 

Sirius Glass

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An important consideration is fitting the camera to yours hands. If a camera is too big or too small for your hands, the best features and best price will not compensate enough.

Steve
 

2F/2F

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I could not really say anything bad about the Mamiya 645 system. I am thoroughly pleased with mine. I would be more pleased if it had exchangeable magazines, like the later models from the '80s, but I have had nothing but good times and good pix with mine. They are solid as hell, as proven by the survival of some pretty bad handling and mishaps, and are very easy to operate. It is a convenient, very affordable, and high quality system. You should look into the Pentax 645 as well. If you can afford it, check out the Contax 645 and Hassy systems.
 
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tkamiya

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I just called a local used camera dealer and he has several MF gears. I'll go over there this weekend to see what strikes my fancy. I'll report back....
 
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tkamiya

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Just stopped at a store and fondled (... I mean HANDLED) M645E and M645PRO-TL with all the trimmings. I liked them! I liked the TL little better as in side-by-side comparison, the view finder was little brighter and little crisper. E was delightfully light and it was a big plus. TL with trimming was heavy but not so much so that it will prevent me from enjoying it. I think my digital gear is heavier and I can carry that all day long.

Now, I have to decide which one.... E is lighter and less expensive (the store had it new in box for $800). KEH has it for little over 300 bucks in EX. On the other hand, I cannot afford TL new but used one is about $600.

What to do... what to do...

Could someone please tell me if I'm right in thinking image quality I get from either one will be identical? Everything in optical path is identical, right?
 

MattKing

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The optical path is, indeed, identical.

There is only one feature available for the 645E that isn't available for any other Mamiya 645 body - the hand operated rapid winder grip. Theoretically, there isn't a battery operated power winder available for the 645E, although I've seen some people post on other sites posts that indicate you can use one of the big old power winders that were designed for the older models like the 1000s.

Matt
 

Barry06GT

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Keep in mind that the Mamiya 645 E is not a modular design. The only removable parts are the lens (duh) and the film insert. You must finish the roll before opening the rear of the camera to remove the insert.

With the other Mamiya 645's you can change/upgrade the prisim, film back, change backs mid roll (lets you carry one back with B&W and a second one with color). Add a winder, add a motor drive. Change the eye level prisim to a waist level, etc., more flexibilty.

My first MF camera was in fact the excellent and inexpensive Mamiya 645 E, and it was a nice camera. Would I buy another one? No, there are too many other choices that offer greater flexibility, if that is of any interest to you.
 

Ektagraphic

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I would go with the Pro TL because you will have interchangeable backs so you will even be able to shoot Polaroid with it
 
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