Picking MF SLR help

MattKing · Mar 14, 2012

EKDobbs said:
There are pin-based inputs on the 645PRO series, I imagine those are for flash sync, but I'm not sure. Never seen them used. To use a mechanical release cord, you need to have the power grip unfortunately.

Sorry, but this is incorrect.

All you need to use a mechanical cable release is either the Cable release adapters RC401 or RC402 or, if you have the left hand grip (GL401 or 402), the associated terminal adapters (RA401 or RA402). The RA401/RC401 came out with the 645 Pro, while the RC402/RA402 were introduced with the Pro-Tl.

Here is a KEH listing ($7.00 - $10.00) for what purports to be a RC401: Dead Link Removed. I think that the KEH photo is incorrect. I believe the correct photo is the one on this listing: http://www.eplevine.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=119746&Category_Code=CMF&Product_Count=248

And another listing, for one with a lock: Dead Link Removed

werra · Mar 14, 2012

How about Kiev 88 with P6 mount, CM or whatever they call it.
You can use all that fine German glass available at reasonable prices, at least in the Europe. As long as you obey simple Kiev idiosyncrasies with winding and changing speeds and backs, you will be fine. New bodies are available at practically disposable camera prices.

andreios · Mar 14, 2012

Matt, thank you once again for clearing this up. It's good news and I could live with that...

Somehow I hate the idea of having a motor on a medium format camera - I well understand the professionals who need it, but for me there is almost a need for manual winding of the film - think of it as a special moment for thought - what have I just done? What shall I do next?...

So now, after an evening of review-reading I can see that almost any of aforementioned would deliver.. Some of them more straightforwardly (like RB close focusing), some less so... I am not settled on any of those cameras and am open to many possibilites - and I am curious what camera will cross my path to be bought..
Some might say that largest negative is best - that might be true (but if i need really large I can use my 5x7, but since I make small prints almost exclusively quite small prints (mostly 18x24cm - which has the aspect ratio of 4.5x6) and much of that in lith, 6x4.5 would be sufficient - and I don't think that grain is bad..

CGW · Mar 14, 2012

MattKing said:
Sorry, but this is incorrect.

All you need to use a mechanical cable release is either the Cable release adapters RC401 or RC402 or, if you have the left hand grip (GL401 or 402), the associated terminal adapters (RA401 or RA402). The RA401/RC401 came out with the 645 Pro, while the RC402/RA402 were introduced with the Pro-Tl.

Here is a KEH listing ($7.00 - $10.00) for what purports to be a RC401: Dead Link Removed. I think that the KEH photo is incorrect. I believe the correct photo is the one on this listing: http://www.eplevine.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=119746&Category_Code=CMF&Product_Count=248

And another listing, for one with a lock: Dead Link Removed

The cable adapters, I believe, all fit and work the same way. There is a pricier "electronic" release that plugs into the same pin socket. The release button on WG 401 drive grip is threaded to accept a standard cable release.

As for motor drive grips for the Super/Pro/ProTL, these really improve the ergonomics of the boxy 645 bodies, especially if you plan on doing much shooting off a tripod.

Axle · Mar 14, 2012

Pentax 645n - matrix metering, options for both manual and autofocus lenses. It's a bit of the underdog in the market, but I love my 645 (the original, non - n) plus it's a little on the cheaper side of the scale. Option for use with 120 and 220 film, and a wide range of accessories. AND Bulb mode.

andreios · Mar 17, 2012

Well, in the end, sooner than I expected, I find myself waiting for a Mamiya RB 67 Pro S with a 90mm lens... I am very curious about the camera and the new view it may open for me..

CGW · Mar 17, 2012

andreios said:
Well, in the end, sooner than I expected, I find myself waiting for a Mamiya RB 67 Pro S with a 90mm lens... I am very curious about the camera and the new view it may open for me..

Good choice. Think you'll be pleased with what you can do with 6x7 negatives. I was pleasantly shocked a few years ago when I got back my first roll, which was some Kodak E100GX--wow!

andreios · Mar 23, 2012

So the beast has landed today. It is really a huge piece of metal, I'll see how much and how often will I be able and willing to carry it around.. But it is quite intuitive to work with - upon first "dry try"... I hope to take it out tomorrow to run some film through it so I'll see more then..

The only "issue" is that despite seller's description it has a plain "Pro" back, so I'll perhaps try to find a newer one soon.. (Should anyone have one to spare, PM me )

Sirius Glass · Mar 23, 2012

andreios,

In a word ...

Hasselblad

Next question?

Steve

andreios · Mar 24, 2012

Well, apart from the "Daddy, why must we eat only stale bread again? " ;-)

I admit I've never handled one so that makes it easier to resist. But I'll first give the Mamiya a serious try.

Sirius Glass said:
andreios,

In a word ...

Hasselblad

Next question?

Steve

Sirius Glass · Mar 24, 2012

Stale bread is better than no bread at all.

Steve Smith · Mar 24, 2012

Grumpy Old Man said:
The RB 67 is heavy and awkward in my not very humble opinion

It is heavy but in my equally humble opinion, it is not awkward.

However, I would always advise trying one first as they don't suit everyone.

Steve.

Moopheus · Mar 24, 2012

Sirius Glass said:
andreios,

In a word ...

Hasselblad

Yeah, keep saying that, so that Mamiya gear will remain affordable. The last thing we want is for everybody to want one and drive up prices.

Andreios, I've found the RB to pretty manageable despite the size. And I don't even have particularly large hands. I just came home from a three-hour bike ride with mine in my trunk bag.

andreios · Mar 24, 2012

Well, since I've been digging in the garden the whole day I didn't manage to try it out today. From dry tests I really wouldn't say it's awkward (well apart from the old film back that needs to be released prior to winding - it's a thing I loathed when using roll film backs on 4x5 camera (I don't know why).
BTW do newer backs have any prevention of double exposures other than visual?

Sirius Glass · Mar 24, 2012

I cannot say for sure with Mamiya, although I believe that they are designed to protect from double exposures unless overridden.

Hasselblad backs prevent double exposures.

Moopheus · Mar 24, 2012

andreios said:
BTW do newer backs have any prevention of double exposures other than visual?

The "pro s" and "pro sd" (the newest version) have a switch that's supposed to prevent accidental double exposure. You can't fire without winding. Also, interlocks to keep you from firing the shutter without removing the dark slide. The sd has less foamy bits, so is less prone to developing light leaks as the foam ages. The sd backs are nice, but tend to cost more, and an s back with good foam should be functionally just as good.

MattKing · Mar 24, 2012

andreios said:
Well, since I've been digging in the garden the whole day I didn't manage to try it out today. From dry tests I really wouldn't say it's awkward (well apart from the old film back that needs to be released prior to winding - it's a thing I loathed when using roll film backs on 4x5 camera (I don't know why).
BTW do newer backs have any prevention of double exposures other than visual?

Double exposure prevention is available with a Pro S body as long as you use either a Pro S back or Pro SD back.

And the Pro S backs release for winding automatically when you release the shutter on the camera. I don't have a Pro SD back, but I expect they are the same.

The dark slide interlocks also work with the two later backs.

Have fun with your new camera!

andreios · Mar 25, 2012

Thank you for answers. So a newer back will solve that issue.. I have a Pro S body, I chose it mainly for the focus lock, which for me is a nice feature, as I am used to lock things on my monorail...
I've been shooting a bit today, one thing I've found out that I didn't realized before is that it is only for taking pictures of standing objects - the undoubtedly useful minor delay between lifting the mirror and firing the shutter in the lens is not very much useful if you want to take pictures of playing children.. But of course, for such situations there are rangefinders.. Otherwise, it is really nice to work with, but certainly the camera fits better on the tripod than into a hand... (which is not a bad thing)

Sirius Glass · Mar 25, 2012

You will learn to anticipate the "moment" as you again experience and will find that you will not have problems capturing the moment for action shoot.

Shoot more film.

andreios · May 9, 2012

Well.. It's over, the RB is gone - I didn't manage to get myself to like it somehow.. Not that the negs were bad, but the handling didn't suit me at all... What now? Maybe I'll try somehting 6x4,5 next.. If it were only for medium format I would stick to my TLRs, but I find myself too often wishing for wider or longer lens - which is quite impossible with a Rolleicord/Autocord. So the hunt's up again

drumlin · May 10, 2012

I believe there's a nice mamiya 645 pro setup on the classifieds board. Very nice system and what I reach for when a tlr isn't appropriate. Lenses are stellar and fairly cheap too. And indisputably handhold able, unlike your previous RB67.

EKDobbs · May 10, 2012

If the handling of the RB67 is what bothers you, a Bronica or Mamiya 645 (Pro or Pro TL) is as easy, if not easier, to handle than a 35mm slr. After using the RB67 for a while, the weight difference between a nikon and the 645 is negligible.

Mainecoonmaniac · May 10, 2012

Mamiya RZ have a "mirror up" mode. You first screw in your cable release on the lens barrel and lock the mirror up by pushing the shutter release on the body. You then release your shutter by using the cable release. I think the reason is that the mirror is so big that it can cause the camera to shake when the shutter is released. The camera shake is only noticeable at slow shutter speeds. As for closeups, Mamiya RZ have pretty long bellows. For more magnifications, Mamiya RZ has extension tubes. RZ and RB lenses are very sharp.

Sirius Glass · May 10, 2012

andreios said:
Well.. It's over, the RB is gone - I didn't manage to get myself to like it somehow.. Not that the negs were bad, but the handling didn't suit me at all... What now? Maybe I'll try somehting 6x4,5 next.. If it were only for medium format I would stick to my TLRs, but I find myself too often wishing for wider or longer lens - which is quite impossible with a Rolleicord/Autocord. So the hunt's up again

Look at the Hasselblads. Yes, they cost more, but that merely means that you have to wait longer between purchasing lenses. You will not regret it.

lxdude · May 10, 2012

As you stated that you slightly prefer the square, I suggest you check out 6x6.

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