Please Recommend a Great Entry Level MF Camera

Sirius Glass · Dec 10, 2015

Alan Gales said:
Try getting a Bronica serviced or parts for an SL66. I know why you shoot Hasselblad. It makes a lot of sense in a number of ways.

As a teenager I wanted the Bronica S in the worst way, so when I wanted to move on from the Mamiya C330 I checked Bronica and Rollei SL66. I quickly figured out that those two had parts and service problems. That is why I went to Hasselblad which obviously ten years earlier was not thought to be possible.

MattKrull · Dec 10, 2015

Kirks518 said:
To be breif - the US government has all of their archival stuff done on film (LF and MF). It gets touched on in this recent/current thread - (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Good read over there
From PE:

"Film continues to be the best way to store visual information about architecture and engineering for the long term, which is why it is still the standard in the HABS, HAER, and HALS collections. Photographs taken and printed for HABS, HAER, or HALS, in accordance with the Secretarys Standards are made from large-format, black and white film. The images are perspective corrected in the field at the time of capture using a view camera. Large-format (4x5, 5x7, and 8x10) refers to the size of the negative in inches, not the print.
The large-format negative is preferred for two reasons: longevity of the film and clarity of the image. The material stability of cut sheet film satisfies the archival requirements for longevity ....." ETC

http://www.nps.gov/hdp/standards/PhotoGuidelines.pdf
No where in that document do they mention medium format. They are speaking specifically about sheet film. The only roll film mentioned is 5" wide aerial film (on a polyester base).
So roll film on a polyester base could be archival, medium format is not assured to be, and will not meet NPS' requirements.

georg16nik · Dec 10, 2015

MattKrull said:
Good read over there
From PE:

http://www.nps.gov/hdp/standards/PhotoGuidelines.pdf
No where in that document do they mention medium format. They are speaking specifically about sheet film. The only roll film mentioned is 5" wide aerial film (on a polyester base).
So roll film on a polyester base could be archival, medium format is not assured to be, and will not meet NPS' requirements.

Yes, Tri-X, T-max, HP5+ and FP4+ in MF and 35mm are coated on cellulose triacetate.
The acetate breakdown forms acetic acid.
I remember years ago how Simon G. argued on APUG that all of their (Ilford) films are archival.
Yeah, right...

Alan Gales · Dec 10, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
As a teenager I wanted the Bronica S in the worst way, so when I wanted to move on from the Mamiya C330 I checked Bronica and Rollei SL66. I quickly figured out that those two had parts and service problems. That is why I went to Hasselblad which obviously ten years earlier was not thought to be possible.

I shot 35mm for a very long time. When digital hit and all the pros sold their medium format gear I tried a bunch of cameras and ended up buying and selling medium format gear. I've owned and shot Bronica ETRsi, S2a, EC, Pentax 645, 645n, 645n2, Hasselblad 500cm, and Mamiya RZ67. A buddy of mine owns 4 Rolleiflexes and the SL66 plus Pentax 6x7. I have handled his cameras but I have never shot them.

Of all the medium format cameras I have shot, I prefer the Hasselblad and the Mamiya RZ67. For studio portraiture you can't beat the Mamiya but for everything else the Hasselblad wins. Just my opinion of the ones I have shot.

I've got to quit talking about this. You are making me want another Blad.

Theo Sulphate · Dec 10, 2015

Kirks518 said:
...
Anyway, I re-assert my recommendation for the RB67 system. While you can use masks and what-not to get the other formats, it's easier (IMO) to crop in the process rather then monkey with masks out in the field. the RB67 (or RZ67) gives you the second largest negative, with the full flexibility of a modular system. And AFAIK, if you use one of the motorized backs, you get a 6x8 negative. It's always easier to crop out what you don't want, then to try and put in what's not there....

My vote is for the RB67 as well for giving "the most bang for the buck". It's inexpensive, has excellent lenses and accessories available (e.g. prism finder), and film backs in good condition aren't too expensive. It will give you a nice large negative to work with.

This is a 100% manual camera: you do everything yourself - the results are yours alone. You set the shutter speed, aperture, cock the shutter, wind the film, and focus, all yourself.

I would avoid the "plain" RB67; get the Pro S or Pro SD - they are more refined. Plenty of information on these cameras can be found on the net.

If the RB67 is too big for your liking, other non-expensive and compact choices are the Yashica or Mamiya TLR's.

Sirius Glass · Dec 10, 2015

Alan Gales said:
I've got to quit talking about this. You are making me want another Blad.

Give into the GAS, you know you want it. You know you need it. You know that you deserve it. You know you will give in to the GAS and buy it sooner or later, so why wait?

Alan Gales · Dec 10, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
Give into the GAS, you know you want it. You know you need it. You know that you deserve it. You know you will give in to the GAS and buy it sooner or later, so why wait?

Money, money, money. Just don't have enough of the stuff!

I'm also wanting to upgrade my studio strobes. Shooting 8x10 portraits indoors takes a lot of light.

Doc W · Dec 13, 2015

Alan definitely did NOT say that MF was obsolete. He said,

"Remember that medium format film cameras are obsolete and getting older. There is something to be said for the Hasselblad V series and Mamiya RB67 cameras that were simpler mechanical cameras."

Furthermore, some cameras are becoming impossible to repair because of lack of parts. Once again, I highly recommend just jumping in with an RB67 (I can't speak for Hasselblad, never having owned one but I hardly need to speak for it, given its reputation). Get the most recent RB67 you can find with the most recent 90mm lens. There are tons of them out there and fortunately, there are not "collectible" so it will probably cost $300 or less. You won't be sorry and you will love the quality of the prints. If it turns out that you really don't like it, you have not lost a fortune and they make a dandy doorstop.

Alan Gales · Dec 14, 2015

Doc W said:
Alan definitely did NOT say that MF was obsolete. He said,

"Remember that medium format film cameras are obsolete and getting older. There is something to be said for the Hasselblad V series and Mamiya RB67 cameras that were simpler mechanical cameras."

Furthermore, some cameras are becoming impossible to repair because of lack of parts. Once again, I highly recommend just jumping in with an RB67 (I can't speak for Hasselblad, never having owned one but I hardly need to speak for it, given its reputation). Get the most recent RB67 you can find with the most recent 90mm lens. There are tons of them out there and fortunately, there are not "collectible" so it will probably cost $300 or less. You won't be sorry and you will love the quality of the prints. If it turns out that you really don't like it, you have not lost a fortune and they make a dandy doorstop.

Thanks, Doc!

On a budget it's hard to beat the RB if you want an SLR. I used to shoot an RZ67. It's great being able to rotate just the back instead of the camera on the tripod when you want to change from portrait to landscape orientation. I also like being able to change from color to b&w film by changing the film backs anytime I want instead of having to use up a roll of film before changing. The close focussing bellows is nice too!

trondsi · Dec 15, 2015

Another vote for Rolleiflex Automat. It produces very nice results and is very lightweight.

Please Recommend a Great Entry Level MF Camera

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