Sanity check

Hi,

This is what I am looking at buying:

M645 SUPER WITH POWER DRIVE N, AE PRISM N, MEDIUM FORMAT SLR MANUAL FOCUS CAMERA BODY

35 F3.5 (77) MEDIUM FORMAT SLR MANUAL FOCUS SUPER WIDE ANGLE LENS

150 F3.8 A N/L LS (67) WITH CONNECT N WITH CAPS MEDIUM FORMAT SLR MANUAL FOCUS TELEPHOTO LENS (leaf shutter for fast flash sync)

120 SUPER (PRO, SUPER), BACK (2 each)

M645 SUPER INSTRUCTION BOOK

I know I also need:

filters, cases, film, 120 reel, Beseler 645 negative carrier, 75mm enlarger lens, lens board, scanner to handle MF.

Am I missing something important to this camera system that I will need to get started? Are all these pieces compatable with each other?

Thanks,

Doug

I would get an 80mm enlarging lens rather than the 75. The 80s typicaly have better optics (6 elements rather than 4). Also, you may want to get an 80mm lens for the camera, which is considered equivalent to the 50mm lens in the 35mm world.

The 35mm is expensive and wide; you might want to consider the 55mm first and then decide if you want to trade it in on the wider 35. Just my opinion here on wides...

Good luck on the 645 negative carrier. I use a 6x6 with a mask taped on becuase I could get that for $15 but the 645 carriers seem to go for $60 (or more!).

I would skip the AE prism and go with the standard. You can get much better results with a hand held meter unless you are in a hurry. The same with the power winder. The standard grip works fine and is much quieter, again unless you need the speed.

The backs should come with 120 inserts, but may come with 220. Ask first.

Thats about it for my suggestions. Use them at your own discretion...

Have fun with it!

- Randy

agree with Randy, you'll probably need something between 35mm and 150mm, that's a big gap.

I rarely attach my powerdrive, although it comes in handy occasionly. It does make the camera nicer to hold but weighs a fair amount.

my M645 system comprises 45, 55, 80 & 150mm lenses. I have both 80/1.9 & 20/2.8 and 150/2.8 & 150/4 lenses. At home and day trips I usually take the 'fast' versions, but for holidays I take the slow versions. The 55,80/2.8 & 150/4 all take 58mm filters which simplifies that aspect greatly (I don't have filters for the 80/1.9 & 150/2.8 anyway!). I was going to sell the slow version but have found them to be very useful to me.

Just depends on what you want to do with it.

Thanks, Randy.

I use a 17-35 2.8 on my Nikon F3, have sold a lot of prints made with that lens (usually at the wide end) so very wide is what I want. I rarely use a normal lens (been sitting in my drawer for years) so that is why I skipped that, at least for now. Shoot either long or short. I will get an 80 enlarging lens per your suggestion. Does the normal grip come standard with the camera or is it a separate item? I do want a grip but don't really need the power one.

Doug

Never mind the last reply, I did find the proper manual grip at B&H, KEH didn't have it. I'll get the camera without the power winder, should help lighten the load and improve reliability.

Doug

If you want to build muscle, fast!, put the power drive on with the 210mm lens and the AE prism. I have the following, but my style may not match yours, or anyone elses for that matter.

645J w/left grip, standard prism, and 'speed' winder crank.
55 w/hood, 80 (2.8) w/hood, 150 (4), 210
2x 120 inserts
Various focusing screens and other odd bits.

I use the 55 and 80 the most, followed by the 150 on occasion and the 210 only rarely (I got a good deal <shrug>). I have considered the 110, but it is only a few paces forward to get there with the 80, or back with the 150.

These are nice cameras and should serve you well, but never underestimate the convenience of having one filter size for all your lenses. Anyway, have fun and show us your work!

- Randy