Suggested first medium format?

david3558 · Nov 7, 2011

Thanks for the input everyone, I think for now I'm leaning towards the 500c or cm, I'm still not sure which one I'd go for. Illumiquest on APUG always seems to have a few 500's for sale. What are your thoughts on those and a 80mm lens? I don't know all the differences between the types...

david3558 · Nov 7, 2011

Sorry, also are there more people who think the Mamiya might be a good choice? Or is it simply too large/heavy?

L Gebhardt · Nov 7, 2011

david3558 said:
Sorry, also are there more people who think the Mamiya might be a good choice? Or is it simply too large/heavy?

Depends on which Mamiya you are talking about. I sold my RZ because it was too big and heavy. My 4x5 is lighter, and because of the weight I wanted to use them both on a tripod all the time. The RB is even heavier. The 645 Pro TL is a very nice hand holdable camera, especially with the winder grip on it. The Hassy is in between in my opinion. The Mamiya 7 is the best hand holdable camera I have, including 35mm. The lack of mirror really helps, and I think it's more the mirror's effect on me and not the internal vibrations. Very close to what I imagine a Leica is like.

CGW · Nov 7, 2011

david3558 said:
Sorry, also are there more people who think the Mamiya might be a good choice? Or is it simply too large/heavy?

No clue about the kind of shooting you'll be doing most often with your MF rig. That's bound to affect what we recommend, right? Too large/heavy for what? Help us help you.

david3558 · Nov 7, 2011

I'm so sorry! My mistake, forgot to mention the Mamiya C330 was the camera I was referring too

MattKing · Nov 7, 2011

You need to visit my collection .

I have and use a variety of Mamiya equipment - C330, 645 Pro and RB67.

I've also tried out a Koni-Omega setup (now sold) and a couple of basic medium format folders (underused).

The three Mamiyas p) each have their own strengths and weaknesses. I wouldn't recommend against any of them.

For me, each of them are easier to handle than a Hasselblad, but issues of ergonomics are very personal. In particular, if you are left-handed like me, I think the Mamiya cameras handle the best (with the Mamiya grips.

If you like to do closeup/macro work, the RB67 is my favourite of my three choices, but all three are capable.

For fill flash and location work, the C330 is superb. And a C330 kit with two or three lenses is relatively small and light.

The 645 Pro handles a lot like a 35mm, especially with a left-hand grip.

Helinophoto · Nov 7, 2011

I was almost in the same boat as you, thinking about the move to medium format from 35mm a while back.

My choices were:

6*6 Hasselblad (I landed on 503CW due to digital compatibility, but I wasn't really looking to save money either). 500CM and cx are also very interesting and great cameras.

6*7 Mamiya RZ67 pro II, no question, they are cheap now days, I wouldn't consider the RB series, only RZ. I got a great deal on a RZ67 pro II with two lenses, which I love.

I am currently looking for a Pentax67 II , due to the DSLR design of the camera. This is probably one of the most versatile cameras out there for medium format film, you use it as a (big-ass) DSLR.
I am looking out for mark II of this one, simply because it is more modern in design and operation, but the mark I is a good deal as well.

If I were you, I would not consider any format less than 6*6, after all, moving to medium format, for me, was about getting the bigger negatives.

Don't know if that helped though =)

CGW · Nov 7, 2011

david3558 said:
I'm so sorry! My mistake, forgot to mention the Mamiya C330 was the camera I was referring too

Fine but what types of shooting are you planning on? People can't help much without some specifics, OK?

david3558 · Nov 7, 2011

Honestly, I don't really fall into a specific category of shooting, at least I wouldn't know how to describe it. You can look at my flickr and determine that!

Thanks!

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/davidctsai/

FiatluX · Nov 7, 2011

Another vote here for keeping the Rolleiflex!

david3558 · Nov 7, 2011

Haha it's too late! I got rid of it already, I'm sure I'll buy one eventually again, but I really don't want to deal with the issues it had, I don't have the time, patience, or money right now. I'd much rather buy one in optically good condition and then invest in a CLA. Why settle when I can get something that will really keep me happy in the long run right?

Right now, I'm really thinking hard about the Mamiya C330 and the Hasselblad 500 series. The problem is I don't know whether or not I should get the 500c or the 500cm. Granted the 500c is cheaper, but the 500cm has a generally newer body, replaceable focusing screens, and a mirror lock up - thoughts? I don't know how big the price difference is...

pukalo · Nov 7, 2011

Fuji GA645 series cameras - awesome range finders with great meters, leica quality lenses, and around 500-600 bucks.

pukalo · Nov 7, 2011

I have all 3 = the Zi zoom, the 645Wi wide, and the 645i. I regularly choose them over my Contax 645 due to their light weight, and fun ease of use. plus, spectacular results!

Richard S. (rich815) · Nov 7, 2011

Don't go "cheap" on getting the Rolleiflex fixed. You get what you pay for...you'll just have to do it again later...

david3558 · Nov 7, 2011

Agreed! So thoughts on the following:

"Right now, I'm really thinking hard about the Mamiya C330 and the Hasselblad 500 series. The problem is I don't know whether or not I should get the 500c or the 500cm. Granted the 500c is cheaper, but the 500cm has a generally newer body, replaceable focusing screens, and a mirror lock up - thoughts? I don't know how big the price difference is..."

Thiago Lara · Nov 8, 2011

Hi!

I had a Pentax 645n, and now I have one Rolleiflex, one Zeiss Ikonta, and one Olympus XA , also 3 digicams (5D MkII, Canon G12, and the iPhone).

I bought a 500C/M with an 80mm like 6 or 8 months ago, and this camera just blow everything away. I never touched any of the other cameras again. The thing is just perfect and the negatives are A LOT BETTER than the ones I got with the Pentax 645n (which was my previous workhorse). Better in shadow detail, in tonality, color, vignetting, sharpness... everything.

About 500C/M vs. 500C, the better focusing screen is really better. Really. To be frank I think that the focusing screen on 500C really stinks. It's dark and soft... Doesn't do justice for the system and you'll feel frustrated, IMHO.

I just bought a ELX also, to have a backup, and because sometimes I'm working with natural light portraits in the studio, on a tripod, and I have to wait a couple seconds after wind the film to shoot again because winding the film with the lever will shake everything. My kit is the 80 planar, the Variogon 140-280, and I just bought a 50 on fleabay also, which didn't arrive here yet, but I'm praying and it will.

Im selling everything else. The thing is that good. I'll keep just the iPhone and the 5D, and thats because I work with the 5D (costs and sometimes clients preference, go figure!) But If I was just shooting to myself, I would get rid even of the digi fullframe. After Hasselblad I feel like everything else analog is "almost", and digital, which used to be "almost", just became "s#*t".

Buy the 500 C/M.

Richard S. (rich815) · Nov 8, 2011

Wow! It's THE "precious" 500CM! Somebody found it! ;-)

Matthew Wagg · Nov 9, 2011

I've just picked up a C330 for my first foray into MF and I've got to say I am super impressed with it. On my list of camera's I researched and would like to own are the Mamiya RB/RZ67, Pentax 67 II, Mamiya 645 and of course a Hassy of some kind.
But the build quality and everything about the C330 far exceeded anything I was prepared for coming from 35mm.

Suggested first medium format?

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