Suggestions for MF "upgrading"
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- Thread starter Blooze
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You are rambling. I've lost you. Please get you question down to 20 words or less.
First, decide format. If $500 and 6x7 then the options are Bronica, Mamiya RB/RZ, or Pentax. They are all pretty big with the Mamiya being huge. All require a substantial tripod ... ESP Pentax. If I were in your position, I'd get either an RB or a Mamiya C220/330. The C series is 6x6 but way lighter and require a smaller tripod.
Blooze,
Just buy the RB and give it a go, that's the only way you'll actually see.
Just buy the RB and give it a go, that's the only way you'll actually see.
If 4x5 is too expensive but you wouldn't mind the 4x5 gear to haul around then an RZ would be a great choice for the money with 6x7 and being less expensive than some of the more hunted after kits. If a 4x5 is a problem because of size and you have lots of cash then I dont know, having lots of $$$ is not my area of research
.
What about the TLR makes you want the upgrade? lack of lens change? square format? Image Quality?
.What about the TLR makes you want the upgrade? lack of lens change? square format? Image Quality?
Weight/size is not an issue. I think 4x5 deserves to be printed in the darkroom, which I currently don't have space for, and my scanner will not do 4x5. It seems to be a messy affair using rollbacks on 4x5 as well. I prefer a mechanical body over one that may give me electrical trouble and the cost of the RZ is quite a bit more than the RB.
I like 6x6, but would prefer a wider format for landscapes. I don't particularly like the 80mm lenses on the TLR's I have. I tend to shoot 28mm and 135mm on my 35mm SLR's.
The RB67 is a great camera and is well suited for landscape work. Before buying one I would carefully check out its condition as most of those cameras were heavily used by pro-photographers and it shows. The Pentax 67 is another option the lenses are often cheaper than their Mamiya equivalent, the only drawback is the lack of interchangeable backs and the low sync speed.
RBs are a bargain these days. Buy carefully and you can build a great kit.
I'll go for the RB also. I have one and use it for landscapes. Look up KEH used cameras.
Jeff
Jeff
For landscape I'd suggest Fuji GW/GSW series - format and focal lenght according to your preferences. A GSW combined with rolleicord will cover almost all of your needs.
How much are you looking to spend? You've seen a few posts about my RB over on B&B I'm sure 
For landscapes, you could pick up a full kit on KEH for a good price. Currently on KEH:
Pro S body w/WLF - BGN = $115
Pro S back - $72
50mm lens (very wide for landscape) - BGN - $165
There are some 65mm and 90mm(considered "normal" for 6X9) for even cheaper if you wanted to go with that route.
For landscapes, you could pick up a full kit on KEH for a good price. Currently on KEH:
Pro S body w/WLF - BGN = $115
Pro S back - $72
50mm lens (very wide for landscape) - BGN - $165
There are some 65mm and 90mm(considered "normal" for 6X9) for even cheaper if you wanted to go with that route.
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The RZ betters the RB in every possible way. Price for good examples are close enough to not really matter that much. Electronics/battery life is a non-issue with the RZ. You will lose more shots to things like interlock issues and usage problems with an RB than you ever would to battery/electronics issues with an RZ, IMNSHO. RZ has some better lenses as well, and they are more available and newer in general.
If you are looking for either an RB or RZ and are not in a rush, I would recommend keeping an eye on the classifieds section here. Full kits go semi-frequently at fantastic prices (occasionally making me feel silly for investing in a more costly MF SLR system...).
The Mamiya cameras are big but not huge. They will be larger than a 4x5 field/press camera, for sure. I don't have personal experience with the Pentax 67, but if I was looking for a MF camera primarily for landscape, that's the direction I would go; the RB/RZ's many features mostly benefit studio and close-up use and add a bunch of bulk.
The Mamiya cameras are big but not huge. They will be larger than a 4x5 field/press camera, for sure. I don't have personal experience with the Pentax 67, but if I was looking for a MF camera primarily for landscape, that's the direction I would go; the RB/RZ's many features mostly benefit studio and close-up use and add a bunch of bulk.
I've been shooting with an RB67 in the field for well over 20 years now. UGH, they are heavy and made solid as a brick. However, being all mechanical is a real plus. You might study this guide in depth before buying and get use to all the pieces. RB67 Guide
Ebay and KEH are places to shop for the gear too. ALL of my RB67 gear was used and bought from these two sites over many years now.
Ebay and KEH are places to shop for the gear too. ALL of my RB67 gear was used and bought from these two sites over many years now.
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My opinion
Hi,
I have used B&W, color and dispositive film for years until I bought a Nikon DSLR eight years ago. After a few years I realized I was using my DSLR like a point and shoot camera. I bought new ones and still use them like a PS. Anyways I went back to 35mm B&W, soon I upgraded to Mamiya 645 Pro with 45, 80 and 150mm lenses and two backs to practice a little more controlled photography.
645 system is very light and can be used like a automatic 35mm SLR; it was just like using a Nikon FE. Three years ago I start to do wet printing. I acquired an old Besseler 23C with an 80mm El-Nikkor. I surprised when I tried to print old 6x9 negatives with this lens, it worked. I wanted to increase my printing size 11x14 to 16x20 two years ago.
So I bought a very lightly used Mamiya Pro SD with WF, 6X8 back, 127 and 65mm K/L lenses form KEH. The lenses are so new that even they came in their original boxes. To my surprise again it was extremely easy to focus using a Waist Finder and the focus accuracy of Pro SD is the best among all the SLRs and DSLRs I have ever used. The print quality from 645 to 6X8 is even noticeable on an 11x14 print (not 8x10).
However Mamiya RB is really a very heavy system, very difficult to use it without a support, very difficult to backpack and carry around in the field, it doesnt have a reliable internal exposure meter and 6x8 back yields only 9 frames. So I use my 645 more and more in these days.
Hi,
I have used B&W, color and dispositive film for years until I bought a Nikon DSLR eight years ago. After a few years I realized I was using my DSLR like a point and shoot camera. I bought new ones and still use them like a PS. Anyways I went back to 35mm B&W, soon I upgraded to Mamiya 645 Pro with 45, 80 and 150mm lenses and two backs to practice a little more controlled photography.
645 system is very light and can be used like a automatic 35mm SLR; it was just like using a Nikon FE. Three years ago I start to do wet printing. I acquired an old Besseler 23C with an 80mm El-Nikkor. I surprised when I tried to print old 6x9 negatives with this lens, it worked. I wanted to increase my printing size 11x14 to 16x20 two years ago.
So I bought a very lightly used Mamiya Pro SD with WF, 6X8 back, 127 and 65mm K/L lenses form KEH. The lenses are so new that even they came in their original boxes. To my surprise again it was extremely easy to focus using a Waist Finder and the focus accuracy of Pro SD is the best among all the SLRs and DSLRs I have ever used. The print quality from 645 to 6X8 is even noticeable on an 11x14 print (not 8x10).
However Mamiya RB is really a very heavy system, very difficult to use it without a support, very difficult to backpack and carry around in the field, it doesnt have a reliable internal exposure meter and 6x8 back yields only 9 frames. So I use my 645 more and more in these days.
I use an RB67 and 4 lenses for landscape shooting. It's a great system. But it is heavy and I don't hike that far off the road to get my shots. If you plan on doing a lot of hiking, and weight is an issue, I'd consider something lighter.
If you want to shoot landscapes, then I think what you should strongly consider is one of the Koni Omegas. First rate lenses (though of course a more limited selection than the RB), very well made camera, and lots lighter than an RB, for sure. You could get a body with lens and back for well under $300 -- in fact, contact me if you're interested....
Weight is not an issue. Right now with my D200 + battery pack, two lenses, speedflash, YashicaMat, filters, meter, and film my pack weighs just shy of 18 lbs. Heck, my D200 with the 55mm macro weighs over 4 lbs. Add my tripod with geared head at about 8 lbs and I don't see the RB67 with two lenses being a problem.
Right now I meter all of my film gear, even the ones with built in metering, with my Luna Pro SBC as it's more reliable.
Looks like KEH would be the place to get stuff because at least you get the warranty, unless some spectacular deal came up in the classifieds here.
Right now I meter all of my film gear, even the ones with built in metering, with my Luna Pro SBC as it's more reliable.
Looks like KEH would be the place to get stuff because at least you get the warranty, unless some spectacular deal came up in the classifieds here.
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I don't know, but to me a Super Graphic 4x5 and Sinar Zoom 6x12 back seem like a good combo, at least I enjoy using it.
Reasonable upgrade=yes if you're looking for a more modular camera system. There won't be any effective difference in picture quality except the slightly wider negative
I used to own an RZ67 outfit and sold it when I moved to large format. I had the 50mm ULD, 110mm and 180mm lenses. It all weighed a ton packed together. You could carry a used lightweight Cambo or Calumet 4x5 monorail with three lenses for less weight and equal or less money invested (compared to an RB) depending upon your lens selection. I sold my 50mmULD for $500.00.
For me, the main reason for 4x5 over 6x7 is camera movements with every lens.
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