What MF Camera for $500 or less?

Wow I never expected to get all of these responses! After reading everything I think I'm going to go with a Pentax 6x7 since it handles like an oversized 35mm SLR which is what I'm most used to. Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone!

If you want it to handle comfortably like a 35mm camera, make sure you get the wooden grip. I actually find it harder to get a grip on than the box style MF SLRs without the handle (granted, I haven't used one extensively and have somewhat small hands).

C7R92 said:

Wow I never expected to get all of these responses! After reading everything I think I'm going to go with a Pentax 6x7 since it handles like an oversized 35mm SLR which is what I'm most used to. Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone!

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C7R92 said:

Wow I never expected to get all of these responses! After reading everything I think I'm going to go with a Pentax 6x7 since it handles like an oversized 35mm SLR

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This doesn't sound like a good criteria. My RB67 handles better than any of my 35mm SLRs... Better low-light focusing, better screen, handholdable at slower speeds, more comfortable for vertical shooting, etc.

The TLRs also handle like a dream.

Good luck doing the vertical shots with the Pentax...

The Pentax is a great camera. I have one. I don't use the grip. You do need a good comfortable strap for it though.

flavio81 said:

This doesn't sound like a good criteria. My RB67 handles better than any of my 35mm SLRs... Better low-light focusing, better screen, handholdable at slower speeds, more comfortable for vertical shooting, etc.

The TLRs also handle like a dream.

Good luck doing the vertical shots with the Pentax...

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Well in that case I'll try and find both locally so I can see which one I think handles better.

C7R92 said:

Thanks for all of the responses! The consensus seems to be that the Mamiya RB67, Mamiya RZ67, or the Pentax 6x7. To answer Slixtiesix's question I'm probably going to use this camera primarily for landscape and maybe the occasional portrait. So I guess my question now is which would be easier to haul around?

Also since many have said to use an external light meter does anyone have one that they would recommend?

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Since you want to do both landscapes and portraits you will probably want a camera with interchangeable lenses so the Fuji rangefinders are probably out.

I used to shoot an RZ67 and a very good friend of mine shot the Pentax 6x7. I didn't really like his camera and he hated mine. I felt the RZ felt much better in my hands using the L grip. I also preferred the rotating back and interchangeable film backs. The whole big 35mm feeling of the Pentax did not appeal to me. On the other hand, my friend absolutely hated the ergonomics of the RZ. He felt it was like a big heavy box. The RZ is actually a 7x7 camera to allow for the rotating back.

Both are fine cameras of course. If possible you need to get you hands on an RB/RZ and Pentax 6x7 to see what feels right to you.

As for a light meter you will probably want either an incident meter or a spot meter or a combination type meter that can do both. I highly recommend the Pentax digital spotmeter if you decide you want a spot meter. Light meters are a very personal choice just like cameras and tripods.

C7R92 said:

Well in that case I'll try and find both locally so I can see which one I think handles better.

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Yes, this is the best thing to do. Don't believe me or others, believe what YOUR hands tell you!!

PS: The advantage in the Pentax 6x7 system is on the lenses -- there is the f2.4 normal lens and some f2.8 lenses, while the normal lens on the RB is either f3.8 or f3.5. And the lenses are more compact than RB lenses. But, of course, most of them don't have a leaf shutter inside.

The RZ does have the 110mm 2.8 lens which is fantastic.

Any reason the GS-1 hasn't been mentioned?

At the 645 end of the spectrum, the Mamiya and Bronica are often considered comparable. I'm both biased (I own an ETR-Si, which I love), and utterly uneducated on the subject (I haven't so much as handled any of the cameras being discussed), so I'm the perfect internet commentor!

I'm geniunely curious if the GS-1 falls short compared to the Mamiya or Pentax 6x7s in some way.

To the OP (C7R92):

You should grab (buy) this thing quick -- a Rolleiflex f2.8 at an excellent price:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

It's an excellent camera, and legendary as well. I like the C330 a bit more, but at this price, buying that Rolleiflex is a no brainer!!

Wow that's an amazing deal! Unfortunately I don't get paid until next Friday and I wanted to wait for my next paycheck before purchasing anything.

MattKrull said:

Any reason the GS-1 hasn't been mentioned?

At the 645 end of the spectrum, the Mamiya and Bronica are often considered comparable. I'm both biased (I own an ETR-Si, which I love), and utterly uneducated on the subject (I haven't so much as handled any of the cameras being discussed), so I'm the perfect internet commentor!

I'm geniunely curious if the GS-1 falls short compared to the Mamiya or Pentax 6x7s in some way.

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I have never shot a GS-1 or even held one in my hands. I think this is one of the reasons it hasn't been mentioned. More people have owned or at least handled the RB/RZ and Pentax 6x7 models. When you look on Ebay you don't see all that many GS-1's or lenses for the cameras advertised. I know that the Bronica 6x7's do have a following.

I would go with a Mamiya RZ, if you look around you can get complete body with back and a lens (or two) for les than $500.

Just read my signature (M.F. section)....

In order of weight.... burt all great for landscapes, depending on inspiration, way of thinking, strengthness of the photographer..... and so on

Apart for the Rollei (some 100's bucks more than 500's) all well (foldings exagerately well.....) under 500$ But you can find a Tessar Rollei way less than 500$....

Hope it helps....

MattKrull said:

Any reason the GS-1 hasn't been mentioned?

At the 645 end of the spectrum, the Mamiya and Bronica are often considered comparable. I'm both biased (I own an ETR-Si, which I love), and utterly uneducated on the subject (I haven't so much as handled any of the cameras being discussed), so I'm the perfect internet commentor!

I'm geniunely curious if the GS-1 falls short compared to the Mamiya or Pentax 6x7s in some way.

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I have a Bronica GS-1 system with several backs, viewfinders, lenses, and assorted accessories. It's a very capable system. The lenses are outstanding across the board. All of the shots in my gallery here were shot with the GS-1 on Ilford Delta 400 film. I'm certainly not being limited by the camera. Much the other way around.

For comparison purposes it would be considered an alternative to the Mamiya RZ67. They are both electronically controlled leaf shutter cameras with interchangeable lenses, viewfinders, and backs. (The RB67 is all mechanical.) It's a bit smaller and lighter than the RZ67 and is quite well hand-holdable, especially with the optional hand grip. On the other hand, the RZ67 has a rotatable back where the GS-1 does not. In order to shoot in vertical portrait mode, you have to rotate the entire camera 90 degrees by hand holding or flop the tripod head to the side. Even at a lighter weight than the RZ67, the GS-1 with a back, prism finder, and a moderate lens is probably a few pounds, so a substantial tripod and head is required to flip it on it's side. Bronica made a special rotating tripod mount, which I have, to rotate the GS-1 on top of the tripod but they are rare and usually quite expensive.

I think a GS-1 body with a 120 back, non-metered prism finder, and an 80mm lens could be put together for $500. But a single lens will soon seem limiting and well, we all know how one thing leads to another. Pretty soon you have quite a nice system, but you've invested some money to get there. If I were shooting 80% outdoor landscapes and 20% other stuff, I'd be all over one of the Fuji GSW670 or GSW690 models. It's hard to appreciate how comically big they are until you hold one in person, but they are much easier to carry around. My GS-1 spends most of its time firmly mounted to a camera stand rolling around in a studio.

Everybody seems to be telling you their favorite. I have mine, too but it's not going to help you. I think it really boils down to your perfect camera being whatever you grew comfortable with and makes you happy using it.

I went through Mamiya 645Super, Mamiya 645Pro, Rollicord VI, Mamiya RB-SD, whole bunch of folders, and YashicaMat 124G.

None of it them were perfect. Each one had its strength and weakness. Currently, I'm enjoying Mamiya RB-SD. It's heavy but it's "do-able". I just took it to a canoe trip and enjoyed it fully taking landscape from water.

My suggestion is to start with something, anything that is affordable and obtainable. Then see what it'll take you. You'll have to find your own favorite. Any of these cameras can do portrait and landscape. Those are BIG subject on their own, too.

This is my long-winded version of "I can't help you"....