What's the best buy in used MF? Moving up from a Yashica 124

[agphotography]

How long ago was that? The x-rays used currently in airports for carry-on luggage shouldn't affect your film unless it's over iso 400. I've had mine x-rayed up to five times with no ill effects. The x-ray used on the check-in luggage is a different story however.

This was..5 or 6 years ago, I had a fair amount of ISO 100 film (which is what pulled through) but I had a lot of 400, 1600 and some 3200 film as well. That didn't make it through so well. They went through the x-ray machines so many times I just practically gave up! (Twice at each airport and twice at the empire state building)

Thanks so much! I am sorry about your experience. In theory it should be pretty safe to travel with at least 400 speed film. Mine was scanned twice upon departure from Istanbul and fortunately there was no damage. The problem is that the operator may increase the power of the radiation without noone realizing. Sometimes the bags go back and forth in the x-ray machine as if the operator missed something and wants a better look. You may have been unlucky. I have also carried the film rolls in my trouser pockets walking through the metal detector instead of having the film x-rayed. Noone ever noticed.

You're very welcome, I absolutely loved the series! Very inspirational.

I may invest in a lead film bag if I do a lot of flying.

 

[johnnywalker]

This was..5 or 6 years ago, I had a fair amount of ISO 100 film (which is what pulled through) but I had a lot of 400, 1600 and some 3200 film as well. That didn't make it through so well. They went through the x-ray machines so many times I just practically gave up! (Twice at each airport and twice at the empire state building)



You're very welcome, I absolutely loved the series! Very inspirational.

I may invest in a lead film bag if I do a lot of flying.

On flights I've taken in the last few years, both national and international, I've frequently been asked if I have film (after they've seen the cameras) and if I want it hand checked.
I don't understand the usefulness of the lead bags. If they can't see into it won't they ask you to open it? I've had to open my checked luggage on occasion because the x-ray couldn't figure out what it was seeing.

 

[benjiboy]

Fully agree that the C330 is a wonderful camera. I love the occasional macro shot, and the camera makes it possible where others don't. Calling it a walk-about though is a stretch. It's more like a drag-about. Significantly bigger than the Yashica.

As for the light leak on the Yashica, I just developed two rolls of 120 from my 124G tonight. They were both rolls of night shots. (Sorry, haven't scanned them yet.) What looks like a light leak on two of the shots is just how the camera deals with bright light at the edge of the frame. It's not a nice defined star pattern, but more of a random star pattern or a streaky smear. It definitely does look a little like a light leak, but no problems on any of my other shots.

I know the OP was looking for 6x6, but the Mamiya 645 cameras are great too, and a superb deal right now for all of the manual focus models.

If you think the C330 is a "Drag about" with three lenses, try an RB 67 or a Pentax 6X7, the point I was trying to make was that for an affordable 6X6 medium format system able to use interchangeable lenses that is reasonably portable, can sync for flash at any speed up to 1/500 sec. and capable of professional results they are unique.

 

[2F/2F]

I also cannot agree with the very common statements on the Internet that the Mamiya C series is a big and/or heavy and/or hard-to-handle-or-carry system. It is compact, and relatively light.

 

[benjiboy]

I also cannot agree with the very common statements on the Internet that the Mamiya C series is a big and/or heavy and/or hard-to-handle-or-carry system. It is compact, and relatively light.

Thanks 2F/2F, I do speak from experience, I've been carrying this equipment about for about twenty years, and I find that a body and a standard,wide angle and telephoto lenses don't weigh as much as my Canon F1 and the lenses and accessories I carry about with it.

 

[Sully75]

I've been thinking about this a bit, and remember how small the lenses are for the Mamiya C330. I think the difference is, a Hasselblad and 80mm lens are pretty small, but if you were carrying 3 lenses around, you are talking a serious load. The Mamiya camera itself is quite large but the lenses are tiny. So if you are just carrying the one camera around, it's pretty big for what it is. But if you have a kit with 3 lenses, it's probably a lot more compact than an equivalent SLR rig.

Also one thing I've been thinking about is how the Mamiya will not have any shutter slap. Seems like everything else will.

 

[Sully75]

Ok I think it might be the C330 in the end.

Just looked through a lot of Flickr images, and some are very impressive. If you told me they were Zeiss optics I would have believed you. The price is right. I really can't afford a Hasselblad right now without selling a lot of stuff, but I can sell one lens and buy a Mamiya kit.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/louobedlam/4420177341/

That picture is pretty impressive.

Thanks for the help!
Paul

 

[Colin Corneau]

Good choices, all. There are some good RB67 options used out there, now, I've noticed. Heavy but a good camera.

I've had really really good luck finding Bronica SQ gear -- some of the buys on KEH are terrific.

 

[agphotography]

On flights I've taken in the last few years, both national and international, I've frequently been asked if I have film (after they've seen the cameras) and if I want it hand checked.
I don't understand the usefulness of the lead bags. If they can't see into it won't they ask you to open it? I've had to open my checked luggage on occasion because the x-ray couldn't figure out what it was seeing.

I think I just had bad luck that trip, which happened to be the last time I traveled by plane with a medium format system.

I had all the film in a clear zip-lock bag and they were all taken out of their wrappers as well (as much as I didn't want to do that) They still refused to hand check it. They told me that just wasn't possible, I replied that it was in the TSA guidelines that I am allowed to request a hand inspection for my film. They again said "not possible" and I said they need to get their manager over here because they were about to ruin all my film. Their reply: "That's not going to happen, there's no time" And they tossed my film in the x-ray machine. Oh and they also dropped my RZ onto the ground. I wanted to cry.

Speaking of TSA disasters, a close friend of mine was traveling to Europe and upon having her bag inspected they pulled out her 1DmkIIn and 24-70mm L lens. They wanted to see what was INSIDE the camera (?????) and couldn't figure out how to take the lens off, she tried to stop them and tell them how to remove the lens, they told her she needs to "step back immediately" and they BROKE the lens off the camera, yes they snapped the lens mount right off.

TSA's stand: "We're not responsible for damages while inspecting suspicious items"

Totally messed up.

 

[2F/2F]

Ok I think it might be the C330 in the end.

Just looked through a lot of Flickr images, and some are very impressive. If you told me they were Zeiss optics I would have believed you. The price is right. I really can't afford a Hasselblad right now without selling a lot of stuff, but I can sell one lens and buy a Mamiya kit.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/louobedlam/4420177341/

That picture is pretty impressive.

Thanks for the help!
Paul

I can't say enough good about the Mamiya optics for this system (and for the Press system). The lenses have character out the yazoo, on top of excellent technical performance. My personal favorites are the 80mm 2.8 and the 180mm 4.5. I often pick my C33 or C220 over my RZ just because I know the lenses have that special character that I love.

 

[suzyj]

I don't understand the usefulness of the lead bags. If they can't see into it won't they ask you to open it? I've had to open my checked luggage on occasion because the x-ray couldn't figure out what it was seeing.

The problem is the cheerful "xrays won't harm your film" BS that they give you if you try to not feed it through. Sure, one xray won't, but a typical international flight these days can involve half a dozen or more of the damned things, and they're cumulative.

The idea of the lead-lined box is that the film is protected on the way through the xray, and they then get you to open it so they can inspect it afterwards, reducing the dose.

 

[2F/2F]

The problem is the cheerful "xrays won't harm your film" BS that they give you if you try to not feed it through. Sure, one xray won't, but a typical international flight these days can involve half a dozen or more of the damned things, and they're cumulative.

The idea of the lead-lined box is that the film is protected on the way through the xray, and they then get you to open it so they can inspect it afterwards, reducing the dose.

It is not B.S. They are absolutely correct when they say that, as long as they are referring to carry-on x ray machines, as opposed to checked baggage x ray machines.

In order for something to be cumulative, each repetition must have at least some tiny effect...and with carry-on x ray machines, it does not. It is similar to how even if something is reflecting some light, but it is below a certain level of it, it simply will not expose photographic film, no matter how long you leave the shutter open.

All a lead bag will do is increase scrutiny, and all a hand check will do is give your film the risk of being exposed to light by an inspector who 99% likely both knows nothing about film and cares nothing about ruining it.

I have gone through many, many more than a half dozen carry on machines with all speeds of film, exposed and unexposed, pushed, etc. I have never had x ray damage from a carry on scanner.

 

[Andrew K]

If you want a cheap 6x6 have a look at the Bronica SQ - they are a bargain here in Australia, and are a good reliable camera with a leaf shutter..

If you want a mechanical camera have a look at the Kowa 6 - NOT the 66 or any with interchangable backs. The original 6 is a great, reliable and sharp camera thats easy to repair..on the other hand the interchangable back ones were a pain to repair reliably...

Steer clear of the Pentacon 6/Practisix/Kiev 6 or any other version - I've had several and none ever worked the way they should......

Norita 66 - nice camera if you can find one, and don't want flash sync at all shutter speeds

I've owned/used all of the above cameras (plus Pentax 645, Mamiya 645 and ETRS Bronica, plus a couple of Hasselblads, a Mamiya Press, Marshall Press, Koni Omega, Fuji rangefinder), and also a RB - which is great camera - but if they made a 6x6 back I've never seen one in 20 years of working in the photo industry...

I'd definatly consider a C330 series Mamiya - they have auto paralax, focus close, and are reliable and super sharp...

My camera of choice now? A folding 645 Zeiss folder - no rangefinder - cost me $30 on ebay - super sharp, and fits in my pocket......

Good luck in your search...

 

[suzyj]

It is not B.S. They are absolutely correct when they say that, as long as they are referring to carry-on x ray machines, as opposed to checked baggage x ray machines.

Hey, don't take my word for it. Take Kodak's.

From the link:

X-ray equipment used to inspect carry-on baggage uses a very low level of x-radiation that will not cause noticeable damage to most films.

And more importantly:

If you're going to be traveling through multiple X-ray examinations (more than 5 times), request a hand search of your carry-on baggage. FAA regulations in the U.S. allow for a hand search of photographic film and equipment if requested. (See below for further FAA information.) However, non-US airports may not honor this request.

The main problem is a technician who takes a good, long look at the big complicated jumble of camera gear and film in your bag, running it back and forth through the machine and giving it a much higher dose than a the quick cursory glance that the usual laptop etc gets.