There's something to be said for not having interchangeable lenses. For one, even the Rolleiflex 2.8E with its bigger lenses weighs less than a Mamiya C330 with an 80mm f2.8 lens. And while having only one lens choice is limiting, limitations can be a good thing. It makes you go out and take pictures with the camera you have instead of developing bedsores on your ass from searching obsessively for hours on end through Ebay listings for the best price on lens X.
I could give a rat's ass about bling factor. And anyone who can afford all three can afford a damn sherpa to carry the two they're not using at the time. My point about single-lens cameras still stands - it makes you think more about the photo before you take it, without distracting you from the act of taking it. Somewhat paradoxical, but if you try it it makes sense.I always smile when I see a Rollei enthusiast with a Wide Angle Rollei, Normal Rollei and Telephoto Rollei scrambling over the rocks when he could have been packing a Mamiya Cxx or Hasselblad with lenses. The bling factor of carrying three cameras is quite impressive.
Funny you should say that Ted as I was just thinking the same.
My Scottish grand parents wedding photographs (which I posses) were shot on a large format 12"x10" camera around 1910 (I don't have the exact year to hand) but they are contact prints. Whole plate 8.5"x6>5" was pretty much the standard format , 10x8 was a normal format as well, the medium formats were Half plate, 5x4 and Quarter plate. Anything smaller was miniature and that included all the 120/620 formats and later 35mm, later there were sub-miniature formats like 16mm.
My father never used a 35mm camera although he got close, I think he really only started making images while in the army during WWII, he was issued with a 6x9 camera - I assume an Ensign, I used to own it but aged 2 or 3 I had no idea of the make etc I never had any film. He must have bought a newer 6x9 camera as there's images of me aged 2/3 shooting with the old one. But By that was swiftly replaced by a Bantam Colorsnap II an 828 roll film camera, same width as 36mm and later revamped as the 126 format.
So yes perspective is important, but this history varies markedly between Europe and the US, 35mm took a greater hold earlier in Europe due to WWII and a huge disruption in camera manufacture and also shortages of materials. The UK had huge import restrictions as we paid off US war debts, we had no Marshall relief unlike the losers
Ian
I could give a rat's ass about bling factor. And anyone who can afford all three can afford a damn sherpa to carry the two they're not using at the time. My point about single-lens cameras still stands - it makes you think more about the photo before you take it, without distracting you from the act of taking it. Somewhat paradoxical, but if you try it it makes sense.
At 10' depth of field with an 80mm lens at f2.8 on a 6x6 MF camera is 1' 2". I'm just reading DOF tables.
MF does have a different look for the most part in my book.
I could give a rat's ass about bling factor. And anyone who can afford all three can afford a damn sherpa to carry the two they're not using at the time. My point about single-lens cameras still stands - it makes you think more about the photo before you take it, without distracting you from the act of taking it. Somewhat paradoxical, but if you try it it makes sense.
No doubt. Although the Cxx additional bulk and weight, plus the extra lenses, probably comes close to the Rollei trio. And Hassy lenses aren't exactly featherweights either. Both do have the advantage of less overall volume in your bag, but not necessarily a substantial weight savings.Hey, I was jerking your chain. My point is that if you are vacationing and need three focal lengths, then a Mamiya Cxx or Hasselblad is easier to use than carrying three Rolleis.
You're on the right track I guess - get a Mamiya C - or -for my taste- a Rollei ('cord or 'flex - it doesn't matter, so long as in good condition) and it will give you a big surprise....
I'm buying a C33 or C330, depending on what I can get my hands on ...
The C330 was the ultimate development of the twin lens reflex camera, in technical terms at least. Interchangeable lenses, frame indication for close ups, extendable bellows with exposure compensation markings, an accessory prism, a mirrored "porrofinder", and a paramender to move lens positions on a tripod. And the lenses are excellent. The downside is the weight. The younger me carried one as my regular walkabout camera - couldn't do it now. It's a studio camera.I'm buying a C33 or C330, depending on what I can get my hands on.
The C330 was the ultimate development of the twin lens reflex camera ... The downside is the weight. The younger me carried one as my regular walkabout camera - couldn't do it now ...
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