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Medium Format Cam Advice
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Im looking to do a certain portrait project in Medium format… but my knowledge of medium format to this point has been limited to Holga use… (im a 35mm b&w shooter %90 of the time)
I really only want to spend like $300, and so am wondering what is out there in that price range to have some fun with…
Any recommendations on lens/body combos in the wonderful super budget category, that can be beat up on yet deliver on quality?
Not using in studio, all on location natural light… probably color….
Many thanks!!
by
Brian L Frank
at
Fri Aug 15 23:11:10 UTC 2008
(ed. Aug 17 2008)
Mexico City D.F.,
Mexico
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pentacon 6
older rolleiflex
yashicamat
i’ll think of others
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Thanks Alan, and I know you are the old cam guru! Say whats up to Christian 4 me dude… and yeah, any more knowledge you could break off would be much appreciated…
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I shoot Medium Format with a used Kiev:
http://kievcamera.net/catalog/index.php?cPath=22_30
I paid $100 for mine, and entire system with an Arsat lens, albeit with a broken light meter.
They’re pretty cheap new. I don’t know what they go for on Ebay.
Different models have different lens mounts, allowing you to potentially use better lenses,
which is more important than the quality of the camera.
I think there’s also conversion mounts you can get.
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From Alan’s list I’d second the rollei — most will have much better lenses than the yashica. It is easy to operate, and a very quiet/unobtrusive tool.
If you can spring for a couple hundred more you might look for an old Hasselblad 500c of 500cm (you can probably get a body+lens+a12 back for about $300-$500 on ebay). The nice thing about the Hasselblad is that there are tons of inexpensive older lenses available second hand.
I’ve never used the pentacon 6, but it might be worth having just because it sounds like something from doctor who.
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this is what i’ve been messing about with: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800565727-USE/Mamiya_211120_645AF_Value_Pack_Medium.html
the mamiya 645AF. has AF, AE, and some other neat features that could come in handy for someone who uses cameras quickly and efficiently. i got messed up using the 67 and hasselblads; looking in and everything is upside down or switched or whatever killed me. i’d focus on the wrong thing.
sure, in time you could become ace with that, but if it’s fast and gritty you want, and a AF insurance policy, i’ll pick up the 645AF.
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I do love my Mamiya Press—it was just a couple hundred dollars including lens, $30 for a second lens and shoots 6×9.
As for getting beat up, I’ve literally had it get tipped over on its tripod and stomped upon, lens-down. The lens was a bit worse for wear, but usable and the body was fine.
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i once bought a mamiya c330 with a 80mm lens for around 350 dollars on ebay. everything was in great condition and the camera was wonderful to work with!
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I got a 500c with a 80mm* lens and beat up (but working) meter prism for $400 years ago. I’m sure they can be found even cheaper now.
The prism is critical for focusing and eliminates the need to compose upside down.
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Brian – if you can go up a bit in price, check out the pentax 67. Bodies are going for 300-400 and lenses about 150-250 on ebay. I had one for a few years. You could pound nails with it, and the image quality was first rate.
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Luckily, I waited for a while, and a buddy was selling his Mamiya 645 Pro…. it is supposed to be here tomorrow shipping from NYC, and im effing stoked!
Thanks everybody for all the advice, cant wait to focus on some people with my new baby!
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guey, aqui en mexico no cuestan nada… tambien yo estpy buscando una 6×6 o 6×7 y hay todos los vintage que quieres…!!
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Bronica etrs can be good value on ebay. i used one in the 80s – not as well designed as the mamiya 645 but comparable in quality and much cheaper as its a dead system.
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Used Kies 88 are specially good for the money…but make sure they have one bad fault…there is no even spacing in the film, so don’t be surprised if one frame slightly overlaps into another. The lens is a cracker btw ! agree with David, ETRSi is another brilliant camera.
Another, the Kiev magazines can be interchaged with the Hassy 500c/m.
All the best !
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For cheap but good quality consider the Mamiya RB series as well.
Best of luck!
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hey brian- como le va?
i’ve recently acquired a kiev 88 with two 6×6 mags & 80mm 2.8 lens for about $300. as mentioned above, the spaces between frames is uneven. plus, you need to remember to fully advance the film immediately after shooting because the shutter curtains usually leak. but i love it. it’s a fine enough camera for the money. for more eccentricities, see: http://www.kievaholic.com/.
—skippy
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yikes- i just noticed how old the original post was. hope you’re happy with the Mamiya 645 Pro. hope you’ve been working out— they weigh as much as a bowling ball.
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Participants
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Nicola Okin Frioli
freelance photographer
(okinreport.net (not upgraded))
mexico City,
Mexico
En route to
calakmul
(ETA: Nov 12 2008).
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