advice needed on a possible medium format outfit...

I really enjoy working with medium format film, both in my Zero 2000 pinhole
camera, and also in my Yashicamat124 TLR. My question is, could I gain
significantly in final results (how good the pictures look) by getting
either a good medium format rangefinder or slr? I'm assuming here that I'm
always using a tripod and slower films, especially black/white. I'm also
assuming that I would go for good used equipment if I could still achieve
excellent results. Mind you, I normally shoot very SLOW with my Yashicamat
to maximize sharpness -- around f/22. Would a Hasselblad or Mamiya or
Contax (or similar gear) offer just plain "better looking pictures" at f/22
and faster speeds? For example, I've heard that a Mamiya 7 plus their wide
angle lens (expensive!) is a very tough combination to beat in terms of
final pictures results. My goal would be to get a normal lens and perhaps a
wide angle. No flash needed. I'd want to do mostly landscapes, still
subjects, and night photography. I'm not set on needing the capability to
swap film for digital backs, but it might be nice to have that future
option. Also, I'd like swappable film backs. I could load different types
of film into each one and swap as needed. I also like ground glass
focusing, but I've never tried TTL manual focus on a medium format slr, nor
through a rangefinder (though I focus through the lens on my digital slr,
and it's TOUGH). However, it would be NICE to have a medium format that I
could use with onboard metering and autofocus. Just when I want it...

Because I'm used to doing all manual metering/focusing with my Yashicamat
and pinhole, I've also thought that, for the price of a good medium outfit,
why not just get a decent 4x5 with a couple lenses, and toss in a medium
format back? I use my wife's crown graphic, so I'm accustomed to the
format. Note that because I don't do quick setup handheld medium format,
doing all large format instead wouldn't involve some huge loss in
portability or speed for me (I'd get a lighter field 4x5, not some huge,
heavy rail model). However, film cost IS an issue, over time...

Any thoughts here are appreciated. For the whole outfit, I'd be willing to
spend, over time, say, $3,000 or $3,500. Could you please send any replies
to , if possible? Thank you...

Thanks,
Scott Speck

On 2007-04-03 07:13:48 -0400, "Scott Speck" said:

I really enjoy working with medium format film, both in my Zero 2000 pinhole
camera, and also in my Yashicamat124 TLR. My question is, could I gain
significantly in final results (how good the pictures look) by getting
either a good medium format rangefinder or slr? I'm assuming here that I'm
always using a tripod and slower films, especially black/white. I'm also
assuming that I would go for good used equipment if I could still achieve
excellent results. Mind you, I normally shoot very SLOW with my Yashicamat
to maximize sharpness -- around f/22. Would a Hasselblad or Mamiya or
Contax (or similar gear) offer just plain "better looking pictures" at f/22
and faster speeds? For example, I've heard that a Mamiya 7 plus their wide
angle lens (expensive!) is a very tough combination to beat in terms of
final pictures results. My goal would be to get a normal lens and perhaps a
wide angle. No flash needed. I'd want to do mostly landscapes, still
subjects, and night photography. I'm not set on needing the capability to
swap film for digital backs, but it might be nice to have that future
option. Also, I'd like swappable film backs. I could load different types
of film into each one and swap as needed. I also like ground glass
focusing, but I've never tried TTL manual focus on a medium format slr, nor
through a rangefinder (though I focus through the lens on my digital slr,
and it's TOUGH). However, it would be NICE to have a medium format that I
could use with onboard metering and autofocus. Just when I want it...

Because I'm used to doing all manual metering/focusing with my Yashicamat
and pinhole, I've also thought that, for the price of a good medium outfit,
why not just get a decent 4x5 with a couple lenses, and toss in a medium
format back? I use my wife's crown graphic, so I'm accustomed to the
format. Note that because I don't do quick setup handheld medium format,
doing all large format instead wouldn't involve some huge loss in
portability or speed for me (I'd get a lighter field 4x5, not some huge,
heavy rail model). However, film cost IS an issue, over time...

Any thoughts here are appreciated. For the whole outfit, I'd be willing to
spend, over time, say, $3,000 or $3,500. Could you please send any replies
to , if possible? Thank you...

Thanks,
Scott Speck

I would recommend the 6x7 Pentax, either the 6x7, the 67 or the 67 II.
All basically the same camera with upgrades. You said you wanted
interchangeable backs but the Pentax is not that costly now, used, so
two bodies would not be unreasonable. It takes 10 exposures on 120 and
20 on 220 film. The format enlarges beautifully with no cropping. The
lenses are excellent and because it is a focal plane camera, the
shutter is in the camera which makes the lenses far less expensive than
their equivalents on the 6x6s. (There is a leaf shutter lens but it's
basically for flash which you say you are not interested in). It is
hand holdable despite the rumors that it is not, especially with the
wooden hand grip, but it is a fine tripod camera. The stories of mirror
slap are similarly overblown, and with the camera on a tripod you can
always use mirror lock up to eliminate that also (only the very very
early models of the 6x7 did not have mirror lockup). All in all a great
landscape camera.

Michael

Pentax 6x7--great lenses--not sure the earlier models had a
mirror up mode, downside is slow flash synch speed--1/30th.
Electronic shutter so some day no more parts.

Hasselblad, very nice, basic systems with 80mm can be had
for (almost) the price of a nice Yashicamat 124G (other
Yashica 6x6 much cheaper for a reason). Buying accessories
good right now, buying additional lenses can be spendy. The
benchmark to measure all other SLR's against IMHO, some will
score better some worse. Mechanical so they can be serviced
for a long time.

M645, easy to pick up, cheap to buy, electronic so someday
they'll all be paperweights.

Mamiya TLR, I have a C-220 and a C-33 and four lenses, when
I'm out in the field I'm more likely to pick this camera up
over my 'blad. Mechanical again.

RF's, I currently have a Graflex XLRF, cheap with standard
lens but accessory lens can be relatively expensive since
they will also work on 6x9 view cameras. I have just one lens.

darkroommike

Michael Weinstein wrote:
On 2007-04-03 07:13:48 -0400, "Scott Speck" said:

I really enjoy working with medium format film, both in my Zero 2000
pinhole
camera, and also in my Yashicamat124 TLR. My question is, could I gain
significantly in final results (how good the pictures look) by getting
either a good medium format rangefinder or slr? I'm assuming here
that I'm
always using a tripod and slower films, especially black/white. I'm also
assuming that I would go for good used equipment if I could still achieve
excellent results. Mind you, I normally shoot very SLOW with my
Yashicamat
to maximize sharpness -- around f/22. Would a Hasselblad or Mamiya or
Contax (or similar gear) offer just plain "better looking pictures" at
f/22
and faster speeds? For example, I've heard that a Mamiya 7 plus their
wide
angle lens (expensive!) is a very tough combination to beat in terms of
final pictures results. My goal would be to get a normal lens and
perhaps a
wide angle. No flash needed. I'd want to do mostly landscapes, still
subjects, and night photography. I'm not set on needing the
capability to
swap film for digital backs, but it might be nice to have that future
option. Also, I'd like swappable film backs. I could load different
types
of film into each one and swap as needed. I also like ground glass
focusing, but I've never tried TTL manual focus on a medium format
slr, nor
through a rangefinder (though I focus through the lens on my digital slr,
and it's TOUGH). However, it would be NICE to have a medium format
that I
could use with onboard metering and autofocus. Just when I want it...

Because I'm used to doing all manual metering/focusing with my Yashicamat
and pinhole, I've also thought that, for the price of a good medium
outfit,
why not just get a decent 4x5 with a couple lenses, and toss in a medium
format back? I use my wife's crown graphic, so I'm accustomed to the
format. Note that because I don't do quick setup handheld medium format,
doing all large format instead wouldn't involve some huge loss in
portability or speed for me (I'd get a lighter field 4x5, not some huge,
heavy rail model). However, film cost IS an issue, over time...

Any thoughts here are appreciated. For the whole outfit, I'd be
willing to
spend, over time, say, $3,000 or $3,500. Could you please send any
replies
to , if possible? Thank you...

Thanks,
Scott Speck

I would recommend the 6x7 Pentax, either the 6x7, the 67 or the 67 II.
All basically the same camera with upgrades. You said you wanted
interchangeable backs but the Pentax is not that costly now, used, so
two bodies would not be unreasonable. It takes 10 exposures on 120 and
20 on 220 film. The format enlarges beautifully with no cropping. The
lenses are excellent and because it is a focal plane camera, the shutter
is in the camera which makes the lenses far less expensive than their
equivalents on the 6x6s. (There is a leaf shutter lens but it's
basically for flash which you say you are not interested in). It is hand
holdable despite the rumors that it is not, especially with the wooden
hand grip, but it is a fine tripod camera. The stories of mirror slap
are similarly overblown, and with the camera on a tripod you can always
use mirror lock up to eliminate that also (only the very very early
models of the 6x7 did not have mirror lockup). All in all a great
landscape camera.

Michael

On 2007-04-04 17:44:52 -0400, darkroommike said:

Pentax 6x7--great lenses--not sure the earlier models had a mirror up
mode, downside is slow flash synch speed--1/30th. Electronic shutter
so some day no more parts.

Camera had mirror lockup as far back as 1979, perhaps earlier. That
means MOST 6x7s and ALL 67s abd 67 II's. Flash sync is lousy but OP
only interested in outdoor landscapes.



Hasselblad, very nice, basic systems with 80mm can be had for (almost)
the price of a nice Yashicamat 124G (other Yashica 6x6 much cheaper for
a reason). Buying accessories good right now, buying additional lenses
can be spendy. The benchmark to measure all other SLR's against IMHO,
some will score better some worse. Mechanical so they can be serviced
for a long time.

M645, easy to pick up, cheap to buy, electronic so someday they'll all
be paperweights.

Mamiya TLR, I have a C-220 and a C-33 and four lenses, when I'm out in
the field I'm more likely to pick this camera up over my 'blad.
Mechanical again.

RF's, I currently have a Graflex XLRF, cheap with standard lens but
accessory lens can be relatively expensive since they will also work on
6x9 view cameras. I have just one lens.

darkroommike

Scott Speck wrote:

Any thoughts here are appreciated. For the whole outfit, I'd be willing to
spend, over time, say, $3,000 or $3,500. Could you please send any replies
to , if possible? Thank you...

Pentax 67 (any of them)
Mamiya RB67
Hasselblad 500 C/M

All of the above are available used at great prices.

For CAD$2500 I got a 500 C/M in 8+, 80 f/2.8 (9), 150 f/4 (9++), Back,
Case, lens shade, and various odds and ends...

The Mamiya would be a bit of a drag outdoors; the Pentax is very
portable and so is the Hasselblad.

The Pentax does not have a removable back, however.

Cheers,
Alan

--
-- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm
-- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin
-- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch.

On Apr 3, 6:13 am, "Scott Speck" wrote:
I really enjoy working with medium format film, both in my Zero 2000 pinhole
camera, and also in my Yashicamat124 TLR. My question is, could I gain
significantly in final results (how good the pictures look) by getting
either a good medium format rangefinder or slr? I'm assuming here that I'm
always using a tripod and slower films, especially black/white. I'm also
assuming that I would go for good used equipment if I could still achieve
excellent results. Mind you, I normally shoot very SLOW with my Yashicamat
to maximize sharpness -- around f/22. Would a Hasselblad or Mamiya or
Contax (or similar gear) offer just plain "better looking pictures" at f/22
and faster speeds? For example, I've heard that a Mamiya 7 plus their wide
angle lens (expensive!) is a very tough combination to beat in terms of
final pictures results. My goal would be to get a normal lens and perhaps a
wide angle. No flash needed. I'd want to do mostly landscapes, still
subjects, and night photography. I'm not set on needing the capability to
swap film for digital backs, but it might be nice to have that future
option. Also, I'd like swappable film backs. I could load different types
of film into each one and swap as needed. I also like ground glass
focusing, but I've never tried TTL manual focus on a medium format slr, nor
through a rangefinder (though I focus through the lens on my digital slr,
and it's TOUGH). However, it would be NICE to have a medium format that I
could use with onboard metering and autofocus. Just when I want it...

Because I'm used to doing all manual metering/focusing with my Yashicamat
and pinhole, I've also thought that, for the price of a good medium outfit,
why not just get a decent 4x5 with a couple lenses, and toss in a medium
format back? I use my wife's crown graphic, so I'm accustomed to the
format. Note that because I don't do quick setup handheld medium format,
doing all large format instead wouldn't involve some huge loss in
portability or speed for me (I'd get a lighter field 4x5, not some huge,
heavy rail model). However, film cost IS an issue, over time...

Any thoughts here are appreciated. For the whole outfit, I'd be willing to
spend, over time, say, $3,000 or $3,500. Could you please send any replies
to , if possible? Thank you...

Thanks,
Scott Speck

Why don't you buy an Omega 200 with a couple of backs for grins and
chuckles... you could get all you need for $500

David