New to Medium Format: Camera Suggestions?

McLeod wrote:

For myself, if I was going to buy a medium format camera for natural
light only work I would probably go with the biggest image possible, a
6x7.

The biggest image is 6x9. If you need only the normal lens, get a
folder. If you need several lenses, get a Mamiya Press. It even has
backs that can be changed mid-roll.

-- Lassi

In article , says...
Hello All,

I studied photogrphy for a few years, but we only ever worked in 35mm.
After being away from photography for a few years (grad school and
work), I want to start shooting again, but I want to start working in
medium format. The problem is that I have no idea what camera to
purchase. Basically, I'm looking for suggestions.

I also recommend the Pentax 67 series. I take exception with those
that say you must use a tripod, however. I've used it extensively
for city street photography as well as landscapes in daylight.
Hand holding at speeds of 1/125 or greater yields images without
noticeable camera shake. Slower speeds will require a tripod, but
that's true for any camera.
The latest model with the autoexposure pentaprism is a great addition
for hand held work.

--
Robert D Feinman
Landscapes, Cityscapes and Panoramic Photographs
http://robertdfeinman.com
mail:

On 13/4/04 9:52 AM, in article lid,
"Lassi Hippeläinen" wrote:

McLeod wrote:

For myself, if I was going to buy a medium format camera for natural
light only work I would probably go with the biggest image possible, a
6x7.

The biggest image is 6x9. If you need only the normal lens, get a
folder. If you need several lenses, get a Mamiya Press. It even has
backs that can be changed mid-roll.

-- Lassi

Second.

Probably about the cheapest option with some extraordinary potential- the
cheap lenses are decent (90mm, 100mm f3.5, perhaps the 65mm) and the
expensive lenses are excellent (250, 100 f/2.8, 75mm, 50mm- that wonderful
50mm has the same view on 6x9 as the Mamiya 7 on 6x7, hint)



Sort of a pay-as-you-go system, one starts with a body, back and lens and
ends with large shelf full of only the essentials (Polaroid back or two for
B&W and color, several excellent roll film backs, finders, extension tubes,
many lenses...)

Mamiya Universal.

"B.M.D." wrote:

Hello All,

I studied photogrphy for a few years, but we only ever worked in 35mm.
After being away from photography for a few years (grad school and
work), I want to start shooting again, but I want to start working in
medium format. The problem is that I have no idea what camera to
purchase. Basically, I'm looking for suggestions.

I did all of my student 35mm work with a completely manual camera--no
"auto" anything except for light metering--so I'm pretty okay with a
pretty basic camera. I'm not looking to spend a fortune, but neither do
I want to purchase too little camera. It will be all outdoor,
natural-light work.

You could get by with an old TLR, like a Mamiya or Rollei, or some of the
better folder cameras, though it depends on what your definition of "too
little" means. You could also get an old Polaroid folder, though if you
want a negative, there is only one B/W film choice.



The project for the summer--that's by when I need to decide and
purchase--is to shoot at Point Lobos in medium format. I worked there in
35 mm in the springs of '93 and '95--God, time has sure gone by.

My biggest influences, or at least the photogrphers whose work I admired
and tried to use as a guide, are E. Weston (that's why I love Point
Lobos), LeGray, Baugnet, and probably Shibata.

Weston used quite a bit of what many would now call substandard cameras. I
guess that proves that even if your gear is limited, then there is still a
possibility of creating compelling images.



I've done some initial looking around, so I have a few more specific
questions: How good are the Pentaxes, their 67II, or 645N or 645NII? How
about the Mamiya 645E?

One issue with the closed back cameras is future digital back capability.
Another is Polaroid back capability, though that might be less an issue.

What about the Bronica ETRSi or GS-1?

I have known many professionals with hard working Bronica ETRSi (and older)
cameras. They are mostly plastic, reasonably light, and a little noisy. I
cannot recall seeing anyone using a GS Bronica, and in the 6x7 category, I
recall more Mamiya RB/RZ 67 cameras.

Any other
good, reasonably priced cameras I should know about, either to consider
or to avoid?

I guess you are buying used to keep costs low. You should be able to get a
later Mamiya RB67 with lens and back for close to used Bronica ETRSi
prices, though the Mamiya might be slightly older. They are large and
heavy, and best on a tripod.

Since you want to do landscape, and are familiar with 35 mm gear, you may
want to investigate the Fuji line of larger rangefinder cameras. The 645
versions are somewhat too P&S like, though the larger 6x7 and 6x9
rangefinders are quite nice. Other than the G690, all these are fixed lens,
and more wide to normal focal lengths.

The Pentax 67 is fairly large and heavy, despite it looking like a 35 mm
camera in shape. Once again, no removable back, though NPC did make a
Polaroid back for these (still might). Relatively low cost compared to some
other choices, though compare to the RB67.

Rollei 6008 and 6003 are sometimes available at reasonable costs, though
these are square format cameras. It is possible to use the rotating 645
back on the older versions of these models, and there are many lenses to
choose. Rental gear is rare in the US.

You could also look into older Linhof, MPP, Horseman, and some of the
better Graflex cameras. Several of these were rangefinder equipped, and had
limited movements. Used prices are sometimes reasonable. Roll film backs
are also available used, and sometimes sold with the cameras. Slightly
heavy, mostly tripod cameras, though the Linhof with hand grip is
reasonable to hand hold.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio
http://www.allgstudio.com

Hi

I went through a similar process recently. I ended up getting a 1979
Hasselblad 500 c/m with 80mm standard lens (manual everything) on EBay. I
was agreeably surprised at
the price, which was about what I had planned to spend on a Bronica or
Mamiya. No doubt the Bronica or Mamiya that I might have bought would have
been a fair bit newer, but the results from the Hasselblad have been
excellent. For a moderate outlay I now have a 50mm lens and a 645 back as
well.

Using a completely manual MF camera of any sort is quite a discipline
compared with my 35mm kit (EOS3 and IS lenses) but it's very satisfying.

--
---------------------
Stewart Skelt
---------------------

http://www.netspeed.com.au/sgskelt
---------------------
"B.M.D." wrote in message
...
Hello All,

I studied photogrphy for a few years, but we only ever worked in 35mm.
After being away from photography for a few years (grad school and
work), I want to start shooting again, but I want to start working in
medium format. The problem is that I have no idea what camera to
purchase. Basically, I'm looking for suggestions.

I did all of my student 35mm work with a completely manual camera--no
"auto" anything except for light metering--so I'm pretty okay with a
pretty basic camera. I'm not looking to spend a fortune, but neither do
I want to purchase too little camera. It will be all outdoor,
natural-light work.

The project for the summer--that's by when I need to decide and
purchase--is to shoot at Point Lobos in medium format. I worked there in
35 mm in the springs of '93 and '95--God, time has sure gone by.

My biggest influences, or at least the photogrphers whose work I admired
and tried to use as a guide, are E. Weston (that's why I love Point
Lobos), LeGray, Baugnet, and probably Shibata.

I've done some initial looking around, so I have a few more specific
questions: How good are the Pentaxes, their 67II, or 645N or 645NII? How
about the Mamiya 645E? What about the Bronica ETRSi or GS-1? Any other
good, reasonably priced cameras I should know about, either to consider
or to avoid?

Thanks in advance for any and all help,

B.M.D.

Even though the Zeiss optics are overrated-ask Panavision-and the
cameras overpriced and fussy, I'd probably go Hasselblad anyway.

The Mamiya RB/RZ, the 6x7 Pentax, and the Mamiya rangefinders are
about the only other choices that make any sense at all to me, in
terns of new systems.

The Mamiya Universal Press was a fine camera system in its day
though. And if someone made a reasonably priced, supported quality TLR
I'd be a huge advocate of it.

"Stewart Skelt" wrote in message
...

Using a completely manual MF camera of any sort is quite a discipline
compared with my 35mm kit (EOS3 and IS lenses) but it's very satisfying.


If you shoot static subjects (landscapes, cityscapes, studio-type work) an
automated camera is a hindrance. News and sports photographers might find
such cameras essential, but most of us amateurs probably do not have their
unique requirements.

I have shot manual cameras for over 40 years, both MF and 35, and I wouldn't
ever want to buy a lot of automation--with all those motors and electronics
that will eventually fail. My MF camera ( a TLR) was made in 1958 and my 5
35mm bodies and lenses are all over 30 years old, and they all perform
flawlessly.

And, you are right, there is a genuine sense of satisfaction at handling
finely-crafted, all-metal equipment--especially in having total control over
the lens aperture settings, to manipulate depth-of-field.

It seems amazing that LF photographers have somehow managed to produce
beautiful work with virtually no automation, doesn't it? Photographers
that cut their teeth on plasticky, electronic-filled cameras don't know what
they've missed.

The number of people that really benefit from the high-tech cameras is
relatively few, yet the manufacturers, and the journalists that in
reality are nothing but shills for magazines to sell full-page ads to
manufacturers, use that to justify everyone's owning them.

This is simply indisputable fact.


"Popular Photography" knows full well that if they came out and told
people to shun the latest and greatest, their magazine would cease to
exist. The reason magazines (except SOF, Easyriders, High Times, et
al) put postage paid cards in there and say "Bill Me" is that it ups
their subscription count. They would give the magazine away free
except for mailing costs and the fact advertisers don't like free
publications. All the money is made on ads.

On 17 Apr 2004 14:56:53 -0700, (Jim-Ed Browne)
wrote:

The number of people that really benefit from the high-tech cameras is
relatively few, yet the manufacturers, and the journalists that in
reality are nothing but shills for magazines to sell full-page ads to
manufacturers, use that to justify everyone's owning them.

This is simply indisputable fact.


Nah, it's just a rant.

The number of people who benefit from high-tech
cameras is vast, and includes anyone using a
point-and-shoot. Without a bit of thought, focus
and exposure will be "good enough" 90% of the
time. And that's what most folks want from
photography. The benefits are quite tangible.

Now, the number of people who would get better
results with an all-manual camera -- that's a small
number indeed, as a percentage of all camera users.


"Popular Photography" knows full well that if they came out and told
people to shun the latest and greatest, their magazine would cease to
exist. The reason magazines (except SOF, Easyriders, High Times, et
al) put postage paid cards in there and say "Bill Me" is that it ups
their subscription count. They would give the magazine away free
except for mailing costs and the fact advertisers don't like free
publications. All the money is made on ads.


Right, so tell me something not quite so obvious.

Advertising is what moves and sells America, and
it's why Boston Garden is now Fleet Center, etc. etc.
and ad nauseum. I have some doubts occasionally,
but they call it "capitalism" and tell me it's a good thing.

Now, if you'd just landed on a boat from, say, Ebonia,
I might understand your having missed these subtle
features of American media, culture and economics.


rafe b.
http://www.terrapinphoto.com

You can not find anything in the MF cameras that can beat the Hassie and
the overwhelming number of complimentary lenses and accessories made
only for it.

Vessen Magee, Jr.
Retired Pro, 45 years in the business

B.M.D. wrote:
Hello All,

I studied photogrphy for a few years, but we only ever worked in 35mm.
After being away from photography for a few years (grad school and
work), I want to start shooting again, but I want to start working in
medium format. The problem is that I have no idea what camera to
purchase. Basically, I'm looking for suggestions.
((snip)