New to Medium Format: Camera Suggestions?

First, in response to the "rant", sure it is. It's also fact.

In the old days they sold box cameras that had a fixed shutter speed
and one or two apertures and fixed focus. Everything from a few feet
to infinity was in focus (such as it was).


They worked only slightly worse than the modern point-and-shoot.
Because many are available at garage sales in 35mm or 620 (usually
convertible to 120 with a Dremel, as detailed by our pal Ed) you can
try this for yourself.

As far as Hasselblad being the best of the MF systems...I reluctantly
agree. Reluctantly because they are awkward and overpriced. Zeiss
optics are no better than the better Nikkors. Camera companies have
decided to make lenses only for their own systems, and Nikon doesn't
make a MF camera system. At one time they made Nikkors for the old
Bronica, that's changed.

If I were working primarily off a tripod or in studio I would
probably go RB/RZ instead, they are equally as rugged and 6x7 gives a
lot more film area than a cropped 6x6.

I've had a pretty complete Bronica GS-1 system for about 8 years now, and it
has served me very well indeed I bought everything used. I ended up with
the GS-1 because I wanted a relatively small camera for field use that
allowed interchangeable backs. The GS-1 is the same weight as the Pentax
6x7 (fixed back), and considerably smaller than the RB/RZ models. All are
fine cameras, though. Pricing for used MF gear seems to be heading lower, I
supposed due to lack of demand and more equipment on the market due to pros
switching to digital.

Rick R.

"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.

On Mon, 12 Apr 2004 13:46:25 -0700, "B.M.D."
wrote:
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.

Nobody has yet mentioned the dear old Mamiya C*** tlrs. Basic, easy to
use, cheap, light (for MF anyway), superb image quality with the
lenses I have, reasonable range of lenses up to 250mm. Versatile - Go
from close up flower portrait to landscape without changing lenses. I
have an RB67 but if I was forced to get rid of one I would keep the
C330F.

Rod

Rod

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