Recommendations on MF camera w/ built in metering and other requirements..

Hello all.

I've beens shooting medium format for about 7 years now, first with a
Yashica 4x4, then with a Mamiya C220, and now with a Mamiya RB Pro-SD.
All of my work was done in the studio, with a light meter and controlled
lighting; my outside work was done with 35mm.

However, I would like to start doing my outside work in medium format
as well. But, the RB is quite the beast to lug around, and I do not want to
be held back by stopping to meter every time I want to make a shot.

Can anyone make some recommendations for MF cameras? I'm not too concerned
with the format; I can edit this down in the darkroom, although I am
partial to the square of 6x6. Things I am looking for a

- Built in light meter
- TTL Flash
- Decent range of lenses, akin to 24/28mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm in
35mm film
- QUIET!

A wish list of items would be:

- Interchangeable prisms/finders
- Interchangeable backs

One of the best things of the C220 was that it was damn quiet; I could
snap pictures in a church without disrupting anyone. The RB isn't even close
to being quiet, with its uber-loud mirror slap. If the "quiet" is obtained
via mirror-lockup, or by using speciality leaf-shutter lenses this is also
fine; as long as for the "popular" lens lenghts (e.g., a wide, a normal)
there exists a leaf-shutter lens, I'm happy.

I've heard that for 6x4.5 the Pentax 645 is the quietest, can anyone verify
this?

I'm not too concerned with interchangeable backs, as I plan on using hte
camera as a "bigger 35mm". This goes for the finder/prism as well; although
the ability to switch between looking down vs. looking "into" the camera
would be nice.

I know that the C220/C330 used to have a metered prism option, but I'm not
sure how reliable these were; and finding one was a problem when I possessed
the camera (3 years ago) and I don't think it's gotten any easier since. And
IIRC it used a funky battery type that wasn't easy to get (I may be mistaken
though).

Thanks to anyone that can help me out.

Cheers,
Patrick

Rangefinder? Mamiya 6, 7, 7II, lightweight 6x6 / 6x7,
expensive. Pentax 67's will have a waist level finder
attachment but will be heavy with a lens on, I had it
and I was not impressed with the sharpness of their
macro 135mm. Supposedly macros are the sharpest
lenses. Other than that, it seems your best idea would
be the C330 system, no meter but it's got everything
else you want. Problem there is many lenses of old
that are easily attainable for the money will not be
coated, and with older internal shutters that more
than likely will need a CLA. As such, the long run
and it's expenses is always an important consideration.
Another rangefinder idea is Koni-omega, all sharp
lenses except the 60mm, the 58mm is sharp (As I
have recently learned in this group from my own
inquiries).

Alex

"tendim" wrote in message ...
Hello all.

I've beens shooting medium format for about 7 years now, first with a
Yashica 4x4, then with a Mamiya C220, and now with a Mamiya RB Pro-SD.
All of my work was done in the studio, with a light meter and controlled
lighting; my outside work was done with 35mm.

However, I would like to start doing my outside work in medium format
as well. But, the RB is quite the beast to lug around, and I do not want to
be held back by stopping to meter every time I want to make a shot.

Can anyone make some recommendations for MF cameras? I'm not too concerned
with the format; I can edit this down in the darkroom, although I am
partial to the square of 6x6. Things I am looking for a

- Built in light meter
- TTL Flash
- Decent range of lenses, akin to 24/28mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm in
35mm film
- QUIET!

A wish list of items would be:

- Interchangeable prisms/finders
- Interchangeable backs

One of the best things of the C220 was that it was damn quiet; I could
snap pictures in a church without disrupting anyone. The RB isn't even close
to being quiet, with its uber-loud mirror slap. If the "quiet" is obtained
via mirror-lockup, or by using speciality leaf-shutter lenses this is also
fine; as long as for the "popular" lens lenghts (e.g., a wide, a normal)
there exists a leaf-shutter lens, I'm happy.

I've heard that for 6x4.5 the Pentax 645 is the quietest, can anyone verify
this?

I'm not too concerned with interchangeable backs, as I plan on using hte
camera as a "bigger 35mm". This goes for the finder/prism as well; although
the ability to switch between looking down vs. looking "into" the camera
would be nice.

I know that the C220/C330 used to have a metered prism option, but I'm not
sure how reliable these were; and finding one was a problem when I possessed
the camera (3 years ago) and I don't think it's gotten any easier since. And
IIRC it used a funky battery type that wasn't easy to get (I may be mistaken
though).

Thanks to anyone that can help me out.

Cheers,
Patrick

(tendim) wrote in message ...
Hello all.


Hasselblad. Get over the noise.

In article Ftg5c.16453$Nj.8891@fed1read01,
AArDvarK wrote:

Rangefinder? Mamiya 6, 7, 7II, lightweight 6x6 / 6x7,
expensive.

Considered this. As you've said though, bloody expensive.

Pentax 67's will have a waist level finder
attachment but will be heavy with a lens on, I had it
and I was not impressed with the sharpness of their
macro 135mm. Supposedly macros are the sharpest
lenses.

Heavy! I've handled one before. FWIR you need to have the body
modified for mirror lock-up (older models). I've used Pentax 35mm
and love it though.

Other than that, it seems your best idea would
be the C330 system, no meter but it's got everything
else you want. Problem there is many lenses of old
that are easily attainable for the money will not be
coated, and with older internal shutters that more
than likely will need a CLA. As such, the long run
and it's expenses is always an important consideration.

As I said in my original post, I had a C220, pretty much the same
with some reduced functionality. I need a light meter, or I would just
stick with my RB. I'd like to take this out to "point and shoot" events,
lugging an extra meter around won't do me any good.

Another rangefinder idea is Koni-omega, all sharp
lenses except the 60mm, the 58mm is sharp (As I
have recently learned in this group from my own
inquiries).

Never considered this one; thanks!

Cheers,
Patrick

"tendim" wrote in message
...
Hello all.

I've beens shooting medium format for about 7 years now, first with a
Yashica 4x4, then with a Mamiya C220, and now with a Mamiya RB Pro-SD.
All of my work was done in the studio, with a light meter and controlled
lighting; my outside work was done with 35mm.

However, I would like to start doing my outside work in medium format
as well. But, the RB is quite the beast to lug around, and I do not want to
be held back by stopping to meter every time I want to make a shot.

Can anyone make some recommendations for MF cameras? I'm not too concerned
with the format; I can edit this down in the darkroom, although I am
partial to the square of 6x6. Things I am looking for a

- Built in light meter
- TTL Flash
- Decent range of lenses, akin to 24/28mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm in
35mm film
- QUIET!

A wish list of items would be:

- Interchangeable prisms/finders
- Interchangeable backs

One of the best things of the C220 was that it was damn quiet; I could
snap pictures in a church without disrupting anyone. The RB isn't even close
to being quiet, with its uber-loud mirror slap. If the "quiet" is obtained
via mirror-lockup, or by using speciality leaf-shutter lenses this is also
fine; as long as for the "popular" lens lenghts (e.g., a wide, a normal)
there exists a leaf-shutter lens, I'm happy.

I've heard that for 6x4.5 the Pentax 645 is the quietest, can anyone verify
this?

I'm not too concerned with interchangeable backs, as I plan on using hte
camera as a "bigger 35mm". This goes for the finder/prism as well; although
the ability to switch between looking down vs. looking "into" the camera
would be nice.

I know that the C220/C330 used to have a metered prism option, but I'm not
sure how reliable these were; and finding one was a problem when I possessed
the camera (3 years ago) and I don't think it's gotten any easier since. And
IIRC it used a funky battery type that wasn't easy to get (I may be mistaken
though).

Thanks to anyone that can help me out.

Cheers,
Patrick

In article ,
Michael Scarpitti wrote:
(tendim) wrote in message
...
Hello all.


Hasselblad. Get over the noise.

Overpriced. You buy more into the name than the camera when there are
comparable systems out there with as good or quality (for my purposes; I never
blow up more than 16x20, so I don't need uber-expensive glass for monstrous
30x30 prints, etc.).

Cheers,
Patrick

I shoot with a Pentax 645 NII, and while I wouldn't clasiffy it as silent,
it isn't bad at all. Not as noisy as a Hasselblad, and it does include TTL
flash, motor drive, AF, and a great range of lenses.

"tendim" wrote in message
...
Hello all.

I've beens shooting medium format for about 7 years now, first with a
Yashica 4x4, then with a Mamiya C220, and now with a Mamiya RB Pro-SD.
All of my work was done in the studio, with a light meter and controlled
lighting; my outside work was done with 35mm.

However, I would like to start doing my outside work in medium format
as well. But, the RB is quite the beast to lug around, and I do not want
to
be held back by stopping to meter every time I want to make a shot.

Can anyone make some recommendations for MF cameras? I'm not too
concerned
with the format; I can edit this down in the darkroom, although I am
partial to the square of 6x6. Things I am looking for a

- Built in light meter
- TTL Flash
- Decent range of lenses, akin to 24/28mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm in
35mm film
- QUIET!

A wish list of items would be:

- Interchangeable prisms/finders
- Interchangeable backs

One of the best things of the C220 was that it was damn quiet; I could
snap pictures in a church without disrupting anyone. The RB isn't even
close
to being quiet, with its uber-loud mirror slap. If the "quiet" is
obtained
via mirror-lockup, or by using speciality leaf-shutter lenses this is also
fine; as long as for the "popular" lens lenghts (e.g., a wide, a normal)
there exists a leaf-shutter lens, I'm happy.

I've heard that for 6x4.5 the Pentax 645 is the quietest, can anyone
verify
this?

I'm not too concerned with interchangeable backs, as I plan on using hte
camera as a "bigger 35mm". This goes for the finder/prism as well;
although
the ability to switch between looking down vs. looking "into" the camera
would be nice.

I know that the C220/C330 used to have a metered prism option, but I'm not
sure how reliable these were; and finding one was a problem when I
possessed
the camera (3 years ago) and I don't think it's gotten any easier since.
And
IIRC it used a funky battery type that wasn't easy to get (I may be
mistaken
though).

Thanks to anyone that can help me out.

Cheers,
Patrick

In article , (tendim)
wrote:

However, I would like to start doing my outside work in medium format
as well. But, the RB is quite the beast to lug around, and I do not
want to
be held back by stopping to meter every time I want to make a shot.

It sounds more like you want an auto-exposure MF. Is that right? Do you need
an SLR? Interchangable lenses? There are some very capable MF rangefinders.

In article , (tendim)
wrote:

However, I would like to start doing my outside work in medium format
as well. But, the RB is quite the beast to lug around, and I do not
want to
be held back by stopping to meter every time I want to make a shot.


snip

Cheers,
Patrick


Keep the RB, but buy a metering prism for it.

Also buy a backpack camera bag - the weight seems much less carried this
way.

Peter

Also another good idea, for lightweight M-F @ 6x6
with a meter is Yashica MAT 124 and 124G models,
very cheap and with sharp, coated Yashinon lenses.
ISO goes to 400 only though, and no prism finders
but there are auxiliary lenses, shades and filters at
KEH. The good prices for these cameras are on ebay.
These models are highly liked.

Alex

"tendim" wrote in message ...
In article Ftg5c.16453$Nj.8891@fed1read01,
AArDvarK wrote:

Rangefinder? Mamiya 6, 7, 7II, lightweight 6x6 / 6x7,
expensive.

Considered this. As you've said though, bloody expensive.

Pentax 67's will have a waist level finder
attachment but will be heavy with a lens on, I had it
and I was not impressed with the sharpness of their
macro 135mm. Supposedly macros are the sharpest
lenses.

Heavy! I've handled one before. FWIR you need to have the body
modified for mirror lock-up (older models). I've used Pentax 35mm
and love it though.

Other than that, it seems your best idea would
be the C330 system, no meter but it's got everything
else you want. Problem there is many lenses of old
that are easily attainable for the money will not be
coated, and with older internal shutters that more
than likely will need a CLA. As such, the long run
and it's expenses is always an important consideration.

As I said in my original post, I had a C220, pretty much the same
with some reduced functionality. I need a light meter, or I would just
stick with my RB. I'd like to take this out to "point and shoot" events,
lugging an extra meter around won't do me any good.

Another rangefinder idea is Koni-omega, all sharp
lenses except the 60mm, the 58mm is sharp (As I
have recently learned in this group from my own
inquiries).

Never considered this one; thanks!

Cheers,
Patrick

"tendim" wrote in message
...
Hello all.

I've beens shooting medium format for about 7 years now, first with a
Yashica 4x4, then with a Mamiya C220, and now with a Mamiya RB Pro-SD.
All of my work was done in the studio, with a light meter and controlled
lighting; my outside work was done with 35mm.

However, I would like to start doing my outside work in medium format
as well. But, the RB is quite the beast to lug around, and I do not want to
be held back by stopping to meter every time I want to make a shot.

Can anyone make some recommendations for MF cameras? I'm not too concerned
with the format; I can edit this down in the darkroom, although I am
partial to the square of 6x6. Things I am looking for a

- Built in light meter
- TTL Flash
- Decent range of lenses, akin to 24/28mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm in
35mm film
- QUIET!

A wish list of items would be:

- Interchangeable prisms/finders
- Interchangeable backs

One of the best things of the C220 was that it was damn quiet; I could
snap pictures in a church without disrupting anyone. The RB isn't even close
to being quiet, with its uber-loud mirror slap. If the "quiet" is obtained
via mirror-lockup, or by using speciality leaf-shutter lenses this is also
fine; as long as for the "popular" lens lenghts (e.g., a wide, a normal)
there exists a leaf-shutter lens, I'm happy.

I've heard that for 6x4.5 the Pentax 645 is the quietest, can anyone verify
this?

I'm not too concerned with interchangeable backs, as I plan on using hte
camera as a "bigger 35mm". This goes for the finder/prism as well; although
the ability to switch between looking down vs. looking "into" the camera
would be nice.

I know that the C220/C330 used to have a metered prism option, but I'm not
sure how reliable these were; and finding one was a problem when I possessed
the camera (3 years ago) and I don't think it's gotten any easier since. And
IIRC it used a funky battery type that wasn't easy to get (I may be mistaken
though).

Thanks to anyone that can help me out.

Cheers,
Patrick

In article , jjs wrote:
In article , (tendim)
wrote:

However, I would like to start doing my outside work in medium format
as well. But, the RB is quite the beast to lug around, and I do not
want to
be held back by stopping to meter every time I want to make a shot.

It sounds more like you want an auto-exposure MF. Is that right? Do you need
an SLR? Interchangable lenses? There are some very capable MF rangefinders.

Pretty much. I want something I can shoot with, without having to whip out
the light meter every time I change lighting. Something for road trips
and the like.

I don't mind RF's, I kinda like them, although I have used one for an
extended period of time.

Interchangeable lenses, yes. I would like the flexibility/option to put
a wide angle lens on, as I'm in love with wide, but also to have a nice
portrait lens. SLR, RF or TLR: it doesn't matter to me, I'm comfortable
with all three, although the TLR is my personal favorite. (Again, might
be b/c I haven't had much time with an RF though).

Cheers.
-patrick