Thinking about getting into medium format RF

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noah b

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Hello all, I've recently been considering getting a medium format RF. Could you recommend a good starter camera? Thanks!
 
Ditto on the Mamiya 7II, they ain't cheap but they have excellent image quality.

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Todd
 
If it doesn't have to be an RF, the Rolleiflex's, Hassy's, etc all work well for a bit better price.

Todd
 
A 6x6 folder (like those sold by certo6) are a lot of fun, inexpensive, and can take great pix. Some have Zeiss lenses and all are cheaper than a Mamiya 7.
 
The Fuji 67II or 67III is a great decently priced rangefinder. The lens is first class, the VF & RF very good and the build quality is high also. You can find them for around $500~600 which I think is a bargain. The 69III (6x9 vs 6x9) go for double the price.
 
i got this year a fuji gw690ii and it is a lovely beast. You can't get bigger than that (both in camera size and frame size ;) ) unless you go large format...but it's great.

If you want more portable,get a folding camera.
 
Todd, your shots are incredible. Such lovely light. May I ask what film/developer you used for them?

Noah, you might want to wait for the Fuji/Bessa 667 that's due out early next year. It'll have both 6 x 6 and 6 x 7 formats and it folds into a compact size.

In the meantime, a vintage folding MF camera as suggested above might be a great way to get started.
 
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Graflex XL. Polaroid 600SE + Mamiya Press backs (you'll need an adapter). (I have both.)

For a very rich starter who doesn't mind scale focus: Alpa...

Cheers,

R.
 
i second vdonovan's suggestion. a 6x6 folder from certo6. i picked up an agfa super isolette a few weeks ago from certo6 and it has become my favorite camera. period.
d
 
chut said:
Todd, your shots are incredible. Such lovely light. May I ask what film/developer you used for them?

Noah, you might want to wait for the Fuji/Bessa 667 that's due out early next year. It'll have both 6 x 6 and 6 x 7 formats and it folds into a compact size.

In the meantime, a vintage folding MF camera as suggested above might be a great way to get started.
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Acros and Xtol of course ;)

thanks!

Todd
 
I'll third the vote for a Folding camera, especially the new Fuji.

Todd
 
if you get one that works, the Moskva folders are nice... mine still needs a little more adjustment I think.
 
Maybe I've just been unlucky, but I've yet to find a pre-1960 'classic' folder that really impressed me with its image quality. I must have had a couple of dozen or more in the last 40 years, including the Big Names such as Zeiss, Voigtländer, Plaubel Makina (not the later Japanese version). Bear in mind that whem I started trying them, they were maybe 15 years old instead of the 50+ they are today, so it wasn't just old age and bad repairs.

Cheers,

R.
 
Roger Hicks said:
Maybe I've just been unlucky, but I've yet to find a pre-1960 'classic' folder that really impressed me with its image quality.

I've had good luck with the Super Ikonta's with coated Tessar lenses. I've worse luck with the Bessa II (I tried two of them). The Bessa's have a front standard that is easily put out of whack and is no longer parallel to the film. Same goes for a lot of folders. Age doesn't improve the flimsly braces. The Ikonta's have a very strong, locking brace for the front standard. The Moska's similiarly are pretty decent but the lenses are so so and like every Russian camera a real throw of the dice.
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Roger Hicks said:
Maybe I've just been unlucky, but I've yet to find a pre-1960 'classic' folder that really impressed me with its image quality. I must have had a couple of dozen or more in the last 40 years, including the Big Names such as Zeiss, Voigtländer, Plaubel Makina (not the later Japanese version). Bear in mind that whem I started trying them, they were maybe 15 years old instead of the 50+ they are today, so it wasn't just old age and bad repairs.

Cheers,

R.
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you often mention this Roger and it always puzzles me. i can only think that either you are extremely unlucky as I have any number of folders that produce excellent results.

Or, I dont know of course but if i try to put myself in your place (in time and experiance) then i sometimes think that maybe in the late 60's or 70's when Planar type and other lenses were more commonly available and at the fore front of better/sharper image quality. then comparing those to the old and more common 4 element tessar types, that are pretty much the best your are likely to find on most folders (there are exceptions); the image result would at least appear not as good, if not just diffferent, which back then may of been disapointing and not met with expectations by you.
 
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There's a GW670II being advertised here for reasonable money - and if you find it's not to your tastes, you would probably be able to sell it for what you payed.
 
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