120: love the photos but the cameras, eh.

rbiemer

rbiemer

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I really like the photos I've got from medium format but haven't, yet, found a camera I enjoy as much as I do the results.


So far, I've shot: TLRs , various folders, the Kiev 60, and currently a Fuji GW670II.


The TLR cameras--a couple of Yashicas, a Seagull that wasn't too bad, and a decent 50s era Roleiiflex--were OK but ,frankly, a bit limited. I liked the small-ish size and enjoyed the wlf.


The folders were a mixed bag; all were 6 x 6 and none were any of the "great" ones. Some with coupled rf and some scale focused. Awfully fiddly and I haven't used one I was very confident about it's reliability.


I quite liked the Kiev 60 for its advantages: good inexpensive lens options, mine was from Arax and worked well. I did not like the weight and noise.


The Fuji is great but, huge. And, I am not liking 6 x 7 as much as I thought I would: I find myself cropping to square most often and 6 x 4.5 sometimes.


So, I'm not sure where to go next. I believe that there is a camera out there I can enjoy, I just need to find it.


And, I do have to watch the budget, something like $500 or so is about all I want to spend.


At this point, I'm thinking of trying
1) an Arax 88--I know there are other options in this style but I'm not sure I can stay in budget with those? I know the Kievs have a poor reputation but I also know that the 60 I bought from Arax was fine. And Gevorg Vartanyan is excellent to deal with.


2) One of the Fuji 645 folders.


Or, maybe, 3) one of the various 645 SLRs. I think, with patience and careful shopping, I could do OK with my budget.

One of the medium format monorail cameras might be fun but I haven't seen much in my budget.

As ever, if I could handle some of these in person, I could figure this out much easier. Since I will be buying on line, I would like some advice, please!

I don't need too much automation but am not opposed to AF, AE, etc, either.

What else should I be considering? Any other suggestions/ideas, folks?
 
Medium Format is different than 35mm... there's no escaping it. It requires a different mindset than working with 35mm.

If you want to find an absolute joy of a camera to use for $500... you will be limited. I think the Pentax 67 is a joy to use but others may disagree. The minolta autochord is another option. Plenty of TLRs.

But if you want something very high quality... Hasselblad cannot be beat. Beautifully engineered.

Also, why so much focus on the camera? IMHO, it's about the artwork, not the machinery that got you there.
 
Try a pentax 67. Changed my perception of film completely around single handed. I think TLR's are a acquired taste. I'am currently struggling to like a rolleiflex 2.8E myself
 
Yep, if you like the square format a Mamiya 6/7 system is the answer: flexible enough, reliable, compact, light and very very silent. I LOVE mine!
As per the rawbacks, the same as any other rangefinder.
 
Adso said:
Yep, if you like the square format a Mamiya 6/7 system is the answer: flexible enough, reliable, compact, light and very very silent. I LOVE mine!
As per the rawbacks, the same as any other rangefinder.
Click to expand...

100% agree. The Mamiya 7 is a joy to use, and the results are stunning!
 
Why no advocate for folders?

I really like my Agfa folder with the Solinar. I know its 6x6, but such a joy to carry. I can scale focus well. I can meter ISO 100 in my head. The Solinar is a very capable lens. Square format isn't terribly limiting, is it? I do have a couple 6x9 folders, but honestly haven't used them much. Mostly because they have lesser quality lens/shutters. I know you could find an Agfa 6x9 folder with a Solinar.

Of course, this all assumes you like to shoot in the same manner as I do: casual, non-technical, accept the one focal length, and mobile (on foot, no tripod). I guess I do like to change lenses from time to time. The M3 or Bessa R satisfy me then, but then they're not MF 🙂
 
How about the Fuji GF670? - I recently used one for a few rolls and wow, it's a nice camera. So light, portable when folded up. I'm a Rollei guy for the waist level 2 inch finder, but the 670 viewfinder is really stunning. Negatives from it also great - up there with Pentax 67 negs. It doesn't solve your 6x7 is too big of a negative, but I bet it would be a more practical camera that getting a 30 year old folder (in terms of chance of bellows or meter failing and then servicing it). I've seen some used ones on RFF for really reasonable prices.
 
Problem is you don't really say what you don't like about the camera's. A Kiev 88 will be just as heavy as the 60 and probably less reliable. It isn't a 60 in a different form. I wouldn't call the Fuji 645's folders. They fold very little.

You say TLR's are "limited" but what do you find limiting? the only thing that bothers me in the C330 is that I don't have a lightmeter and the prism is very dark. But that is a heavy brick.

In the SLR's you can find a bit of everything. My go-to system is a Mamiya 645ProTL. Flexible system, decent prices, good quality.

Guys, poster said he doesn't like 6x7... why all the insistance on 6x7 camera's then?
 
Bronica rf
Voightlander perkeo, Bessa 2
Voightlander/Cosina gf670
Mamiya 6 and 645
Fuji 690
Fuji 645 either rf or af ones or the 645zi

Gary
 
jkrumsick said:
Also, why so much focus on the camera? IMHO, it's about the artwork, not the machinery that got you there.
Click to expand...
Except that, having a camera I enjoy using means it will get used more. The photos I have hanging on the walls are the end result, I just want to have some fun getting there.

Spanik said:
Problem is you don't really say what you don't like about the camera's. A Kiev 88 will be just as heavy as the 60 and probably less reliable. It isn't a 60 in a different form. I wouldn't call the Fuji 645's folders. They fold very little.

You say TLR's are "limited" but what do you find limiting? the only thing that bothers me in the C330 is that I don't have a lightmeter and the prism is very dark. But that is a heavy brick.

In the SLR's you can find a bit of everything. My go-to system is a Mamiya 645ProTL. Flexible system, decent prices, good quality.

Guys, poster said he doesn't like 6x7... why all the insistance on 6x7 camera's then?
Click to expand...

Fair enough on the 88. Though, I am confident in Arax's work.
When I had the 60, I used it most often with the WLF, an Arsat 30mm, and either a hand held or no meter. Carried that kit for two or three years.

TLRs: when I was using them, I definitely wanted wider often and occasionally wanted narrower. Not really a deal breaker, honestly, but as I have used them quite a lot and not been entirely pleased with them, I want to try something different.
Definitely quiet which I do like.

After reading every one's posts, so far, I think what I really need to sort out for myself is whether I want a "system" or just a camera I can use when the desire/need for 120 hits me. And then I can start thinking about what will work best for me!
Hmmm. Off to work and will give this some thought. I'll check back later tonight.
I appreciate all the advice so far, folks!
Thanks,
Rob

EDIT: Thanks for the further thoughts while I was typing this! And the link, Gary. That ought to be edifying!
 
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