Advice on medium format rangefinders for a newbie

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mholody

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Hi there. I've been into photography for a little while, but I've only used my nikon 35mm slr, but I want to get into medium format photography. The MF SLRS seem very heavy and require a tripod, while the rangefinders seem more manageable in size and weight, and can get decent handheld shots without lots of shake. (er, is that true?! Its just what I've read here and there. That's mainly why I'm interestedin them). Needless to say, I am quite lost and would love some advice on what kind of mf rangefinder to get. I'm looking for the best bang for the buck. The nikon fm2 and lenses of the rangefinder game. The toyota camry.

Reliable
Affordable : mostly mechanical without lots of bells and whistles
accurate ttl light meter
capable of using good lenses (that are also affordable, like nikon lenses)
accurate viewfinder

Is this too tall of an order? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I really feel lost here, as the medium format rangefinder game seems much different from the world of SLRs.
 
I'm not particularly adept at MF rangefinders, but it seems like a tall order.

For affordable, you've got folders and fixed-lens models (e.g. the Fuji 645 series).
TTL metering's in higher-end cameras like some of the 6x7s
I don't know of any medium format interchangeable lens rangefinder that has the affordability of Nikon lenses
I'll leave the viewfinders to people with more current experience

Possibly your best option would be a Mamiya 7, but affordable is really a question of perspective and its metering isn't TTL. It sure beats the size off some of the other options, though.

Me, I went for a folder, and I've considered adding a Fuji 645.
 
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Just get a Rolleicord V tlr ;-) seriously, $200 for a clean one, compact, great for portraits to landscapes.

The problem I have with most of the older folders is anything closer than 6-7 feet is difficult. I had better luck with the Fuji GW690 and shot a lot of stuff 3-4 away (like people) because it is more like a Leica than the other MF RFs. Likewise the Mamiya 6 and 7 and the Bronica 645RF are good like that.

Don't be afraid of SLRs though. Cameras like the Mamiya 645 handle almost like a 35mm. Hasselblads are wonderful handheld and have come down a lot in price. The old Bronica 6x6 is also nice.

But if I were picking one medium format to start with, it would be a Rolleicord or Rolleiflex. They are Leica build quality, not too large, not too expensive, sharp and dramatically different than a 35mm... and funny and fun.
 
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I've used many MF cameras when I first stepped up from 35mm in an attempt to find what worked for me. I simply bought and then sold and you really don't lose much money doing it that way. I would suggest doing the same as it's impossible to know how a camera will handle until you actually try it live and in person.

Secondly, I never use a tripod with MF cameras as it's just not needed for the type of stuff I do. I wouldn't dismiss a camera just because it may appear unwieldy or someone else says they won't use it without a tripod. I've used Hasselblads, Pentax 6x7, 645 cameras, Mamiya TLRs and more and all were very useable hand held TO ME. YMMV, of course, which is why testing them out is of utmost importance.

All that being said, for the RF experience a Mamiya 6 or 7 or a Fuji fixed lens camera would be your best bet IMO. The older Fuji 6x9s (G690BL, GM670, GL690) have interchangeable lenses and the bodies can be had for relatvely cheap (compared to the others) but finding the lenses other than the standard (100mm Fujinon) is a bit difficult.
 
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sahe69 said:
ttl is very rare in MF rangefinders. Is that really a must?
Click to expand...

I agree. You would have a lot more choices if you just get an external light meter. Personally, I'm using the Fuji GW690III, and the image quality is awesome. I shoot handheld without a tripod, but in terms of size, it's of course bulkier compared to a 35mm rangefinder. I've yet to try street shooting with it, but I'd say that it should be a lot easier than trying to do street shooting with a hassy with a waist level finder.
 
I'm not sure which Fuji (s) it is, but there's one with three zoom stops that might take care of what you need just fine without the cost of jumping into an interchangeable lens system. Depending on what's affordable to you, you might want to check out the bronica rf system, it's a bit cheaper than the mamiya.
 
mholody said:
the rangefinders seem more manageable in size and weight, and can get decent handheld shots without lots of shake. (er, is that true?
Click to expand...

Like you I was using Nikon 35mm SLRs and decided to move up to Medium Format. I bought a Mamiya 6 and have been very happy with it. To answer your question, you can shoot using a 1/15 shutter speed without blur in your images as there is no Mirror Slap with rangefinders as there is with an SLR.

You will need to spend about $1,000 for a Mamiya 6 with one 75mm lens.
And the lenses are more expensive than typical Nikon lenses.

The shots I get with this camera, using medium format film, never cease to amaze me with their detail. The 50mm lens for this camera, in particular, is amazing. The only thing I don't like is that the lenses are slow (3.5 or 4.0).

The camera is light and easy to carry around, especially as the front of the camera folds back into itself.

Their are other ways to get into Medium Format that are cheaper, as others have pointed out. But whichever camera you eventually buy, I don't think you will regret it once you see the big negatives that these cameras produce.

Ellen
 
Mamiya 6

Mamiya 6

The Mamiya 6 is relatively small and light, with a reasonably accurate meter (for B&W film anyway) and excellent lenses. The square format is something of an acquired taste that not everyone likes using. My hiking camera of choice.
 
Well, I was going to suggest the Mamiya 7 or 7ii, but the light meter isn't TTL. Nonetheless, it's what I'd recommend. I got one a few months ago (used from Cindy Flood on this site...thanks, Cindy) and love it. It feels great in my hands, is easy to focus, the meter is good (not Leica M7 quality, but still very good), and it is quiet. Oh so quiet.

I have the 65mm, 80mm and 150mm lenses. Use the 65mm about 80%, the 150 about 15% and the 80mm only rarely.

Here is my only gripe with the camera...and it isn't even with the camera. My Epson V700 will only allow two frames of 6x7 in each row of the negative holder, which in my opinion is too short to handle easily. Three frames per row would be perfect. So, my solution was to send the film to Precision to be processed and scanned.

Good luck with your decision. MF Rangefinders are wonderful.

Jeff
 
Depends on your budget, I used to have a Mamiya 7, results were great, but I found it a bit plasticky, and never quite took to it. I will say it again though, the results are fantastic, it's a great camera. They are expensive though, and having 2 or 3 lenses requires considerable investment.

My brother has a GF670, and it's glorious to behold, and as it folds up, it's extremely portable, more so than the Mamiya. No TTL of course on any of these cameras, but I don't think it matters at all. Both have AE that works great.

For cheaper options, look at the Bronica or Fujifilm, the Mamiya 6 is somewhat cheaper than the 7 too.
 
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