Merkin
For the Weekend
Is there any medium format camera with an 80mm f2.8 Planar that is cheaper than a Hassy 500c?
Cheapest MF w/ 2.8 Planar?
- Thread starter Merkin
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Matus
Well-known
most lenses with the 'normal' focal length are design-wise planers or their close derivatives. So unless you really want Planar Made by Zeiss you should be fine with Bronica SQ or some of the 645 or 6x7 systems.
[correct me if I am wrong]
[correct me if I am wrong]
filmfan
Well-known
I was just about to recommend the Bronica SQ-A w/ 80mm f/2.8 PS lens for hassy-like results.
thegman
Veteran
You could check out Rolleiflex, but the 2.8 models are not that cheap.
Particular
Disassembler, occasional reassembler
The 80mm Planar was available on the Graflex XL. They show up on ebay for not a lot. I got that lens with a graflex mount that I re-mounted for use on a Technika 70. I think I paid $180.
Merkin
For the Weekend
How is the reliability on the bronicas?
kzphoto
Well-known
I have a friend whom shoots an SQ-A fairly regularly and loves it. He's been using it for 3 years or so, no problems.
redisburning
Well-known
maybe the P.S. 80mm is better, or maybe I had a dud, but I really didn't like the S 80/2.8 I had.
the camera itself (an sq-a) wasn't bad. I wouldn't call it awesome, but it was more than serviceable.
the camera itself (an sq-a) wasn't bad. I wouldn't call it awesome, but it was more than serviceable.
pixelatedscraps
Well-known
Hasselblad 500CM kits with a Planar C (add a lens hood for flare protection) are quite reasonable in BGN condition from KEH. Check prices again I say.
Otherwise, you can get an East German Pentacon Six with a Carl Zeiss Jena Biometer 80/2.8 lens - not quite a Planar but it's a pretty decent lens and significantly cheaper than a Hasselblad system.
The 80/3.5 lens on the Minolta Autocord is also excellent, certainly almost on par with the Zeiss lenses on the more expensive Rolleiflexes.
Another shout out for the Bronica SQ-AI with 80/2.8 Zenzanon. A friend uses one and I've never been able to distinguish any differences in quality between his photos and mine shot with a Planar.
Otherwise, you can get an East German Pentacon Six with a Carl Zeiss Jena Biometer 80/2.8 lens - not quite a Planar but it's a pretty decent lens and significantly cheaper than a Hasselblad system.
The 80/3.5 lens on the Minolta Autocord is also excellent, certainly almost on par with the Zeiss lenses on the more expensive Rolleiflexes.
Another shout out for the Bronica SQ-AI with 80/2.8 Zenzanon. A friend uses one and I've never been able to distinguish any differences in quality between his photos and mine shot with a Planar.
nanthor
Well-known
I had a heck of a time trying to sell my Rolleiflex SLX type II with 80mm Planar lens. You should be able to get one for about $450-500 in excellent condition. Not only does it have the planar lens but it boasts AE metering and motor drive film advance, both included in the body. The metering is separate from the finder so you retain metering with any finder you use. Bob.
Bob Michaels
nobody special
My SQA looked like a NYC taxi with 500,000 miles when I bought it. But it worked perfectly. And it was still working perfectly 10 years later when I sold it. It was never in the shop.
My camera repair friend, who services Hassleblads, swears the Bronica is more reliable.
