unixrevolution
Well-known
Hi, all,
I figured, since I was choosing between three different rangefinders, you could all give me some direction, point out some not-previously-considered options, or generally help me with something that's been rattling around in my head for a while now.
I have a Polaroid 600se and a Mamiya RB-67. These are my two medium-format system cameras. I'm pretty happy (Very happy actually) with the 600se. It's light, handles well, hangs on a strap pretty comfortably, and generally makes me feel good. Unfortunately, although I like its one trick very much, it's a one trick pony with only type-100 polaroid packfilm shooting instant pictures as its available ammunition at present, and there were only 3 lenses ever made for it.
The RB, on the other hand, is blessed with extreme competency but also extreme bulk. Though the RB67 is about the cheapest medium format SLR you can buy nowadays, its bulk is only light compared with a WWII-era battle rifle or an 8x10 view camera made of depleted uranium. This weight issue completely aside from the fact that putting it on a strap to carry it is a bad idea, and it has the ergonomics of a toaster with a lens on the end. As a result of this poor handling, it doesn't go out much. I realize the RB is more of a studio rig, but as I don't have a studio and the sum total of all the studio time I've ever had is somewhere between "bugger" and "all", it's gotten me thinking about replacement rigs.
I've found through playing with the 600se that I really like the big RF form factor. The 600se and my Kodak Medalist are constant companions of mine when I'm out somewhere to take pictures. Now, I'm not blessed with a great deal of wealth or a large amount of storage space, so even though I've been thinking about getting better/different rigs, doing so would necessitate getting rid of the 600se and the Mamiya to free up the money and to free up the space.
So, the list of candidates for replacements are as follows:
1. Change nothing, but buy a rollfilm adapter for the Polaroid, either the Mamiya Press backs, preferably an RB67 adapter so I can use the RB's rollfilm backs. This is doable with a little modification, and would give the Polaroid flexibilty to use rollfilm. With the RB backs adapted, it kind of ties them both into one big system except for the lenses, and I don't think I'd be buying scads of lenses anyway.
2. Ditch both, get a Mamiya Press. The Mamiya Press Universal would be able to use Polaroid or Rollfilm, and would have a larger selection of lenses and accessories. Unfortunately, Mamiya Press Universal bodies are expensive and their accessories and lenses are also expensive. I'd also totally lose the close-focusing of the Mamiya SLR.
3. Ditch Both, get a Super Speed Graphic
The Super Speed graphic also appeals, as it can shoot Polaroid (in the standard size or 4x5, depending on the back used) and it can also shoot rollfilm with the right back. The Super Speed also has a focal plane shutter allowing the use of barrel lenses, the included lens on most SSGs was a 1/1000 leaf-shutter, and it's a rangefinder to boot.
The Super Speed can also be used as a field camera, as it has very generous movements for a Speed Graphic. I can also use any accessories for it on my monorail camera. The only problem is that additional lenses would be view-camera only without an accompanying properly ground rangefinder cam. It's also expensive, and hard to find, but it looks badass.
If you want to suggest a completely different thing to what I have listed, keep in mind that I am mainly interested in having a manual exposure camera to shoot Polaroids with. That's my "thing". If you can't shoot polaroids with it, I don't want it! Other than that, suggest away!
I figured, since I was choosing between three different rangefinders, you could all give me some direction, point out some not-previously-considered options, or generally help me with something that's been rattling around in my head for a while now.
I have a Polaroid 600se and a Mamiya RB-67. These are my two medium-format system cameras. I'm pretty happy (Very happy actually) with the 600se. It's light, handles well, hangs on a strap pretty comfortably, and generally makes me feel good. Unfortunately, although I like its one trick very much, it's a one trick pony with only type-100 polaroid packfilm shooting instant pictures as its available ammunition at present, and there were only 3 lenses ever made for it.
The RB, on the other hand, is blessed with extreme competency but also extreme bulk. Though the RB67 is about the cheapest medium format SLR you can buy nowadays, its bulk is only light compared with a WWII-era battle rifle or an 8x10 view camera made of depleted uranium. This weight issue completely aside from the fact that putting it on a strap to carry it is a bad idea, and it has the ergonomics of a toaster with a lens on the end. As a result of this poor handling, it doesn't go out much. I realize the RB is more of a studio rig, but as I don't have a studio and the sum total of all the studio time I've ever had is somewhere between "bugger" and "all", it's gotten me thinking about replacement rigs.
I've found through playing with the 600se that I really like the big RF form factor. The 600se and my Kodak Medalist are constant companions of mine when I'm out somewhere to take pictures. Now, I'm not blessed with a great deal of wealth or a large amount of storage space, so even though I've been thinking about getting better/different rigs, doing so would necessitate getting rid of the 600se and the Mamiya to free up the money and to free up the space.
So, the list of candidates for replacements are as follows:
1. Change nothing, but buy a rollfilm adapter for the Polaroid, either the Mamiya Press backs, preferably an RB67 adapter so I can use the RB's rollfilm backs. This is doable with a little modification, and would give the Polaroid flexibilty to use rollfilm. With the RB backs adapted, it kind of ties them both into one big system except for the lenses, and I don't think I'd be buying scads of lenses anyway.
2. Ditch both, get a Mamiya Press. The Mamiya Press Universal would be able to use Polaroid or Rollfilm, and would have a larger selection of lenses and accessories. Unfortunately, Mamiya Press Universal bodies are expensive and their accessories and lenses are also expensive. I'd also totally lose the close-focusing of the Mamiya SLR.
3. Ditch Both, get a Super Speed Graphic
The Super Speed graphic also appeals, as it can shoot Polaroid (in the standard size or 4x5, depending on the back used) and it can also shoot rollfilm with the right back. The Super Speed also has a focal plane shutter allowing the use of barrel lenses, the included lens on most SSGs was a 1/1000 leaf-shutter, and it's a rangefinder to boot.
The Super Speed can also be used as a field camera, as it has very generous movements for a Speed Graphic. I can also use any accessories for it on my monorail camera. The only problem is that additional lenses would be view-camera only without an accompanying properly ground rangefinder cam. It's also expensive, and hard to find, but it looks badass.
If you want to suggest a completely different thing to what I have listed, keep in mind that I am mainly interested in having a manual exposure camera to shoot Polaroids with. That's my "thing". If you can't shoot polaroids with it, I don't want it! Other than that, suggest away!