Exacta 66 III

I

ishpop

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Hey Guys,

I apoligize in advance if any of these questions come off as newb. I have been wanting to get into medium foormat, and have been reading alot about cams like the Bronica EC-TL, SQA, the Yashica 124g, and some of the older and cheaper Rolleis and Yashicas...

Anyways, I also have been llooking through tons of photosets to see how all these cams and lenses perform, and can say I really fell in love with what I saw some people doing with the Exacta 66 III. However,, it seems this baby is priced rather high, and aside from a broken one selling in an hour, I really doubt I will be able to afford one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/exakta-66-mod3-...ryZ30038QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I am willing to pay between 500-600 for a decent cam and lense, dont care whether its fixed lense or other, and would prefer the waist level finder as I have handled a few in person and sort of think I will enjoy shooting that way.

Am I crazy to even be looking at the Exacta for my first buy? Should I stick with a cheep 124g? what would be a best bet in my price range to achieve similiar DoF and feel as this type of shot:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scape/2370635216/

Again, sorry if any of this sounded strange or funny. be gentle.
 
This camera is broken and likely a costly repair...probably $200. The Exakta 66 III is really a Pentacon 6 with a rubber covering and a new name. The Pentacon was an East German camera that was generally reliable as long as you didn't wind them too fast...the wind mechanism was a weakness. They're often sold for less than this guy is asking, and in working condition.
 
P6 mount camera are not the easiest way to get into MF, the winding can take sometime to get used to. I'd go for Bronica, their lens are fantastic and not very expensive, although nothing beat P6 lens for sheer low price.
 
Thanks for the ad reference and clarification on the difference between the type III and the pentacon.

I am not particular about weight or rubber and what not so great info.

I would rather spend less on the body so long as I can figure out how to use it and spend more on some interesting lenses.

I also am looing at the Bronica SQA here on sale in the classifieds as well...

Thanks for the tips!
 
The SQ-A on sale here in the classified is a nice looking camera at a good price, you'll be happy with it I think. I was drooling over it myself, but I can't afford to buy anything now. I sold both of the square format cameras I had a few yrs ago. Well sold one because I needed money, and gave the other to my son's mother (she's a photographer). Unfortunately we're not together anymore so I needed a square camera since I love the format. Many people buy 6x6 cameras even though they dislike the square and always crop everything they shoot to a rectangle. If you do that, you're better off with a 645 camera, same usable image area as the square cropped to a rectangle, but you get more shots on the roll. I personally love square!
 
I recently went down this whole road. I ended up with a Pentax 6x7 that has issues. I think I'm going to like it, but it'll take some work. (Replacing light seals while not typing right now.)

I'd also been considering various 6x4.5 systems...Bronica, Mamiya and Pentax. I'd pretty much decided on the Pentax 645 for my particular needs, but good and affordable solutions were available from all three.
I know a number of people on-line who swear by the various Bronica cameras and would jump on the SQ-A.
 
Prices on medium format cameras are low, these days.

I was recently offered an RB67 with lens, finder and back for under 200 pounds. I've seen complete Bronicas for similar.

The Salyut-C [earlier version of the Kiev-88] I have is in perfect working order with a good lens, new focusing screen and two backs and cost me around 50 pounds + postage.

Decent Rolleicords can be had for under 100 pounds. The price on that Exacta doesn't seem value for money.
 
For your first MF camera I would stay away from the Pentacon/Exakta. They are known to have too many issues. You can get a great Mamiya 645 outfit for the same price, which is a workhorse among the MF systems. Reliable, great lenses and the deals you get these days are unbelievable. The same is true for the Bronica in the classified section here.
 
I have a Mamiya 645 Super with 4 lenses which was my only medium format camera for many years. My father bought it for me new when I was in high school with just the 80mm lens and over the years I added the 45, 55, and 150mm lenses and a second back. I have had it for 15 years with no problems at all and it produces exceptional images. They're CHEAP now, as RF-Addict noted. I noticed that on KEH.com you can buy one with 80mm lens, 120 back, and plain prism finder for $500 now. Wow! Mine cost $2500 new.
 
The thing about getting a well supported system is that there are parts and technicians available as well. You'll find yourself scratching head pretty hard when something breaks down, and they do. Personally I love 6x6, and I think you'll do well with a TLR, JeffGreene is selling his Mamiya 330F kit, for <$400, might worth a try asking him, it's an exceptional kit. The Mamiya TLR has interchangeable lens and they're cheap too. Buy it before I do
 
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Chriscrawfordphoto said:
I have a Mamiya 645 Super with 4 lenses which was my only medium format camera for many years. My father bought it for me new when I was in high school with just the 80mm lens and over the years I added the 45, 55, and 150mm lenses and a second back. I have had it for 15 years with no problems at all and it produces exceptional images. They're CHEAP now, as RF-Addict noted. I noticed that on KEH.com you can buy one with 80mm lens, 120 back, and plain prism finder for $500 now. Wow! Mine cost $2500 new.
Click to expand...

I'll speak up to support the pentax 645. You can get a body with 75mm lens for less than $300 pretty regularly.
That body includes aperture priority AE and 2fps auto wind. The AE prism and wind grip are built in and don't have to be found and added on if desired. All sorts of lenses available from 35mm up, including a few zooms if you're so inclined.
 
Nothing at all wrong with the Pentacon-Six, I have two completely upgraded ones myself. And an Upgraded Exakta 66 MK2 with www.baierfoto.de film-advance mechanism. I often use them, sometimes in preference to my four Hasselblad 500's.

BTW I have in the classifieds a very interesting Kiev 60 for sale, with upgraded body, covered with rubber from the Rollei SL66, and the world's finest focusing screen- the Maxwell. Also a B&W Cobra-covered Kiev 6c, if you are interested.
 
I should also promote, since I just bought one, the Pentax 6x7.
Body, lens and maybe a metered prism finder for around $500. PLUS, the extra benefit of the mirror slap scaring away large animals when in the wild.
 
Wow, lots of great info everyone, I really appreciate the responses. I continue researching and scanning ebay and what not.

I am corresponding with a fellow RFFer about a Kiev 60 as well.
 
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