Inexpensive MF system with interchangeable backs?

guy-montag

guy-montag

Gonzo Photographer
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I really enjoy my Mamiya C330 TLR, but one problem that's cropped up is having to go through an entire roll of film before changing to another type :(

What other similarly inexpensive MF cameras are out there that have interchangeable backs?

EDIT: Ones with waist level finders
 
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First, what size do you consider to be acceptable? You have a 6x6, are you willing to go smaller, into 645? If not, then you have to stick with 6x6 or larger.

In 645 there are several brands that offer interchangable backs. Pentax, Fujica, and Bronica have good lenses and interchangable backs. I have never used any of them, but many in these forums have and can probably comment on their merits.

In 6x6, Hasselblad and their copy, the Kiev, offer the same. Of course, many will argue the Kiev isn't reliable. I have never used them so I don't know. EDIt: I forgot in SLRs, the Mamiya 6x7 has always been well reported on. It may be a little expensive.

In RF, there are some 6x7 that offer that you want. Plaubel and Mamiya come to mind. I have never used the Plaubel. I have used the Mamiya Press Super 23. I like it very much. I also think it is reasonable.

You need to decide based on either reading books, old magazines, or member input here, which system you think you might like best. You can then check ebay or keh or other places, to see what the pricing is and if it is in your price range.

Good luck in your quest. With luck, others here will give you other choices as well.
 
oftheherd said:
First, what size do you consider to be acceptable? You have a 6x6, are you willing to go smaller, into 645? If not, then you have to stick with 6x6 or larger.

In 645 there are several brands that offer interchangable backs. Pentax, Fujica, and Bronica have good lenses and interchangable backs. I have never used any of them, but many in these forums have and can probably comment on their merits.

In 6x6, Hasselblad and their copy, the Kiev, offer the same. Of course, many will argue the Kiev isn't reliable. I have never used them so I don't know.

In RF, there are some 6x7 that offer that you want. Plaubel and Mamiya come to mind. I have never used the Plaubel. I have used the Mamiya Press Super 23. I like it very much. I also think it is reasonable.

You need to decide based on either reading books, old magazines, or member input here, which system you think you might like best. You can then check ebay or keh or other places, to see what the pricing is and if it is in your price range.

Good luck in your quest. With luck, others here will give you other choices as well.
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Size is not a huge deal, 645 is certainly acceptable. The Kiev 88 seems to be an inexpensive Hasselblad clone - is it something that produces decent results?

But yes, something in the sub $500 range more or less.
 
bronica sq-ai. 6x6, durable, inexpensive. and don't even start with the bronica vs hasselblad comparisons. for the negligible difference of quality, the bronica is most definitely a bargain at $1000 less than a typical hassie kit.
 
Pentax 645s do not have interchangeable backs. Mamiya 645 Super or 645 Pro, and as has been mentioned already, Bronica ETR, ETRs, ETRSi. All are pretty cheap. I have a 645 Super and it has performed great for 15 years.
barn-and-chairs.jpg
 
whickus said:
bronica sq-ai. 6x6, durable, inexpensive. and don't even start with the bronica vs hasselblad comparisons. for the negligible difference of quality, the bronica is most definitely a bargain at $1000 less than a typical hassie kit.
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Haha, yeah, on the college student budget, affordability comes before 'best possible quality'.
 
guy-montag said:
Haha, yeah, on the college student budget, affordability comes before 'best possible quality'.
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hey, i shoot a leica so i do prefer the finer things in photography, but i have only seen a handful of shots taken on a hasselblad that would justify the extra cost. that's just my opinion based on my own observations.
 
6x7 - Mamiya RB67 or RZ67 can both be had quite cheaply these days.

6x6 - Hassie, Kiev, Bronica, and others

6x4.5 - Mamiya, Pentax, Contax, Bronica, and others.

- Personally - I wouldn't limit yourself to Waist-level finders... like the horseman/linhof rangefinders (VHR, Master Tecknica). They but allow for interchangable backs of various sizes (6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, 6x9) and support some limited movements (option to either use a viewfinder or a ground glass. With normal lenses and the appropriate cams, they are fast, easy to handhold, and have awesome optics available.
 
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I have a Bronica ETRs for sale, waist level finder, lens, back, and winder grip. PM me if you are interested.
 
If you do stick with a waist-level finder, you might not be happy w/ the 645 models, since you'll only really be able to use them horizontally.
The Mamiya RB/RZ 67 cameras get around this by having a revolving back, so you can go from vertical to horizontal shots and still use the waist level.
As far as I know there was never an option like that for 645 cameras.

(and w/ 6x6, obviously there's nothing to worry about here...)
 
Krosya said:
Get a Kiev 88 - great glass, and not too much $$.

2621818635_1def7ec148_o.jpg


here is a pic from it:
255948244_502b6c8511.jpg
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That's a cool looking Kiev setup. I've always wanted to play with one of them, but I wouldn't buy one. I am kind of absent minded, and I know I'd eventually ruin it by changing the shutter speed before winding the shutter. That jams them up and they need to be disassembled by a repairman to fix it.
 
the idea of interchangeable backs was to SAVE money by not having to buy another camera body.

that is no longer true as medium format roll film cameras are so incredibly cheap compared to their pre-digital days.

translation: buy whatever you want and then add more bodies if you still need an extra back -- only just turn it into an extra camera body instead.

Stephen
 
Or you could find one of these:
2972257023_cea6540705.jpg


Japanese answer to Hassy, just without the price tag. Some models do come with interchangable backs. Mine doesnt, however.
 
Here in the UK the prices for some of the various Japanese MF cameras with interchangeable backs -- Bronicas and Mamiyas -- have dropped down now into a price range only fractionally above the price of a Kiev. So if I were buying now I'd be looking for a Mamiya RB.

That said, I have a Salyut [the earlier version of the Kiev] and it's been very good for me. Focusing screen not as good as on the Mamiya [I've borrowed one a few times] and I don't think the standard lens on the Salyut is quite as good as on the Mamiya, but the results from the Salyut are still really excellent.

These are Salyut shots [by chance both shot wide-open]:

2290684987_5c68d20e84.jpg


454095813_c5c1537486.jpg
 
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