Medium Format reccomendations?

[cp_ste.croix]

Anyone have a reccomendation for a MF camera (pref 6x6)? My two most important criteria are lens sharpness/bokeh/oic quality and price. I had this posted in the 'something completely different" cat, but it doens't show up on the new posts page...

thanks in advance,
chris

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

I am sure you will get a lot of different replies but here is my 2 cents worth.

If you want a half way decent glass with a fixed lens I would look into getting a TLR like a Yashica D, YashicaMat, YashicaMat 124, Minolta Autocord, Rolleicord.

If you want to switch lens, then I would look into Mamiya C220 or C330 series TLR. Or If you want an SLR I would look at Bronica SQ series or the 645 ETR, ETRS, ETRSI series if you are not completely set on 6x6.

If you have a lot of dough and want a rangefinder look into a Mamiya 6.

All of the above have good and bad qualities for different users, but they all produce a negative that blows 35mm out of the water.


Wayne

 

[sf]

um. . . Hasselblad. Except for the price aspect. Perhaps one of those TLR Mamiyas. They are really good. But, if 645 is good enough, the Mamiya 645E is the all round best medium format camera you can buy for under 700 bucks. My opinion, of course, and the glass is second to none. Also my opinion. But that is 6x4.5 rather than 6x6.

6x6, buy a used Hassy.

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

um. . . Hasselblad.

I would agree that this will meet his first criteria, I am not so sure about his second ($$$$$). Especially if he wants more than one lens. 😉

Wayne

 

[zpuskas]

I've had a Bronica SQA for over 15 years and I've been very happy with the performance. Long battery life, good lenses and you can get them relatively cheap now.

 

[wlewisiii]

I'll suggest folders as a really inexpensive way to get a taste of MF. TLRs are nice too, but a good folder (Zeiss, Agfa, Ansco or FSU) will get you a whole lot of bang for the buck. Possibly the best deal for what you want is an Iskra. Between $100 to $200 will get you a compact 6x6 cm, auto film loading (no start line and no red window), a really exquisite Tessar lens, and an all around fun experiance.

For a somewhat smaller investment, you could get something like an Ansco Speedex Special "R" a nice basic 6x6 with a 85/4.5 Apotar lens, a 1 - 300 shutter and an uncoupled rangefinder. I have one with a fresh CLA and new bellows available if that might tempt you.

William

 

[JoeFriday]

has anyone looked at the Kiev 88? I've only recently discovered them, but don't know much about them

 

[mattg]

Do seriously consider a Hasselblad 500cm. It's a bit expensive but it's a true system camera which means that hopefully in a few years time you'll be able to fit a second hand Phase One digital back if you want to go down that path.

Mamiya 6 is a great camera as are the Mamiya TLRs and even the Yashica is capable of producing some really excellent images.

 

[cp_ste.croix]

wow...my price range is pretty low, though i can appreciate the hassy for it's legendary quality.

i was thinking of something that i might take on a travel or two as well as bring along for portraits and the occasional landscape.

my limit is about $150 right now...and in all truth i should probably be getting a scanner, chemicals and a leica first 🙂

thanks for the reccomendations everyone, I will continue to look for the deal too good to pass up. ack.

 

[FrankS]

I've had quite a bit of first hand experience with folders and would strongly urge Chris to spend the money that 2 folders would cost and buy a TLR instead. This will likely save a lot of headaches, at least based on my personal experience. Others may have had luck with folders but I certainly haven't. If I had saved the money from buying all the folders I have, I could have bought a used Hasselblad.

A while ago, a RFF member was selling an older Bronica C with lenses. I have this camera model and the results from the Nikkor optics are first rate with lovely "sofa". (soft out of focus areas) Was it Bill?

 

[cp_ste.croix]

has anyone looked at the Kiev 88? I've only recently discovered them, but don't know much about them

is that the slr?

i saw one at my last camera show and it was huuuuge (and buddy wanted over $300CAD for it)

 

[JoeFriday]

like I said, I don't know much, if anything, about the Kievs.. but they were designed in the same style as Hasselblad medium format.. and they cost about one tenth as much

 

[cp_ste.croix]

ahh i was thinking of the pentacon 6...sorry

 

[Doug]

From what I've read over on Photo.net the Kiev 88 is typically an exercise in frustration, but Arax reassembles them with the quality control missing at the factory, so that's where I'd look for one. No personal experience, though.

From the stated budget target of $150 or so, it seems to me this limits it to the folders like the Iskra and various TLRs like the Yashica or Mamiya. Might be an idea to snoop around KEH.com to see what looks attractive at what price...

 

[FrankS]

With luck you could also find a Rolleicord at that price. Look for a Tessar or Xenar lens version.

 

[stet]

I really didn't need to see this thread. I just started poking around KEH and the bay ... :bang: must ... not ... spend!

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

My twopence? If price is a concern, get one of the old rangefinders that take 120 film; it's a cheap entry into MF. Or you could do what Wayne said; I second his recommendation. I am, as in the U.S. everybody says, "partial" to all those options because I own a Hasselblad, a Rolleiflex, a Lubitel 166 and a MF rangefinder.

Too many options. You want quality at garage sale prices? Get a Rolleiflex with a 75mm 3.5 lens (I prefer the Xenar over the Tessar lens). You can get a nice one for about $300 if you shop right. If you want a 80mm f/2.8, then you're paying a premium; a good copy will cost you at least $600.

You can get a good Kiev 88 "CM" set for about $500; no pun, it's a russian roulette, the QA is a misnomer with those cameras, but when you get a good one they're really nice.

If money is not a problem, of course, get a Hasselblad with all the bells and whistles. Or get a Mamiya 7 with a few lenses.

Good luck choosing!

 

[RObert Budding]

For MF on a budget:

The Minolta Autocord is superb if you want 6x6 and one lense is all you need. Very good ergonomics and a wonderful lense. Cheap, too. But look for one with a Citizen shutter - it's easier to service. Even the latest CDS models are only $200 - $250. BUt you'll probably need a CLA, so add in another $125 - $150. Light weight and compact (for MF) too.

I used to own a Mamiya C330f TLR and several lenses. It's a very nice camera to use and the lenses are very good. But it's a tank. The body and a few lenses and light meter are bulky and a bit heavy. Not the best camera for capturing rapid action (I sold it when my kids were toddlers).

I also own a Mamiya 645 Pro TL. Faster to use than a TLR and easier to frame up close. Excellent lenses and lots of them, and quite reasonable prices compared to Hasselblads. The 150mm lense is a great portrait lense and you can pick one up for about $150.

Buy a cheap folder to play around. I have a Zeiss Ikon pre-war 645 with a tessar lense. Fun and cheap - $60. But not for serious work.

Take the plunge. Large negatives are fantastic!

Robert

 

[JoeFriday]

and don't forget about the Holga.. they're almost worth the price!

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

my limit is about $150 right now...and in all truth i should probably be getting a scanner, chemicals and a leica first 🙂

thanks for the reccomendations everyone, I will continue to look for the deal too good to pass up. ack.

I have picked up a Yashica "A" for $22 and a YashicaMat for $34. Watch e-bay, especially for auctions that close on holiday week ends and look for items that are listed in the wrong category. Every so often you can find a gem among the stones. You may also want to check thrift stores and let the people at your local camera store know you are looking for a medium format camera.

Ya never know what will show up.

Wayne