MF for beginner

[Igor.Burshteyn]

many thanks to all you contributing to answer my question, this is why I just love asking here at RFF - friendly and prompt response every time 🙂
Of all answers the one of sonofdanang made me stop and think.

If you are starting in a 'new format', it really does help the eye to pick one film, one lens, one body, and work with only that until you've shot at least 1000 frames. Learn to 'see', not as an abstraction but until you really would feel proud of a 24" x 24" print on your wall. Proud of the image, not the image quality. Spend the money on film.

Can not agree with it more.
My motivation to get into MF (apart from obvious camera fondling reasons) - is to learn studio photography, studio lighting, portraiture. That's what I actually want for a long time already. As a personal project for beginning I want to make family portraits that me and my family really like, and print them large.
So maybe I should just spend this $500 on hiring studio and master lighting technics - I believe I can still get decent prints from 35mm format up to 30x40cm.

 

[dostacos]

for the price ARAX does nice work to redo the 60 or the 88 into fine cameras

http://araxfoto.com/cameras/arax-60mlu/ the 60 with one lens it well below your $500 mark, leaving room for a second lens

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

Today I ordered from Adorama Bronica ETRSI with 75mm PE lens, non-metered prism and 120 back, "Excellent" condition, so I eagerly wait for camera to arrive. I know it's abandoned system, but so are my OMs 🙂 On the plus side - this set didn't cost me a fortune, so I have enough doughs left to spend on film/studio 🙂
What is your experience with Adorama and their rating system? It's my first experience with them.
Please share your experience with Bronica ETRSI system - handling, quirks, etc.

 

[feenej]

The Mamiya 645 system has a great selection of lenses for low cost.

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

Received my Bronica set 🙂 excellent as advertised. I am surprised by quality build and finish - quite comparable to Nikon Fs and OMs(1-4). Standard plain matte focusing screen is a little bit dim (I am spoiled by viewfinder of OM4t with 2-13 screen). Does anybody know whether brighter screen exists for Bronica ETRSI?