Money woes

Clarence - I don't want to slide down the slope of collecting cameras! I collect too much junk as it is! That's why I was thinking maybe I should get a good, higher level 35mm RF.

Brian - I gotta say I prefer the results I've got with medium format, but its rare that I use it (compared to 35mm), especially the pricing.

I'm considering the MF-SLR route seriously, for getting a better portfolio together - I really would like to sort out some more portraiture without parallax!
 
Hi Ash,
I have a mint Practica MTL5B in Classifieds for a TENNER !!if you are considering a MF SLR,(which would also take the lenses on your Zenith).

Brian.
 
The problem with Arax is its pricing. One could easily get a used Bronica SQ from online fora for less than a new Arax.

If you are set on getting a 6x6 SLR, like I was at one point of time, the Bronica SQ series are your best bet. Old Hasselblad bodies are getting cheaper, but reliability is an issue because of the age, and the lenses are also rather expensive. Purchase Kievs at your own peril; they are the reason why refurbishing agencies like Hartblei and Arax exist.

Is parallax the only reason why you would choose a 6x6 SLR over a TLR, though? If all you require is a long lens with close-focusing ability for frame-filling head-shots, then a Mamiya C220/330 with a 180mm lens will do, and it is a bit cheaper than a Bronica.

Ash said:
ahhh I mean medium format. I only use manual focus as it is 😀


I'm looking at this - http://araxfoto.com/cameras/arax-60mlu/


anyone got any complaints against arax's?
Click to expand...
Clarence
 
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Mamiya C's are still between £200-300 or so. I was thinking that a 6x6 or 645 arax could be a nice bet if they really are as reliable as they claim. It's JUST in my budget.

I kinda want the SLR thing, there's a Broni in the drawer that's my mum's. It gets next to no use at all, I'd grab it for my own gain but it's not mine if you get me. Also the 60/645 arax's dont need the fiddly film back problems, they appear to be like a large typical SLR in many senses. I'm not sure I want to faff around with loading those film backs!

Broni SQ's look like they're up to £100 over my budget, but it might be possible if I catch a bargain on the bay
 
I'm avoiding the infra-red route. I know as soon as I start I'll be hooked!! I've stocked up on E-6 to cross process, I really don't want too much to experiment with!!

Travelling around sounds like a better idea actually. I'm keen on getting the tattoo I've been waiting a year to afford (yes yes, I've had over £100 in a year, but priorities people!) so once that's paid for I might spend the rest on transport around to a few cities or to meet people to photo. We'll see how it goes 🙂
 
Ash, you're a good photographer so I'd say set aside ten lots of 20L for a Tube ticket and lunch. Then each Saturday get into the tube with 3 of your 30 rolls of film. Go shoot a different place each Saturday until the funds run out. Then post.

You'll have fun, memories and lots of new material. Cameras... boards.. they will always be there.
 
Sounds like a good idea Jan. I think I'd take about 3-4 rolls of black and white, and take a train or bus ANYWHERE (this is a plan that me and Amy Day have had for a while). Take the photo's, and come home. Mystery tour style.

thanks for prompting my memory on that idea though 🙂
 
Ash, if you want a metered RF the Bessa R is fantastic. The VF is large bright and the RF patch a treat. A world away from some of the older stuff.

Travel would be my vote though, I've had a choice in the past, more camera kit or a chance to use my existing stuff. The latter was by far the better choice.

Decide what you 'need' and use the rest to use it.

Good luck,

I wish I could take my own advice though 🙂
 
You know, I knew of that mask, but I never really saw it work! Just now I checked it, and you're right! parallax really is minimal, if we're to obey the mask anyway! (I just lubed the shutter selector so it's even closer to being in a 'good user' condition rather than a 'abused' condition)

So once I get the tattoo it's travel with the rest then? 😀
 
Ash said:
Mamiya C's are still between £200-300 or so. I was thinking that a 6x6 or 645 arax could be a nice bet if they really are as reliable as they claim.
Click to expand...
There's a Kiev in there. I've had the shutter in my Kiev 88 CLA'd and overhauled by Arax. While Arax does try to ensure that you get a good specimen, the whole camera isn't overly reliable at all. Individual bodies might be reliable, but just because mine is reliable (which it is) doesn't mean yours will be. They do have a good warranty policy, but you have to send the camera to Ukraine every time, and Arax asks you to declare it as less than $200 to avoid Ukrainian customs fees, so if it gets lost you won't get more than $200 back from the insurance company.

Then again, I've got a cheap Bessa R that I could part with, it's from another RFFer, cosmetically in well-used condition, technically fine. It depends on if I get the R3A this week that I paid for yesterday 🙂 If you're interested, drop me a note.

Philipp
 
With an Excelsior vintage tripod, and a modern F1RST Lander L830 tripod, oh and a monopod, I don't need a tripod! haha 😀

oh rxmd the only thing is my lack of paypal. we'd need to sort that out somehow. pm'd
 
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