Need help! Whats the best **medium format** Camera + Lens for portrait Photography

I don't think you could go wrong with the Hasselblad and 150 lens. It was "THE" portrait kit to have before economic pressures pushed pros into digital. If it will be mounted on a tripod, the WLF is perfect, if hand-held, the prism finder is worthwhile. (At those prices, I'm going to get a 150 eventually too. At the moment I have an 80 and a 2x converter.)
 
I'd go buy a cheap RB and a 180mm lens. Won't cost much, and takes nice looking pictures. Good enough for many. I like mine.
 
FrankS said:
I don't think you could go wrong with the Hasselblad and 150 lens. It was "THE" portrait kit to have before economic pressures pushed pros into digital. If it will be mounted on a tripod, the WLF is perfect, if hand-held, the prism finder is worthwhile. (At those prices, I'm going to get a 150 eventually too. At the moment I have an 80 and a 2x converter.)
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I second on the Hassy it is just classic. If you are in any major city you should be able to pick up some basic Hassy gear from the wedding photogrhy digital saleouts and cheep compared to prices even a couple years ago. There are just to many options and to many variables in the medium format second hand market. 500 bucks should get you a pretty nice camera. If you are just experimenting and having fun you might look for a Speed Graphic or the like with a 120 roll film back and then you could try some large format shots and just contact print them.

SPEED GRAPHIC
 
Another 4x5 possibility is a Crown Graphic with a 10"/6.3 Commercial Ektar.

William
 
The Mamiyar RB is also good. It's twice the size of a Hasselblad, but you get more film area. Not as easy to hand-hold though.

The Speed Graphic for portraits would be interesting. Being able to choose to use 4x5 sheet film if you wanted to for special portraits would be a huge bonus. It may be a better camera for the RFF member who was going to shoot an iris flower project.
 
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To keep it relevant to the Website, I'd also go for the Mamiya Universal with the 100mm f/2.8 lens, and crop a bit. That's inexpensive, fun, and a rangefinder. Takes nice pictures (Best... lens... EVER!) and is the foundation for a system that is very versatile, without costing a mint. The ability to take full frame Polaroids is an additional benefit.
 
jdos2 said:
To keep it relevant to the Website, I'd also go for the Mamiya Universal with the 100mm f/2.8 lens, and crop a bit. That's inexpensive, fun, and a rangefinder. Takes nice pictures (Best... lens... EVER!) and is the foundation for a system that is very versatile, without costing a mint. The ability to take full frame Polaroids is an additional benefit.
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I keep seeing the polaroid backs on evilbay, but thought there was no longer any film for them. Am I wrong? Is it expensive?
 
Polaroid? I've not heard of it being out of production at all- I just bought some of the Fujicolor Polaroid last week- it's about a buck a shot.
 
jdos2 said:
To keep it relevant to the Website, I'd also go for the Mamiya Universal with the 100mm f/2.8 lens, and crop a bit. That's inexpensive, fun, and a rangefinder. Takes nice pictures (Best... lens... EVER!) and is the foundation for a system that is very versatile, without costing a mint. The ability to take full frame Polaroids is an additional benefit.
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Just dont forget the Universal is a Left eye dominant camera and some people cant get past that. It is a tank of a camera but just like the little GSNs its hard to find them where the rangefinder is not fogged. The best thing is if your into street and somebody trys to rob you or gets violant it is one hell of a potential weapon with that hand grip. Id rather be hit with a brick. For lanscapes and street stuff you can just take the rangefider right off and grind it down. Then you have a 6x9 two handed Bessa L, My kinda camera.
 
Bryan Lee said:

Just dont forget the Universal is a Left eye dominant camera and some people cant get past that. It is a tank of a camera but just like the little GSNs its hard to find them where the rangefinder is not fogged. The best thing is if your into street and somebody trys to rob you or gets violant it is one hell of a potential weapon with that hand grip. Id rather be hit with a brick. For lanscapes and street stuff you can just take the rangefider right off and grind it down. Then you have a 6x9 two handed Bessa L, My kinda camera.
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I never felt that way about my Press 23 (left eye dominant) . Is the Universal different in some way or am I just to dumb to notice?

I have one body (recently acquired) that the rangefinder is fogged in, but the other two aren't. Is that usually on the mirror or where?

Again, although it is heavy in its own way, with a wide strap I found it tolerable. I think any MF is going to have some weight.

From time to time on the 'bay I see a book offered on changing the Press to a 6x12, and I think I saw a modification once to get it to a 4x5. I prefer it the way it was built, but to each his own.

As far as a weapon, the point is well taken, but I think medium size tripods are best. :D

Thanks much for the info on the Polaroid. I may have to rethink getting one. I think I just always preferred roll or cut film.
 
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I'd recommend a rolleicord or rolleiflex. Avedon and Doisneau did wonders using them as portraiture camera/lens systems (particularly the latter). Easily had for under $650, budget in about $140 or so for a CLA.
 
flipflop said:
Hi,
Just wondering what the best portrait camera and lens are....Say the budget is 650.00

Im thinking mostly head shots or maybe head and shoulders.
Thanks
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You could do the job with a $20 Holga if you work at it.

Kowa 6 kits are affordable and the lenses are stellar. You will find some who will scoff at that, but I can back up my suggestion. I sold my Kowas, only shoot MF in old folding cameras these days, but I regret letting them go. Shoulda held on to one of them.

You can find numerous old TLR cameras that will give you incredible results, again, if you have any eye at all.

Good luck with your search.

Craig
 
Another kind of TLR

Another kind of TLR

These days, I use the mamiya 645 pro TL with either a 150 or 120 macro (can't get much closer than head and shoulders with the 150) for most of my medium format portrait stuff. Looks like you could get a good price on a kit a KEH. If you like the square format, you can't go wrong with a Hassy. If you like TLRs but not the 80mm, you could go with the Mamiya TLR system like the C33 that has interchangeable lenses... this was my first medium format portrait system and I still break it out occasionally when I want square format. With the a 105 (my favorite), 135, or 180 you get the portrait/telephoto look and I'm sure you could get a body and a couple of lenses for half your budget.
 
You asked about the GS-1 a bunch of posts back.. I have one of these I bought from KEH with a 150/4. The additional size of the 6x7 is really great, but it doesn't focus as close as I'd like for tighter head shots. The best you can get is about head and shoulders.

I'd say an older body Hassy (500C?) with a 150mm would be the ticket, although it does cost a bit more. With some searching I bet you could get closer to your target.

Don't forget to add in an incident/flash meter in your budget if you don't have one. Lots of these don't have metered prisms, etc of course. Also, I was all excited and ordered my GS-1, 150mm and 65mm.. it got to my house and I had forgotten to order a back!

Happy portaiting! (portaituring? portraits??)
 
As you can see, we all have our opinions. My suggestion is to find a camera show, or a local shop where you can rent a few of these cameras. I bought a 500cm a few months ago and I didn't really care for it. Not a slam on the camera, it just wasn't for me. All the best specs in the world won't matter if it doesn't fit the way you work. I sold a Rolleiflex to get the Hasselblad and I'd like to have that one back. If you can only find one or two to try out, you will still get a better idea of what you really want.
 
possible....

possible....

ChrisN said:
I've not used them, but how about an Arax Starter Kit with the standard lens swapped out for a 120mm or 150mm lens?
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I have an Arax 645 with the Russian 120 that makes a nice portrait combo. May be a bit short for your specific tastes. The Arax was a super buy when I bought it, but seems expensive now with the huge assortment of medium format stuff on the market. Remember, most (all?) of this stuff was used by pro's, so some can be pretty beat up... from lots of use, not saying pro's abuse equipment. I have had fun with the 645, and the 30mm Arsat is absolutely a blast to use, and still cheap. That and the 180mm Sonnar are good reasons to consider an Arax.

I also would second the Rollei suggestion. An older model, with the 3.5 Planar/Xenotar could be had within the budget, if not "pretty". Better to check KEH or an in-person store than auction. KEH because of return policy, and store because you can't beat hands-on, and maybe take home trial.

Harry
 
There have been some good suggestions above.

Mamiya C220/330 and a 150 will work great.
Hassie 500C and a 150 C lens will also work, but is likely to be more $$ than Mamiya
Pentax 6x7 and 165 is a good combo (I have one, but prefer the Hassie for the reason stated below)
Kiev 66 is also an option, but less robust than any of the above.

I would not go for a Rollei TLR, unless you are going to do a more environmental style of portraiture. The 80mm lens will be unkind if you fill the frame with your subject's face. If you want to fill the frame with a face, then the first two would be my suggestion. If I recall, the P67 and 165 will not let you fill the frame with a face, unless you use a short extension tube. Otherwise you are looking at head and shoulders.

I have used all of the above and can tell you from first hand experience that they can all be made to work. If $$ were no object, I'd get a Hassie and the most modern lens you could afford. I like the 120 Makro-Planar, but hey, I'm a known freak.

good luck and try the Mamiya.

Ben
 
As has been stated the Mamiya C-series TLR is a good choice for portrait work. I use both my 105 and my 180 mm lens for the purpose. I've done some good work with a Yashica 6x6cm but I find the single focal length limiting.

Watch Ebay. I just bought a Mamiya 645 body, eye level finder, 120 film insert and adaptor for Pentacon/Kiev lenses plus a 90mm lens for just over $200.00. You could get a C-series TLR with a good lens for around $300.00 or less if you are lucky. Looking around the internet I find very few negative comments about the Mamiya 645 and plenty of positives.
 
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