newbie semi pro needs help

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joe fojtik

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Greetings all. I just discovered this website and am glad for it. I have owned, at various times, a Contax G1 system, a Mamiya 7II system and other gear. I sold it all, some for bad reasons, and now have a RB67 system and a Wista 4x5 system. I do lots of landscapes with tripods, cable releases, etc. and obviously get stunning chromes from
from the above.
I need, though , a system for family vacation shots,hiking, shots, etc., I pine away esp for that Mamiya 7II with the 65, but even that in retropect seemed too big. So, what wouldyou get? A new V'lander 4A? and V'lander R with the screw mount ? A Leica 4MP? Do the NEW Vlander screw mount lenses-and I mean the 35 and wider lenses- compare optically with the new M mount? I do not want to go back to the AF system like the Contax system, and I really want a system that has excellent, tack sharp optics that are contrasting, that could take full advantage of Velvia chromes colors renditions & good contrasting B?W photos. OR, should I stop obesessing about this and get a Mamiya 6 system, knowing that most of the time the 6x6 chromes will blow away anything that any 35mm RF could make.-thanks Joe🙂
 
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Welcome, Joe. I'd say your choice should be 35mm. Lighter equipment, less expense on materials, less frequent reloading. As "35 and wider lenses" are your preference, I'd say that the Bessa R4x makes the most sense. With the Bessa R you'll need accessory finders with lenses wider than 35mm.
 
Welcome. It depends on the budget, but if you like biting sharpness and contrast but dont want to pay Leica prices, I would suggest looking a a used Leica body, a CV or a Zeiss ZI with some Zeiss ZM optics. These really to deliver stunning resolution and great colours and can be found used for not tooooo bad prices.

You know the score with MF. A mamiya 6 or RF645 is still big compared to 35mm.
 
A Leica M2 or M4 with a Canon 35/2.0 would be my one camera/one lens choice(s) - maybe later add a 50 or 100 for a bit more reach when needed. The Canon 50/1.8 is an amazing performer and value- Okay, the 35/1.7 Ultron isn't shabby, either. Just not built as well, in my opinion.

The Jupiter 9 85/2.0 is long, fast and usually sharp, as long as you get a good sample. The (not Canon again!) Canon 100/3.5 is the sharpest, but not fastest long lens I own. All these are LTM, need the adapter, but well worth it overall, for me.
 
The CV glass gives great results for the price. They don't compare to the new Leica optics but neither do their price tags. Getting a Zeiss lens would also be a good choice. In terms of bodies, going CV is fine but just realize it probably won't be a body you will hand down to your kids but for a few years it should work just fine...
 
I think the big question is what do you plan to do with your vacation and hiking shots? Project them? Print them? Sell them? Or just share them on the web?
 
You have loads of great options. For 35mm RF, the voigtlanders can be had brand new at a fantastic price, and their lenses are also fantastic. If you want really small size, consider a Leica CL, if you can find one that is in really good working order- the parts most likely to break, like the light meter, are no longer available. You might also want to consider something like an Olympus OM system SLR. They are just as small as a lot of rangefinders and a lot cheaper. For medium format, consider a folder, either the new Bessa III, or an older folder that has been CLA'ed and had the bellows replaced. They are about as small and light as you can get with medium format without resorting to something like a holga or diana. If you want something REALLY small, consider an Olympus xA, it is an aperture priority manual focus rangefinder camera in a compact point-and-shoot package.
 
Consider Fuji GA645 series, they are well-built and designed for travel. And 6x4.5 chromes will still blow 35mm ones away, especially from these Fujinon lenses. 🙂
 
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