Recommend a MF Camera. Criteria Inside.

It doesn't matter if you like TLRs or not.
If you like MF and really want to use film for it you will come to TLRs. Just because all of those Fujies are failing...
Alternative could be classic Hassie. If you save and wait
If you don't want to wait, don't mind seals change get Mamya 645. They are cheap, used to be plenty and fresh enough. I had one. It was my last MF purchase, before I sold it all and keeping two scale focus folders.
 
I've got a GW690 and it's great. 8-exp a roll makes it easier to burn through a ton of 120, or 220 should you have it.

I like the idea of a TLR. Minolta Autocord or perhaps a Rolleicord. I feel the 'cords sit optically equal with the Rolleiflex Automats with Tessar or Xenar. Same lens type basically.

Ko brought up the Mamiya 645. I notice those are very cheap. Some 645 SLRs can be gotten for a bargain. Mamiya 645, Pentax 645, Bronica ETR(si). It can get expensive with modern iterations, and don't dare to look at Contax 645.
I saw P645's as low as $250-300 with lens and insert, from Japan in ebay. Almost tempting to get one and fill in the half frame of the 6x9 I have.
Edit: Browsed the earlier posts and someone mentioned RB67. A basic kit can be gotten quite cheaply, and the most pound per buck you can get in MF!
 
My heart says GA645,

Be aware that you cannot tell what the point of focus is when using the GA645's autofocus, so it can be very hit and miss with closer, portrait-style distances.

With MF's reduced depth of field, when the GA645 misses focus, it misses by a lot. The camera produces great results, is fantastic and easy for landscapes, but the trouble with closer distances made me give it up.
 
Get a Busch Pressman model C. Stick a graflock back on it. Get a bunch of Graflex RH8 backs and have fun. You can find one of these with a good lens in a working shutter for just the cost of the lens alone. Even if you have to have the shutter serviced, it is well worth it.

You could always get a Baby Graphic as well, a Century Graphic then you won't have to do the Graflock back mod (as long as you get one that is later. I like the Busch Pressman, personally. I think it is better built than the Graphic.

Phil Forrest
 
MF RF Rec.

MF RF Rec.

Knowing your planned uses would make this a lot easier, but here it goes: For their considerable features and ease of use - The Fuji GA645 series. My personal favorite, GA645Zi, but all three fit the budget. If you prefer a manual focus and wide angle lens, the GS645W. Probably not the GS645 (which I love), hard to find one with good bellows and now hard to repair. Also, the the GS645S, as they have easily damaged (unrepairable) focus mounts made of plastic. One option not yet mentioned: Koni Omega M, or Rapid M, or Omega Rapid 200. Five lenses from 58mm to 180mm, four of which are quite cheap and easy to find; 6x7cm format. Mid-roll interchangeable film backs. Easy focusing; extremely durable. Con: heavy. Except the 60mm, the lenses are superb quality. Good body & three lens might fit the budget.
 
Worth mentioning that many of the cheaper TLRs (Rolleicords, 124G, Autocord), as well as many early Rolleiflexes, take Bay I (Bay One) filters/accessories - such as the excellent Rolleinar 1, 2, and 3 close up lenses, which also compensate for viewfinder parallax. If you like headshots or close ups to around 12", the Rolleinars are superb.
 
The various Fuji 645 are attractive. But... I had to fix my GS645W (front assembly falling apart) and my brother's (auto film advance and counter). So, as much as I love my GS645W, I would hesitate to recommend it. On the other hand, my C220 bought new 1980 only required servicing (CLA) of shutter(s) after 30 years. And although I never had one, I could conceive that a late-model Rolleicord (make sure viewfinder is luminous and focusing straightforward) is a viable alternative if one can live with just one focal length (freedom from the necessity to choose).
I realize that my experience rejoins that of Ko.Fe. in post 41 above.
 
Mamiya c -series of TLR are superb.
Bellows is not what OP meant in this case..
Rolleiflex also have "bellows" but its metal..
I miss the lenses of Mamiya but weight (for me) impossible.
The 645 format also good, though i never used.
 
So, one camera i’m shooting right now is a Koni-Omega 200. It the goofiest looking thing, but it handles really well for a 6x7 RF and the negatives and resulting images are beautiful - think gouge your eyes out sharpness with beautiful bokeh in OOF areas (more like a LF image than most MF image). AND, they are cheap... good luck and I look forward to seeing you post you MF images.

Knowing your planned uses would make this a lot easier, but here it goes: For their considerable features and ease of use - The Fuji GA645 series. My personal favorite, GA645Zi, but all three fit the budget. If you prefer a manual focus and wide angle lens, the GS645W. Probably not the GS645 (which I love), hard to find one with good bellows and now hard to repair. Also, the the GS645S, as they have easily damaged (unrepairable) focus mounts made of plastic. One option not yet mentioned: Koni Omega M, or Rapid M, or Omega Rapid 200. Five lenses from 58mm to 180mm, four of which are quite cheap and easy to find; 6x7cm format. Mid-roll interchangeable film backs. Easy focusing; extremely durable. Con: heavy. Except the 60mm, the lenses are superb quality. Good body & three lens might fit the budget.
 
...Probably not the GS645 (which I love), hard to find one with good bellows and now hard to repair. Also, the the GS645S, as they have easily damaged (unrepairable) focus mounts made of plastic. ...

What are "focus mounts"? Do you mean the lens' focusing helicoid? I never had any problems with that on the GS645S I had.

G
 
+1 to the fuji gw690. i have the II model, no shutter isshues, works like a tank, beautiful 6x9 slides and big 6x9 negs full of detail.
You get only 8 shots before you need to change the film (16 if you use 220, that was nice for some slides i shot in brazil), but reloading is a breeze. Otherwise, fully enjoy shooting it.
Some folks look at you like *** is that. It is that huge.
 
Since you have a GRDii kit....here's a question it might be worth asking yourself: what style of medium format work do you plan to do? C330s, Pentax/Pentacon/Kiev, Graflex, Busch are big cameras. Do you plan to travel with it? Is size and ease of use a consideration. Avedon did amazing work with a Rolleiflex...so did Doisneau. You can be pretty much invisible with a TLR. Are you printing in a darkroom? 6x7 fits well on a sheet of 8x10. 6x9 has lots more real estate than 6x6...and it shows in big prints. Portraits? Landscapes? street stealth?
 
Lots of travel,

The convenience and size of the 645 cameras is nice.

The large negative of the 67/68/69 is alluring.

I like portraits and land/city scapes. No in the face street stuff for me.

I have actually owned most of the cameras mentioned.

My hope for this thread was to pile up recommendations and come back to them as I get closer to my budget.

No urgency and again no preferences other than the listed criteria in my OP. Oh! And I’m not planning to build a entire system kit. One body one lens. I don’t need more, I want less.
 
Portraits? What kind? Since you want a 50mm or 35mm-e lens, I’m assuming you’re talking about environmental, documentary style portraits like Mark Steinmetz or William Eggleston.

And if you’re into travel, how important is size? If you want something small, I’d recommend the GS645 even though it has bellows for the compactness, ruggedness, and longer lens.

If ultimate compactness isn’t a must, think about 6x4.5 SLRs.
 
Portraits? What kind? Since you want a 50mm or 35mm-e lens, I’m assuming you’re talking about environmental, documentary style portraits like Mark Steinmetz or William Eggleston.

And if you’re into travel, how important is size? If you want something small, I’d recommend the GS645 even though it has bellows for the compactness, ruggedness, and longer lens.

If ultimate compactness isn’t a must, think about 6x4.5 SLRs.

The GS645 bellows is a well known weakness, and I don't know who does bellows repair/replacement any more for it. That's one reason I prefer the GS645S and GS645W models ... they're simpler with less to break.

I hate the fact that this thread has fired up my 'want' bug again. I really enjoyed the GS645S when I had it, and might have to go buy another now.

G
 
Spot on Aizan!

645 SLR really is the best bang for your bucks these days.

I see the Mamiya Pro/Pro TL are really stupid cheap at 400-500$ with the 80N, Motor Winder, 120 back, and Prism. Not to big, not so heavy, great glass!

Surely a contender as I digest everyone's comments.

I feel at that same price range you can score a GW690II Possibly III on a good day.

That makes things interesting!
 
Back
Top Bottom