Steve M.
Veteran
Our vet basically saved our cat's life last week, and in general has just been a heck of a good guy. He used to shoot film years ago, and even has a Beseler 23c enlarger at home in boxes. His practice doesn't allow him a lot of free time to shoot, but he told me today that he used to enjoy going out in the woods w/ a medium format camera, and taking his time to get the shots. It was relaxing for him.
I want to buy him a camera and film to get him started as a thank you, and I'm wondering what would be a good 6x4.5 or 6x6 camera to get him, along w/ maybe a quantity of Tri-X and XP2. He probably wouldn't want an old folder w/o a meter, and a SLR might be too big and heavy. The first thing that pops into my head is a Bronica RF645, but that's pretty pricey. Any other ideas?
I want to buy him a camera and film to get him started as a thank you, and I'm wondering what would be a good 6x4.5 or 6x6 camera to get him, along w/ maybe a quantity of Tri-X and XP2. He probably wouldn't want an old folder w/o a meter, and a SLR might be too big and heavy. The first thing that pops into my head is a Bronica RF645, but that's pretty pricey. Any other ideas?
back alley
IMAGES
the mamiya family of 645s were great cameras with excellent lenses.
Ron (Netherlands)
Well-known
I see a very nice Exakta 66 in classifieds (no relation to the seller btw)
nickw
Established
What's you budget.
I love the hassy 500's.
I love the hassy 500's.
Vickko
Veteran
Hasselblad 500's - solid as a tank, if you need interchangeable lenses.
Rolleiflex if fixed lens is okay.
Vick
Rolleiflex if fixed lens is okay.
Vick
ka1axy
Member
Well, I just spent $250 on a Bronica SQ-A with a 150mm lens and non-metered finder. Picked up a 50mm and an 80mm lens at KEH for another $200. If you wanted the aperture priority prism and another back, that would probably take you to around $650. It takes great shots and seems like a pretty solid, no frills 120 rig. There's a 120-J back that will do 6x4.5 as well
Nate Butler
Established
Mamiya TLR, perhaps?
andredossantos
Well-known
Get him a Rolleiflex MX or MX-EVS. Classic, durable, excellent quality pics.
t.s.k.
Hooked on philm
Get him something that works 
I say this tongue in cheek with a hint of truth.
It doesn't sound like he has a whole lot of time getting things repaired.
OR you could donate this money to an animal shelter on his behalf. I'm sure he'd appreciate either.
BTW, you're a good man for thinking of this.
I say this tongue in cheek with a hint of truth.
It doesn't sound like he has a whole lot of time getting things repaired.
OR you could donate this money to an animal shelter on his behalf. I'm sure he'd appreciate either.
BTW, you're a good man for thinking of this.
doolittle
Well-known
TLR, wouldn't worry about meter as long as camera works. Yashica, Rolleicord, something along those lines
ruby.monkey
Veteran
Ask him what he prefers.
CK Dexter Haven
Well-known
That's a heck of a nice gesture. Glad your cat made it.
But, i'm going to be contrarian here. I don't think it's a good idea to gift someone a medium format camera. At least, not without a lot more input From The Recipient to go on.
Just in this thread, you have a bunch of suggestions, all from people who list something THEY might want to receive and use. But, they're all different, and each of us would probably be dissatisfied with the experience of using a camera that isn't right for us.
Then, there's the obligation of the recipient to keep and use that camera, even if in his past, he decided that thing wasn't right for him.
Not to mention that you've indicated he doesn't have time for this pursuit. Is there any reason to think he doesn't have such a camera now only because he can't afford it? Are vets not making bank these days?
I love the idea. And, if someone gave me a camera, i'd be grateful, for sure. But, if someone gave me, say, a Mamiya C330, i wouldn't really want to use it. We all have our preferences, and having a camera that contradicts how we want to do things isn't really a positive thing.
But, i'm going to be contrarian here. I don't think it's a good idea to gift someone a medium format camera. At least, not without a lot more input From The Recipient to go on.
Just in this thread, you have a bunch of suggestions, all from people who list something THEY might want to receive and use. But, they're all different, and each of us would probably be dissatisfied with the experience of using a camera that isn't right for us.
Then, there's the obligation of the recipient to keep and use that camera, even if in his past, he decided that thing wasn't right for him.
Not to mention that you've indicated he doesn't have time for this pursuit. Is there any reason to think he doesn't have such a camera now only because he can't afford it? Are vets not making bank these days?
I love the idea. And, if someone gave me a camera, i'd be grateful, for sure. But, if someone gave me, say, a Mamiya C330, i wouldn't really want to use it. We all have our preferences, and having a camera that contradicts how we want to do things isn't really a positive thing.
Matus
Well-known
MF SLR would be a safest bet as most people are use to those (but these are big beasts) an there are many for few $100, but Rolleicord, Autocord or Rolleiflex T are great cameras for reasonable money and are really enjoyable. Or even something like Fuji GA645 if AF would be OK.
Ditto on the functionality - the camera should work properly if it should be a present.
Ditto on the functionality - the camera should work properly if it should be a present.
Paddy C
Unused film collector
What about a really good bottle of wine or champaign.
I will cost you less than the camera and I'll be you real money he'll actually use it.
I will cost you less than the camera and I'll be you real money he'll actually use it.
batterytypehah!
Lord of the Dings
I'm with CK's post above. Great gesture, but unfortunately the odds are it might not get used. Particularly with b&w film. I would opt for a photography book myself.
That said, a classic folder and a nice handheld meter is a lot less outlay up front, and looks good on a shelf even unused.
I'd add some Ektar and remind him that Walmart still accepts 120 in their drop-off, and is ridiculously cheap for C-41. Or give him Velvia with Fuji mailers. But definitely make it as easy as possible for him to get the film developed, and probably scanned as well. That would help with the gift getting used.
That said, a classic folder and a nice handheld meter is a lot less outlay up front, and looks good on a shelf even unused.
I'd add some Ektar and remind him that Walmart still accepts 120 in their drop-off, and is ridiculously cheap for C-41. Or give him Velvia with Fuji mailers. But definitely make it as easy as possible for him to get the film developed, and probably scanned as well. That would help with the gift getting used.
Steve M.
Veteran
Great ideas here. Thanks everyone.
Yes, if it were me I'd be ecstatic w/ a nice $100 folder, but I don't think he wants to look through one of those little peep holes, or use a hand held meter. I guess my budget is up to $400-$500. I agree, it might be a mistake getting him a MF camera w/o more input, but I'm pretty good at buying cameras at a reasonable price, so if he doesn't like it I can sell it for him and get him something else. Maybe one of those Fuji 645 cameras that have auto focus would be a good way to go, Basically a big 'ol point and shoot w/ AF, AE, all that. I'd be bored w/ that setup pretty quickly, but it might be just the thing for someone wanting to get back into film photography. All I really know is that when the wife and I were talking to him at the clinic today he mentioned that he loved B&W and wanted to shoot MF. He had been looking at the Bronica GA645's years ago but was spooked by the price.
I'm not that nice of a guy. Jasmine has been our companion for many years and means a lot to us (although her sister cat doesn't even notice she's gone and probably hopes she isn't coming back! Very jealous, that one). You know, you can always get more money. That's a fact. I've had money, and I've not had money, but family emergencies are top priority. You don't want to put your self in a position where you regret making a life decision based on finances, yet you don't want to go broke either. It's a balancing act.
A week ago we had been looking at either a long, expensive hospitalization and toxic, expensive medication followed by a long recovery, or she wasn't going to come home ever again. Today's news was much better, she's eating again, and things aren't nearly as bleak as they were just a few days ago. So, Dr. Brown gets a camera, and it really isn't that big a deal compared to what he's doing for our household.
By the way, I mentioned to him that I was having a blast shooting cheap 35mm film, turning it over to Walgreens for processing and scans, and coming home w/ photos to be printed 1 hr later. He didn't seem interested. He probably just wants something to shoot when he travels to vet conferences in Tucson and other areas.
Yes, if it were me I'd be ecstatic w/ a nice $100 folder, but I don't think he wants to look through one of those little peep holes, or use a hand held meter. I guess my budget is up to $400-$500. I agree, it might be a mistake getting him a MF camera w/o more input, but I'm pretty good at buying cameras at a reasonable price, so if he doesn't like it I can sell it for him and get him something else. Maybe one of those Fuji 645 cameras that have auto focus would be a good way to go, Basically a big 'ol point and shoot w/ AF, AE, all that. I'd be bored w/ that setup pretty quickly, but it might be just the thing for someone wanting to get back into film photography. All I really know is that when the wife and I were talking to him at the clinic today he mentioned that he loved B&W and wanted to shoot MF. He had been looking at the Bronica GA645's years ago but was spooked by the price.
I'm not that nice of a guy. Jasmine has been our companion for many years and means a lot to us (although her sister cat doesn't even notice she's gone and probably hopes she isn't coming back! Very jealous, that one). You know, you can always get more money. That's a fact. I've had money, and I've not had money, but family emergencies are top priority. You don't want to put your self in a position where you regret making a life decision based on finances, yet you don't want to go broke either. It's a balancing act.
A week ago we had been looking at either a long, expensive hospitalization and toxic, expensive medication followed by a long recovery, or she wasn't going to come home ever again. Today's news was much better, she's eating again, and things aren't nearly as bleak as they were just a few days ago. So, Dr. Brown gets a camera, and it really isn't that big a deal compared to what he's doing for our household.
By the way, I mentioned to him that I was having a blast shooting cheap 35mm film, turning it over to Walgreens for processing and scans, and coming home w/ photos to be printed 1 hr later. He didn't seem interested. He probably just wants something to shoot when he travels to vet conferences in Tucson and other areas.
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pakeha
Well-known
Kiev 88...Iskra..Mockba 5
sooner
Well-known
Great gesture, and I agree with you, why ask him and spoil the surprise? Take a look at the Fujis, they seem to be going for under $500 now. The best deal though is probably a slr 645. I had the Mamiya 645 af and it was amazing, but that model is going to cost more. Do let us know what you choose and how he reacts.
batterytypehah!
Lord of the Dings
Ah OK, this info wasn't in your original post. Still, he may find time to shoot occasionally, but develop his own? Not likely. So some kind of pre-paid deal at a b&w lab would probably be welcome.
cosmonaut
Well-known
I second the Mamiya 645s. They are reliable, affordable and fun to shoot. But if he has a camera some fresh paper and chemicals might get him modivated.