slightly OT: MF SLRs - Best Bang for Buck?

[x-ray]

Ive seen similar outfits priced at $600 in the St. Louis area.
There's a good article on flash sync speed HERE

R.J.[/QUOTE

I paid $750 for my 500cm with back, 80mm and NC2 prism. I've seen comperable ones for the same price. The 50 and 150 T* black run $450 to $550 depending on cosmetics. Backs are $75 to $135 for nice A12's. Just be certain not to buy that has been shot to death.

 

[x-ray]

"One impact item" I fully understand the term. I pulled a 50 Distagon off a table with my strobe cable and destroyed it. Fortunately it belonged to the federal gov. , the folks I worked for.

 

[Trius]

Earl, the SL66s that I've seen were always priced higher that 'blads. The SL66's focal plane shutter syncs at 1/30th or slower... same as the Pentax 6x7.

I'd go with a leaf shutter.

R.J.

Yes, the 1/30 flash synch is a PITA. Didn't know about the pricing, it didn't used to be that way. IMO, the bellows extension, reversing lenses and tilting stage justify a higher price.

Earl

 

[Dougg]

Slow (or fast) flash synch has never been an issue for me, as I don't do fill-flash...

 

[Dfin]

I have used both Bronica & Hassleblad, to shoot weddings for over 10 years. Both are very capable, the 645 Bronicas are most like 35mm SLR in use. The lenses are excellent, but they are battery dependent. I also had a problem with the shutter release, when using a cable release,the cable release would tear apart. Apparently there is a internal transfer bar which bends or seizes, the technician I spoke to said it is a common problem with well used Bronicas. I was just about to buy a new SQi Bronica, when a near mint H`blad ,with meter prism and both 80 & 150mm lenses turned up. So after a few teething troubles,(self induced) it`s been a great camera to use, definately better build quality, and NO batteries to worry about! Yes the prices for MF gear has dropped, Bronica more so than H`blad, but be aware most of this gear has been used professionaly, and made to work for it`s supper. The up shot is buy the best & cleanest camera you can afford,and don`t forget Bronica recently stopped production of all cameras!!

 

[CameraQuest]

this is an excellent thread that deserves another look TEN years later!

what are your thoughts?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

this is an excellent thread that deserves another look TEN years later!

what are your thoughts?

Some of the systems people suggested back then, like Contax 645 and Rollei SL-66, are pretty expensive now.

There are some other very, very nice systems that are dirt cheap now. Mamiya 645, Bronica SQ, Mamiya RB67. I'd avoid things like the Kowa 66 and Kiev; they're unreliable compared to Mamiya and Bronica and those better systems are so inexpensive now.

 

[Addy101]

I chose the Bronica SQ system. Why?
Because I wanted 6x6
Because the Eastern block cameras aren't that reliable it seemed
Because I wanted a wide angle lens and the Bronica 40mm is very good and affordable
Because the Bronica lenses are as good or almost as good as the Hasselblad lenses
Because the complete Bronica system is so much cheaper then the Hasselblad system
Hasselblad is like Leica, if money wasn't a problem, you would buy one of those, since it is, you think hard and long and decide it is worth the money or not. I decided on getting a Bronica SQ system and I like it!

 

[Godfrey]

I prefer the Hasselblad 500CM. My current kit includes body, back, 80mm, 150mm, and 110mm Macro. All purchased in VG to EXC condition for about $2K total, is still very serviceable, and is able to get service for easily.

I don't have a wide lens because I have the SWC as well, which I use more than the SLR.

 

[mfogiel]

For something portable it's difficult to beat Pentax 645N with manual focus lenses. For landscape there's nothing like a Hassy, for portraits there's Pentax 67 if you don't rely much on flash, or Mamiya RB/RZ if you like flash and studio.

 

[Spanik]

I'd say nothing much has changed in ten years. Only more systems have becoma available. Some have become cult status and priced accordingly, others have fell through the bottom. Choose what you fancy.

Any of those systems can give you great results and will probably be capable of better results than the photographer behing it.

 

[Addy101]

That is a lot of money, Godfrey. I've got a Bronica SQA with two backs, 40mm, 80mm and 150mm for 530 GBP (about US$765,-). Service is harder to find, but you can still find it - and if I can't find service, I can replace most things for little money compared to Hasselblad.

If I wanted a Hasselblad 40mm (or 38mm for the SWC) I would've paid more then for this complete set.

 

[Godfrey]

That is a lot of money, Godfrey. I've got a Bronica SQA with two backs, 40mm, 80mm and 150mm for 530 GBP (about US$765,-). Service is harder to find, but you can still find it - and if I can't find service, I can replace most things for little money compared to Hasselblad.

If I wanted a Hasselblad 40mm (or 38mm for the SWC) I would've paid more then for this complete set.

Whatever makes you happy.

A very good buddy and top notch photographer bought an SQA for the same reason some years ago, brand new. It failed on him over and over again, was finally deemed unrepairable by Bronica, and they refunded his money. He bought a Hasselblad, used because he couldn't afford a new one. He's still using it, 20+ years later, and it's never needed a service.

That experience soured my interest in Bronica SQA cameras a long time ago, even if it might be simply the one camera that had such problems. But it wasn't ... My dealer told me he had had to deal with several Bronica SQA failures and returns.

So I stick with Hasselblads, even though they're more expensive. Mine have never failed me, although I sent the SWC in for a CLA when the self timer stopped working a year or so ago. Just a little dirty ...

 

[leicapixie]

The thread started many years ago.
So much has changed, that my experiences will not
cause loss of a sale, or anger many others.
In Pro work, I was often using the agencies cameras..
Some were personally owned.

The Bronica-C was the worst camera I ever owned!
It was demented deleter of films.
It tore, shredded and popped out the insert,
while in use..
The good thing, the store swapped it for a new in box,
Leica M3, 50mm Summicron lens.
Yes! The Bronica was expensive, the Hasselblad more so.

The Hassie I feared jamming and I cannot focus them.
I tried the new Acu-mate screens with no improvement.(for me).
I never jammed a Hassie though..
The Rollei SL 66 gave me opportunity to use Distagon lens.
It redefined the word SHARP. Nothing ever came sharper
.
Pentax 6x7 a joy to hold(if you are a body builder), a shutter(that has woke the dead) but really sharp photos, with correct tripod and mirror lock up feature. Not used for more than 20 years..
Traded mine for a Leica M6TTL in 2000.

The biggest problem today, is processing.
So few labs, that will accommodate 120 film.
It is an expensive format, that does indeed give superior results.

 

[nikonosguy]

nobody's talked about the contax 645. or the rollei slr.... the pentax is a beast -- always wanted one...

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

nobody's talked about the contax 645. or the rollei slr.... the pentax is a beast -- always wanted one...

Contax 645 is expensive, because it works with digital backs, and the lenses are rare and VERY expensive. More than Hasselblad lenses.

Several have mentioned Rollei SLRs, but they're also rather costly.

 

[Godfrey]

nobody's talked about the contax 645. or the rollei slr.... the pentax is a beast -- always wanted one...

I was a Rollei guy for many years. I always wanted an SL66, and then a 6008i Integral later in time. But they were priced out of my reach then; I never had the pleasure.

When I returned to 6x6 in the early 2000s, I went to Hasselblad because I'd been ogling the SWC since I was in grammar school and just had to try one. The 500CM came after because I liked working with the SWC so much.

I sold both to a friend in 2004 when I needed the money for my little photo business and to get vested with good digital SLR equipment. I missed the SWC a lot, probably the only camera I've ever actually missed. So nine years later when a friend offered me another one, I snapped it up. And promptly bought another 500CM right after.

I had several folders during the many years from my first Rolleiflex TLR in 1969, as well as Mamiya C330, 645 1000TL, Pentax 645, etc. Still have a lovely little Voigtländer Perkeo II. But no other mf camera has ever been as satisfying to me as a Rolleiflex TLR or Hasselblad 500C/SWC.

Film isn't cheap but processing is easy. I use one of the Agfa Rondinax 60 tanks and can process a roll from dry to hanging in about 30 minutes. 🙂

 

[tunalegs]

I've always wondered about the Exakta 66, they seem pricey and uncommon, but nobody seems to be using them.

Anyway I've been using a K.W. Pilot 6 now for over a year, and picked up another one earlier this year, and it's just about my favorite camera.

volkswagen by Berang Berang, on Flickr

Although it's not flexible at all, with a fixed lens, and minimal adjustments - but the results are wonderful - and for the price it was money well spent I think. Neither camera cost over $50 on ebay, then I spent a bit under $20 on ordering a new mirror, and replacing the old one is a reasonable DIY job. For under $75 I think the results are more than acceptable.

Naha by Berang Berang, on Flickr

 

[Swift1]

I currently have a Pentax 67 with 4 lenses, Hasselblad 500c/m with 80/2.8, Pentax 645 with 2 lenses, Bronica ETRSI with 4 lenses, and a Bronica S2 with 2 lenses.

I think for what I paid, the best bang for buck is probably the Pentax 67. I have the body, WLF and unmetered prism, 45/4, 90/2.8 (late), 105/2.4, and 200/4 (late), and I think all said and done, I paid less for the entire kit than the $800 I spent on the Hasselblad and 80/2.8

Of the group, the Hasselblad is quickly becoming my favorite.

The Bronica ETRSI kit is my most used and is great bang for buck. I have the body, WLF and unmetered prism, 120, 220, and 135W film backs, and 40/4, 50/2.8, 75/2.8, and 150/4. If you take the 135W out, I don't think I have $500 into the entire kit.

The Pentax 645 is great as it can be used basically like a huge 645 P&S 🙂

I actually really like the Bronica S2 and especially the Nikkor-P 75/2.8. They can be great cameras if working properly and they can be found for under $200 with the 75/2.8

 

[nikon_sam]

I went with the Mamiya m645 system...
4 bodies
45mm
55mm
70mm Leaf Shutter lens
80mm 1.9
110mm
145mm Soft Focus lens
150mm
210mm
PDS Prism
3 WLFs
1 Winder