so, how long would I use a MF RF?

so, how long would I use a MF RF?

  • Total voters
    48
  • Poll closed .
It depends on how well you and the camera get along and if you like the results...
I love using the Mamiya m645 although not a RF it works for me...I use both the Prism Finder and a WLF and prefer the WLF most of the time...it's different and I like that...
I still have the Yashica Mat 124 but it needs to get out more and I love the results on that one more than the Mamiya...weird...
 
The poll options there are not very optimistic. I expose 15-30 rolls of 120 B+W per month. Most in 66 Rolleis but also in Fuji GW 690iii and 6x6,6x9 Folders. If you think the best you will do is a few rolls per year I would pass.
 
f16sunshine said:
The poll options there are not very optimistic. I expose 15-30 rolls of 120 B+W per month. Most in 66 Rolleis but also in Fuji GW 690iii and 6x6,6x9 Folders. If you think the best you will do is a few rolls per year I would pass.
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What do you do with all that material? How do you store it, catalog it, etc . . .?
 
you are the only judge

you are the only judge

I cannot speak for you.

I have a ga645zi and I tend to shoot, develop, and scan roughly 4 rolls a week. I have not done color because I dont want the expense.

The camera is very light and easy to carry and easy to use.

If I had a heavier camera It would get less useage because I mostly shoot stuff around my commute and I have other stuff to carry.

ymmv
 
ampguy said:
What would you guess?
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Is this a contest? What is the prize? :D

That is an impossible question to answer. Do you like 6x7, 6x9, 645, 6x6? Do you want to use an older folder or a more modern RF? Do you know yourself?

I like my Mamiya Super Press 23. I don't much like my Rolleiflex, but I used to love my Yashica MAT 124 G. I think that was because I had not yet used 6x7. I do like 6x6 in non-RF folders. The jury is still out on the Moskva. I don't hate it, but I don't love it either. I like the non-RF folders because of size and weight. I like the Mamiya because of the large negative and interchangeable lenses and backs.

I don't like its weight. It seemed better when all I had was one back and the 100mm f/3.5. If you have never done MF, any MF you get, with the possible exception of 645, you will like. Those bigger negatives are a pleasure. But whether you like it enough to continue using it depends on what you get, and how much you like or dislike what it takes to get those large negatives.

I didn't vote since I don't know you and your likes and dislikes. But I hope it gives you something more to think about.
 
dogberryjr said:
What do you do with all that material? How do you store it, catalog it, etc . . .?
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Most is for play some Portaits for pay. I scan them all at 10mb as "proofs" and the sleeve them up. Ultimately the best I will wet print this winter.
Library in A3 with projects for each camera and then each frame is labeled by film/iso/dev.
Pretty simple. If one sticks to a dedicated workflow it's hard to get lost.
What is fit for consumtion goes to flikr. Nakey etc... No!
 
well when I first get one, I will use it avidly, probably 10 rolls of b/w I process and scan myself, and 2-3 rolls of color I send out.

But if the hassle/quality is not multiples different/greater/better/more interesting than my 35mm film and various digital, at that point, I am wondering.

Of course I will print, or have printed, some from the first batches to compare quality.
 
I use my RF645 a lot less than I though I would have ... the price of film is definitely a deterent! Being able to shoot 36 frames of 135mm for less than two dollars when bulk loading from 100ft rolls of Arista Premium or the like is hard to go past.
 
Have tried both Mamiya 6 and Fuji 690. Started with great ambitions.
Just a few rolls in each in practice.
Street / candid is still either M6 or Nikon digital.
Sold the 6x6 RFs and got a 2nd hand Hblad 500C with 80mm plus some money left over. Actually use the Hblad more for 6x6 than the MF RFs.
 
I have no idea how often you'd use yours. I use mine heavily (i.e. to the tune of five rolls a week across several cameras).
 
Bought a GA645zi. I like the images from 6x4.5. But, the camera just doesn't call to me when I'm heading out to shoot, so it spends much of it's life in its bag. Shame. It's a great camera.
 
My vote is not listed which would be ALL THE TIME!! I use nothing but MF rangefinders exclusively. No one can tell you how often you're going to use them. You need to try one and see if you like them. I recommend the Mamiya 6/7, Bronica RF645, and any of the Fuji rangefinders.
 
thanks

thanks

great comments from everyone.

do you find the 500c's 80 lens sharper than the Mamiya and Fuji?

f/1 said:
Have tried both Mamiya 6 and Fuji 690. Started with great ambitions.
Just a few rolls in each in practice.
Street / candid is still either M6 or Nikon digital.
Sold the 6x6 RFs and got a 2nd hand Hblad 500C with 80mm plus some money left over. Actually use the Hblad more for 6x6 than the MF RFs.
Click to expand...
 
f/1 said:
Actually use the Hblad more for 6x6 than the MF RFs.
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I'm the opposite with my Bronica SQ-A and Mamiya 6. I barely touch my SQ-A now since the 6 is so much more portable and actually makes sense to have on a strap. I can't just sling my SQ-A over my shoulder and be on my way. Viewfinders do not compare to WLFs however. :(
 
ampguy said:
great comments from everyone.

do you find the 500c's 80 lens sharper than the Mamiya and Fuji?
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I can't speak from experience, but I believe while the Hasselblad's Zeiss CF T* lenses are incredibly sharp, the larger film plane size of the 6x7-6x9 formats makes it a bit of a wash. I don't think the older C T* and T* lenses are at the same caliber of the Mamiya 7 lenses though. That system is amazing.
 
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