Medium Format questions

That will help answer the question.

However, being that you indicated that it's primarily a studio camera (I'm assuming film, studio, tripod, and large rectangular enlargements) you might want to look into the workhorse Mamiya RB67. One of the best cameras ever made. And there are a lot of them on the market now that so many people have dumped their film cameras for digital. Some are coming back, but finders keepers! Just two days ago someone offered me his RB with back and 90mm lens for $600 if I had cash. I passed because I have no use for it (and more use for $600) but that would've been a steal.

Bronica also makes a 67 that's a bit less expensive new. But right now there are used deals on the market to be had.

That said my experience with 6x7 is fairly limited because of the size and weight of the camera. I'm a location shooter primarily and a tank of a camera just does not make sense for what I do. I shoot a lot of Hasselblad (6x6) and I've been renting the Contax 645AF outfit and love it. I'm going to make it mine soon. I did shoot the RB67 fairly frequently as a student, however, and I've shot the RZ67 exactly once (not enough to give an opinion). I also know a lot of shooters who have shot their RBs for ages. They last well, they're very well-built. They also feel as though they weigh as much as a small SUV. Especially if you've schlepped one around for several hours.

But then again, I'm a location shooter and I strongly prefer shooting hand-held. It all depends on what you're shooting, how you prefer to work, what format your work is being printed (photographically) or reproduced to primarily, what tool you feel more comfortable with, and of course which one you can get the best deal on!

Hope this helps.

Oh, one more thing: if a medium-format digital back is in your plans, you really might want to consider something smaller. The new 645 auto-focus SLRs offer much more in the way of digital back compatibility. And they handle almost as easily as 35mm SLR and are very nice to work with. Not that you have to make a digi back part of your initial investment, just something to consider for the future. However those cameras are new and not cheap, and the digi backs are far from cheap in terms of intial capital outlay. Just something to think about.

I always say it's the photogapher not the tools.

But dammit I love that tool SOOOO much. By the end of the year it's mine. The 1/125th sync speed is a drawback. But the built-in flash meter, for me and I'm sure for other guys who shoot like me, is a big, big plus.

And its control layout (I'm not a big fan of Canon/Nikon style button pushing and LCD reading, I like the "old-school" approach), its size and weight, it's feel in the hand, and its beautiful lenses which are considerably more reasonable than the Hasselblad H1 or 6x6 format gear is what sells me on it.

Just a fantastic piece of equipment.

You can find all manner of medium format in the used equipment market.

The camera you might like best, is somewhat of a personal thing, and different photographers go for different cameras.

I have used Mamiya twin lens, Mamiya RB67 Pro S, and Hassleblad, as well as Bronica 645. Of those, the only system I didn't care for was Bronica. I traded the entire Bronica system for a back up Hassie body.

I liked the Hassie for candid work, but preferred the RB for other kinds of work. The Mamiya twin lens is a very affordable way to, and it is capable of doing most kinds of jobs, when properly used, although it isn't as convenient to work with as an SLR.

My work horse is the Mamiya RB67 Pro S. It is an excellent camera for both people and some types of commercial/product work.

I would not recommend investing in new equipment, when there is so much excellent used equipment in the market.

Consider whether you will want to invest in a digital back for the medium format or not, at some point in time. That may influence your choice.

Hope that's of some help.

[JaysonFromMaine]

an RZ/RB 67 system is able to take both 6x7 and 645 frame backs....so you get both types of backs and use what fits the job at hand....

[Bonner]

I could never understand why anyone would take a great 6 by 7 cm negative from a camera and "mask it" down to 645 or even 35mm. It reminds me of digital zoom on the new cameras.

I got my Mamiya 7 to improve the quality of my prints. I can always crop, later, to 645...but I never saw a need to go 35. BTW, in the darkroom, the 6X7 prints almost all of the negative on a 8X10 or 11X14 paper. Try that with a Hassy. That is why I got my Bronica ETRSi over 20 years ago. With 35mm I hated the fact that you can not print all the negative to fit the normal 8X10 or 5X7 papers.

As for the RB, try doing shoots of a model on the beach or any location and hand hold the thing. The Mamiya 7 is no bigger or heavier than a new digital Canon SLR.


Jim
Ventura



Mamiya 7

[JaysonFromMaine]

croping is for farmers...and sometimes you need to get more shots for your buck...thats when having a 645 back might come in handy...

I love my RZ and I only have a 6x7 120 back...and Yes I do hand hold it...

these were all hand held and shot with the 110 lens

The reason you put a 645 back on a 2 1/4" or 6x7 is because you get more exposure per roll. Simple. If you don't need the full negative size, you can get more exposures, saving money and (more significantly) maintaining "flow and momentum" in your photo session because you don't need to change backs as frequently. Of course having an assistant hand you a fresh back would help just as well...

HOWEVER, if you really plan on shooting mostly 645, then why burden yourself with a larger, heavier, slower (and apples-to-apples more expensive) camera? If you want to shoot 2 1/4" square, then get a 2 1/4" camera! If all you need is 645, then get a 645! A 645 is small and light, not much larger than a large 35mm SLR (and smaller than some of the newer top-line digis), generally more inexpensive, and the new generation offers AF and AE and meter controls that are similar to those of higher end 35mm SLRs. And they handle similarly, too. Everyone works differently, and everyone is working toward a different result, and in the end the shooter needs to decide what's best for him. For me, a 645 format camera is a good choice.