SLR MF camera to begin

[alexvaras]

Hello,

As you may know I like folding cameras, they are light and I can take them in the backpack or coat pocket everywhere.

But lately I was thinking of taking an SLR MF camera, it could be 6x6 or 6x7. Rangefinders 6x6 or higher are out my pocket right now.

1- Fully mechanicals are somehow better than the ones with electronic shutters? Or am I wrong?

2- Normally I go with a 50mm in 35mm or 70-80 with 6x6, it seems I don't like tele lenses and If I do portraits I like to place the person in context so no close-ups, said this, I would go with 90mm max in 6x6(7) or lower for landscape and city. Any advice with this pre-reqs?

3- I always carry a goosen digisix with me, so no need to exposure meter.

4- First thoughts were Mamiya rb67 or Bronica S2, the second one I like more the lines, but I never had one in hand.

5- TLR as Mamiya Cxxx has less options of lenses, but it would cover what I want.

6- How much would you consider its a fair price?

Thank you for reading and your advices.
Alex

[Santiago Montenegro]

It's no 6x6, but I'd take a long look at Mamiya 645's. The best bang for the buck IHMO.

[alexvaras]

Thx Santiago, I will take a look.

[PFMcFarland]

I was also thinking along the lines of a 645 model, but I would think that the older all mechanical ones would be pretty much worn out by now. I had a C330F outfit, and believe me, there is nothing pocket-able about that system, but you can get a wide range of lenses and accessories. The Bronica S2 can give you the feel of using an old Hasselblad, with Nikkor lenses!

As for cost, well, that is all subjective to what the market is doing, condition, and availability. Kiev 66's could be an economical choice.

PF

ps: One other brand I've forgotten about is the Pentax 67. You won't have to deal with shutters in the lens.

[alexvaras]

I did as you recommended, I have a Mamiya 645, first edition with the sekor c 80mm 2.8 N version, with WLF.

IMG_1277.JPG (109.31 KiB) Viewed 22761 times

Today I went to a park as usual and and I took the Mamiya 645 and the Nettar 518/16.

Pros:
-Mamiya and Nettar can be managed with wool mittens.
-Battery holds fine -15 degrees (Mamiya)
-Super bright viewfinder. (Big one with Mamiya, small with Nettar)
-Accurate focusing with Mamiya, zone focusing with Nettar.
-Chance to get wider lenses (Mamiya)

Cons - Mamiya:
-Heavy (1.4kg)
-Small negative.
-Not good for portraits mode (vertical composition) this quits me chances of doing pics and I really don't like to be limited.

Cons - Nettar:
-One lens.

Feel free to add more cons or pros
Tomorrow I will get the results, lets see if I read correctly the light... It was sunny/cloud + snow everywhere.

[LarryD]

If you don't mind a Ukrainian camera look at the ARAX cameras and they are new not used. and also at a 45mm MIR 26.
http://araxfoto.com/

[PFMcFarland]

If you get a prism finder for the 645 you'll be able to do portraiture. It is after all a system camera. Looks like you got a well taken care of model.

PF

[alexvaras]

If you don't mind a Ukrainian camera look at the ARAX cameras and they are new not used. and also at a 45mm MIR 26.
http://araxfoto.com/

I did Larry, thats an option formits huge selection of lenses and they are not expensive.

If you get a prism finder for the 645 you'll be able to do portraiture. It is after all a system camera. Looks like you got a well taken care of model.

PF

How the prism get along with glasses?

EDIT: Most of the prisms I found on Ebay have a corrosion problem and cannot be solved at all (so far I read)

EDIT II: Decision made, 6x4.5 is not a format for me. Next chapter is going to be: Vive La France!

[melek]

The Mamiya 645 was quite popular when my interest in photography began to take root. It always looked like a very cool camera.

I never bought one, although I've owned a lot of medium format cameras.

I had a Pentax 645 for a bit. Nice camera but seemed to be overly heavy.

Currently, I have a Rolleiflex SL66 with three lenses and a Rolleiflex SLX. I have a bunch of others - TLRs and folders.

I have one medium format 127 camera - the Komaflex-S. I think that there is another 127 SLR, but I can't recall its name.

Correction: I think the Komaflex-S might be the only 127 SLR.

[Dustin McAmera]

I have a 645 Pro, shamefully neglected. Without the prism finder it would be only half the camera; but I wouldn't be without the WLF either.

My other MF SLR is a Pilot Super!