[kevgermany]

Bronicas - Lots of options. The early range, the S2/S2a/EC all took the same lenses and are good value - however the S2s have a reputation for stripping the winding gears if you're heavy handed. However in 12 years with an S2 I haven't done anything like that. Various lenses available, the Nikkors are the best, others can be soft. Some rated the Nikkors as being as sharp as the Hassy lenses at the time. Some with old foam can have focussing problems. There are some even older models around, but they're rare and probably best left for collectors.

Other Bronicas to consider are the ETR series which is 645, SQ series which is 6x6 like the S2 series and the GS which is 6x7. Some dodgy lenses in some of the formats, so get advice before buying. Best bet is to stick to the 2 letter serial codes. Each series has it's own lens mount, so lenses aren't interchangeable between them.

Bronica also did a rangefinder MF with interchangeable lenses. Not many lenses, but top quality.

Fuji did a couple of rangefinder cameras, mostly 6x9 - so 35mm format, but in LARGE size. Very high quality results as their lenses are good. Last time I looked these were quite expensive. They also really controlled the market for 6x17 if you like panoramic format...

Plaubel Makina is a german MF, I don't know too much about it except they're scarce and use special Nikkor lenses.

Don't write off Pentax - the 645 was highly regarded for a long time and there's also the 6x7 which is a large SLR laid out like a 35mm SLR. Heavy, but many pros used them cos they worked so well. Good range of lenses as well.

Most of the TLRs like the Rolleiflex didn't have interchangeable lenses, however Rollei's 6000 series worked well and had excellent interchangeable lenses.

Probably the best thing to do is look around, try and get a feel for the different formats available... And the waist level finders where everything is reversed. When I got the Bronica it was difficult
at first, coming from 35mm. Then I relaxed, composed as I felt, with the intention of cropping afterwards. Haven't looked back since. I've got one shot cropped to about 35mm format that's blown up to 600x900mm (24x36"). Looks stunning.

Also get a feel for the different systems - backs, lens ranges, interchangeable finders (not on the Pentax 6x7) and so on. Some of the systems are a bit quirky in operation (Mamiya RB) and require special procedures before mounting/dismounting lenses and backs.

I've probably missed some, major cameras, but others will post, I'm sure.