Which medium format film camera to get?

[sean_buerger]

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[photojazz54]

There are a lot of great possibilties...I wouid recommend a RB67...all manual no batteries required. Is a lil heavy for some people.

[Latinbob]

If you are talking about ARAX Camera in the Ukraine, I think that's a good way to go. They completely re-build the Kiev MF cameras to make them reliable. I don't have any experience with them, but I have been wanting to order a body from them for a long time. If you do end up going with them, please post your thoughts. They seem to offer a great service. It would be nice to see those CZ Jenas in operation again!

Bob

[sean_buerger]

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[sean_buerger]

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[photojazz54]

Hi Sean, I own a Mamiya 645 1000S and although haven't used it in a while, IMHO this is a nice camera. Have you looked into the Bronica ETRSI, I have one with a waist level finder. Smaller tha both the 645 and RB67....I call this my lil Hassy. Takes good images as well.

[sean_buerger]

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[sean_buerger]

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[HuBBaTheMan]

Got me a 645 Pro & a AFD and love em both so i suspect you will enjoy that purchase.

[J.A.F. Doorhof]

Mamiya 645AFD/II with a filmback.

Why ?
It's reasonable portable, meaning you can take it on holiday like a DSLR.
Lenses can be found quite cheap on ebay.
It's perfect to mate with a digital back in the future.

[sonshine_rae]

not to hijack but how much would you expect to pay for a Mamiya 645.. someone on craigslist wants nearly 1000 bucks for one.. but he has a bunch of darkroom equipment with it (which I don't want).

It keeps getting relisted.. so I find it tempting to make a counter offer but don't even know where to start if I were to??

Here's the listing if anyone else cares to take a peek: mamiya 645 camera outfit

[sean_buerger]

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[HuBBaTheMan]

I think their claim is that its as easy to use as a 35mm technically Not necessarily a better claim mind you :P

If you compare it to a RB67 for example, which is 100% manual, no automatics at all (in fact, no battery at all either and requires a light meter to calculate the exposure, then the 645 (with built in spot measuring and auto exposure is definately more close to a 35mm camera in handling. And if its the AF/AFD variant, then it even have autofocus! (that ! is a little sarcastic as i dont think too many relies on that autofocus in real life and its nowhere near the speed of an 35mm). The RB67 gave you nice biceps though

Having said all that though, a medium format IS more work than a 35mm. they were never ever intended to be easy, fast or to be used whenever mobility, speed and ease of use are requirements.

They are however without a shadow of a doubt producing a lot higher quality image than a 35mm does simply because of (among other things) the larger negative surface. If that quality is not an requirement, then MF is overkill.

[Latinbob]

So you decided against the Kiev 60 from Arax? Is it that much bigger than the Pentacon Six? Just curious because I've been toying with the idea of getting one. And you do have all that CZ Jena glass!

Bob

[sean_buerger]

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[sean_buerger]

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[Latinbob]

Thanks, Sean. That's very helpful. I hadn't really looked at the Pentacon Six before. You are right, it is an elegant looking camera. The Kiev definitely looks like a Soviet camera! All function and no style. I'll just keep playing with my other Commie camera, the Lubitel 166b.

Bob

[sean_buerger]

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[UnivModels]

Long story - try to keep it short.

Shooting with a Hasse 500C, and it ripped off with the car. Insurance gave me $1,000 and I replaced my basic rig with a RB67.

Great camera, no problems (and the advantage of being mechanical - no failure from power), problem small exposure loads (10 exp./120 roll).

Added 645 with 16 exp. loads - no problems. Miss larger format (6x7) and revolving back., Not At All unhappy.

[sean_buerger]

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