File :-(, x, )
Medium format cameras? Anonymous
So, I shoot medium format and 35mm, I have a Nikon N2000 that I shoot my 35 mm with but I use a holga for my medium format, it recently broke. I'm looking for a good medium format camera that is basically a step up from the holga. Don't get me wrong, I love my holga and I'll probably be getting another one, but I'm looking for something that has more settings, e.g. aperture and focus. All the cameras I've seen are at least $1000+ with lenses.

This is some of my work mainly from my holga, Criticism is highly appreciated!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenfercestlesautres/

Thanks.
>> Warren !WSxruxpIJs
>>179286
For the record, I realize that 3 usually follows 2...
>> Anonymous
>>179277
>>179278
Do NOT get a seagull. There are a great many used good quality medium format cameras on the market that will be much better than a seagull for the same amount of money.

What is your budget, OP? You can get a decent TLR for around $100 and a decent SLR with lens and back for around $350.

Many people will recommend a Yashica 124G. It's a good camera, but I would not recommend it because the prices have been driven way up by all the idiots buying them who have been told to buy them by other people. Yashica made lots of other TLRs that are also very good and can be had for a fraction of the price of a 124G. There were many other companies that made good TLRs too, and lots of them are available for cheap now.

For an SLR, the best value in a system right now is Mamiya 645 or Bronica ETR or SQ. With any of them you can get a basic kit with body, film back, 80mm lens, and finder for under $350. These are high quality professional cameras that ten years ago sold for many thousands of dollars. For bigger formats, the Pentax 6x7 is an excellent value and the Bronica GS-1 is not too expensive either.
>> Anonymous
>>179289
I would say budget is around $500-$700.
>> Anonymous
>>179293
In that case, I would recommend:

6x4.5: Mamiya 645, one of the later models with interchangeable backs and the 80mm f/1.9 lens or a Pentax 645.

6x6: Bronica SQ or possibly an older model Hasselblad 500C/M. The Hasselblad is a fantastic camera, but it will probably have to be a well used older one with a C or C T* lens to fit within your budget, and additional lenses are extremely expensive

6x7: Pentax 6x7, Mamiya RB67, or Bronica GS-1, depending on which system would fit your shooting style best.
>> Anonymous
>>179298
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mamiya-RB67-Pro-S-Camera-and-Lens_W0QQitemZ150245353500QQihZ005QQcategoryZ3352QQ
ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

i found that on ebay and it seems like a really great deal.

i am a little confused by 6x6, 6x4.5, and 6x7. these are all medium format correct but just different sizes of the actual exposure?
>> Anonymous
>>179304
>you don't have to rotate the camera to get horizontal or vertical

To clarify this: because you just crop it later to whatever aspect ratio and horizontal versus vertical configuration you want.
>> Warren !WSxruxpIJs
>>179307
If you shoot square, though, it should be because you want to shoot square. The argument that square is better because you can choose vertical/horizontal later is largely bullshit, IMO, because if you're really serious about it, your compositions should be more specific than, "oh, I'll put it in this square and then decide how to crop it later."
>> Anonymous
So does anyone think that ebay offer in>>179300
is legit/worth it?
>> Anonymous
>>179312
True. Just repeating common arguments, and the "crop it later" approach does have its merits if someone either works in a way where they, no matter what format, plan on a crop in advance, or they plan on cropping it to an unusual aspect ratio, or if they're shooting fast and see an image they want vertical but don't have time to turn the camera.
>> Anonymous
>>179315
If you're using 6x4.5 with a waist level or 45 degree prism finder, shooting in portrait format sucks. That's one place in which shooting 6x6 makes life easier. You can also add crop marks to your focusing screen (a lot of 6x6 cameras have them by default) so that you can compose with a vertical or horizontal 6x4.5 frame in mind.

With 6x7 cameras like the RB/RZ67 and GS-1, it's not an issue because the cameras have rotating backs.
>> Anonymous
CLACK FUCK YEAH
>> Anonymous
>>179343
/signed
>> Anonymous
>>179332
GS-1 does not have a rotating back.
RB7 is a fucking massive camera.
Get something that will be convenient to use.
I'd try an Iskra off ebay or Super Ikonta.
Folding 6x6 rangefinder.
>> Serenar !m827jEgWi.
>>179375
This is where a 6x6 or 645 SLR comes in. OP asked for an SLR soooo

Also Iskras and Ikontas are awesome, but you'd have to upgrade from them if you really got serious about MF. Interchangeable lenses and backs are a pretty big deal, and OP might not be willing to give them up.
>> Anonymous
>>179278
>>179277


if you want a nice TLR go for a yashica. the mat g is good and the 365(cant remember the exact name) is also good. they are relatively cheap and ive had great results with them.
>> Anonymous
fuck yes f-301
>> Anonymous
>>179375
I thought the GS-1 had a rotating back, but I could be wrong.

The RB67 is huge, but that's only an issue if you intend to hand hold it. That's why I said pick something that suits your shooting style.

Iskras and Ikontas are all fine and good, but they're extremely old and rather limited compared to modern SLR systems. Again it depends on what you want, but since the OP said he wanted an SLR...
>> Anonymous
Also against that particular auction: the lens probably would not suit you. Do you really want a 140mm macro lens? 90mm is normal on 6x7.
>> Anonymous
OP Here,

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mamiya-RB67-Camera-w-90mm-f3-8-Lens-120-Back_W0QQitemZ370049733857QQihZ024QQcate
goryZ3352QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

is that a better auction? that seems like a good deal with a better lens
>> Anonymous
>>179590
You can get an RB67 Pro-S kit with a 90mm lens, waist level finder, and 120 back from KEH for $277 and it includes a 60 day warranty.
>> Anonymous
Also look around craigslist. Recently a Mamiya popped up locally going for $600 for a Mamiya 645 Pro camera with 120 back and 120 insert, Mamiya 80mm 2.8 standard lens, Mamiya Power Drive Grip N, and Mamiya AE Prism Finder FE401.
>> Anonymous
>>179632
That's a terrible price. That kit is probably worth $400 at the most.
>> Anonymous
OP Here, I bought the RB67 with the 90mm lens and the 120 6x7 back.
>> Warren !WSxruxpIJs
>>179682
That's actually a pretty fair price if everything is in good condition. Not a fantastic deal, but totally fair. The metering prism alone is worth $200. Figure $200 for the body, $50 for the grip, $100 for the back, and $75 for the lens, that's $625 total.