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Hi all,

I'm currently using a canon eos 20D along side an eos 3 with various canon/sigma lenses.

I'm considering purchasing a decent 2nd hand MF camera with lens. As I've never looked into this before I'm not really sure about which way to go. I have limited funds which is why I'm looking into purchasing 2nd hand.

I've been looking at a Bronica ETRS medium format camera kit with 75mm f2.8 Zenzanon EII lens or possibly a MAMIYA C220 CAMERA or MAMIYA C330 CAMERA with 90mm lens.

The question is, which one to go for? Like I say I have no experience with mf camera/equipment so any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

Howie

Pick up a second hand Mamiya RB67 with a 90mm lens. You will get big 6x7 negs, the rotating film back allowing vert and horz without moving the camera and did I mention big negatives.

Howie,

What do you intend to shoot? Do you plan on using a tripod or hand holding? Do you plan on shooting macro, in a studio, out in the field etc...? All of these questions will help you make a choice.

My first MF camera was a Fuji GW690II it was a 6x9 camera with a 90mm lens on it, got 8 shots on a 120 roll, was a rangefinder camera and the lens was not interchangeable. I got it because I am a gear head and didn't know if I wanted to get into MF or not. I figured that since there was nothing else to purchase for this camera as in no accessories, I could find out cheaply if I liked using MF.

Well I found I really liked the larger negatives although I didn't really like the camera all that much. The small split image focusing aid was hard to see while wearing my glasses and found that the fixed lens was too restrictive and there is nothing like using a reflex where you actually see through the lens.

So that being said, I dumped the Fuji on Ebay for about what I bought it for and while on a trip to Hong Kong, blew my wad on a pair of Mamiya RZ67 Pro II's and all of the accessories plus a bunch of lenses. (told you I was a gear head).

The Mamiya RZ gives me nice 6x7 negs, although I also bought some 645 and 6x6 backs for it. The optics are up there with any of the German optics and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg for extra goodies like Hasselblads. They also do no jam like some of the other cameras if you get the body out of sync with the lens.

Now that I shoot mostly digital, I have not used the RZ all that much however I am looking at purchasing a MF digital back to use with them as they are just a joy to shoot with in the studio.

If you want to get into MF, I recommend going in cheaply like I did and see if you like it or find it too restrictive. If you like it, go for it and dive in with a good system that will let you grow. I personally like the SLR designs instead of the TLR cameras, just for ease of use and true WYSIWYG, but that is up to you. If you want to take a trip down memory lane and re-live the past, walking around with an old Rollieflex can be fun too.

Have fun,

Phil

No offense, but it sounds like you have no idea what you want:-) A 6x4.5 SLR (ETRS) and a 6x6 TLR (C330 or 330) are very very different. Then there came the suggestion to pick up a Mamiya RB67, without knowing what kind of photography you want to do with it. Try to take that on hikes, and you'll curse the person who suggested to buy it. Use it in a studio, "glued" to a sturdy tripod, and you'll bless him.

My suggestion is that you should first decide either the format, or whether you want an SLR, TLR, rangefinder or what. Do you need interchangeable backs? Autofocus? Then go for an SLR. Do you need light weight and ease of use, but don't mind if the choice of lenses is limited? Buy a rangefinder or a TLR. Do you want BIG negatives? Then 6x7 is the answer. Want to have flexibility in composition and a good compromise between light weight and large film area? Go square. Want portability, light weight or autofocus? 6x4.5 is the only reasonable answer.

I personally chose the Bronica SQ-A system. I can tell you why, and you can decide if you have similar requirements or not.

First of all, the system had to be affordable to me, and parts should be easy to find. This left me with Bronica ETR, SQ, GS-1, Mamiya RB67, or Kiev 6 or 88. Not that many to choose from to begin with. Then I decided I wanted interchangeable backs. Kiev 6 ruled out. I also found the RB67 too bulky for my type of photography (I take a lot of outdoor shots and carry the camera around a lot), and I did not want a 6x7 camera that did not have a rotating film back (portraits are a pain). Remaining contestants were the Kiev 88, Bronica ETR and SQ. The I basically preferred square over rectangular, because I like using the waist level finder, and portrait shots are a little awkward with that. With 6x6, there are no horizontal or vertical compositions, because all of them are square. After hearing too many bad stories about the Kiev 88, I chose to go with the SQ-A, and did not regret it.

Mamiya 6(MF)Is a good camera;-)

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