Best value medium format cameras?!?!

karmagarda

karmagarda

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Conor
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Hi, my name is Conor, and I'm adicted to film.

Now that we got that out of the way, here's my question. I'm looking to buy another medium format camera. I own a Lubitel 166b which I love, it's a very quirky camera! But there's a few of reasons I would like to buy another:

- I want to be able to have 2 different films loaded in 2 different cameras. Be it 1 Colour and 1 B&W, or 2 different ISOs, or maybe just for experimenting purposes etc.

- A normal viewfinder yokey (i.e. you look forward through the camera... bit like a point and shoot or similar... not down into it like the lubitel...). Reason I say this, the viewfinder in the Lubitel is pretty finicky to use. Unless you can recommend a bronica or hassleblad that's cheap and has a great viewfinder. (Is it called a viewfinder?)

- The lubitel 166b can only focus to about 1 - 1.4 meters away. I'd like something a bit closer than that if possible. This isn't vital to my decision though.


My budget... I dunno, so I'd like to pick 3 rough ranges and see what cameras get picked out. Note, I got the Lubitel for £27, so I know there's some good ones for cheap out there!

£50 and less?

£100 or there abouts?

£200 or there abouts?

And we might as well add in £250+ for the fun of it.


Can you also briefly explain why you made the choices you did? e.g. good mechanics, onbody metering, close focal, built in zoom lens, interchangable lens, you get the idea!

Thanks in advance :thumbs:
 
Ah.Oh dear.

Now that the wierd noise is out of the way;the answer ( drumroll)

Bronica ETRS

Mamiya 645

Hassy ( for a good price; and trust me, its available)

and then the exotic...................

mamiya 6

Zeiss folder Range finders...

Oh my god. So many choices; so little money...

Seriously; you cant go wrong with a Bronica
 
Its called a Waist Level Finder, because you use it at waist level...kinda...:lol:
The screens are much better than the Lubitel on Bronicas and Blads, its a matt screen rather than a lens, and besides a D3x lcd screen in live view its the biggest brightest most beautastic viewfinder......*Clarkson pause*.........on Earth

If you buy something like a Bronica, you can have multiple backs loaded with different films, but you only need the one body..:)
 
ujjwaldey8165 said:
Ah.Oh dear.

Now that the wierd noise is out of the way;the answer ( drumroll)

Bronica ETRS

Mamiya 645

Hassy ( for a good price; and trust me, its available)

and then the exotic...................

mamiya 6

Zeiss folder Range finders...

Oh my god. So many choices; so little money...

Seriously; you cant go wrong with a Bronica
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Bronica ETRS... Now there's something I never heard of before. Off to read the specifics on that one. Thanks for that!

Any more enthusiasts want to add to the list?
 
joxby said:
Its called a Waist Level Finder, because you use it at waist level...kinda...:lol:
The screens are much better than the Lubitel on Bronicas and Blads, its a matt screen rather than a lens, and besides a D3x lcd screen in live view its the biggest brightest most beautastic viewfinder......*Clarkson pause*.........on Earth

If you buy something like a Bronica, you can have multiple backs loaded with different films, but you only need the one body..:)
Click to expand...

Woah, so on the Bron ETRS you can have multiple 120 backs? And can you have 35mm backs too etc etc? If so that's awesome...
 
karma...there is a very nice Bronica ETRS for a very good price in one of the 2nd hand shops. Look in 'used camera uk' in google. If you cant find, give me a shout...


BTW...you will get a hassy in the end; why buy other stuff and get a hearthachde.......ha ha ha
 
ujjwaldey8165 said:
karma...there is a very nice Bronica ETRS for a very good price in one of the 2nd hand shops. Look in 'used camera uk' in google. If you cant find, give me a shout...


BTW...you will get a hassy in the end; why buy other stuff and get a hearthachde.......ha ha ha
Click to expand...


Said it before Ujjwal but you are definitely
:cuckoo::cuckoo::cuckoo::cuckoo::thumbs::thumbs:
 
andy....one of these days, I will want my bronie back; but will be willing to send you my hassy in return.....

Seriously Andy; you should try out the hassy; its something else; I wish we were living close by....
 
ujjwaldey8165 said:
andy....one of these days, I will want my bronie back; but will be willing to send you my hassy in return.....

Seriously Andy; you should try out the hassy; its something else; I wish we were living close by....
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Oh me too my friend me too:bang::bang:
 
So when you say a hassy for a good price.... what's a good price then :lol:
 
Well, Karma..I got a beat up Hassy for 430 quids and a 150 mm for 150 quids....

No idea where you live; but will be more than happy for you to have a play with my hassy if you live close to reading....
 
I'm based in London, so a bit away from Reading. Thanks for the offer all the same. Think what I might do is pop down to a used camera store close by at the weekend. Found it by googling used camera uk so thanks for that! Hopefully they'll have a hassy in there I can have a mess with. Although, in a small way I'm hoping not... because then I'll probably be tempted :lol:
 
:Dactually my office is in London; so I am in Victoria every day.....

anyday, when its not raining or snowing; the beer will be on me if you want to meet up....


Miss Hassy promises to come along....:D:D:D
 
Well that's a smashing offer thanks! I can do any evening really apart from tomorrow (as in wednesday which is actually today, looking at the time). I work in fulham though so will have to make my way from there inwards. I can be in the city by 6:30 once I get my work done and dusted. What suits you?
 
fabs said:
Just a reminder to you all. No selling outside of classifieds and certainly no dealing via PM - offending posts have been removed.
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No worries, I have (and had) no intention of dealing here :)
 
Just a reminder; I have accepted all rules of this forum and do not intend to violate them

I also do not intend to sell my hassy ; not now anyways


Where this assumption comes from, i do not know; but while it may surprise some; I love cameras; and love to share them with like minded people.

I have atleast 2 cameras with members of TP; for which I have not taken any money; and they are, as far as I am concerned, on loan. If those members are enjoying them, I am happy. Money does not come into the picture her; certainly not a few measly quids.

I will share my camera collection with my fellow members here; and if thats an infraftion; so be it.

I am sorry mods; but I think your assumptions of me trying to sneak in a trade was wrong ( and in any case digital cameras go out of fashion; hasselblads dont; so I dont have to sneak in a trade; really :lol:)
 
Just bought myself an RB67 pro s for not a lot of golden nuggets earlier, first foray into medium format and I couldn't be happier. Whilst looking for it I came a across a few bargains including a bronica etrs complete kit in a certain scottish 2nd shop, definitely worth checking out.
 
ujjwaldey8165 said:
Thanks Karmagarda; neither do I intend to sell you my Hassy. But I am more than happy if you wish to meet up and have a play
Click to expand...

Fabs wasn't referring to you, he was referring to another post where I was directed to classifieds to purchase a Bronica. We didn't break the rules but he was right to remove them. It gave the impression that it could have developed into dealing in thread. Better safe than sorry eh!
 
You could try to find a Kiev 88 (Hasselblad copy) with a couple of backs, similar to the Bronica one camera but you can put different films in each back.
 
john-oh said:
To get the thread back on focus ....

Have a look at the Mamiya C200 / C330 range (or the earlier models), lots of scope for playing and loads of bits on ebay, also similar operation to your Lubitol, but with interchangeable lenses.

Full description of system : http://www.btinternet.com/~g.a.patterson/mfaq/m_faq-contents.html
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Steep said:
You could try to find a Kiev 88 (Hasselblad copy) with a couple of backs, similar to the Bronica one camera but you can put different films in each back.
Click to expand...

Thanks, will take a look at these too.

I'm keeping my options open too so any suggestions are great!
 
Have a look at the Bronica EC and S2 cameras. You can have either a waist level finder of a prism like a "normal" camera and they'll close focus like no other MF SLR without using bellow/macro lenses.
 
I have a salyut C and had a kiev 88. Great cameras and around the hundreds pound mark depending on backs (I have 3 6x6 backs and a pola back)

they look like hasselblads but are sig. cheaper

and go keerrr-chhhhhhhhhh when you take a pic :D
 
Kev M said:
Have a look at the Bronica EC and S2 cameras. You can have either a waist level finder of a prism like a "normal" camera and they'll close focus like no other MF SLR without using bellow/macro lenses.
Click to expand...

david1701 said:
I have a salyut C and had a kiev 88. Great cameras and around the hundreds pound mark depending on backs (I have 3 6x6 backs and a pola back)

they look like hasselblads but are sig. cheaper

and go keerrr-chhhhhhhhhh when you take a pic :D
Click to expand...

ah5168 said:
How’s the reliability on the Keiv 88, I wanted one of these but was warned off :runaway: due to poor reliability.
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david1701 said:
never gave me any grief

only broken thing I've had so far is a back, and I did drop it from quite high :D
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Cheers for that! Loads for me to think about. Going to try out a few before I buy, so hopefully most of the above are in the camera shop near by.
 
Where about are you if you don't mind me asking.
 
Kev M said:
Where about are you if you don't mind me asking.
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I'm based in south west London. I've noticed there's a second hand shop in Clapham which isn't too far from me, so I'm considering have a browse in there over the weekend. I'm siding with a Mamiya/Bronica for price reasons, but I think Mamiya might be a good choice after chatting with Ujjwal. It will all depend on when I get my hands on them and have a feel and play. After I get a feel of a Hassy it might throw me a bit! But financially I'll have to look more towards the cheaper options.
 
Two words ... Mamiya RB67. I'm not sure RB67 counts as a word, but you get the idea. I have an RB67 and a 'blad and love them both, but if I had to choose a working camera from the two it might have to be the RB67 for it's large format, revolving back, bellows focusing for close-ups out of the tin and far more affordable lenses and other bits making it pretty well the ideal camera - certainly a couple of generations of studio togs thought so.

Those blad Zeiss lenses will always have the edge but the comparison with the excellent Mamiya lenses isn't a 'night and day' difference, and the cost of comparable Zeiss lenses is prohibitive.

The size and weight of the RB67 is seen by some as a disadvantage outside of studio use, but it's not really a problem and it's part of what makes me love the beast. You should at least pick one up and try it before you make your choice. ;)
 
CT said:
Two words ... Mamiya RB67. I'm not sure RB67 counts as a word, but you get the idea. I have an RB67 and a 'blad and love them both, but if I had to choose a working camera from the two it might have to be the RB67 for it's large format, revolving back, bellows focusing for close-ups out of the tin and far more affordable lenses and other bits making it pretty well the ideal camera - certainly a couple of generations of studio togs thought so.

Those blad Zeiss lenses will always have the edge but the comparison with the excellent Mamiya lenses isn't a 'night and day' difference, and the cost of comparable Zeiss lenses is prohibitive.

The size and weight of the RB67 is seen by some as a disadvantage outside of studio use, but it's not really a problem and it's part of what makes me love the beast. You should at least pick one up and try it before you make your choice. ;)
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I am getting more drawn towards the Mamiya, so thanks for the vote of confidence towards it. I'll still be basing my final decision on how it feels and how comfortable I am with it's workings. I'm not as bothered about getting the sharpest/clearest lens and glass available. Even the shots I'm taking with my lubitel are quite nice in a quirky way! So feel, usability, price, and versatility will all persuade my final decision :)
 
karmagarda said:
I am getting more drawn towards the Mamiya, so thanks for the vote of confidence towards it. I'll still be basing my final decision on how it feels and how comfortable I am with it's workings. I'm not as bothered about getting the sharpest/clearest lens and glass available. Even the shots I'm taking with my lubitel are quite nice in a quirky way! So feel, usability, price, and versatility will all persuade my final decision :)
Click to expand...

Well if you do go with the RB67 I'd say get the Pro S version if at all possible, it has a number of interlocking safety devices which make it a lot more difficult to uintentionally double expose a frame - all to easy to do with the earlier (non- S model). Not really a deal breaker - just a bit nicer and easier to use, especially when you're getting used to the format. :) Any price difference is negligible or non-existant.
 
I was also torn between the RB/RZ67 and the Bronica SQ and went for the Bonica SQB because,

It’s smaller and lighter and hence much more portable.

It has very few electronics which IMO is a good thing, although it also has an electronic shutter which IMO is also a good thing if that make sense.

I like the 6x6 format as opposed to the 6x7 format of the RB/RZ.

The Bronica lenses appear sharper and the standard 80mm lens is f2.8.

The Bronica has split screen focusing as standard, which is a real bonus.

In my experience having to wind the RB back and cock the shutter is a real pain in the A. The RZ doesn’t have this problem but has more electronics and the 2 I have used both stopped working for some unfathomable electronic reason, only to come back to life after the shoot for no reason.

Have had the SQB for about a year now and I am totally satisfied with it.
 
I had a chat with Karma today and I suggested he look at Mamiya 645 because

1. its smaller; and with a prism, much easier to focus .
2. 645 format is easier to use for someone who uses 35 mm; 6x6 is an acquired taste ( or so I am finding)
3. Its a focal plane shutter; so same quality lens are much cheaper.
4. For the studio and fill flash portrait work, mamiya has a leaf shuteer lens as well.
5. With ana adapter, Mamiya can use any blad lens ( and Rollei as well I guess); and these are best lens in the business.
6. The body and accessories is abundantly available; and very cheap price

I am putting this up here to hear other possible views;especially if someone thinks I am wrong.
 
Well it comes down to personal preference in the end. I would though tend to agree that 6X6 is an acquired taste. * waits for joxers to throw a Benny* :lol:

Generally speaking I don't think electronics in a medium format camera is a good thing - far more to go wrong. The Hasselblad is a classic example with more repairers who can fix blads in the UK than you can shake a stick at, but any electronic blad has to go back to the Sweden factory to be sorted.

The mechanical RBs are built like a tank and pretty bullet proof, but there are plenty of other options - I'm just not sure there are many that have the wide choice of different format backs etc. while having that large 'native' format.
 
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