First medium format camera - help

K

kabooi

Suspended / Banned
Messages
284
Edit My Images
Yes
I have been meaning to venture into the world of medium format photography for some months, and have been saving up for the unknown.

Upon my research I decided to buy a bronica etrs. I then saw the mamiya. And all the other bronicas. And even the yashica 124g.

I am now lost, still without a camera. At the moment ffords have a bronica etrs I could buy.

Bronica etrs is 6x4.5, yeah? People are saying go 6x6 but to be honest im confused about what it means. I want the quality that medium format offers. I like the idea of the bronica and it's interchangable backs, and how you can add bits and peices. But then there is the bronica sq-a.....


see how confused I am????
 
H'mm everyone has their favourites for a reply and it would help with details e.g. what is the camera going to be used for. For me I'm happy with my ETRs and RB67 and see no reason to change to anything else.
 
My advice here would be to read up on various types of cameras and their pros and cons, and how they might suit the kind of thing you want to photograph. But ultimately you need to take the plunge and get one!

6x4.5 is the format and size of the images it takes, in centimetres (roughly). It is the smallest standard medium format size, which gives you 15 (or sometimes 16) shots on a roll of 120 film. 6x6 is a a square format, used in most TLRs, Hasselblads, Bronica SQ cameras etc, and gives you 12 square shots. Then some cameras go 6x7, 6x9 etc, with correspondingly bigger and different shapes of negative, and fewer shots per roll.

But in terms of image quality, they all deliver the medium format thing as even the smallest 6x4.5 negative is considerably bigger than a 24x36mm negative from 35mm. Bigger gets better, obviously, but also has other compromises, often including size and weight of the cameras.

Simplest and cheapest is probably the TLR (like the Yashica 124G) - no faffing about with backs, film holders etc. But they're a bit quirky, with a waist level finder and reversed image, which takes a bit of getting used to.

Something like an ETRS or Mamiya 645 is probably easier in some ways if you have a prism, as it's a bit more like handling an SLR.

Benefit of all this stuff is that if you buy well you can always sell on for roughly what you paid, so best just to have a go, try one or two, and find out what you like best!
 
I'd personally read up on it more. There are many choices, and lots of things within the budget I'm presuming you have (judging from you looking at SQ and ETRS models). Sure, you might buy something and not be happy with it - which is why TheGreatSoprendo said you can sell it on.

But the 'net has a wealth of information on this topic, and whilst it can all be a bit overwhelming it is definitely worth researching properly. Depending on your location, it might also be worth waiting till the next film meet, where you may be able to see (and try!) some of these fabled medium format cameras in person.
 
A few years ago, I bought my first medium format camera. Also from Ffordes and also an ETRS.

It was the only one I could afford at the time. I really wanted an SQ but it would have been £100 more.

A couple of years later I bought a Mamiya RB67.

If at the time of buying the ETRS, I had bought an SQ instead, I would have been happy with the 6x6 format and wouldn't have bought the RB67.

In my case it was either wait for a while and save the extra money or get something I could afford straight away.


Steve.
 
I have an RB67 which is very very nice, but heavy. I also have a 6x6 TLR, which is brilliant for carrying out and about. I also love the square image. Personally if I was buying again I would probably do the same and get one of each. I think that I would prefer the larger negative of a 6x6 as you can crop a 6x6 or 6x7. Ultimately it depends on what you are using it for as you may prefer convenience over weight etc.
 
So guys, I read a couple of replies and then impulsively bought the bronica etrs from ffordes.

I then read the rest of the replies and now feel slightly ****ed at myself that I did that ! :eek:

The bronica will be used for landscapes and portraits, and possibly some street work...it wont see heavy use. I could have saved for something in a bigger format but I can do that later down the line.

I think I am going to also get the yash 124g to add to my collection though :p

I only got the film back, waist level finder and camera plus lens. I really want the metered prism finder but cant afford one. Any links to good lightmeters and a bag to hold this all in?
 
Do you want a hand grip for it?

I have one here which is not in top condition but will work. This is reflected in the asking price of £0 (just pay for postage).

send me a message if interested.


Steve.
 
kabooi said:
So guys, I read a couple of replies and then impulsively bought the bronica etrs from ffordes.

I then read the rest of the replies and now feel slightly ****ed at myself that I did that ! :eek:

The bronica will be used for landscapes and portraits, and possibly some street work...it wont see heavy use. I could have saved for something in a bigger format but I can do that later down the line.

I think I am going to also get the yash 124g to add to my collection though :p

I only got the film back, waist level finder and camera plus lens. I really want the metered prism finder but cant afford one. Any links to good lightmeters and a bag to hold this all in?
Click to expand...

Light meter ? There's an app for that.. The iPhone one is pretty good..
 
Don't be annoyed at yourself, the ETRS is a very good camera from what i've heard, and if you don't like it Ffordes has a returns policy.

I've got a Bronica SQ-Ai and taking a quick glance at the ETRS manual it looks like it functions pretty similar, so you should get on with it fine, i actually got my SQ-Ai from Ffordes oddly enough.
 
Morinaka said:
Don't be annoyed at yourself, the ETRS is a very good camera
Click to expand...

Agreed, and it has some advantages over the 6x6 SQ series like being substantially smaller and lighter and getting more shots per roll. If you want to do portrait-orientation shots you're going to need a prism finder though - waist level finders are next to impossible for that!
 
kabooi said:
So guys, I read a couple of replies and then impulsively bought the bronica etrs from ffordes.

I then read the rest of the replies and now feel slightly ****ed at myself that I did that ! :eek:

The bronica will be used for landscapes and portraits, and possibly some street work...it wont see heavy use. I could have saved for something in a bigger format but I can do that later down the line.

I think I am going to also get the yash 124g to add to my collection though :p

I only got the film back, waist level finder and camera plus lens. I really want the metered prism finder but cant afford one. Any links to good lightmeters and a bag to hold this all in?
Click to expand...

You are going to need some lenses...either 40mm or 50mm and a 150mm...for the 150mm, the f4 ver is supposed to be a bit inferior to the f3.5 one. Also a prism is a must plus the speed grip to use as a large 35mm SLR
 
ETRS is great! Enjoyed the one I had for a while, although sold it due to some personal money issues :( I had the 75mm and the 150mm lens. Both of which were great! I got some nice portraits off the 75mm wide open.
 
Congratulations on your purchase.

You wont regret it....MF is beautiful
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top