stephen_kruft

It all depends on whether you require TTL. It is possible to revert to older methods.

The only MF SLR I have used is Hasselblad, I do not think it is impractical if I use a 45 degree finder and hold onto it with a hand grip, but you do have to hold onto it carefully. Other than that I have used only TLRs.

This is a great thread, showing how helpful people can be.

The first quality camera was a Rollei 3.5F.

If you want to do portraits, I suggest, get and use a sturdy tripod to begin with. Perfectly good ones can be found at garage sales and flea markets for practically nothing. Then later you can get another one that suits you. I agree with others about the lenses. I shot individual portraits using 35mm cameras with a 105mm lens.

I used the Metz 402 and then the 45 and 60 series. They are old technology and not ideal but still usable. The weight and bulk were not a big deal when the camera was already big and heavy.

I had various box cameras then the first quality one was a Rollei 3.5F.