Which Medium Format Camera system had interchangeable backs?

<p>Hello:<br /> This is my first post on photo.net, I had searched the site for information without result.<br /> My question is, currently, I have a project in mind which need a camera system to enable me to shot a scene repeatedly with the same lens and scenery but with different films. <br /> I had looked into 35mm and can not find anything (or is there?), and thought medium format will be my answer as I remembered Hasselblad system and Mamiya 645 system both offered interchangeable backs to enable photographers to safely change their film during shooting. Another option for me is a large format camera which accept both 4x5 and medium format backs.<br>

Ideally, Hasselblad will be the one, but the price for 50mm+80mm+160mm+body is beyond my student budget at the moment, so I like to explore other possibilities.<br>

Which other systems had offered interchangeable backs?<br /> Thank You,<br /> Lucas Kao</p>

<p>The easiest way to do this project would be with a LF camera. Since you can load whatever film you like into the individual holders you could use as many different films as you have holders (actually x2). With MF and 35mm you really have to finish a roll or rewind it to the beggining (which is hard with 35, and harder with MF) before removing the film and/or the back.</p>

<p>Thanks for the quick reply Andrew, but I thought with either hasselblad or mamiya will allow me to change the back in the middle of the shooting by placing the silver slide back into the cartridge and change without worries?</p>

<p>The reason I do not favor large format is because the bulkiness usually associated with large format, or are there 4x5 cameras as small as Hasselblad when assembled and offer affordable lens covering 28mm/50mm/90mm in 35mm format?<br>

The reason for different focal length is because the project will be shot in slide entirely, so cropping and enlarging will not be available.</p>

<p>"With MF and 35mm you really have to finish a roll or rewind it to the beggining (which is hard with 35, and harder with MF) before removing the film and/or the back."<br>

 <br>

Not true, you don't have to remove the film from the back to swap to a different film in a different back.  Most (if not all) MF cameras with interchangeable backs have a dark slide which you insert before changing backs part way through a roll.<br>

These cameras (and probably plenty more) have interchangeable backs: Mamiya 645, Mamiya RB67, Mamiya RZ67, Hasselblad (all models), Bronica (most models I think), Rollei SL66, etc.<br>

 <br>

...Wayne<br>

 </p>

<p>Two points:<br>

1. '...the project will be shot in slide entirely...' - are the slides going to be projected? If so, do you have a medium format slide projector? I love projecting medium format slides, but it adds to the cost and work involved. <br>

2. How many different types of film? I have used different films in separate backs on a Hasselblad, but when I had 35 mm systems, I usually had two camera bodies; each loaded with a different type of film. I think that used 35 mm film camera bodies are pretty cheap these days, so just buying an extra body or two might be the best solution.</p>

<p>To Ross:<br>

Thanks for the concern on the projector, however the finishing slide will not be projected and only to be view directly.<br>

As for the number of films, I would need minimum of four films at the same scene, so it will be more convenient to use a interchangeable back than carrying four M bodies.</p>

<p>To Ross:<br>

Thanks for the concern on the projector, however the finishing slide will not be projected and only to be view directly.<br>

As for the number of films, I would need minimum of four films at the same scene, so it will be more convenient to use a interchangeable back than carrying four M bodies.</p>

<p>The answer to your question is: except Pentax and the TLRs, pretty much every MF system has interchangeable backs.</p>

<p>You should be able to get a Mamiya 645 Pro system with 55, 80, and 150mm lenses and four backs for a reasonable price. The 55/2.8 for the 645 is very sharp. I was happier with the 110/2.8 than the 150/3.5, and never used the normal lens.</p>

<p>If you can deal with the weight and bulk, I'd recommend the RZ67 over the 645 Mamiya. 6x7 is a lot bigger than 645, and the rotating back is neat. (Although I've never used an RZ67.) I'd go for an RZ67 with just the waistlevel finder.</p>

 

<p><em>"The answer to your question is: except Pentax and the TLRs, [...]" </em></p>

<p>And the rangefinders.</p>

<p>The original Mamiya 645 (Mamiya 645, 645 1000s, and 645J) cameras DID NOT have interchangeable backs. They had interchangeable inserts that could not be changed mid roll. They offered interchangeable backs starting with the 645 Pro/Super.</p>

<p>There are plenty of MF cameras with interchangeable backs but there are also a couple of 35mm film cameras with interchangeable cameras, namely the Contarex and certain models of the Contaflex cameras. The Contaflexes are more affordable. Ignore the non-interchangeable lenses models or the 126 film models. If I'm not mistaken, the interchangeable lenses (only front part is interchangeable actually) and film backs models are confined to the Super, Super B and Super BC models. Lenses are susceptible to separation though but because of this, lenses can be had for ridiculously low prices. Lenses range from 35mm to 115mm. I don't think there is any wider lens for this camera unless you go for the Contarex. The Contarex has a range of 18mm to 250mm and even a zoom.</p>

<p>Frankly you are spoiled for choice. No matter which format you choose (645/6x6/67) the market is pretty much awash with good value used slr product which so long as its working properly -some sort of warranty or trial period is very useful- is capable of making great quality images. I'd stick with Hasselblad, Mamiya and Bronica where there's enough kit around to assemble your proposed outfit fairly quickly.</p>

<p>Whatever you buy, test it before you use it for anything vital. These systems were built in the expectation of being serviced once in a while, and I suspect that most of them haven't been, and that some are sold with undisclosed faults.</p>

<p>A challenge that you might need to overcome if you shoot large format 4x5 and roll film back is that a given lens focal length will give radically different field of views.<br>

A 150mm lens on 4x5 is standard. A 150mm lens on 6x7 roll gives a telephoto perspective. I have both marked on my ground glass and they are radically different.<br>

Maybe large format is an option if you do it all using 4x5 film holders.<br>

This is actually one thing that I really like about LF - the ability to choose your film emulsion on a per shot basis.<br>

Good luck!</p>

<p>CP-<br>

Hard to beat a Mamiya 645 Pro or RB67 for ease of back change out, availability of lenses, rugged build quality and very, very cheap prices these days. There is a ton of great stuff available used. Just decide how big a slide you want, 645 or 6x7.<br>

I have bought used of both lines, and typically have 2 or 3 backs loaded with different film when I go seriously shooting. That makes for fast options in quickly changing light or situations and where I want B&W or color neg or slide film to do the job.<br>

Jim</p>

<blockquote>

<p>This is actually one thing that I really like about LF - the ability to choose your film emulsion on a per shot basis.</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p><br />Well yes, but thats not unique to LF is it? I mean that with a few MF backs, costing peanuts these days, you can do the same thing arguably more quickly, more flexibly and more conveniently. I'd have thought that the biggest argument in favour of LF would be if the OP's project would benefit from movements, or if he'd prefer to look at 5x4 slides rather than MF given that he won't be projecting them. </p>

<p>The Koni-Omegas are rangefinders & have interchangeable backs. They are also very affordable & ideal for a student budget.</p>

<p>------</p>

 

 

<p><em>"The answer to your question is: except Pentax and the TLRs, [...]" </em><br>

And the rangefinders.</p>

 

<p>Also,the Mamiya Press cameras. Which could give you a 6x9 image.</p>

<p>For the sake of thinking "outside the box" you could make a dozen pin-hole cameras with rollfilm holders for a low cost. That would pretty much cover all your transarency choices and be a terrific ancillary project. :-) What is your budget? Some judicious shopping can put a few bodies (film holders with shutter) if you consider TLR, folding cameras etc. Good light management, sturdy tripod, a few oldies-but-goodies loaded with premium slide film and you are good to create!</p>

<p>Hello, just like to say thanks for the contribution of everyone, I had been to a local camera shop and player around with the Mamiya and Bronica, in the end, I had decided to go with a Hasselblad for two reasons, the build quality of hasselblad is superb compare to the Mamiya and Bronica bodies as I tend to abuse them alot and also I found a good deal on Ebay, 500CM+80mm T* f2.8 CF+50mm f4 with back and WLF added up around 600GBP. The next problem for me will be to find a good travelling tripod+head to go with the hasselblad.<br>

Thanks again, really like this forum now.<br>

Lucas Kao</p>

<p>p.s:<br>

To: Jeff Drew<br>

I like the idea of the pinhole back with slide, the result can be very interesting, a bit lomo, may considered it. Thanks</p>

<p> </p>