From 35mm & Holga to MF camera, recommendations?

<p>Hi!<br>

I've been fascinated by analogue photgraphy for 10 years now, and been using my Nikon F2 since then. Some years ago I got bitten by the Holga bug, and fell in love with the 120 film and it's big negatives. I've primarly used the 6x6 mask as I've liked the square format for a long time..<br>

However the Holgas isn't sharp, don't have a great build, and for some reason I feel the need of weight in my hands (ref. the Nikon F2), so I'm thinking a MF camera might be something for me. :)<br>

Basically, I'd like a camera primarly for outdoor use and that is portable, and not in dire need of a tripod. As I also enjoy shooting Polaroid it would be great if there is a Polaroid back (Polaroid 669/690 & Fuji FP-100C/100B) for the camera, but not needed.<br>

I like the concept of a waist level viewfinder, however I'd also like the option of a prism finder with metering. I'm not that could with metering by eye, though I can bring my DSLR..<br>

I have been looking at Mamiya 645, Mamiya RZ67 and different TLRs, but I thought it would be good with some recommendations and advices. I'm open to all suggestions! :)<br>

<br />Thanks in advance!<br>

Anders Gressli</p>

<p>The Mamiya RZ/RB cameras are large and heavy, and some don't consider them as portable as other cameras. You might also consider the Bronica SQ series of cameras, 6x6 format that can be had for a reasonable price. Re the Mamiya 645, some of them will not fit the bill of what you're looking for re interchangeable back, specifically, the 645e, m645, M645j, M645 1000s. Good hunting. </p>

<p>"primarly for outdoor use and that is portable, and not in dire need of a tripod."</p>

<p>At this point, were there nothing else in the post, the answer would be Mamiya 7. It has the best lenses in MF, and the weight is such that you'll actually use it. And 6x7 is glorious. But it's a rangefinder, doesn't focus close, even using a polarizer is a pain, not remembering to remove the lens cap is going to bite you, etc. etc. etc. If you are thinking about an SLR, it's a world's worth of pain. But the glorious slides/negatives are worth it.</p>

 

<p>Thanks guys!<br />I don't think the weight and size should be a problem of the ones I've been looking at. :)<br /><br />Jeremy: The Bronica SQ series is definately an option, however I've read someone having issues with the shutter. Does the camera jump when releasing or something? And I'll be careful with which version I choose if I'm landing on a Mamyia 645, thanks! :)<br>

David: Let me rephrase - "primarly for outdoor use and not in dire need of a tripod. Would be nice if it didn't weigh more than 3 kg with lens!" :) I'm not sure about a rangefinder to be honest. What's the up-/downside with them expect the ones you're mentioning?<br /><br /><br />(Noticed a typo in my first post, should be "not that good with metering by eye")</p>

<p>I have not heard of any issues with Bronica shutters. They are Seiko shutters, which Mamiya also uses.</p>

<p>Have you considered Hasselblad.....they are getting cheap now?</p>

<p>It's big and heavy, but it practically shouts "I'm a camera for the outdoors!" especially when armed with that big, beefy wooden handle. The <strong>Pentax 6x7</strong> gives you that glorious large negative, the later ones have mirror lock up, and it has a good selection of moderately priced lenses, especially long telephotos, because it's a focal plane shutter camera. At least one lens in the line has a shutter for sync at higher speeds, if needed, however. Bodies with TTL prisms can be had for reasonable sums nowadays, although it seems that, after tracking prices on eBay for a while, I've noticed that it still sells for a bit of a premium over other workhorses, like the RB67. Which, as has been mentioned, lots of folks wouldn't really consider to be portable.</p>

<p>I own a Bronica ETR-Si, which is a great little camera. With the Winder E, it operates like a largish 35mm camera, but it has all the modularity of a pro MF system. But because of its relatively small size it works nicely as an outdoor camera -- which is what I use mine for almost 100% of the time. I believe the ETR-Si to be the best of all the 645 cameras made with the possible exception of the Contax, but that's just my opinion. YMMV. And of course its image size is "only" 6x4.5.</p>

<p>I also own a Yashica Mat TLR. There are many great things to be said about a good TLR, and even for your purposes, you could find it to be useful, I believe. They can be had cheaply enough these days where you might consider one for a spare.</p>

<p>I do plan to add one more MF camera to my collection and it will be that big Pentax. I've wanted one for years and they're finally reaching my affordability range. And I will use it for probably close to 100% outdoor work as well.</p>

 

<p>Jeff: It was something about mirror/shutter slap, but that might be a minor one. So I don't mind :)<br /><br />Russ: No, I haven't actually, thought they would be way out of my price range. Do you have any suggestions? :)<br /><br />Michael: Thanks! The Pentax 6x7 looks interesting. I'm not much of a telephoto fanatic, so I'll primarly use portrait and possibly a wide angle lens, but thanks for info! Bronica ETR-Si is interesting as well, but I'm falling towards 6x6 or 6x7 when it comes to format. I really like the square format, and using the Holga I didn't enjoy it as much with the 6x4.5 as with the 6x6 mask.<br /> I've been looking at TLRs as well, but I don't have any impression of which to choose from. So thanks for the Yashica-suggestion as well, Michael!<br /><br /><br />It should be said that "outdoor use" in my mind is "not studio, mostly people, nature/landscape (perhaps a bit macro) and street" rather than "photo safaris and animals"! And I think I should mention my budget as well.. I really want to keep it around $550/£350 or below for the whole kit (body, viewfinder [wl + possibly prism] and a portraitlens, round 50mm@35mm). The polaroid back would be something I'll buy later, unless I find a good deal</p>