Bronica TL or Mamiya 645?

I have a choice between an old Bronica TL 6x6 with 80mm 2.8, and a Mamiya 645 (old style) with an 80mm 2.8.

 

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Both cameras have w/l finders and are in near perfect cond. The Bronica is $599 and the Mamiya is $685. Which would be a better buy? I like them both but have heard parts are very scarce for the B.(although it seems to be built like a tank!).

 

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This will be my first MF camera and I hope to make the best choice I can. I am an experienced 35mm photog, but know little about older cameras. I will seriously consider any and all opinions... help!

Or more accurately, a Bronica EC-TL or a Mamiya M645. I would love to hear from someone with experience with either camera!

Hallo Carlo,

 

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I own both cameras, and I would say, both have their strength.

The bronica has an built in exosure meter, which you can use also

with the waist-level finder. It has changeable magazines, and as a fan

of quadrat format you get the 6x6, which is esp. as slide uncomparable.

 

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The mamiya 645(I own th 1000s) has its advantige, concerning lower weight, still availability of any lenses, the brighter viewfinder.

 

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As you wrote, the bronica is built like a tank (I had mine in Island, very dusty, very wet, only tent); the mamiya is not unreliable, but

I had several repairs with mine, after taking it in the rucksack.

 

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If you can get the 150/3.5 Zenzanon and the 50/2.8 Nikon Wideangle,

take the bronica, otherwise I would prefer the mamiya.

 

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Werner

Werner, Thank you very much for your reply. I very much appreciate valuable first-hand information such as you supplied. Thanks again!