rachelle_m. Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 Hi everyone, I've searched through photo.net and haven't quite found what I'm looking for sohere goes: I've gotten my feet wet with medium format already, having a number of cheap,but very good TLRs (Autocords and Yashicamats). However, I'd like to move abetter system with interchangeable lenses. Based on my research (and my limitedfunds) I think I would prefer buying into Bronica although I'm still in aposition to change my mind. ;-) I'm primarily a travel/landscape (including night photography) photographer so Ineed a medium format system that is relatively light and easy to carryaround(but not a rangefinder)and is fairly sturdy (I certainly don't baby mycamera equipment). That being said, my current interest is in developing myskills as a portrait photographer. I'm thinking of using my TLRs for generalphotography, and using the new system for nature (wide angle) and portraitphotography. I'm happy with a waistlevel finder, and have a handheld meter soTTL is not that important. I'm quite partial to the square format, and like the freedom to crop as needed,however, for landscape work would consider a 6x7 system (since I already have6x6 with the TLRs). What I would like to know is not WHAT kind of equipment to buy, but WHICH. Forexample, with a Bronica SQ system, would the A or Ai be a better body? What'sthe real difference between the S and PS lenses? Which wide angle lens would yourecommend? Which lens for portraits? What's the difference between a 120 backand a 120-I back? Again, I'm not looking for technical specifications, I want to know what peoplewould recommend based on their experiences with the equipment AND based on thefact that I'd like to get a reliable system that (hopefully) won't need anyrepairs or replacements in the next few years. As well, I'm open to ideas forother systems, but I think the Mamiyas would be too heavy, and Hassys are tooexpensive for me. I'm just looking for a basic set-up with two lenses, twobacks, and the body (which can be handheld, as well as for tripod use). Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skygzr Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 What's the real difference between the S and PS lenses? The PS lenses are newer, and I *think* they have half-stop clicks for aperture. In terms of sharpness and flare, I've never noticed a difference. Would the A or Ai be a better body? Again, the Ai is newer. It has an in-the-body "B" setting. You have to fiddle with a switch on the lens for "B" with the A camera. Search the archives here....you'll find lots of opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh_sakols Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 Rachelle, My first medium format system was a Mamiya c220 TLR. I decided I really liked the square format for landscapes and a owned a kinderman medium 6x6 projector. About 3 years ago I switched to a Bronica Sqa system with a AE prisim finder. I now mostly meter with a spot meter. I switched to a SLR because I wanted to avoid paralax issues with close focusing and I didn't care for the dim image I got on the TLR with poroflex viewfinder. However, the mamiya was an excellent backpacking camera and sometimes wished I hadn't sold it. I chose a the sqa over the sqai because I read somewhere that it was a better made body however, the sqai I believe has a bulb function that the sqa lacks. Now that i use a Bronica Sqa system, I'm happy to have a wider selection of lenses that are available at bargin prices. I use the 50mm PS, 110 macro PS, and the 200S. I cannot decern a difference between the s and ps. If fact I wish I had 50mm S lens so that I could use the same size filters on all three lenses. I find the 50mm lens to have good depth of field without unacceptable distortion and plenty sharp. Someday i hope to pick up the 40. All my photography is done from a sturdy tripod, but I have had fun getting some hand held images.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark feldstein Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 Howdy Rachelle: I'm not sure why you're excluding rangefinder equipment at this point because they're quite useful for focusing in low light situations like night photography. And, I don't think you'll find that a Mamiya 220 or 330 weighs much more or less than a Blad with an A-12 magazine and comparable lens, say 150 or even just a 100. As far as what to look for in used equipment, aside from indications that it's been well-maintained, a good warranty is really useful cause you never know what's going to go kaputsky during the first month or so. I can only speak to Mamiya, Rollei and the Yashica you mentioned, and Hasselblad equipment, it's durability and versatility as opposed to Bronica. All 4 are excellent and I most guys I know shooting Bronica have no big complaints. But based on your questions, and given the fact that whatever camera you end up with is a pretty personalized decision, like which car to buy in some ways, I recommend that you rent whatever you're interested in and take it for a test drive. Rent a couple of lenses to use with it, shoot a couple of rolls of film, check it's weight, features, ergonomics, etc., for you personally and then decide. I suggest that if you do look at Hassy equipment, you take a trial run of the 150 Sonnar CFT for portraits and a 50 distagon, CFT. Remember, there are different grades of lenses to choose from nowadays and I doubt you'd really notice the difference between the much newer vs. the CF T* lenses. BTW, I think that these days, you're likely to find that "Preowned" (I LOVE that phrase, LOL) Hasselblad equipment costs are comparable to those of Bronica SQ system components. Take a look at KEH.com, for example. Their prices, IMO, are extremely reasonable, fair market and their warranty is good. 30 days. Plus the no questions asked return for the first 15 days, I think, is quite reasonable too. Take it light ;>) Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_earussi1 Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 I don't know how much you're set on Bronica, but they don't have the greatest reputation for durability though the lenses are very good. But the least expensive MF 67 outfit is the Koni-Omega M or 200 rangefinder. Razor sharp lenses (58,90,135,180) interchangable backs, built tough and around $150-$200 for the body w/90, and the other lenses $150-$250 depending on condition. The other camera to consider if you want an SLR is the Pentax 645 (the Pentax 67 is very heavy). Built like a tank, excellent lenses, and light weight and compact. Check the prices on Ebay and KEH but a body w/75 usually runs around $250-$350. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_henderson Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 I've used the Bronica SQ-Ai and a whole raft of lenses for almost exactly ten years, averaging 5-10k exposures a year with a whole lot of travel, days being shaken around on washboard roads and so on. All were bought used. In that time I've been consistently pleased with the capability of the camera in terms of delivering high quality results. I do use a Mamiya 7ii as well so I think I've got a good benchmark on what "quality" is. I have had a few reliability issues though obviously these have not been sufficient to persuade me to change. In the meantime I've sold quite a lot of large prints,done some commercial work and a lot of library stuff without complaint. So Bronica can give you what you need though I'd have to say that other brands can too. I think its very important that you realise that getting a reliable camera is not a certainty and that reliability is largely the property of individual cameras rather than brands. There are no published reliability figures and all the info you get is from individuals whose experience (good or bad) will not relate to the particular example you buy. Some of them won't have any experience with that brand. The real question is how best to buy a camera to maximise the chances of reliability, not choosing a brand because you think that this choice is going to guarantee you a trouble free future. First, buy if you can a camera whose provenance you know. Whilst there is not an absolute link between the extent of use and future reliability there is a commonsense link. Personally I wouldn't want to buy equipment that had spent ten years working in a studio Mon-Fri and then done a couple of weddings every weekend. I'd just think the chances of fundemental wear&tear would be too high. Second buy equipment thats as recent as you can afford. There's absolutely nothing wrong with S lenses for Bronica SQ cameras outside of the fact that they're at least 22 years old. Similarly with SQA bodies. But the SQ-Ai was introduced as far back as 1990 and the I backs came with it. Again you can't say that younger equipment certainly means reliability, but what all of this advice does is tilt the odds a little. Third buy from someone who offers a return period or warranty. You may not get a long one, but what you need is the ability to get some rolls of film through the camera before its irrevocably yours. Fourth, get a manual so you know how to use it and you don't get confused between a camera fault and user ignorance. These are mostly available to download. Fifth and last. Do test it. Immediately. Systematically. Test the shutter speeds and make sure that 1/4 at f8 gives the same exposure as 1/2 at f11 and so on. Use transparency film to notice exposure differences. Examine every exposure carefully to look for light leaks on the results from each of the backs and try not to confuse flare with a leak (ask on here if necessary). A couple of final points. Whilst 67 slr's are mostly quite a lot bigger and heavier than 6x6, I'd personally only want to buy a square format camera if I wanted a majority of images to be square. If to intended to crop most of the photographs I'd go with a 67 instead and crop to square when I wanted that. Second, if you're going to hand-hold-or even handle- the SQ-Ai a lot, get a Speedgrip. It transforms the handling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan_dzo Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 The SQA or SQAi with speedgrip handles nicely and is pretty robust. I'd second the advice not to get an ex-studio or wedding camera. they're generally easy to tell by their wear though. I use mine backpacking andit gets chucked around in a backpack. Mine got blown off a mountain last week, on it's sizeable tripod and cartwheeled down the hill. It's fine and only snapped the cable release (not part of the camera). Bodies and lenses go for silly money these days so it's not much risk. Remember the shutter is in each lens so again less to go wrong overall. I'd buy the most recent gear you can afford. The 40mm is excellent, the 50 good, the 65 a gem, the 80 fine and the 110 excellent. Get several backs and you've got a versatile system. I'm very happy with mine. as to two lenses, when travelling light I always take the 65 and 110. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdwheeler Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Rachelle, I was adicted to MF with my large PENTAX 6X7 stomping around the world getting great shots at a reasonable cost of the system. Bu8t it was limited, and it was heavy. I was convinced tha the 6X7 neg was the only option. I tried rangefinder but traded it for a Bronica ETRSI. IT has all the great features of the SLR, but with Leaf lenses that are reliable and flexible. More so, I get better quality than the PENTAX, but about 1/32 the weight - I can carry more if I chose, or go pretty light. And it's much cheaper than used Mamiya Rangefinder gear - also with limits. The Bronica 6X7 and the Mamiya RB abd RZ 6X7s are pretty big. Almost like using large format. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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