angelos_rallis Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Hi there, I am looking forward to buy a medium format camera that has TTL lightmeasurement. I want to use it for street photography thus I need a quick lightreading and possibly autofocus mechanism. I have some money to spend but notanything too expensive.Let me know if you have any suggestionsthanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc_w Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 If you want TTL and autofocus, I think you may already be quite expensive. There are 645 rigs that will do this, but if you want larger and very inexpensive, try a Yashicamat TLR. No autofocus, but TTL, and very cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anupam Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Don, the yashicamats have TTL metering?<p>-<a href=https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/basu/web/>Anupam</A> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_kinkade Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Don... Maybe I'm missing something, but I'm not aware of a Yashica Mat TLR with TTL. Meters, yes...but not through the lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilambrose Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 <p>TTL metering + autofocus + speed generally means big bucks in MF photography.</ p> <p>I'm more familiar with Hasselblad than anything else... and the only Hasselblad that even comes close to meeting all those things is the H1 -- and that will cost you in the region of $3,500, even well used. Later H series cameras will cost even more.</p> <p>As an alternative, how about I suggest a Holga? It doesn't have any of those features, but it is medium format, weighs less than a paperback book, is very small and amazingly discrete. Plus it only costs about $15.</p> <p>I use Holgas a lot for street photography. Generally I have 2 or 3 of them, each loaded with a differently rated film. That way I have the right film/light combination for most situations, and simply swap cameras as I move into different situations.</p> <p>Best thing is they look like a heap of junk (they are toys, after all) and no one takes them seriously. You can get very close to people without them being the least bit worried.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicaglow Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 I'm surprised no one has mentioned this option: You can buy a decent used Hasselblad, back and lens for about $600 or so if you do good research. TTL meter prism finders sell as low as $230-250 these days. I don't care to work with the prism finders that much, but the accuracy of the meter in my PME-5 is very good. The other thing for street photography is that I almost never use a meter because I'm pretty good at estimating it using the Sunny 16 rule. For more important shots, I use an incident or spot meter to back myself up. You won't have autofocus, but Hasselblads are pretty easy to focus, especially with an Acute Mat or Beattie screen, or my preference: the split image screen. Also, it would be good to know what price range you're thinking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshx Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Angelos, Consider a Fuji GA645. While 'only' 6x4.5, they have autofocus and are supposed to be very sharp. However, they meter externally (not TTL). Check out KEH or eBay (there's one for $400, BIN). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Ingold Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 The Mamiya 645 Pro is available with autofocus and TTL metering. It handles basically like a 35mm camera, only bigger. The camera and lenses are relatively inexpensive compared to Hasselblad V models (which have neither). An autofocus Hasselblad will cost more than a new SUV (or is it a Prius these days). I'm not convinced you will get any better "street" pictures with a medium format camera than with a Nikon F100 setup for 1/3rd the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilambrose Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 <p>Not a bad suggestion, but a Hasselblad with a PME finder isn't always the best tool for street photography. I've tried it with my 503 and its slow and very, very obvious. You can't photograph from a distance because long telephotos are unwieldy, and if you're up close you might as well have a flashing sign on your head.</p> <p>In my experience, at least, the only viable way to work a Hasselblad on the street is with a waist level finder, which kind of eliminates TTL metering unless you're using a 203/205. And you won't get one of those for $600.</p> <p>Although using a 500/501 and metering by hand, of course, is an excellent lower budget alternative.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilambrose Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 <p>I guess there were a few other posts while I was writing my earlier response. If you haven't figured out the connection, it's following on from Michael's. :-) </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_the_builder1 Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Rolleiflex 600 Series has TTL, spot, average, custom, AF... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_the_builder1 Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Sorry, that sould be 6000 series, particularly the 6008, 6008AF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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