Need your opinion on these choices....

[vjhanak]

Hi,

 

I am very new to MF photography and need your opinion on the following

choices. Can you please comment on how much these systems are worth? I am

trying to bid for these on ebay.

 

Choice 1 (~ USD 395) --

Mamiya 645e Camera,

80mm f2.8 N Lens,

AE Finder,

220 Insert,

Instructions on CD (PDF)

 

Condition -- Good

 

Choice 2 (~ USD 725),

Mamiya 645 Pro body,

Mamiya 645 80mm f/2.8 N lens,

Mamiya 645 film back,

Mamiya 645 AE prism finder FE401,

Mamiya 645 power winder WG401,

Mamiya 645 standard focusing screen,

Mamiya 645 120 film insert,

Instructions on CD (PDF),

Mamiya 645 front lens cap,

Mamiya 645 rubber lens shade,

Batteries for camera and winder,

Mamiya 645 220 film insert

 

Condition -- Mint +

 

Being very new to MF photography, I cannot make a decision on which option is

better for me. I am not a professional photographer. Any suggestions/comments

are appreciated. I am currently going with choice 1 as I feel that the 645e is

a good choice for getting into MF photography.

[mitchfalk]

If your going M/F try the Mamiya rb67. It will give you a bigger Pos/Neg to scan. If your heart is not set on Mamiya, try a Hasselblad or Pentax 67. Hassy lens are still the best around, and the Pentax is very reasonably priced.

[csafdari]

The single most significant characteristic of MF and what sets it apart from 35mm is negative size. Thus, I suggest staying away from 645 and going to at least 6x6 or better yet 6x7. Not only will you end up with better quality photos, you'll also have a greater range of cameras to purchase..

 

The Pentax 67, the RB67 S or ProSD or the more expensive RZ67 series are all great ( RB esp. for portrait photography) the Rolleiflexes or ...

 

If you're really jsut getting into this try a Yashica MAT G (twin-lens.) Inexpensive & good quality.

[bueh]

Between only these two choices, I would choose #1. It's less expensive if you only want to test the water and the M645E is a good amateur level camera with its accurate <abbR title="auto-exposure">AE</abbR> prism. The only essential thing lacking is an 120 film insert. Keep in mind that the M645E doesn't have interchangeable finders, so you cannot use a <abbr title="waist-level finder">WLF</abbr> (which is a dealbreaker for me).

<p>

Like both choices, #2 is a bit on the expensive side, and only one slow standard lens is not so desireable. You might even find an old RZ67 with an <abbR title="auto-exposure">AE</abbR> prism (<i>if</i> you need one) and a "used" Sekor Z or nice Sekor C lens for this much.

<p>

If you want to try medium format, you can find on that big internet auction site kits with older M645 bodies and several lenses (including the fast 80mm f/1.9 lens) for considerably less than option #1. An <abbR title="auto-exposure">AE</abbR> prism is handy, but think about getting a modern hand-held light meter instead. As a previous poster said, also consider Mamiya RB67/RZ67 <abbR title="single-lens reflex cameras">SLRs</abbR>. Personally, I would stay away from <abbR title="twin-lens reflex cameras">TLRs</abbR>.

[vjhanak]

Thanks so much for your comments. I really appreciate it.

[paul_chan4]

Vijay, if you wish to consider good value for the bucks you may like to consider the Pentax 645. Both Bronica and Pentax are selling well below what they were a few years back and they are both excellent systems with a fairly extensive range of good lenses. But do not go into medium format gear for the thought they would hold up well in value. Most have taken a big bash since digital.