nuno_campos1 Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Hi, Last year I built my darkroom and although I have a 6x6 enlarger I have done just 35mm enlargements. I would like to try MF for landscape photography but I am always on a budget. After some research I find the following combo at keh.com, bargain condition:Mamiya M645 J (37$USD) + Mamiya 80mm f/2.8 N (31$USD) + Prism (17$USD) = 85$USD Could you tell me if this is a good stat with MF or if I should go another way? Something around 100$USD, would be great. Thanks in advance, Best regards, Nuno Campos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_purdy Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Wow that is pretty cheap. I started with mamiya 645 in the early 80s and hated the camera as it was in the shop all the time. but for a hundred bucks you can't go too far wrong. Hopefully someday your budget will increase and you can get a nice camera that you will love and will last forever. Like a Rollei Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randall ellis Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 That's how I got started in medium format, but for quite a bit more money. I upgraded later to a 1000S body, but kept all the lenses and other gear and still use them today. I've never had any problems with mine, but as with any brand of any product you will run into people who have had problems - nothing is perfect after all. The J doesn't have mirror lock up, but other than that it's just like the other models in that line. - Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randall ellis Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Sorry, I forgot the the J has fewer shutter speeds (no 1/1000th and nothing over 1s) if I remember correctly. Make sure you get a 120 insert for it too, so you can load film... - Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_sevigny Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 You might also consider something like an old Minolta Autocord or a big, BIG Mamiya TLR, like the C33. Both are cheap and dependable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bueh Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 The M645J is my favorite Mamiya 645 when I don't need an <abbr title="auto exposure">AE</abbr> prism. This kit of you seem terribly underpriced, I hope there is nothing wrong with it. Try to find the waist-level finder, too, for it really is part of the <i>medium format experience</i>™. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuno_campos1 Posted February 6, 2007 Author Share Posted February 6, 2007 The 120 insert is included. Well, the 1000s would be a better choice with more speed and MLU, but it is more expensive and they do not have one in bargain condition now. The price seems too good to be true, but people always tell that keh has a very conservative evaluation of the items condition, so? Would the lack of MLU be a problem with long exposures? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_laudermilk Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Looks good to me. I did an all-BGN 645Pro setup with that same $31 lens & it all works great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Dude, just buy the kit. I wouldn't waste a lot of time on the phone with them, as their margin is close to nil on the gear, but I'm sure they won't mind, they're a great shop. If a piece doesn't work return it to them. You can get a different body when one turns up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil ted Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 I know your enlarger is only 6x6, but in my opinion the best bang for the buck is a good Pentax 6x7. They are silly cheap now days and you will never regret getting one. 6x45 is still a bit small in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_earussi1 Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 It's a really cheap price, but if it were me I would save up for a much better camera like the Pentax 645 which can be had for around $250-350 with a 75mm, lens and virtually never has any mechanical problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john falkenstine Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 You'll need to buy a light meter as well. More than likely that is part of the reason why this unit is reasonably priced. But, using the meter is fun anyway. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_502260 Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 If you were getting these items anywhere else I would be more concerned. I have ordered some of my Bronica medium format items from KEH and I a waiting for some of them to be delivered today. This will be a good start and you can't argue with those prices. If you decide you like using medium format equipment there is plenty of it out there from mamiya and other companies at very low prices. If you like landscape photography then your next lens will probably be a 55mm wide angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas_hardy1 Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Do you have the mask for 645 for your enlarger? Almost everyone says BGN from KEH is quite good. I think you can return the kit if it does not suit you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stwrtertbsratbs5 Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 A 645 neg is a huge step up from 35mm. And the KEH price is really low. Give it a go - you have 10 days to return the kit if it doesn't work out. You'll pay postage, but it's still cheaper than renting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank.schifano Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 The 645 negative IS a lot bigger than you'd expect. With the standard 35mm frame you get about 864 sq. mm. of image area in a 2/3 aspect ratio. The 645 negative delivers approx. 2700 sq. mm (a bit less, but it's not by much) or three times the image area of the standard 35mm frame in a different 3/4 aspect ratio. The standard 8x10 print delivers an image area in a 4/5 aspect ratio, assuming equal borders on all sides of the print. Simply by looking at the numbers you can see that in order to print in 4/5 aspect ratio from a 35mm frame, you will be cropping out a lot of the available image to make it fit. With the 645 negative, you are throwing away much less of the image to make it fit that aspect ratio. So not only do you get a much larger negative from 645, you also get to use more of that much larger negative for the final print. Square medium format images have advantages if you want to print square pictures, but I find that I'm cropping square images down to something approximating the 645 negative anyway before I'm done. Larger medium format negatives (6x7 and up) of deliver even more image area but the size weight and cost of the gear goes up too. Nope, I thing that for most folks 645 is an ideal compromise. You get a large enough negative to deliver stunning 11x14 prints without all the added overhead of larger gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bueh Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 It's useless to argue with people that claim "645 is not large enough" since most of them have never used a 645 camera. All that do understand why the 645 format has been such a great success and why people love it. <p> By the way, if you are only shooting landscapes on a tripod and a normal lens is sufficient for you, you could always try a 6x9 folder camera or a plate/press camera with a roll film back -- it's the cheapest but not very ergonomic solution for huge negatives. Film and processing cost will kill you quickly as there are only 8 (or 9) frames per 120 roll. But 6x9 <i>is</i> huge... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josphy Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Jump on it, Nuno. KEH is great -- their bargain stuff is usually in really great condition, and their return policy is excellent if something isn't right. The only thing I'd consider, if you would like to have interchangeable backs (it can be very handy having two backs w/ both color & b+w film or two different speeds of film), then you may want to go with the Super or Pro. Also, you may want to have a quick look at the Bronica ETRS cameras. They are also excellent, and very inexpensive these days. You can compare which lenses you might want to add in the future and get a feel of the prices between the Mamiya and the Bronica. The bottom line is, both are EXCELLENT and can be had for dirt cheap these days. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stwrtertbsratbs5 Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 Well said, Frank and Bueh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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