Not a lot of money to spend... what medium format camera?

[steve_bellayr]

<p>Your photos are very good. Why do you need a 6x7? Any good MF would suffice. Don't get something that you are not comfortable with using. Photography is not an inexpensive hobby. The equipment is expensive. I'd recommend that you save additional funds and look for a good TLR. You could save money if it doesn't have a meter. A nice Yashica or Rolleicord to start with you be good. If the camera is too heavy or cumbersome you will not want to carry it every where. Ergonomics is important.</p>

[yefei_he1]

<p>Koni-Omega indeed is the best bet. Maybe a Bronica GS-1 with W/L if you are patient.</p>

<p>Yefei</p>

[charles_hohenstein]

<p>The Koni-Omegas are indeed great, rugged cameras, and are a fantastic value for the price.</p>

[jack_welsh]

<p>Yashica D, is great for a 6x6 TLR. Cheaper and the knob wind is more reliable than those that have a film crank. You might save and get a RB67 Pro-s. Also, while a 645, a mamiya 645 Pro. 645 is smaller than a 6x7, but it gets more shots per roll. So, film cost is down. It's smaller in area than a 6x6, Yes. But, when it comes to standard photo sizes like 8x10. A 645 is a cropped 6x6.</p>

[desmond_kidman]

<p>Do yourself a favor an make a compromise away from 6 x 7, you'll get a better, newer camera given the limited price range you are at. Hunt for used Bronica SQ series, I have seen them go for amazingly low prices, though maybe not as low as you are listing. Also a Bronica ETRS, Pentax 645, etc.</p>

[robert_deas3]

<p>I don't think 67 is really realistic on that budget - but are you really going to be doing work where you notice the difference from 645? If not I'd strongly recommend an old manual Mamiya 645. They are very underpriced for the quality, many of the lenses are excellent. Before I moved on to Hasselblad and a 54 field camera I travelled for years with two old M645 bodies that proved totally reliable under all conditions. Used prices are very reasonable indeed - even the huge 30mm fisheye lens is affordable!</p>

[steve m smith]

<blockquote>

<p>You can probably get an older Rolleicord within your budget, like a Rolleicord II or III from the early 1950s. Look for one with a four-element (Xenar) lens, as opposed to a triplet (Triotar).</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>This would be my suggestion too. I bought a Rolleicord V with a Xenar lens for about £35. I know they are usually a bit more than that but they are still usually the best value for money in medium format.</p>

<p>They are 6x6 instead of 6x7 but is it really that important to you?</p>

[mark_satola1]

<p>I have two Koni-Omegas -- a Koni-Omega Rapd with 90mm lens, and a Rapid-Omega 200 with 58, 90 and 180mm lenses, they are indeed indestructible monsters, but very heavy. An afternoon with one of them can tire you out. But when you see the results -- quite lovely, I think -- you'll orget about the muscle strain from hefting it around. Best bet for 6x7 on a budget.<br>

If you go to KEH.com, you can assemble an RB67 kit for not too much money, just select components in their "bargain" rating. KEH's "bargain" is better than many other sellers' "very good." Shipping to Australia may be pricier than can be tolerated. For the most part, I'd steer clear of the Bay of Evil, it can be treacherous sailing there, though you can also get lucky.</p>

[ellea]

<p>I appreciate all these suggestions. I think I will wait and save for the Mamiya 67.<br>

The reason I wanted one of those is because that's what we are required to shoot with this semester at college.<br>

The Koni Omega also sounds like a good idea.<br>

Mark: I'll try KEH. I don't think I'd ever buy a camera from eBay actually. It's too much of a risk.</p>

[jack_welsh]

<p>Keh has a RB67 Pro-s in Ex. condition for $144.00. In their new catalog they had a RB67 Pro-SD in same condition for that price. It is sold, now. But, it will give you an ideal of the prices for those two. Also, another camera that is similar to the Koni Omega is the Mamiya Press cameras. Such as the Universal and Super 23.</p>

[berlinhennig]

<blockquote>

<p ><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=690821">Bueh B.</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Frequent poster" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/2rolls.gif" alt="" title="Frequent poster" /> </a> , Mar 18, 2009; 10:53 a.m.</p>

You get what you pay for. Seriously,</blockquote>

<p>Keep this in mind. There are a lot of scrapped studio cams with the 10th or 11th owner on the market. A cheap acquisition price is not few and far between the beginning of a number of major repairs</p>

[desmond_kidman]

<p>Good for you, in that you know what you want and are willing to save for it. I certainly would choose a Mamiya RB or RZ over other 6 x 7 systems, partly for performance, partly for the huge availability of used units available, guaranteeing that you can keep the system usable for as long as you want without having to search for long periods of time for particular lenses or replacements of parts over the years.</p>

<p>A hard part of buying in the USA is that even with return privileges like KEH has your shipping back and forth will eat up your money! </p>

<p>Do you have a friend in the USA who knows about cameras who it can be shipped to, and once the equipment is collected and in verified condition have it all sent to you? This way any returns will not cost you the crazy postage from Australia.</p>

 

[tim_drake]

<p>A vote here for the Koni Rapid Omega 200. The black 200 looks very good and has the focussing for the 135mm lens if should find one. If you buy off eBay, budget a CLA from Greg Weber or just save your self the hassel and get one from Greg.</p>