chip_greenberg1

Dan, you did not mention a budget!! I've been using a Kowa 6MM for 6+

months now and am quite happy. the lenses are excellent, and I picked up a

body with 80 that had been CLA'd, a 250 that looks new, and a 55 that is in

great shape for about $1000 with some vigilent shopping.

Good luck

Chip

I'd suggest looking into a sinar camera. The F series is more affordable.

Sinar has a system for focusing that really simplifies focusing while making it

much more precise.

I had used a Cambo for years and thought Sinar's were overpriced. The sinar

rep showed me how their camera worked and loaned me one for a week. I

sold my cambo the following week!

Chip

Ken, I was a working pro for 20 years and now am a "hobby" photographer.

At one point of my carreer I got tired of the frequent need to CLA my

Hassleblads and sold the system for an RZ 67. The RZ felt a lot cheaper and

"plasticy" but worked flawlessly. the lenses were on par w/Zeiss, I'd give the

RZ tele-apo's a slight edge over the Zeiss. I liked the Zeiss wides better.

Overall the Mamiya glass was a bit more contrasty.

I think mamiya's webpage lists a chart comparing the 645 lenses resolution to

the contax 645 lenses if that's of interest.

happy shooting

Chip

Hi Steinar. All of the above are good suggestions, and if I had the budget ,

with the type of work you do I'd do with the mamiya 6 or 7. That being said,

the Mamiya 645 is reasonably priced also.

I have been working with a Kowa. Great lenses and reasonably priced. You

might want to look for a Kowa 6 and a 55 on Ebay.

Good luck

Chip

Zel, it's anot as big a deal to CLA the older Bronicas or Kowas as you think. I

have been using Ross Yerkes in LA. He is an ex-Kowa repairman and has

hundreds of these around his house. Spare parts are not problem into the

forseable future. There are a couple othe similar Kowa specialists out there ,

and no doubt the same for Bronica.

Chip

OK, it's been over 10 years since I used my Sinar F so I'm not going to give

you detail on the technique. However, with all due respect, to ignore sinar's

focusing system is to ignore the camera's greatest asset. Before I bought my

first P the local Sinar rep loaned me a P to use for a week. Before that week I

was convinced the camera was way overpriced and was going to buy a

Horseman. By the time the week was up I was sold and eventually ended up

with 2 4x5 Sinars and 1 8x10 for my studio. The ability to chose exactly where

I want the plane of focus to fall was a HUGE advantage over the Cambo I had

been using with center tilts. I was able to sleep at night without worrying

about focus problems, use bigger aperture in the sweet spot of the lens, and

needed less flash power. Since I retired from commercial photography I

believe Sinar's patent ran out and I see other cameras that appear to have a

similar build. Learn how to use that focusing technique and you will never

look back.

Chip

Zel: I went through a similar situation about a year ago and ended up with a

Kowa MM. You didn't mention what you shoot. I have shot in the past with

both Hasselblad system (500cm) and RZ 67. I shoot mostly landscapes and

use the camera on a tripod. I also wanted interchangeable lenses, and leaf

shutters and mirror lock up to reduce vibrations at exposure time.

I'm very happy with the Kowa. There have been some concerns on the web

about durability, but I take my time when I shoot and have not had a problem.

My camera and lens were CLA'd, and I recommend putting money aside for

that or finding on that has been CLA'd. I have had good luck finding lenses

on eBay, but you need to be patient and wait for the right one. The lenses are

single coated, so us a hade. But they are absolutely as nice as my Blad

lenses where. The 55, 110 macro, 150, 200, and 250 are all relatively

available and affordable. $200-350 depdning on condition, if it's been CLA'd

etc. The 40 and 35 are a bit harder to find and quite a bit more money.

However if you like wide angles the fct a 35 is made for this camera is a real

boon!

Good luck

Chip

Conrad, I shoot similarly and try to mask as much of the sun out of the image

as possible by flexing my Lindahl bellows shade around and checking the

groundglass for vignetting

good luck

Chip

You might want to check out : http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/budget.html

Medium Format on a Budget. I am bulding a Kowa system and am very

happy with the galss. This is si bit priceier than your budget but leagues

under Hassleblad!

Chip

I bought a Kowa 6 MM( with mirror lock-up) on eBay for $390 with a recent

CLA. I found a mint 200 for $275. I'm very impressed with my cromes so far,

the 200 is easily as sharp as my Blad lenses were

I second Minolta meters. I've used various Minolta meters for decades and

have never been disappointed

Chip

Don't overlook Astia. It has less contrast and a nice, pastel palette that

sometimes really works out here in the SW

Chip

Not sure but they can be reapired. Buy a phonecard and give ross Yerkes in

LA a call in the US. 323-256-1018

good luck

Chip

Pete, I picked up a Kowa 6MM a few months ago with an 80 and a 200. The

80 is in for CLA now, and most people feel you will need to CLA any of these

as they are all at least 25 years old.

do you have a Kowa 6 or 6MM? It would say 6MM on the nameplate. The

behavior sounds a bit like when I lock the mirror up on mine before exposure.

Feel free to email me if you want more detail: chipg@pvtn.net.

Ross Yerkes # is 323-256-1018. Figure about $150 ea to CLA body and lens

This website is loaded w/info:http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/kowafaq.html

All being said, I'm delighted with the optical quality of my lenses so far. Good

luck.

Chip

Greg, I just got me first rolls of film back from the Kowa 6MM I bought for $300

and I'm delighted. the store CLA'd the lens and the body is is nice shape. I

also bought a 200mm lens for $325 that looks mint and is as sharp as

anything I ever had on my 'blad. I think for the money this gear is great. You

have to remember these cameras are 20+ years old. You'd be hard pressed

to find a Hasselblad that old that doesn't need A good CLA. It is generally

recommended to use the wind knob as a knob, not extend the crank which

puts extra roque on the wind gears. I think you will be happy

Chip

Hi Folks: I'm looking to do some landscape shooting next week with either

Portra VC 160 or Supra Kodak 120 color neg film. Anybody worked with

these. I�m looking to try neg film and see how it scans for printing compared

to my usual Velvia. Since I typically shoot Velvia the VC part of the Portra is

appealing but Kodak�s website says �for controlled lighting situations� I take

that to mean studio. Anybody worked with these and have comments?

Thx

Chip

ok.....the lenses are resonably enoughed priced I'll look at the

new ones!

Thx

Chip

Thanks John. Then they are optically the same?

Chip

Hey Folks: Can somebody tell me the difference between a "C"

lens and an "N" lens?

Thx

\Chip