paul_sauer

<<Some people enjoy experimentation. Some people enjoy seeing things differently. Why

do you feel the need to stifle that?>>

Why do you think I'm stifling anyone's creativity by suggesting a proper camera like a $40

Ricohflex over a Holga? If you want to shoot with a Holga, do it. I've seen interesting work

done with the Holga. But I've also had friends take photo classes and spend a lot of

money on film, paper, and developing only to have what would have been a good shot

ruined by the unpredictability of the Holga.

Experimentation is fine anf fun. I'm just saying with Holga you are not dealing with

experimentation that is controlled by the photographer; you are inviting the randomness

of the Holga (samples of which vary in their flaws such as leaking light and lenses with

strange abberrations). I don't know that randomness is experimentation. Then again, I

suppose you could get to know the flaws in your particular sample of Holga, but it will

probably break before you get to know your sample inside out.

Look, Holgas have become a cliche -- a cliche statement. Holgas are the cliche camera

people want to use when they want to declere to the world that they "see things

differently". Why not go out and find some obscure MF camera and make your own

statement by using it instead of what everyone else who wants to make a statement is

using? I mean, even the three element Yashica lens would be a statement. Why not get

an old folder, which would allow you to shoot 6x9?

A holga is the MF equivalent of one of those disposeable 35mm cameras you see in the

store -- only those have better light seals!

If the camera doesn't matter, get something besides a Holga. Because you don't need the

Holga to make that statement.

Why bother with Holgas? The quality or lack thereof is too inconsistent. There are plenty

of cheap proper TLRs out there (Ricohflex anyone?) that are more fun. When you look at

the cost of film and time to develop, I think a little more predictability and quality in the

camera department are with an extra $20.

I've got a 20mm AF in need of service, too. Focus ring is stuck. The little tab on the

aperture ring that holds down the lever on the D100 body is also broke.

A couple of shops gave me this contact:

Advance Camera 118 Columbus Ave., San Francisco (415) 772-9026

Good luck.

Used cameras are the way to go with MF, with many prices in free fall. The Fuji prices are

not plummeting, but they can be bought used in good condition for about $1,000. Keep

an eye on KEH's used gear website. I bought my GW690III with 50 on the counter for

$950. KEH seems a better way to go than the auction site because you can return it if it's

not in the kind of condition they say it's in on their site. Worth the slightly extra price

IMHO.

Good luck.

It really depends on the kind of shooting you do. I like to have a camera on me all the

times as I walk around city streets, so I'll have an Olympus XA or a Nikon FM with a 35mm

f2 lens. I'll use 35mm when I want to use an extreme WA or telephoto that I don't have on

my MF bodies. These cameras are usually loaded with tri-x film for its look and versatility.

But that said, when I PLAN to photograph, it's usually the Minolta Autocords or Fuji GW

690III. The look is too good compared to 35mm.

Film cameras are selling for nickles on the dollar, so you may just want to hang onto your

Cannon.

A used Pentax 645 and a set of used manual focus lenses (I recommend buying from KEH)

is an outstanding value with outstanding quality.

I wouldn't recommend a TLR as a first medium format camera -- many of the used

cameras are in poor condition, focusing screens are dim, and few have conveniences like

meters or motors to advance the film.

But that said, shooting with a TLR is a lot of fun and the cameras are lightweight. I love

my 1956 Minolta Autocord.

As a first step from a Nikon system, I'd go Pentax 645. Just my opinion.

Hey Bob, the title of the subject thread is pretty clear. If you were put off by it, no need to

read the thread. Certainly no need for you to comment. No one forces you to read it. But

if it made you feel better and just a wee bit more superior to post such a snarky comment,

then I'm glad I could help.

Cripe, this was a difficult decision for me and I just wanted some thoughts from people

who felt like responding. I wanted to hear from fellow pnetters who had to make difficult

choices about selling equipment they loved. You know, misery loves company. I felt got

some good answers and I'm glad I posted my question.

Well, Bob, move on -- there are other posts and questions for you to police, judge, and

deem stupid.

Ah, but Elliot, the Fuji GW and GSW prices seem to be holding steady or climbing. The

Pentax is plummeting.

I think this is the deal I've made with myself: I'll sell of the 645 and its two lenses, then

buy them again once I've made enough money with the Digital Video camera to pay for the

camera AND a new 645 system.

It still breaks my heart. I love the close focusing that the Fuji and my autocord don't have.

But really, like a lot of you guys, I probably have too many cameras anyway and this might

help (thinning the herd).

I think I'm going to let the Pentax 645 go. It kills me, but you're right -- I have 35mm and

even a 6x6 autocord.

Plus at some point it'll be much easier to buy a 645 on the used market, along with the

lenses, that it will be to by the Fuji GW 690.

In order to finance a Mini DV video camera purchase (one which will bring in actual

money), I have to sacrifice one of my beloved

MF cameras.

1. Fuji GSW 690III -- hard to find, stunning 6x9 neg, but no interchangeable lenses.

2. Pentax 645 with 75mm and 45mm lenses. Built in motor and meter, conveniences,

cheap to buy used lenses to compliment system. Probably won't bring in as much cash as

the Fuji.

So which would you sell? I suspect I answered my own question as I wrote this post.

Please note this is not an ad for the equipment. I haven't made a firm decision to sell yet

and I don't want to abuse the photo.net rules.

I have the lens. I think it's an okay placeholder until you can pop for the 70-200VR or the

80-200 2.8. But I have to say it's overrated in terms of its sharpness, thanks to a very

entertaining internet photo pundit. I've gotten some good shots with this lens but in every

case I know it would have been an amazing shot with either of the two better lenses. I'm

saving my pennies for the 70-200vr, then I'll sell my humble nonD 70-210 4/5.6. I paid

$75 for mine off of internet classifieds, so I think I'm getting my money's worth, but not

much more.<div></div>

I have the lens. I think it's an okay placeholder until you can pop for the 70-200VR or the

80-200 2.8. But I have to say it's overrated in terms of its sharpness, thanks to a very

entertaining internet photo pundit. I've gotten some good shots with this lens but in every

case I know it would have been an amazing shot with either of the two better lenses. I'm

saving my pennies for the 70-200vr, then I'll sell my humble nonD 70-210 4/5.6. I paid

$75 for mine off of internet classifieds, so I think I'm getting my money's worth, but not

much more.<div></div>

Get yourself a Pentax 645n and a set of three manual focus lenses -- 45mm, 75mm,

150mm. You can do this within your budget if you buy used from KEH.

You do not want to carry a Pentax 6x7 around India for ten days unless you have hired a

Sherpa!

I definitely appreciate the negative size difference between 6x6 and 645. I have a Minolta

Autocord and a Pentax 645. I'd love a 'Blad but to outfit it with lenses would cost a

fortune compared to the Pentax. For fast shooting, I prefer the 645. For fun and fast

shooting, I prefer the Minolta and its waist level finder.

I paid $950 for one with 50 on the counter off of Craigslist San Francisco. They're tough

to get these days and the price only seems to be going up. Ebay seems to be the best

place to sell, but not the best place to buy unless you get someone who puts one up with a

"Buy it Now" big who doesn't know the value of what they're selling.

Good luck. I've now got my eye out for a GSW (superwide).

I have both the original Pentax 645 and a Fuji GSW 690III. The fuji's negative is twice as

big as the P645 and the camera itself is a different shape, but actually lighter than the

645. Of course the 645 has six AA batteries and a motor in it. The Fuji does not even

have a light meter.

I see differences in tonal reproduction even in black and white 5x7s with the 645 over

35mm.

I think if you're going to do a lot of walking aorund with the camera, I'd get the 645 over

the 6x7. I also recommend you check out KEH for used prices on bodies and manual

focus lenses. Cheap, cheap.

I've never used a Pentax 6x7. I've only held an old-version body. Too big for my kind of

photography.

Good luck.

On the cheap, I'd go with a Minolta Aucocord if you can find a nice one on the auction site.

I love mine. Only drawback is it has a 1m minimum focus distance.

For a little more dough, you can get an original version Pentax 645. It's standard lens

focuses quite close, and you can even by a macro lens for it. Used manual focus lenses

are dirt cheap -- cheaper than even 35mm lenses. I like this camera because it has a

prism and behaves like a regular 35mm.

Another vote for checking the diopter -- it can really throw things off. There's such a wide

range in the diopter that the wrong adjustment can make you wonder if there's something

wrong with the camera. If you want to read more about adjusting the diopter, go to

Pentax's website and download the pdf manual they have for the 645.

Thanks for the info and suggestion, Patricia. I'll install tiger and see if things are any

different.

Funny that Applecare told me to just buy a new printer when i thought maybe the problem

was the OS.

That's the best solution I'm gonna get I think. I bookmarked that page. Pity Epson can't

fix this themselves. Once again, thanks.

My Epson 1270 worked great under Windows 98, which did not work great.

So I got a mac, and I love it. Only now the Epson 1270 prints off center when I print from

Photoshop -- both 7 and CS. Yes, I have checked the "center image" box on Photoshop.

If I had hair, I'd have pulled it all out by now.

Has anyone found a solution? Epson doesn't seem to bother to update their driver. Hate

to buy a new printer.

Thanks in advance for your help.

As someone who has had gear stolen -- an you will, too if you shoot enough and get

around a little -- I would never buy any gear my gut told me is probably stolen. Bad

karma. Bad for your fellow shooter.

Most photographers would sell through the auction site, through online classifieds, or

would trade in at a photoshop. A pawn shop would pay the very least.

Follow your conscience and your gut.

I just printed my first b&w MF negs from a Minolta Autocord 6x6 circa 1956. Digital, for

me, is now a Polaroid or a snapshooter. Film is far from dead. Even in my hastily shot

amateur demo roll, I see more tonal gradations, shadow detail, and just plain character

than I've ever seen out of my D100.

I paid $135 for this camera -- less than any digital p&s.

I just got a nice Autocord on the auction site with case, box, manual, caps, excellent

condition. No CLA seems to be needed. Cost was $130.

Of course, I'll have to buy a light meter if I want to shoot something other than b&w neg

film.