brianam

Ah, a link to Atta Kim's work. I was just recently in NYC and saw this exhibition at ICP. Really nice... fun work, & massive prints. I mean, still gigantic even against the jumbos that are in every gallery nowadays. <sigh>

Quite timely as I'd wanted already to try (albeit somewhat shorter) time exposures. The heavy ND's (anything >3 stops) seem to be special order; I bought a B&W 10-stop that will show up eventually... either of those large NY-based web retailers can get one for you.

Yep, this question is a classic. But i'll chime in one more response since i believe i really understand where you're coming from Ronald.

You've gotten a LOT of responses that do not match what you've said you want. You said you tote: an F3, and use an 85/1.4. Great. I use Olympus OM gear and 50/1.2 and 85/2. Very similar. I've been doing night and low-light on the streets of San Francisco for years. I too searched for a "streetable" MF camera, and arrrived at a Fuji GS645 folder. Has it solved the world's dilemma's of cameradom? hell no. This camera *is* really compact, and very portable. but its also quite fidgety. Too much so for fast usage i believe. I've also rented Mamiya 7's, but other posts have listed why this setup is less than ideal as well. (slower lenses, real shallow DOF, 150mm is only semi-practical.)

Sorry to say it, but my primary recommendation for you is KEEP using your 35mm kit. You just cant duplicate its functionality, as you've probably figured out.

I am a big fan of the super-compact Olympus system (as most users are.. i dont think are any 'accidental' OM shooters :)

I carry 2 bodies, an assortment of small-but-fast glass, a 35mm rangefinder like the Canonet G-III and sometimes the GS645. Its really not much, all goes in one well-beaten, unobtrusive backpack.

Like they say, getting the shot at all is better than missing it to a 'great' camera that cant be operated quick enough...

Am looking to get into a 120 SLR in addition to my Fuji GS645 folder.

I'd like to try the square format and see if it fits for me, but the

option of using a 645 back when i wish is *highly* attractive. (dont

wish to crop in my nonexistent darkroom, prefer cropping in the

viewfinder.)

i'll list my requirements in brief:

* square format SLR, capable of 220

* Available 645 back

* Aperture priority metering in-camera preferred over bulky prism

* lens options at least from wide-ish to portrait

* size/weight should be easily carried in bag all day

* used cost should be under say, $1500 for an entire kit

* subject matter: lansdcape, street, some candids. Mostly B&W.

with those data points, the Bronica EC-TL is sure looking good.

i see used prices to be ~US $400-600 for the bodies with the 75

Nikkor.

BUT, its an older system with sveral problems i have read about here

or on the Medium Format Library pages.

Most attractive alternative i'm considering is an ETRSi with all the

std goodies (AEIII, grip, etc.) which falls around that $1500 price,

but is obviously not 6x6.

your suggestions most appreciated.

-brian :AM

brian_am_sf@yahoo.com

Has anyone found the relatively long throw of focus on ETRSi lenses

to be a problem? has it caused you to miss a shot? (any moreso than

manual focus may? ;-)

i dont mean to say that i'd use this camera for fast sports

photography or something, just a concern that twiddling the barrel

all the way around like it does (75/2.8) may lead to missing a

decisive 'moment'.

I am comparing this to Mamiya 7 lenses, which focus very fast.

(yes of course the 7 is an RF, does that factor in the shorter throw?)

Reading this thread with much interest. thanks all for your informative responses!

i am renting a Mamiya 7II with 80mm lens this weekend. Today (sat.) i had a chance to run a little color and B&W thru it, and will burn more tomorrow. As you can tell, i have not seen my results yet, but thus far, this camera has been exactly what i hoped: It's lightweight, pretty compact, and very intuitive.

I've read much about this camera already, and was prepared (i hope) for some of the pitfalls. (eg. i have used a handheld spot meter when possible, as some have said the built-in meter is less than stellar.)

Next weekend i plan to rent a 645 SLR. Why? becuase like many, i need to know what is *really* portable and pleasant to use for *my* shooting style. (which, BTW, is mostly street & travel; with occasional landscape and macro projects.)

Thus far , the 7 has been a joy.. making me believe i could really love one of my own! But those 'other' days for macro or landscape work have me thinking an ETRSi should be handy as well. Hmmm... this is NOT gonna be easy on the pocketbook. good thing i'm selling my 35mm AF stuff... :)