susie_frith

Hi Dave,

You have quite a problem. Ask 20 people and you'll get 20 answers, all of which are right! I have use Linhofs for 25 years and get on well with them; from 67 up to 10x8, both Technikas and Kardans. The rangefinder is good when you don't need to use the adjustments, but they are there for when you do. You also get 100% image on the ground screen. Using adjustments on MF is hard work, the image is small and the change on the screen is very subtle, also there are instances when they will not help at all; you have to stop down. The 53mm Super Angulon stops down to f/22 by the way. There is a simple chart available to tell you how much to stop down, based on the lens extention difference between near and far focus points, very easy to use.

 

I think your best bet would be to find a good dealer and go and play with the cameras you shortlist. Any reasonable camera will give good results, so I don't think brand need play a big part inyour choice, but how you get on with them is very personal and will make the camera a pleasure or pain to use. You might be able to hire it for a weekend to confirm your choice.

 

Like you, I'm in the UK and get stung with import duty and VAT and Parcelforce charges for everything I bring in!

 

Best of luck, Susie

Hi. Your best bet is to buy the Hasselblad quick-release plate that attaches to the tripod. It has 3/8 and 1/4 threads, but is much more convienient to use, the camera just slides on and you turn a lever to lock it in place. Susie

Hi. I started off with a Yashica 124 about 25 years ago, and then got a Rolleiflex 3.5F. The Yashica was a very good camera, and I got on fine with it, getting excellent pictures. However, just the feel of the Rollei makes you want to take better pictures. It is much more robust and oozes quality. What on the Yashica is a steel pressing is an elegant chromed casting on the Rollei, and so on. Most of the models with any Zeiss or Schneider lens will give excellent results, but I would suggest not to go for the 'chords as they have separate winding and shutter cocking which can be tiresome. The Rolleiflexes are very easy to load too. The screen can be dim, but there are aftermarket ones available that are brighter. I still use the original. If you don't need interchangable lenses the TLR is an ideal camera. Susie

NO! I still have my leica and other gear from years ago. Four years ago I went to Eqypt, shooting black and white. Just for fun, along with my M6 and newer lenses I took the Summar off my 111f. The results prove why leica lasts!

 

I once sold a half-plate Gandolfi camera at auction, thinking I'd never use it again; two weeks later Fred`Gandolfi died and the price went though the roof! Since then I've bought more LF cameras to replace it. Susie