jake_baillie

<p>Ordered a Mamiya 6 and a 50mm and 75mm, both via mail. The lenses are from KEH, and the camera was from a private seller....</p>

<p>Received the lenses a couple of days ago and the camera just today. For good measure, I started with new batteries in the Mamiya 6.</p>

<p>Put the first lens on, followed steps 1-6 in the manual under "Releasing the Shutter:</p>

<p>1. Power On<br>

2. Advance Film<br>

3. Open dark slide<br>

4. Un-retract retractable lens mount<br>

5. Open back cover<br>

6. Depress shutter</p>

<p>And... nothing. Shutter didn't open. Tried all speeds and bulb. On all speeds except bulb, when I depress the shutter, the meter goes out, and it takes an on/off cycle to get it to come back on.<br>

Depressing the shutter on bulb makes a click, and it seems like the little latch on the body is firing, but the shutter on the lenses aren't opening. I tried this on both lenses.<br>

I guess I have a few questions:<br>

1. Is there a way to see if this is a body issue vs a lens issue? I'm inclined to think it's a body issue since it seems to be affecting both lenses, and I bought the lenses from KEH vs. the body from a private seller, but I cannot be certain at this time. The private seller says he tested the camera and it worked fine with a 75mm lens. He's offered full money back so I'm not concerned with his integrity.</p>

<p>2. I tried the magic reset switch on the side to no avail. Is there something stupid I'm missing (like the pencil trick on a Hassy when you forget to cock the shutter before you unmount?)</p>

<p>3. Because the meter seems to "turn off" when the shutter button is depressed on all settings except bulb, could it be an electrical issue? That was my initial gut reaction, but I'm new to this camera, and don't want to guess.</p>

<p>4. If I'm looking at the rear of both of the lenses, with the gold contacts on the bottom, I see a lever at the 3 o'clock position that moves down. When I move that with my fingernail it moves down, but does not stay down (it bounces back up) and the shutter does not open. This is on both lenses. I'm assuming that the shutter has to be electronically fired? Is this the normal behavior? I would assume the shutter would stay cocked?</p>

<p>Thanks all for the wonderful feedback. I actually went to a used store and picked up a m645 with a 55mm and shot it for a few days. The ergonomics weren't there for me, so I'm selling it. Shouldn't have a problem selling it for what I paid for it.</p>

<p>I've decided to go with the Mamiya 6. I've handled the 7 before, and I like the feel, but reading the 6 vs. 7 comparisons made me go with the 6. The 50mm and 75mm just arrived from KEH this morning, and the camera should be here in the next couple of days.</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

<p>Thanks all. I appreciate the wealth of knowledge here.</p>

<p>Patrick - looking through your images I think you're right in that your "style" of shooting is quite like mine. My only complaint is that you don't have more of the M6 at night. Love your Hassy shots.</p>

<p>Bueh - appreciate your comments. I'm actually quite surprised no one's chimed in with "get a Leica, it's designed to do what you want to do". I actually can turn out quite good shots (in my opinion, fo course!) with low light and my 5D handheld with relatively fast glass (f/1.8), but as I've said the medium format interests me. And I enjoy it more.</p>

<p>Paul N - thanks. I've read the same about old SWCs vs. new. Having had a 40 year old 500 C/M in the past, I have no concerns about older Hassy equipment, so it's good to hear. Also good to hear you've had success in available light situations.</p>

<p>John - Thanks for your comments. They were taken with a smile. Actually, I quite enjoy the grain of high speed B&W film. In 35mm, TMY-2 pushed to 1600 really makes me smile. I have a tripod, use it regularly, but there are simply situations where a tripod cannot be used. I can also accept errors - lord knows I make enough of them even in daylight using a tripod!</p>

<p>Wai-Leong - completey agree about freezing all motion at night, and it's why I'm looking for an RF or TLR over an SLR in medium format.</p>

<p>Byron - Really appreciate your thoughts on the usability of the SWC/M and the suggestion to "live with" a Rollei. In many ways the Rollei has the features of the 500 C/M that I loved with none of the drawbacks (mirror slap).</p>

<p>I likely would phrase this question differently if I had all the benefit of these responses beforehand. Perhaps a better question would simply be:</p>

<p>"On which wide-angle equipment have you had the most luck handholding at night?"</p>

<p>So far the answers to that question seem to match my list of cameras for consideration, with the addition of the Mamiya C-TLR (which isn't for me). Vicious circle I suppose.</p>

<p>Thanks for the thoughts so far. Please keep it up.</p>

<p>I've handled a Mamiya C-TLR before. It's not the camera for me. Also, I never thought about getting another V-series, funny enough. Maybe something to consider.</p>

<p>So far it seems my gut was right with the Mamiya 6. Anyone have any handheld available light shots (at night with the 50mm preferably) they care to share?</p>

<p>Also, any thoughts on a 645 f/1.9 and SWC/M combo? Not the lightest in the world but the bokeh on the 80mm f/1.9 seems amazing and the interchangeable backs on both platforms could be nice.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Hi all, long time reader at photo.net, and a first time poster. I'm having a terrible case of indecisiveness right now, and would like some experienced advice.</p>

<p>Apologies to start yet another "help me compromise in medium format" thread, but I simply cannot make a decision.</p>

<p>As background: I sold my 'blad (500 C/M) last year, and not a day goes by that I don't regret it. I have a full frame dSLR that I shoot for sports, but I miss the MF experience. Therefore I'd like to get a new MF camera, ideally before a long trip coming up in about 6 weeks.</p>

<p>I've done as much research as I possibly can, read as many threads here as possible, looked at 1000s of photos, and still cannot make up my mind. Here's where I've evaluated my priorities to be:</p>

<ol>

<li>Availability of gear on used market (I'm not buying new) <br /> </li>

<li>Portability and handhold-ability (if I didn't care about this, I'd be going large format) <br /> </li>

<li>Wide angle <br /> </li>

<li>Speed of glass <br /> </li>

<li>Format (prefer square 6x6) <br /> </li>

<li>Rangefinder before TLR before SLR (would prefer not to get an SLR in MF, but it's not the end of the world) <br /> </li>

<li>Interchangeable lenses <br /> </li>

<li>Digital back compatibility </li>

</ol>

<p>I've limited it to about 4 cameras (I think), each with their own positives and negatives:</p>

<p>1. Mamiya 6 - This seems to be a great rangefinder, great optics, small, square 6x6 format, light, built in meter, wonderful to use (or so I've heard). The two biggest negatives to this system are its relatively slow optics (f/3.5 at standard, f/4 at wide), and it's lack of an ultra-wide angle lens. This was my first choice until I started thinking about how I use my SLR... for street shooting (which is why I want the MF) my wide angle lens is on it 80% of the time, and my fast 50 is on it the other 20%. So this system doesn't really accomplish either of those needs well. <br>

<br /> <br>

2. Hasselblad 903 SWC/M. Perfect glass, great size, square. Can take a digital back should I ever go that route. Great wide angle lens - 38mm Biogon, renowned for its sharpness... Only issue? It's extremely slow - f/4.5. <br>

<br /> <br>

3. Mamiya 645. Can get a digital back fairly cheaply. Still in production so repair parts are widely available. Lots of lenses. A *fantastic* standard lens at f/1.9 that puts out amazing images. This is a complete camera system, with lots of lenses available including soft-focus, macro, and a few wide angles in varying speeds (45mm f/2.8 ain't too bad at all). The gear on the used market is relatively cheap (approaching 35mm SLR used market prices). Biggest downside? It's not square, it's 6x4.5. I love the square composition. It's much more natural to me. It's one of the reasons I loved my 500 C/M.<br>

<br /> <br>

4. Rolleiflex 2.8 - Small, light, some have a built in meter (although I've been advised to get the ones sans meter and just use an external meter). No interchangeable lenses, but that's okay, as I'm used to primes on the SLR. *Nice* glass. Square format. I've just never used a TLR before. ;-) <br>

<br /> <br>

I'm totally at a loss here. Money is somewhat of a concern (I'm not buying new, for example) but I'm fully aware of the money-pit that MF is having had a 'blad before.<br>

Strangely enough, my better half suggested I actually pick up two cameras - the 645 with the 80/1.9 for available light, and the swc/m for the wide-angle. That's not the most portable solution in the world, but it's very nice of her to give me permission to do that. ;-)<br /> <br>

Am I missing something obvious? Any suggestions from the old pros, specifically you guys out there shooting MF handheld in available light situations?<br /> </p>