Medium format...
- Thread starter Albaba
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What is your budget?
A Pentax 645 is a wonderful medium format film camera, with a good selection of lenses available. It's the only one I've used, for a uni course myself as it happens, but it produced superb images.
You could pick one up, use it for the project, and then sell it on afterwards and hopefully not lose any cash.
I presume it is film for a uni project? If not, digital medium format cameras are very expensive, as I'm sure you know!
A Pentax 645 is a wonderful medium format film camera, with a good selection of lenses available. It's the only one I've used, for a uni course myself as it happens, but it produced superb images.
You could pick one up, use it for the project, and then sell it on afterwards and hopefully not lose any cash.
I presume it is film for a uni project? If not, digital medium format cameras are very expensive, as I'm sure you know!
Mamiya 645
I use Mamiya 645 and must say that it is incredibly cheap to invest in. A mamiya m645 1000S is a very capable body with 1/1000s top shutter speed, mirror lock-up and depth of field preview built-in.
These cameras are fairly old but are very solidly built and can be found very cheaply (sub £200 for a complete kit including finder and standard 80mm f2.8 lens)
The m645J lacks the features from above with only 1/500s top shutter-speed, but costs a fair bit less. I bought an m645J body with a 120 film insert for £35 a few weeks ago, to add to my 1000S. Accessories are what put the cost up. But a basic system includes the Body, a 120 film insert/Back, a 70mm/80mm/110mm f2.8 lens, and either a prism finder or a waist level finder. If the prism finder lacks TTL metering, you will need to use an external light meter to determine the appropriate exposures. The metered Prisms will give you aperture priority only, where you set the aperture on the lens and the camera will automatically set the shutter speed.
Bronica medium format equipment can also be found quite cheaply too, but i have not got much experience with them, though i do know that the lenses are well regarded. (The ETR Series is another 645 format system) The pentax system although very good can be slightly more costly than the others.
All of the above medium format systems are manual focus only, there are AF versions of the mamiya and the pentax but they cost a hell of a lot more, since those bodies can have digital backs fitted to them.
I use Mamiya 645 and must say that it is incredibly cheap to invest in. A mamiya m645 1000S is a very capable body with 1/1000s top shutter speed, mirror lock-up and depth of field preview built-in.
These cameras are fairly old but are very solidly built and can be found very cheaply (sub £200 for a complete kit including finder and standard 80mm f2.8 lens)
The m645J lacks the features from above with only 1/500s top shutter-speed, but costs a fair bit less. I bought an m645J body with a 120 film insert for £35 a few weeks ago, to add to my 1000S. Accessories are what put the cost up. But a basic system includes the Body, a 120 film insert/Back, a 70mm/80mm/110mm f2.8 lens, and either a prism finder or a waist level finder. If the prism finder lacks TTL metering, you will need to use an external light meter to determine the appropriate exposures. The metered Prisms will give you aperture priority only, where you set the aperture on the lens and the camera will automatically set the shutter speed.
Bronica medium format equipment can also be found quite cheaply too, but i have not got much experience with them, though i do know that the lenses are well regarded. (The ETR Series is another 645 format system) The pentax system although very good can be slightly more costly than the others.
All of the above medium format systems are manual focus only, there are AF versions of the mamiya and the pentax but they cost a hell of a lot more, since those bodies can have digital backs fitted to them.
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So far I've used/owned; A Holga, Mamiya C220, Mamiya C330, Hasselblad 555 with both the film and CFV digital back.
I have to say my favorite of the lot is my Mamiya C330 TLR. The can be picked up for between £250 and £300 with a twin lense 80mm f/2.8. You can get C220's for between £150 and £200, too - which are just as nice to use.
I have to say my favorite of the lot is my Mamiya C330 TLR. The can be picked up for between £250 and £300 with a twin lense 80mm f/2.8. You can get C220's for between £150 and £200, too - which are just as nice to use.
Like the look of the Mamiya 645 but they are going for 400 to a grand :O
If im realistic i dont think i am in a financial position to get what i need. Might have to look into hiring one...
Thanks for the input guys
Those prices are for new bodies right? I think you want to look at used gear.
M645
Between £400-1000 must have been either new or a used 645 AFD. The best value 645 bodies are from the m645 range. Ignore the 645E, 645 super and the 645 pro tl since they are almost as expensive as what you have seen (about £300 to £500). The m645 1000s and the 645J are the ones to look for. I know that there are several complete kits of these between £125 and £270
This is what a 1000S looks like (quite different from the newer models)
Best place to find used items is in the back of a photography magazine such as amateur photographer. The are three retailers in particular that i use frequently when buying used equipment and i know they advertise in the back.
Between £400-1000 must have been either new or a used 645 AFD. The best value 645 bodies are from the m645 range. Ignore the 645E, 645 super and the 645 pro tl since they are almost as expensive as what you have seen (about £300 to £500). The m645 1000s and the 645J are the ones to look for. I know that there are several complete kits of these between £125 and £270
This is what a 1000S looks like (quite different from the newer models)
Best place to find used items is in the back of a photography magazine such as amateur photographer. The are three retailers in particular that i use frequently when buying used equipment and i know they advertise in the back.
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A good ol ArrBeee67 
(Mamiya RB67). As long as you get a good working one (Few things on them to go wrong) they're stella cameras with a huge range of adjustments. Also the ability to switch between portrait and landscape on the back (It's 6 x 7) is tip top.
Prices do seem to vary hugely though.
(Mamiya RB67). As long as you get a good working one (Few things on them to go wrong) they're stella cameras with a huge range of adjustments. Also the ability to switch between portrait and landscape on the back (It's 6 x 7) is tip top. Prices do seem to vary hugely though.
You can also pick up an all manual Bronica S2A too for less than 200 pounds. Gorgeous, and theres very little to go wrong on them !
Thats my only 120 SLR. I otherwise use a Rolleiflex, and countless 6x6 and 6x9 folders.
My S2A, with 50mm Nikkor f3.5 wide angle:
(From my Flickr)
Thats my only 120 SLR. I otherwise use a Rolleiflex, and countless 6x6 and 6x9 folders.
My S2A, with 50mm Nikkor f3.5 wide angle:
(From my Flickr)
Like the look of the Mamiya 645 but they are going for 400 to a grand :O
If im realistic i dont think i am in a financial position to get what i need. Might have to look into hiring one...
Thanks for the input guys
it will work out cheaper if you buy it because you should be able to sell it for what you paid for it after the assignment!
This is fine in theory but there is the probability that once you get you hands on a "proper" camera you will be more likely to sell your wedding tackle!