vintage medium format camera
Feb 10, 2024 18:43:59 #
UHH family, I'm in the market for a vintage medium format camera to shoot black and white film. I've briefly looked at rolleiflex cameras but would love to get some feedback from you guys and gals. This is simply a want. I have five of Nikon's flagship DSLRs that I'm completely happy with. Your thoughts would greatly appreciated.
Feb 10, 2024 20:50:47 #
I have had 2 Rolleiflex - they have GREAT lenses but the reversed waist level viewing/focusing is a PITA ! They cost a fortune to buy and a fortune to fix but they do have good resale value for the cult purists !
The best recommendation I can make for you is a refurbed eye level Voigtlander Perkeo folding camera with an added or built in rangefinder or a refurbed Mamiya 6 folding camera.
The Graflex Century graphic can be a very decent 6X7/6X9 camera if the rangefinder is working properly with a decent lens - but they are few and far between with lots of junk out there !
SLR's like the Mamiya RB67, Kowa Six, Hasselblad, have noisy vibration mirrors !
The best recommendation I can make for you is a refurbed eye level Voigtlander Perkeo folding camera with an added or built in rangefinder or a refurbed Mamiya 6 folding camera.
The Graflex Century graphic can be a very decent 6X7/6X9 camera if the rangefinder is working properly with a decent lens - but they are few and far between with lots of junk out there !
SLR's like the Mamiya RB67, Kowa Six, Hasselblad, have noisy vibration mirrors !
Feb 10, 2024 21:03:52 #
I use a Hasselblad 501cm with the new 100c digital back (and occasionally with the film back). I use the 45 deg. prism viewfinder with it, so the image is right-side up. The Hasselblad/Zeiss lenses are fantastic, and it is a lot of fun to shoot. It's great to get back to the simple basics once in a while.
Feb 10, 2024 21:33:37 #
A. T. wrote:
UHH family, I'm in the market for a vintage medium format camera to shoot black and white film. I've briefly looked at rolleiflex cameras but would love to get some feedback from you guys and gals. This is simply a want. I have five of Nikon's flagship DSLRs that I'm completely happy with. Your thoughts would greatly appreciated.
Get the newest f/3.5 Rollei you can afford and rock on. Also dont hold out fot the Carl Zeiss lenses. The Schneiders are fully equal, but a Zeiss will cost more, meaning that you get an older camera for that same money. Theres no actual difference in results between Zeiss and Schneider. The newer cameras are very much easier to focus accurately and THAT can be a plainly visible difference.
Feb 11, 2024 06:11:37 #
Well, a Nikon is not medium format. You are happy with the DX or FX format, not knowing what you have.
Now you want a medium format camera and nothing wrong with it. I used a Rolleiflex with a 75mm Tessar and it gave me excellent images but I was limited because the camera cannot use interchangeable lenses.
I then bought a Pentax 645, excellent camera with excellent and sharp lenses. I used the camera for color and b&w photography and it excelled in the quality of its images. The Hasselblad used to be very popular among professionals but I do not consider necessary to spend so much money but that is up to you. Mamiya also has excellent medium format cameras.
Now you want a medium format camera and nothing wrong with it. I used a Rolleiflex with a 75mm Tessar and it gave me excellent images but I was limited because the camera cannot use interchangeable lenses.
I then bought a Pentax 645, excellent camera with excellent and sharp lenses. I used the camera for color and b&w photography and it excelled in the quality of its images. The Hasselblad used to be very popular among professionals but I do not consider necessary to spend so much money but that is up to you. Mamiya also has excellent medium format cameras.
Feb 11, 2024 07:22:35 #
Feb 11, 2024 08:25:24 #
I use a 1957 Zeiss Super Ikonta BX/M folding 120 roll film camera with Zeiss f2.8 lens and Synchro Compur 1/500 shutter. Captures 12 2 1/4 X 2 1/4 frames per roll. The exposure meter still reads accurately. Not your everyday medium format camera but it produces superb images. You can find these on eBay.
Feb 11, 2024 08:27:01 #
I miss my speed graphic, but not enough to go out and buy a replacement.
Feb 11, 2024 08:41:26 #
imagemeister wrote:
I have had 2 Rolleiflex - they have GREAT lenses b... (show quote)
The later E2 and F series Rolleiflex (more expensive) can accept a prism which makes it much more user friendly - same with the Mamiyaflex.
The Graflex XL is a very nice mirror less medium format with excellent lenses. While you can use 6X9 backs, the viewfinder is only set up for 6X7.
While I have used most of the cameras with flopping mirrors (Pentax 645, Kowa Six, RB67 ) to day I shy away from the noise and vibration.
.
Feb 11, 2024 08:42:54 #
photon-collector
Loc: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
You might want to investigate a Bronica GS-1. They are available on eBay, from Japanese vendors, with all sorts of attachments (film backs, viewing options, grips, lenses, etc). In it's day, it was called the "Japanese Hasselblad." The GS-1 takes a 6 x 7cm image.....ten to a roll of 120 film. I find their optics outstanding.
Feb 11, 2024 08:50:49 #
Jack56
Loc: Florida
In addition to the above-mentioned Hasselblad and Rolleiflex cameras, you might also consider the Fujifilm GW690 III or GSW690 III. They are medium-format rangefinders taking 120 film. Sometimes referred to as "Texas Leicas," they have nothing in common with Texas, except they are big, nor with Leica, except they are rangefinders.
Feb 11, 2024 09:23:59 #
I have a Hasselblad, from 1970s — brand new, never used. Feel free to email me if interested and I can give you details. amaizn_blu@yahoo.com
Feb 11, 2024 10:30:36 #
Nobody has mentioned the Mamiya C330. I had one with all three lenses that I bought new on a deployment in the early '70s. If I wanted to shoot film again, I would find one somewhere.
Feb 11, 2024 10:39:10 #
Peteso
Loc: Blacks Hills
You really can’t go wrong with either the Rollei or the Hasselblad. Either one will also give you the warm fuzzies and bragging rights when using the two original vintage cameras. If you want interchangeable lenses, that would militate in favor of the Hasselblad. If you go with the Rollei, consider a set(s) of the Rolleinar close up lenses, which also corrects for parralax in closeups that occurs in twin lens reflex Rolleis. There is another advantage to these vintage cameras. I display them on floating glass shelves with some of my pictures. They are pieces of art that can change a room.
Feb 11, 2024 11:07:32 #
And let me add the classic workhorse Mamiya RB/RZ 67, available with different finders (including a metering one) 6x4.5, 6x7, 6x8 and 6x9 backs as well as motorized, and many different lenses and even extenders. A versatile, solid, configurable pro camera selling for very affordable prices.
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