kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

I own and used to shoot with a Mamiya C330 tlr. Just to bulky to carry around any more, but it did an excellent job. Great pictures.

Shutterbug57

Digital medium format has been good to me. I’m have wanted a medium format camera for decades, but never found the cash to plunk down for one. Along comes digital and, in recent years, folks are converting and selling their film MF kit for a song. I picked up a Mamiya 645 (first generation) with the non-metered prism finder, 3 lenses (55/2.8; 80/2.8 & 150/3.5), 2 120 inserts, one with its box, 2 220 inserts (virtually useless) & a bracket that holds the flash off camera - all $300 delivered. I have had to put in a new battery ($10) and replace the light seals ($12 + a lost roll of film).

I am having a blast with this camera. I have picked up a couple more 120 inserts with boxes and a waist level finder to round out the kit. This thing is just a blast to shoot and, having to use a light meter slows you down and gets you to think about the process. My only complaint is that 120 film does not load onto developing reels as easily as 135 film. Don’t get me wrong, this won’t replace my D500 for general or action shooting or my N90s when I want to shoot film quickly, but when I want to slow down and focus on the art of making photos with a fully manual camera, the 645 is truly satisfying.

pendennis

You can probably find a metered prism for one fairly cheap. They're accurate, and will work with all the 645's up through the 1000s. I used a 1000s as a back up to my 645 Super for years, and neither ever failed. I still use a 645 Pro TL that I got from Japan, mint condition with 2 lenses, 3 120 backs, all the extension tubes and a 2x TC, all for 500, plus $35 shipping. I've since added a complete battery of lenses from 35mm through 500mm.

pendennis

When push came to shove, and I didn't have an eye-level finder, I could always use the finder built into the viewing hood. I'd set the f/stop at the hyperfocal distance set the shutter speed and blast away. Worked well for moving subjects.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Are you using stainless reels? I thought 120 was much eastier to load than 35 mm.

Shutterbug57

Actually, I just bought the waist level finder Sunday on eBay - it has not arrived yet. It was paired with a metered finder, but the pics were not detailed enough to tell which one. I was really only after the waist level finder, but the pair were buy it now $75. I snapped it up as that is below market for just the waist level finder. We shall see if the metered finder works as advertised. If it does, it rounds out the kit. If not, well I have been getting good results with my light meter and I don’t really have a problem staying with the non-metered gear.

How do you like the Pro? I have been looking at those as they can use the lenses I already have. Are the 120 & 220 backs different or just the insert? Also, do they use the same inserts as the basic M645? I appreciate your input.

Shutterbug57

No. I am using plastic reels which are a breeze for 35mm. They aren’t too bad for 120, but sometimes the last couple of inches just don’t want to go in. I read about using a pencil to lubricate the reel with graphite and plan to try that next time to see if it helps.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Try a 50 exposure roll of 70mm.
Like anything, you get the hang of it.

added: Interesting- I looked for a photo of the reels I use to load and found this article showing a 70mm bulk loader.
http://filmphotog.blogspot.com/2013/06/im-still-alive-updates-spared-no.html
I don't recall ever using those at the base photo lab at Clark AFB in the '70's.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Try the stainless reels for 120 film, they're much easier than using plastic reels. Plastic may be fine for the short 35mm rolls but I don't think that translates to 120 film.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

And plastic reels don’t load well if they are wet.

pendennis

It's a fantastic camera. It's a bit more advanced than the Super, and the electronic shutter is really a nice feature. The backs will hold 120 or 220 inserts interchangeably. I had some leftover 120 inserts from my 1000s. When I received the camera, one back had a 220 insert, and I found a NIB 120. The metering is superb, with quite a bit of flexibility, AE, Spot, Average, etc. I do carry a Pentax Digital, Zone VI modified, just in case. But, I've never had a glitch with over 50 rolls of film in the last year. I tend to leave on back on, and simply swap inserts. If I'm using two different types of film I keep the backs loaded in case I need to change type in mid-roll.

The lenses will work in manual focus mode with the AF models.

Mine came from a Japanese dealer. I was a bit leery about dropping money on used equipment from 10K miles away, but the equipment I've bought has been immaculate. They tend to rate equipment very conservatively. Their "good" would rate around "outstanding" from some dealers here.

They may not have lenses as sharp as Zeiss, but the Mamiya is a great system camera.

Kuzano

People have been "modding" the "big Texas Leica" for a long time. The film transports are horizontal which lends itself to Pano's for both the 6CM 120 film and for the 24X80 35mm film. 24X80mm is the most common 35mm pano using the X-Pan and the Fujifilm originator for the Xpan.

The camera I posted first is currently listed on eBay and the seller DIY'd the pano for 35. If you look you can see it's a pop in DIY that does not permanently modify the camera. You can shoot both 120 and 35mm, interchangeably.

See here.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FujiFilm-GSW690-III-Unique-Ostrich-Covering-Counter-104-Complete-Mint/152871280890?hash=item2397d6a0fa:g:npUAAOSwO7haO7rm

Mr palmer Loc: Currently: Colorado, USA, Terra, Sol

Still have an old C220 with 80mm lens, good bellows, perfect shutter. And recently used the old square Ikonta with the iffy bellows and prayerful shutter. Still have one roll of Tri-X on the shelf - not for sale, just for remembering. It sits next to a Fujica St-701 which was the first camera I purchased on my own (I stupidly traded my father's old Voightlander from the war for it). Sigh.

PhotoMike5319

I have and still use a Pentax 6x7 and a Mamiya RZ67 with film which I then scan prior to printing digitally. There is no visible difference in prints until the final image is 11"x14" or larger. Even then, the only difference non-photographers will notice is where the smallest details in texture are visible in the shadows. Most even miss that. Those photographers with some experience in printing their own photos will notice the difference right away on the larger prints.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

I have a Holga 120 :-)