newbie revisits medium format

[o sole mio]

Hello everyone. Just joined clubsnap!

So far, not really any big thrills with the digital revolution - photos taken with my old Olympus SLR five years + back still superior. In ancient times, when I could still grow long hair, I had a go at medium format b&w and enjoyed it a lot. Have been thinking about buying a decent second hand. Some of the pros, and shops around Adelphi recommend Rollei.

Any advice and what budget to allocate for a decent one?

Cheers

 

[jamesong]

For medium format, buy the brand that many photogs are using.

Rollei TLR is OK , there are also Mamiya and Yashica, China made Seagull, depending on your budget.

 

[o sole mio]

current budget of 1.2K but can stretch it ....

 

[singscott]

current budget of 1.2K but can stretch it ....

Stretch it to another three hundred you can get a Hasselbald Otherwise a Rollei TLR like a 3.5F is a good option.

 

[Gunbucker]

Stretch it to another three hundred you can get a Hasselbald Otherwise a Rollei TLR like a 3.5F is a good option.

And stretch it to another few thousand for a 50mm wide angle, and a 150mm tele, just like Canon L lens pricing.

 

[o sole mio]

a hassie for 1.5K can do. What model? I'll pass on the optional lenses until I have $$$$$ to chuck around

 

[singscott]

a hassie for 1.5K can do. What model? I'll pass on the optional lenses until I have $$$$$ to chuck around

Here one TeeCee's Hassys If you are really interested I can get a 500cm Kit for about that price.

 

[singscott]

And stretch it to another few thousand for a 50mm wide angle, and a 150mm tele, just like Canon L lens pricing.

Depending on condition the above second hand lenes might be even cheaper then some second hand L lenes selling here in CS

 

[o sole mio]

OK, b4 I sink any deeper into this - the budget is already screaming "Idiot!" at my wallet - I'll tell you what my personal interest is and then you can tell me if Rollei or Hassie is better, and which model.

I'm looking for something more as a handheld than tripod as I like spontaneity. I did a lot of that with SLR and now want to try this on-the-fly with a medium format. So weight and finger location is important.

I have some mountaineering mates who like the old Twin lens Rollei as it is light and hassle free and take gorgeous shots. That's what got me looking at Rollei, but perhaps a decent second hand SLX2, SL66, or 600x model probably more suited to my style than twin lens. Some people say Hassie is lighter and better as a handheld so I'm still evaluating.

I was told $600 can get decent Rollei. Now I'm at 1.5K for a Hassie. Gulp!!! Is this an art auction for a Picasso? I have very little experience but willing to take steep learning curve on a decent machine (no Kiev for me thanks). I don't own a light meter but everyone tells me a decent budget digi can do that anyway.

 

[jamesong]

I have some mountaineering mates who like the old Twin lens Rollei as it is light and hassle free and take gorgeous shots. That's what got me looking at Rollei, but perhaps a decent second hand SLX2, SL66, or 600x model probably more suited to my style than twin lens. Some people say Hassie is lighter and better as a handheld so I'm still evaluating.

QUOTE]


Only look for Rollei TLR and not those SL66,SLX2 etc., as they are heavy and very few photogs use them, don't regret later, better TLR as it is very easy for maintenance.

 

[Gunbucker]

I'm looking for something more as a handheld than tripod as I like spontaneity.

Spontaneity and medium format, to my humble knowledge, tend to be at odds at times. But then again, I know some pros who do fashion photography with 645 AF systems too, changing film backs like a machine gun.

Good luck on your search bro!

 

[singscott]

OK, b4 I sink any deeper into this - the budget is already screaming "Idiot!" at my wallet - I'll tell you what my personal interest is and then you can tell me if Rollei or Hassie is better, and which model.

I'm looking for something more as a handheld than tripod as I like spontaneity. I did a lot of that with SLR and now want to try this on-the-fly with a medium format. So weight and finger location is important.

I have some mountaineering mates who like the old Twin lens Rollei as it is light and hassle free and take gorgeous shots. That's what got me looking at Rollei, but perhaps a decent second hand SLX2, SL66, or 600x model probably more suited to my style than twin lens. Some people say Hassie is lighter and better as a handheld so I'm still evaluating.

I was told $600 can get decent Rollei. Now I'm at 1.5K for a Hassie. Gulp!!! Is this an art auction for a Picasso? I have very little experience but willing to take steep learning curve on a decent machine (no Kiev for me thanks). I don't own a light meter but everyone tells me a decent budget digi can do that anyway.

Ok, Weight wise TLR win, able to change lenes that hassy win, Sound and vibrating wise the TLR win and support wise the hassy win. So along that line you draw your own idea. But SLX, 600X series camera might not be a good idea due their indepence on their special batteries.

 

[o sole mio]

Thanks for all your advice - very much appreciated. I know I'm being very optimistic in linking medium format to on-the-move photography, but it's a challenge I relish. ;p

At least it gets me back into photography.:heart:

I can now focus on either getting a light and easy to use TLR or spend a bit more and get good basic Hassie.

I'll go to some of the shops around Peninsular and just take it form there. If Tommy still has a Hassie that's around my budget I'd be interested if that's the camera I lean to. I'll keep his details in mind.

Ciao for now

 

[jamesong]

If you can raise your budget, then the rangefinder Mamiya 7ii (6x7) camera is also a good, light weight camera with the 65mm lens recommended.

 

[o sole mio]

that one is out of my budget for sure. Also I read about focussing issues - quite a fiddly problem.

 

[szekiat]

just my 2c worth as there is already a lot of good advice here. Go seek out a yashica 124 TLR. It is 90% as good as the hassy with a 80mm lens and for most purposes will be a great investment even if u decide to jump onto a hassy later. U can prob expect to spend a max of $400 for an excellent copy or even less if u dare to go on ebay (which i did). I personally find the Hassy V system to be really too heavy (solid construct though) for daily use. I'd use it for specific shoots but not on a daily basis.

If you are willing to consider the RF cameras, do have a look at the RF645, i've recently gotten one and i can say i'm really impressed with the lenses, even wide open. It ain't cheap but with the way prices are creeping up at the moment, might actually make a good investment for resale in the future.

I'd avoid the SL series if you eventually decide to go for a SLR type system. They are just too problematic and hard to repair. If you must have a SLR system, do consider the mamiya 645 series. These can be had from anything around $500 for a really old (but still functional and compatible with new lenses) 645J 1000s to slightly over 1k for a 645pro tl. No real need for the 645 AF as it is not that fast/accurate unless you're using a digital back in the future. Look on CS for the 645, quite a few around.

 

[szekiat]

picture is worth a thousand words so here are some shots from the RF645. Most have been cropped in some way. Having used all the systems mentioned above, i still like this the best for its size and quality.

 

[koolcat]

A rollei is better and sharper images because of the hft coating on the lens...

some more... the new pq and pqs lens can attach to the new sinar or leaf hy6 camera so should be quite a good investment...

a new 6003 or 6008 pro would fetch around sgd 2000 plus without lens... if you look around... a old 6006 or 6003 comes to 1500 to 2000 with standard lens...

 

[boochap]

hassy handheld is fun, but has limitation.

but remember one of your hand need to handle a lighter meter on and off, esp if u taking slides. hassy 500s does not have built in light meter.