Medium Format Choices.

[awad]

Okay, I'm looking to start shooting more medium format, right now, i have a $25 TLR that i'm using that isnt the sharpest thing on the planet, and a holga. My budget is kinda tight, but i've narrowed my choices to a few cameras. Could you guys chime in and tell me which one is the best one?(great question, i know.)

Option 1) Mamiya M645
M645 SUPER WITH 110 F2.8 (58), PRISM N, 120 SUPER BACK, POWER DRIVE N.

Option 2) Mamiya RB67
RB67 WITH WAISTLEVEL, 127 F3.8, 120 BACK

Option 3) Pentax 645
645 WITH 75 F2.8 SMC A (58), 120 INSERT

Option 4) Bronica SQ/SQA/SQAM
SQ-AI WITH WAISTLEVEL, 80 F2.8 PS (67), 120-I BACK

Option 5) Bronica ETR/ETRS/ETRSI
ETRS 20TH ANNIVERSARY WITH 75 F2.8 EII, 120 BACK, AE-II, BROWN LEATHER

Option 6) Bronica ETR/ETRS/ETRSI
ETRSI WITH 75 F2.8 EII (62), 120 EI BACK, PRISM, SPEEDGRIP E

so many choices.so little knowledge.

[Travis Nunn]

Well, you can't go wrong with any of the options you've listed. Maybe before deciding which camera to get you should figure out which format you like. After that you can narrow your choices even further.

[Ranger Bob]

What's your budget? If it's around $1000, I would go for

Option 7) Hasselblad 500 C/M w/waistlevel, 80C T*, 120 back

Decide if you want square negs or that other format, then make your choice

[Nick Zentena]

Unless you're a collector I'd throw out ETRS 20TH ANNIVERSARY. The later ETRSI adds features and will be newer.

Unless you really need the prism I'd suggest the waist level finder. The unmetered prisms just don't add much IMHO.

If it was me I'd consider the ETRSI first. It's likely the newest of all the choices. Most flexible [asuming you can handle 6x45]

The Pentax comes with more intially. Meters. Power winder. But you can add those later to your ETRSI if you need it.

[clogz]

If the 645 format is your thing...go for the Pentax. Great lenses and it handles like a 35mm camera.

Hans

[kb244]

Okay, I'm looking to start shooting more medium format, right now, i have a $25 TLR that i'm using that isnt the sharpest thing on the planet, and a holga. My budget is kinda tight, but i've narrowed my choices to a few cameras. Could you guys chime in and tell me which one is the best one?(great question, i know.)

Option 1) Mamiya M645
M645 SUPER WITH 110 F2.8 (58), PRISM N, 120 SUPER BACK, POWER DRIVE N.
Decent system, capable of a waist level finder, etc, film must be shot up before using some new film as the inserts can not be removed midrolls, does not require batteries, is fully mechanical in itself

Option 2) Mamiya RB67
RB67 WITH WAISTLEVEL, 127 F3.8, 120 BACK
Nice system, bit heavy for some people, intended for studio work with the rotating back. I would look at a 90mm f/3.8C instead of a 127mm though, the back is removable.

Option 3) Pentax 645
645 WITH 75 F2.8 SMC A (58), 120 INSERT
Great system, a lot of very good lens to choose from, same problem with film insert, no possible to have a waist level finder, though you can get an angle finder. Requires batteries to operate

Option 4) Bronica SQ/SQA/SQAM
SQ-AI WITH WAISTLEVEL, 80 F2.8 PS (67), 120-I BACK
Not too familiar with the bronicas, but the ETRS and SQ are decent models

Option 5) Bronica ETR/ETRS/ETRSI
ETRS 20TH ANNIVERSARY WITH 75 F2.8 EII, 120 BACK, AE-II, BROWN LEATHER
As someone already said, more of a collector item

Option 6) Bronica ETR/ETRS/ETRSI
ETRSI WITH 75 F2.8 EII (62), 120 EI BACK, PRISM, SPEEDGRIP E
Not too familiar with the bronicas, but the ETRS and SQ are decent models

so many choices.so little knowledge.

Also why so strict in those configurations? Sometimes its cheaper if not better to piece together a system from scratch.

For example instead of getting a Mamiya RB67 Kit with a 127mm lens for about 215$ from keh.com I instead pieced together a RB67 Body + 90mm f/3.8C + 180mm f/4.5 + 120 Back, Waist Level Finder + Prism + Polaroid Back + 220 Back for just under 300$ , and got overnight shipping for a total of 310$.

I prefer a big negative, but some people may enjoy the more handheld capabilities of a 6x4.5 camera. I also prefer the Leaf shutter in the RB67 where as I think the rest you listed are all focal plane shutter ( though I think the newest Mamiya 645 camera is a leaf shutter).

[Ole]

Unless you really need the prism I'd suggest the waist level finder. The unmetered prisms just don't add much IMHO.

The most useful accessory I have for my ETRS is the unmetered prism. It makes it possible to shoot vertical format without falling over.

With 6x6 it's different, and I would agree. But the ETRS is 6x4.5.

[Ole]

Another consideration is that the ETRS has leaf shutters, which makes lenses a little more expensive. But the lenses are really, really great!

[kb244]

The most useful accessory I have for my ETRS is the unmetered prism. It makes it possible to shoot vertical format without falling over.

With 6x6 it's different, and I would agree. But the ETRS is 6x4.5.

Ditto as well, sometimes the shooting style just becomes different.

In the case of my RB67 I need not worry bout vertical or horizontal when shooting either with a prism or waist level finder since the back rotates, but a 645 camera is a hell of a lot lighter in weight.

By the way far as the hasselblad goes, you can get a 500CM with an 80mm f/2.8 T* for about 600 or so on keh.com

[Nick Zentena]

The most useful accessory I have for my ETRS is the unmetered prism. It makes it possible to shoot vertical format without falling over.

With 6x6 it's different, and I would agree. But the ETRS is 6x4.5.

Just shows how often I turn my ETRSI on it's side