Medium format system advice

[segedi]

Yeah, I'm not too concerned about the digital back at the moment, the film scanner should suffice just fine and why spend the bucks on a digital back when I could spend 1/10th on film and dev/chemicals! The newest LEAF back deprecates to older bodies very well.
I am intrigued by the Bronica SQ Ai as well; 6x6 would be nice. Will just have to find some locally at the shops to see what works.

[Sirius Glass]

Hasselblad with a 45º prism like the PME provides a large system with many options. There is lots of equipment available. The system allows flexibility over all the other MF cameras. The V Series has been in production for over 50 years. If it was not meeting photographers needs, it would not have had such a long production run.

Steve

[brian steinberger]

I think first you need to decide what format you'd like to shoot. Once you decide that it will be easier to make a decision as there are too many options and you'll hear every one of them recommended here.

[tkamiya]

If minimum focusing distance is your only concern, why not get an extension ring for your existing system? I have a set for Mamiya M645. With proper ring in the middle, I can get pretty darn close....

[lxdude]

Yeah, I'm not too concerned about the digital back at the moment, the film scanner should suffice just fine and why spend the bucks on a digital back when I could spend 1/10th on film and dev/chemicals! The newest LEAF back deprecates to older bodies very well.
I am intrigued by the Bronica SQ Ai as well; 6x6 would be nice. Will just have to find some locally at the shops to see what works.

A very important consideration will be what type of camera fits you. You might like the Hasselblad/Bronica style of leaf shutter camera or you might find it not to your liking. Same with the focal plane shutter Mamiya or Pentax 645's. And so on.

[EdSawyer]

The battery in an RZ lasts nearly forever. IMNSHO, batteries like that are a non-issue when it comes to comparisons between cameras.

[TimmyMac]

dream system for me under those criteria is hasselblad 203FE or 205TCC, with the 110/2 or 150/2.8

[Policar]

(Virtually) any system with a built in meter will require a battery and the rz67's battery is tiny (much smaller than my light meter's battery). And there are some battery-based idiot-proofing features that I end up using a lot on the camera. It does seem to last forever, too...I don't even bother turning my camera off.

It's still heavy and with an AE viewfinder and 180mm lens it would be a beast. It's built like a studio camera and has bad ergonomics.

I think 645 or 135 would be better suited to street photography. The compact 6x6 systems are expensive and require heavy lenses, too. But if you could afford one...

[BrianL]

6x6 need not be expensive. Look for a good user Rolleiflex and get it a complete service. They were one of the most popular street cameras for those who were not into Leicas before the 35mm SLR. Shuttters are very quiet, a lot of negative to work with, lower viewer level helps in hiding the fact you are photographing. While the f/2.8 would be the choice for low level light, with the latitude and film speeds today a f/3.5 may be all needed. A user with little practice can easily handhold at 1/30th with the 75mm lense. An alternative would be one of the Yashica TLRs.

Yashica made a set of tele adaptors for Bayonet I so they can be used on the Rolleiflex. While prices fluctuate, most can be had for not a lot of money but only double the effective length. I have a set and used to use them from time to time for portrait work as they are just a tad soft.

[segedi]

Decisions decisions...
If the Mamiya 7II took extension tubes (i don't think it does) that would make the decision easier.