Affordable medium format

[ray*j*gun]

Have you considered a TLR? A Mamiya c220 or c330 are wonderful rigs and the lenses are superb!

[Ralph Javins]

. . .

But I don't feel like I have to have a security detail along to protect my investment.

Good morning;

Oh, man, you must live in a really nice neighborhood. The guys around here do not even know the difference from 35mm to Medium Format or Digital! They just see "Camera!" and think they can get money for it.

[tnabbott]

What about the Mamiya RZ system? The backs come in various from 645, 6x6, and 6x7. Just change the back and the size of the negative changes. It is very versatile and still manufactured...

[film_man]

Ultimately I want a MF camera with WLF without the size of my buddy's RZ67 or the price of a Blad. Is there a similar system that might be worth spending a couple hundred more on?

I had a SQB before getting a 'blad, very nice camera, the lenses are great and with a WLF it is fairly light, I certainly wouldn't have a problem spending a day out with it plus an extra lens in the bag for it. The only suggestion I'd make is to try and get one of the newer models, SQAi or SQB depending what features you want, as the SQ/SQA bodies are now 25-40 years old.

I also had an ETRS but I if I want a smaller rectangular format vs 6x6 I'm happy with the convenience of 35mm cameras. It was a nice camera though and the image quality just as good. You do need a prism for it though, unless you limit yourself to landscape orientation.

[film_man]

What about the Mamiya RZ system? The backs come in various from 645, 6x6, and 6x7. Just change the back and the size of the negative changes. It is very versatile and still manufactured...

...and he specifically said he doesn't want a camera as big as a RZ...

[film_man]

How about a nice Hasselblad 500C/M? It was serviced/overhauled by Hasselblad USA in August 2005.

The kit of lens, A12 back, and body with WLF is $700 plus shipping.

Details can be seen at http://newjersey.craigslist.org/pho/2731994246.HTML

Dieter Zakas

...and he specifically said he doesn't want a camera with a Hasselblad price...



I'd add that since he wants a 40 for indoors shooting, going the Hasselblad way will be much more expensive. You can get a SQB kit and a 40 for less than the price of a Hasselblad 40CT alone.

[Jeff Kubach]

You could look into a TLR or even a RB67.

Jeff

[ray*j*gun]

Agree Jeff!

[Joooorsh]

Decided I need 6*7 so now I'm looking for a P67 kit...

Going to be a while before I find one I can afford.