In article
<9bde9132-670c-4863-9965-9e3b9bb264fc@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
Tony <justbecos@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>
> I am wanting opinions on which 2nd hand medium format camera to buy.
>
> I am currently using a Nikon F4 as my film camera using velvia slide
> film.
> I want to increase the film size, I like shooting people, but also
> enjoy taking landscapes and scenery when traveling.
>
> My budget in $1000 to start with so that limits the field I know.
>
> Any help and opinions would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Tony
As with everything in photography, it depends.
Formats: 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9, 6x12, 6x17
Systems: Twin-lens reflex, single lens reflex, rangefinder, view camera,
viewfinder
Amenities: Manual focus, auto focus, manual exposure, auto exposure,
motor drive
Viewing: Eye-level with prism, eye level without prism, waist level,
focusing hood/ground glass
Lenses: interchangeable lenses, fixed lens
Batteries: Mechanical, electronic
Meter: Internal, hand-held, both
Before you can narrow your choices you need to decide which of the above
is im****tant to you, then look at cameras which fit your needs. We can
better help you if you can narrow the field to for example one format
and one viewing method. There are multiple systems which have
overlapping features. Also many systems are modular so you can put
together your own set of options.
AFAIK, autofocus cameras are exclusively 6x4.5 (Mamiya, Pentax,
Hasselblad, Contax)
There is a tremendous variety of prices for twin-lens reflex cameras
with Rollei being the most expensive and Oriental (if they are still in
business) being the least. Ya****ca and Mamiya occupy the middle ground.
Mamiya offered interchangeable lenses on their C330 line of cameras.
Rangefinders vary from old Voigtlander folding cameras (they are
fantastic if the lens is not fogged) to current Mamiya 6 and Mamiya 7
interchangeable lens rangefinders.
6x7, the so called "ideal" format can be had in lightweight rangefinders
from Fuji and Mamiya to huge heavy trucks also from Mamiya. These 6x7
SLRs from Mamiya are an excellent buy these days.
Then in the stratosphere are the medium format view cameras from the
Hasselblad ArcBody ($5,000+) to the Silvestri rigid view camera (2,500)
to the Linhof 6x9 Technikardan ($4,500 + lens) way up to the Alpa 12
(save your pennies and get a BMW instead).
Lots to think about. B&H's website is very informative, as is KEH's.
Some of the more obscure places in the back of Shutterbug magazine (is
that still around?) might have more of the lower end "collectible"
cameras for a few hundred dollars like the Agfa and Voigtlander folders.
Good luck, welcome to the club, enjoy your search, and please come back
and ask more questions. Above all medium format is _fun_. Especially if
your eyesight is like mine and you can no longer see 35mm negatives!
--k
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