On Mar 21, 3:54 pm, krishnananda <n...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> In article
> <9bde9132-670c-4863-9965-9e3b9bb26...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
>
> Tony <justbe...@[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
Krishnananda,
thank you for your post, you're right there are a lot of options and I
should narrow down the field. So here are some features I am looking
for:
Formats: 6x7
Systems: single lens reflex
Amenities: Manual focus, manual exposure, no motor drive
Viewing: waist level,
Lenses: interchangeable lenses
Batteries: Mechanical, electronic, - either
Meter: hand-held
thank you for your time to reply and warm welcome. Enjoying the help
from the group.
Tony
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