Oh pleased to be green

[universalerror]

Hi all !

This would be my first time here

I am currently using a DSLR and as much as i try to replicate that velvet georgeousness that is velvia, its just impossible to make it as good as the real thing.

Which brings me to a few other points.

I am desperately searching for the diving point into MF. I am kinda swayed to go the mamiya 645 afd route simply because of the technology in it would mean an easier transition, but then I like the idea of 6x6 then one less thing to worry about is orientation.

Do you guys have any advice on choice of MF body ?

Obviously price is another factor and i would ideally like to keep that to a minimum as the patting of tiny feet is getting louder.

lastly why are US prices for MF cameras SOOOO much cheaper than the UK ?

Thanks in advance for any advice you offer

Reagards

Craig

[chrisy]

Hi Craig and welcome
you could try a yashica twin lens reflex for a start - I have a 635 in the square format with which I have had some excellent results beware though they are fairly basic -there's no interlock on the shutter so you have to wind on after every shot Great if your not in a hurry! The 124g is slightly more up market but can suffer(?) from professional use so beware. The other one I own is a Bronica 645 fairly plentiful- bit of a lump to carry about all day although many would say (myself included) that the results are worth it A good tripod is a useful accessory !
Hope this helps!
regards Chris

[John Parry]

Hi Craig

Welcome to the board. Good advice from Chris, but you don't have to go to TLRs to try MF you know. There's a whole postwar generation of folders that will allow you a 'try before you buy experience' - maybe a tenner for a useable Agfa folder?? Main thing is as simple as remembering to wind the da**ed thing on!.

In the meantime, we are quite happy to see digital posts (not quite as happy as film!), provided you put them in the right board. No - we really just like to see your pictures. So just post away. If you need any help then just ask myself or any of the staff.

Regards - John

[doubs43]

Craig, Welcome. Both Chrisy and John have given you solid advice. The TLR world offers lots of alternatives depending upon your budget; Yashicas, Rolleiflexes, Rolleicords, Ikoflexes etc. There's an even larger selection of folders with Agfa, Zeiss and even the Russian Iskra or Moskva-2, 4 & 5 just the tip of the iceberg so to speak. There are even MF SLR's such as the Pentacons and Kievs but they can be tricky. The Mamiya 645 is a good choice and their optics are excellent. Finally there are the large MF rangefinders such as the Koni-Omega Rapids etc although I'm not sure about availability there.

While you're making up your mind, we'd be delighted to see some digital images.

Walker

[GeneW]

Craig, as everyone has said there are plenty of options.. Even messing around with a Holga can be fun -- especially as a change of pace from a DSLR.

Gene

[byuphoto]

Hey welcome to the board. I just sold a very nice Mamiya C220 and a very good mamiya 645 Pro rig. if this is you first venture look at the yashicas and the Mamiya TLR's but right now there are some good prices on 645 and 6x7 gear especially if you go manual focus.

[nikonbob]

Welcome to the forum and as everyone else has said a folder is a good bet to test the MF waters with. Another option for a TLR is the Minolta Autocord. Good luck in your choices.

Bob

[Randy]

Welcome to the Camera Collector Craig. For MF I went the inexpensive route, I have an Ansco Speedex Junior that stops down to f22.

[universalerror]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the advice I was dead-set on the 6x6 format yesterday, but then after doing some research and trauling through websites and long term reviews I have thrown 6x7 into light.

As I would be shooting dual systems (mainly because of expense of film/processing) size is a concern as my kit bag already hosts a Dslr body / 35 mm FTn a selection of lenses / flash / light meter etc . Im thinking i need to slim it down a bit

I am also forward looking and thinking of the ideas that I can one day put a cheap digital back onto an MF unit simply for test shots. This would remove the requirement for the Dslr then once im happy i can switch to the ever-soo-georgeous velvia and fire off some film.

So from what I have found, one of the cheaper and easier to use cameras which is in plenty supply and not expensive is the Bronica SQAi which can have a digital back fitted at a later date if i desired. - I must say I do have a fondness for this style / size of camera and actually prefer manual winding to motor. AF would of been nice though my eyes are not as good as they should be.

Im still working on a 6x7

[universalerror]

Im not sure this is going to work, but here is a foto of mine using dslr

[Peter S.]

Hi Craig,

If You seek an inexpensive way to MF then I think a TLR is the best way to go - those things
sell off for little money. And they tend to give very good results. Just be sure the thing works OK.
The Bronica is excellent, too - and very good value for the money (way better than Hassie/Zeiss).

Digital backs for MF are extremely expensive - and they will always be, due to the big sensor
that is required. Then You have to struggle with a crop factor, that renders all Your wide angles
useless. Plus there are a lot of pro's with little income keen on getting one second hand. So
there is less offer than demand - i.e. the second hand prices are high.

Rick suggested a flatbed scanner as an alternative to a dedicated film scanner in my recent
post on the Nikon 9000 scanner. That's the best way into digital MF. The second best way
is to get the latest full frame 35mm DSLR... plus some good glass.

... just my 2 cents

Peter

[mickeyobe]

Craig,

IT WORKS!!!
It's gorgeous.

Mickey

[universalerror]

Thanks for the compliments, apart from RAW conversion its totally un-messed with

Tomorrow is the day for visiting some classic camera shops in west london

[Rachel]

That's a great picture Craig.

[universalerror]

Well.......

Hope ya'll had a good weekend! after my trips to various camera abodes I was thrown into even more confusion with the Mamiya RZ67

Does anyone have any thoughts on this camera ? I have been checking out TLR's and SLR's and I think even though the SLR expense is greater, theres just something I prefer about those GS-1's, SQAi's and RZ67's that I prefer.

My other concern is for my neck using a WLF on portrait shots The RZ67 has a rotating back but what about the GS-1? I am trying to avoid a prism at the moment. Is there a 3rd party rotating adaptor for the GS-1 ?

eww the headaches

regards

Craig