A miller Posted December 26, 2014 Share #141 Posted December 26, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all - Just picked up a mint condition Bessa III 667W. OMG - WTF - this thing is awesome! As a fixed prime lens (55mm, which is effectively a 28mm in 35mm format) its utility is limited for sure. Definitely not the solution for someone who wants to shoot multiple focal lengths and/or desires prestigious optics. But for general landscapes, architecture, street shooting and even some portraiture, this camera has blown me away as modern, practical rangefinder that very closely replicates the Leica experience. The camera is like a bloated M7 with a slow (f/4.5) yet extremely sharp 28mm permanently affixed. The VF is simply awesome. Larger and IMO brighter than a Leica M. Compact and elegant ergonomics. The aspect ratio can be toggled between 6x6 and 6x7 The shutter is SILENT!! And it is a LEAF shutter so that you can use flash at ALL speeds. So my Leica SF-24D will work in manual mode at 1/500. Yippee! While the 55mm in medium format is effectively a 28mm in terms of width of field in 35mm formate, it has the DOF of a 50mm in 35mm format. So it isn't by any means a replacement for the kind of street shooting that requires a very deep DOF. All in all I am tickled and excited about using this tool for certain special situations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 26, 2014 Posted December 26, 2014 Hi A miller, Take a look here Favourite medium format?....... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
robert blu Posted December 26, 2014 Share #142 Posted December 26, 2014 Hi all - Just picked up a mint condition Bessa III 667W. .. All in all I am tickled and excited about using this tool for certain special situations. It would be great to see a few pictures when you'll have them! Thanks in advance. robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A miller Posted January 2, 2015 Share #143 Posted January 2, 2015 It would be great to see a few pictures when you'll have them! Thanks in advance.robert Hi Robert - Here is a B&W shot that I took last week with TMAX 400. I'll post a color shot soon... Best, Adam Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/196764-favourite-medium-format/?do=findComment&comment=2739603'>More sharing options...
pico Posted January 2, 2015 Share #144 Posted January 2, 2015 Found this again. It has a strange message to me. I helped this couple build a log cabin in the backwoods of Arkansas. Plaubel Veriwide 6x10cm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrism Posted January 2, 2015 Share #145 Posted January 2, 2015 The good news: I no longer have medium format disease. The bad news: The sickness worsens: Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
honcho Posted January 2, 2015 Share #146 Posted January 2, 2015 I'll keep my Fuji GSW690111 until I'm no longer able to press a shutter release. Cover image and portfolio, Cameracraft magazine, 2014. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/196764-favourite-medium-format/?do=findComment&comment=2739777'>More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 4, 2015 Share #147 Posted January 4, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'll keep my Fuji GSW690111 until I'm no longer able to press a shutter release. Cover image and portfolio, Cameracraft magazine, 2014. Hmmm, well I got a back cover to Cameracraft (Rolleicord Vb) so you win this time But yes, the Fuji GW690 and GSW690 are amazing medium format cameras with superb lenses. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a911s Posted January 5, 2015 Share #148 Posted January 5, 2015 Had a complete Hassy and Pentax 67 outfit in the 80s and 90s. Sold everything except a Fuji G617. Still have a frig full of roll film - need to use that camera! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
honcho Posted January 5, 2015 Share #149 Posted January 5, 2015 ......But yes, the Fuji GW690 and GSW690 are amazing medium format cameras with superb lenses. I've had my GSW690111 for quite a few years now, but it was the camera that relegated my former Mamiya 7(11) and lenses to being completely unused and ultimately sold. Second hand prices for Fuji 6x9 cameras seem to be surprisingly low. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KM-25 Posted January 6, 2015 Share #150 Posted January 6, 2015 In addition to a now simply huge "Gasselblad" system, I now have a Mamiya 6 kit with the 50, 75 and 150 lenses and use it while on ski shoots, seems nice so far although I wish it were mechanical. But it is quiet, the lenses are super sharp and the VF is about the best in an RF camera I have ever used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted January 6, 2015 Share #151 Posted January 6, 2015 What does Gasselblad mean? (sorry) How problematic is the non-TTL metering of the Mamiyas? I'm torn between a 6 and a Hasselblad 203fe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KM-25 Posted January 6, 2015 Share #152 Posted January 6, 2015 What does Gasselblad mean? (sorry) How problematic is the non-TTL metering of the Mamiyas? I'm torn between a 6 and a Hasselblad 203fe. Gasselblad as in Gear-Accuisition-Syndrome-selblad.. I have heard the meter consistently underexposes in certain situations. I have no experience with that though as I always have a small Gossen incident meter handy if I even need it. I only shoot TMAX 400 in it so I rarely even need to meter, just use my head like with my M3. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted January 6, 2015 Share #153 Posted January 6, 2015 Gasselblad as in Gear-Accuisition-Syndrome-selblad.. I have heard the meter consistently underexposes in certain situations. I have no experience with that though as I always have a small Gossen incident meter handy if I even need it. I only shoot TMAX 400 in it so I rarely even need to meter, just use my head like with my M3. That's really quite witty Thanks for the explanation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted January 7, 2015 Share #154 Posted January 7, 2015 I'm torn between a 6 and a Hasselblad 203fe. I'm intrigued by this choice - now I REALLY don't mean my post to be prescriptive in any sense (and by this I mean people use cameras in all sorts of different ways) - but generally I use the Hasselblad and Mamiya 6 in totally different contexts. Incidentally, I have a plain old 500C/M (and I'm also a bit intrigued as to why you prefer the 203fe), but the Mamiya and Hassy are such different cameras that I can't quite get my head around how they can be competing for your attention? Incidentally I'd agree that the internal meter in the Mamiya tends to under-expose (v slightly), but nowadays I just meter with the sekonic 308s and the results are better (and also more consistent with all the other cameras which I use with an external meter). I really love using the Mamiya 6 - the way it folds to a very compact size, the amazingly quiet 'tick' of the shutter, and the INCREDIBLE sharpness of the lenses. All in all, a superlative system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KM-25 Posted January 8, 2015 Share #155 Posted January 8, 2015 I really love using the Mamiya 6 - the way it folds to a very compact size, the amazingly quiet 'tick' of the shutter, and the INCREDIBLE sharpness of the lenses. All in all, a superlative system. It's growing on me, I still like my Hassy system the best due to accurate framing and close to a dozen film backs. But I fit the Mamiya 6, the 50, 75, 150, shades, a few filters, a Leica M3 with a 50 1.4 Asph, 5 rolls of 35mm and 5 rolls of 120 Tmax all in a Domke F803 satchel....pretty killer RF kit if you ask me.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted January 8, 2015 Share #156 Posted January 8, 2015 But yes, the Fuji GW690 and GSW690 are amazing medium format cameras with superb lenses. I've had my GSW690111 for quite a few years now, but it was the camera that relegated my former Mamiya 7(11) and lenses to being completely unused and ultimately sold. I agree, the Fuji 6x9 cameras are excellent portable fixed lens rangefinders. I used one exclusively for around 7 years. A lot of film area for large exhibition prints and yet with the kind of portability desirable for social documentary style work (plus the image ratio is the same as 35mm and so they could be mixed together sometimes for certain publications/exhibits, etc..) As a Los Angeles based artist one of those Fuji 6x9 large prints was used here in a history of LA photography exhibition and book a few years ago: This Side of Paradise I still own the Fuji although my style of production has shifted and so it's not used much anymore. But I would highly recommend them to anybody (I used to use an old school auto-thyristor flash for fill which worked great with the leaf shutter and its flash sync at any speed. ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted January 8, 2015 Share #157 Posted January 8, 2015 I'm intrigued by this choice - now I REALLY don't mean my post to be prescriptive in any sense (and by this I mean people use cameras in all sorts of different ways) - but generally I use the Hasselblad and Mamiya 6 in totally different contexts. Incidentally, I have a plain old 500C/M (and I'm also a bit intrigued as to why you prefer the 203fe), but the Mamiya and Hassy are such different cameras that I can't quite get my head around how they can be competing for your attention? Incidentally I'd agree that the internal meter in the Mamiya tends to under-expose (v slightly), but nowadays I just meter with the sekonic 308s and the results are better (and also more consistent with all the other cameras which I use with an external meter). I really love using the Mamiya 6 - the way it folds to a very compact size, the amazingly quiet 'tick' of the shutter, and the INCREDIBLE sharpness of the lenses. All in all, a superlative system. I know, it seems to be an apples-oranges choice, and it has taken me probably more than a year, after deciding to add 6x6 to my camera bag, to arrive at the conclusion that it is a Hasselblad want. I have gone back and forth a few times actually. The Mamiya is clearly a fantastic camera but there are a few aspects of it which make me choose the Hasselblad. First, it is a rangefinder. I have several of those in 35mm and while I really love using them, I sometimes miss the accurate framing and DOF preview that an SLR-type camera allows. Sure, I would get the larger negative (and another set of great lenses), but I would not be able to have the framing. Just last night I processed a number of images shot on Leica, which really depend on straight horizontals and verticals and on some images I was a bit off which degraded the impact of the image. Secondly, and very important to me, the meter not being TTL and accurate means I would doubt it and I don't like that. I don't use an external meter but want an accurate built-in meter that I can rely on. I've read it doesn't differ more than a stop but given that I would predominantly shoot slides (I have a freezer full of Provia) I don't want to risk inaccurate exposures. Thirdly, while the small form factor of the Mamiya is appealing, I already have that with my Leicas. And coming from an EOS background I don't mind the larger Hasselblad. In fact I find the whole system really appealing, from the possibility to use WLF and interchangeable backs to the macro possibilities, flash synching etc. As for the 203FE, well I want a MF camera which can be shot intuitively with accurate exposures, almost like a normal SLR. From what I understand, that's the 203FE which has a good and versatile meter. It is also a newer model compared to (most of) the 500 series (I know the 503 was only recently discontinued) and has everything built in. The 205 has a spot meter, if I understand it correctly, which would not be very useful for most of my applications. I know many consider the 503 with metered prisms vs the 203 but I've landed on the latter. But, who knows, maybe I will change my mind again. I almost bought a 203FE from ProCenter in Stockholm but it had been used heavily and was unserviced so I hesitated. I'd prefer a fairly recently serviced camera. cheers philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted January 8, 2015 Share #158 Posted January 8, 2015 Thirdly, while the small form factor of the Mamiya is appealing, I already have that with my Leicas. And coming from an EOS background I don't mind the larger Hasselblad. philip I approached the acquisition of MF from a different direction. In 2009 various health problems had driven me to switch from a 5D Mk II plus bag of L glass to Leica M9 purely for weight and size reasons. When the MF bug bit hard, my first thought was 'Hasselblad' - had always wanted one! Then sense took over and I put weight at the top of the list. In the dim and distant past I had thoroughly enjoyed using a Yashica 124G then Mamiya C3, so looked at TLR's. Combining weight/performance/desirability the result was a Rolleicord Vb, which I bought from Collect Camera NL nearly three years ago. An utterly beguiling (and lightweight!) jewel of a camera which fulfils my MF needs (and helps ward off the occassional GAS attacks for 6x7 or 6x9!). Example image (Brantome Abbey) on Flickr Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/196764-favourite-medium-format/?do=findComment&comment=2743826'>More sharing options...
chrism Posted January 23, 2015 Share #159 Posted January 23, 2015 I just took a turn for the worse. Where will it end? Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 23, 2015 Share #160 Posted January 23, 2015 What size, 4x5 or 8x10? Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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