skuemin Posted May 16, 2013 Share #1 Posted May 16, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi guys I am very satisfied with my Leica R4. Recently however, I've started thinking about buying a medium format camera. My local photo shop has two cameras to offer, both at about the same (low) price: - a Mamiya 645 with a Mamiya Sekor 80 mm, 1:1.9 - a Zenza Bronica ETRS 6x4.5 with a Zenzanon MC 2,8/50 I've read about both and I have a favourite but I'd love to hear other opinions, so the question is: Which camera would you choose? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 Hi skuemin, Take a look here Medium Format Camera. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted May 16, 2013 Share #2 Posted May 16, 2013 Hi, I have a Bronica ETRS and chose it because it has changeable film backs (unlike the Mamiya) and leaf shutters in the lenses, which means you can work with flash at all speeds. The 50mm is a wide lens, a 75mm is 'standard'. You can pick the lenses up now very cheaply. Buy an AE prism finder and speed grip and you have an excellent kit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broadside Posted May 17, 2013 Share #3 Posted May 17, 2013 Last year I bought from ebay a Bronica ETRSi with two backs, a prism viewer and three lenses (50, 75 & 150mm) all in great condition for just over £300. When you consider this would not buy even the cheapest used Leica lens this seems to me to be a deal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skuemin Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted May 17, 2013 Actually, the Bronica comes with the prism finder AE-II. I forgot to mention that. Any other suggestions? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted May 17, 2013 Share #5 Posted May 17, 2013 Leave both, and perhaps think of a Bronica SQ-a as a 'system' camera or a Rolleicord/Rolleiflex as a stand alone camera. I know 6x4.5 was invented to short cut the cropping of a 6x6 negative, but you don't need to crop 6x6 or if you do it is better to do it in the cold light of day rather than at the time of the shot. So I think 6x4.5 is a bit limiting especially when you see the quality that can be acheived with negatives just a bit larger. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 17, 2013 Share #6 Posted May 17, 2013 The square format has it's own benefits but if you prefer more standard print sizes then you're not gaining any quality from using 6X6 as the useable negative area will be the same. You need to go up a format to 6X7 or 6X9 for a further increase in quality, assuming you will use the whole neg area. I chose the Bronica as I was using it for weddings etc., and it meant an extra 3 frames per roll and less film changes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted May 17, 2013 Share #7 Posted May 17, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I got the sense that budget was a consideration, so suggested relatively cheap MF alternatives for an even larger negative, but yes you are right, 6x7 or 6x9 are a significant jump in area. If budget is a consideration an Agfa Record III non-coupled rangefinder with the Solinar lens is an ideal introduction into 6x9. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted May 17, 2013 Share #8 Posted May 17, 2013 Another consideration is that many MF cameras are not square and therefore need to be rotated like a 35mm camera for vertical format. That is a real hassle IMO. Square format is a lovely format when you get used to it, in fact suiting more subjects than vert or horiz. Remember, the subject should dictate the format, not the capture tool. So you have to trim 'standard' printing papers to suit square format. That's the same problem builders have when ordering timber. They always trim to fit the specs. Square cam be 'mentally' trimmed at the time of shooting for vert or horiz if needed, instead of rotating a cumbersome camera. Disclaimer: I am an unashamed Hasselblad freak, hence my bias. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted May 17, 2013 Share #9 Posted May 17, 2013 Square cam be 'mentally' trimmed at the time of shooting for vert or horiz if needed, instead of rotating a cumbersome camera. Needn't be cumbersome...Mamiya 6 (square) or Mamiya 7 (6x7)...both RF like a big Leica. I had both at different times, as well as a Plaubel Makina (6x7), which was also a big and light RF. But I used Hasselblad for a time, too, so I get the affinity. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 17, 2013 Share #10 Posted May 17, 2013 And the ETRS with AE finder and speed grip handles much like an SLR. A very ergonomic solution. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 17, 2013 Share #11 Posted May 17, 2013 Imho, if one wants really to jump to the essence of MF, 4,5x6 isn't the right choice... I have always thought at it as a way to have a smaller / lighter camera, keeping anyway a bigger-than-35 neg. "Real" MF, for me, starts at 6x6 and with waist-level viewing on a big screen : this is the really new experience in taking and composing : so... TLR or SLR. Folding 6x9 are funny tools considering the coupling of big negative and relatively small size ... I have and used for years a Super Ikonta with RF... but is another matter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted May 17, 2013 Share #12 Posted May 17, 2013 Well, for a large negative and handling like a 35mm SLR, as well as for a fitness program: 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! (Notice they also made it black to be inconspicuous!) Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! (Notice they also made it black to be inconspicuous!) ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/204812-medium-format-camera/?do=findComment&comment=2323746'>More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted May 20, 2013 Share #13 Posted May 20, 2013 I agree with Steve(250swb) and would suggest 6x6 too. Either Hassy, TLR or Bronica (which is oten mistaken for a Hassy anyway) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsgary Posted May 20, 2013 Share #14 Posted May 20, 2013 I use a Mamiya C330 and love it total different experience to my M4's one of my photo buddies shot wide open @ F2.8 and crop Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted May 20, 2013 Share #15 Posted May 20, 2013 ........(which is oten mistaken for a Hassy anyway) What! Wash your mouth out!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted May 21, 2013 Share #16 Posted May 21, 2013 I had a Bronica ETRSi in the late 1990s and really liked using it. OTOH I had real problems with a Rolleiflex I picked up around the same time, and sold it off. Fast forward to last year, the Bronica a thing of the past...sold years ago to a photography student, I got the urge again to do some MF work after discovering several rolls of film in the bottom of the freezer. Ideally I should have sold the film, but I ended up acquiring a Yashicamat 124 and a Ricohflex Diacord the same day. Cleaned them up, aligned them, replaced their viewfinder screens with a split image one from Rick Olesson and took a series of shots. In the end I kept the Ricohflex and sold the Yashicamat, and have had a blast with it ever since. It isn't a Leica or Hasselblad by any means, but once tuned up, it really delivers...so I'd say go with what suits your fancy, learn its subtle nuances and enjoy the output. I do get some strange looks from people and those who tell me their grandfather owned "one of those things". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted May 21, 2013 Share #17 Posted May 21, 2013 I agree with your point about 'tuning up' your gear. Possibly more important than the gear! To date, I have had three Leica lenses tuned independently after years of doubt. Once tuned they actually 'sing' now. The red dot alone is no guarantee of top performance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skuemin Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share #18 Posted May 21, 2013 Thanks to you all. I bought the Bronica and I'm looking forward to take my first pictures with it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 21, 2013 Share #19 Posted May 21, 2013 I'm sure you'll be happy with the Bronica - do let us know how you get on with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted June 6, 2013 Share #20 Posted June 6, 2013 What!Wash your mouth out!!!!! Sorry mate! But I have had more comments of "is that a Hasselblad" with the Bronica SQAi than with the Hassy 503. and in total, far more comments about "cool camera" with the Rolleiflex 2.8 than any other camera - including the offer by a pair of girls to pose for me back at their place and they were just as cutenas the pair of French girls we met in Venice. BTW John - do you have any photos of that encounter? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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