Medium Format

[OsmosisStudios]

Okay, so totally unrelated to DIGITAL photography buuuuut: I'm looking at some medium format systems, specifically at the Mamiyas because they're cheaper (and money IS a factor).

I was bidding on a RZ67 ProII system on eBay until the price went to double me budget. I dont even know where to start looking. Does anyone have any opinions or insight?

[dcclark]

It may be a bit of a stretch, but have you checked craigslist, or similar things in your area? I'd bet that you might actually find one on a local trading list, since you're reasonably close to Toronto and maybe Montreal.

[OsmosisStudios]

I've tried some local spots: nothing. I dont mind dealing through eBay.

My main problem is I dont know what to look for. I know the 35mm and dSLR worlds like the back of my hand (or almost), but medium format is a totally untouched world to me.

I know that lenses are about 1.6x longer than 35mm equivalent, that they use 120 film, but I see some listed as 6x6, 6x7, 4x5, etc, and then I get lost.

I also realize that these things are often purchased/sold in pieces: body, finder, back, lens, etc. I'd rather get a kit, but don't mind piecing one together, provided I KNOW it'll work.

[LoveDSLR]

MF

Body
Lens
back, insert and slide
viewfinder

6x6/square = no need to hold the camera horiz/vertical, put DIY guideline on view screen to assist crop
80mm ~ standard lens
interchangable backs - you can preload films for quick change, use different film/ISO on different backs (preloaded)
viewfinder - interchangable, you may want a prism one to avoid reverse right to left.

Hasselblad CF lenses are EV couple. Insert needs to match the last 3 digits of the back's serial number for maximum flatness. I don't know how other brands work.

[acedrew]

The old RB67s are supposed to be awesome, they have a lot of flexibility! and you can pick them up off ebay pretty cheap.. even with a few viewfinders...

RB/RZ67 are actually 6cm X 7cm They have rotating film backs, so you can switch between portrait/landscape without rotating body... Neat cameras, I think a 120mm is a "normal" lens as opposed to 50mm in the 35mm world...

Andrew Rodgers
Perfected Perspectives -- Photography by Andrew Rodgers | Andrew Rodgers (acedrew) on Twitter | Login | Facebook

[Mr Guy]

Well, you can always jump into the Pentax family and philosophy, and get a Pentax 645N back from their glory days. They run similarly priced to what you're looking at, but you get to use those beautiful Pentax primes. Plus, you'd have the 645D vaporware to look forward to! (Note from Pentax Executives: No, it's really coming, in Japan only, we promise this time! Probably!)

[jdepould]

I don't like the RZ, I have a lot of trouble focusing it. Of course, it could be that ours is just dirty, I don't know.

Personally, I'd rather spend $15,000 on a D3x and PC-E glass. The results are damn good, and the body gets out of the way.