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Building a Medium Format System..
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I’m currently enjoying my recently acquired Rolleicord, which has got me thinking of eventually considering a medium format system down the line..
The flexibility of a MF system is a appealing, particularly the option of a short tele for portraits, and something moderately wide for some architecture. Interchangeable backs is quite attractive too.
I guess that leaves me looking at a medium format slr system, but don’t really know where to start. I’ve heard of the likes of Hasselblad, and Bronica, but am not overly knowledgeable of the different models out there, and any suggestions/ pointers from the guru’s would be very well received :)
In essence, I guess my main requirements are something where I can add a wide, and a tele, without breaking the bank. Portability is a consideration, so nothing over 3kg preferably. Lastly, given I’m lazy, 6×6 backs would be nice to avoid having to rotate :)
Thanks in advance,
Damien
damien.murphy wrote:
In essence, I guess my main requirements are something where I can add a wide, and a tele, without breaking the bank. Portability is a consideration, so nothing over 3kg preferably. Lastly, given I’m lazy, 6×6 backs would be nice to avoid having to rotate :)
Thanks in advance,
Damien
Look into the Mamiya RB67 and RZ67 cameras. The rotating back is so handy as is the bellows focusing. I’m not sure if they are under 3kg. Both systems have a good range of lenses including a shift lens which would be good for your architectural shots but not your pocket :wink: .
Peter
Love my Hasselblad 500C… reasonably small and light… fantastic image quality. No batteries required. The only thing I don’t like is the fact that minimum focussing distance is 3ft on the 80mm kit lens I use at present.
Have an RZ67 too… biggest MF camera I’ve ever seen… like a cement block… “It’s huge Peter”. Like Peter says the landscape to portrait back change is really simple and fast and the bellows focussing system is great. It also allows you to focus a lot closer than 3ft too… which I like. Batteries required.
thefizz wrote:
Look into the Mamiya RB67 and RZ67 cameras. The rotating back is so handy as is the bellows focusing. I’m not sure if they are under 3kg.
Maybe a little heavy for my liking.. 3kg would even be at the top end of my weight limit.. 2kg would be nice :) I will more than likely continue to use my Rolleicord for walkabout, but whatever system I choose will need to be carryable also, for a mixture of tripod-mounted shots and non-tripod shots at a pinch.
Have heard good things about the Hasselblad 500’s, particularly the C/M, which is a refinement of the C I believe. If budget were not an object, I think a nice old Hassy would be my first choice, but I fear teles and particularly wides would break the bank. Am I wrong in this thinking ?
What of the Bronica’s, any users here ?
Damien
Have 2 Bronicas too… ERTSi and SQAi.
Haven’t really put either of them to any great use but the one thing I would say about them is that the images from them didn’t strike me as being as ‘engaging’ as those from the Hasselblad.
When I say ‘engaging’ what I mean is that the Hasselblad, when shot wide open, can produce this beautiful 3D like quality whereas the Bronicas are a bit… how do I say… rigid and correct in the images they produce… almost too sharp and lack character.
I must stress that I haven’t put the Bronicas through any great paces… I know that Martin has done a lot of work with his SQAi.
This is a tester from the Hasselblad… you can sorta see what I mean –
I have a Bronica SQ-A setup with 50mm f3.5, 80mm f2.8 and 150mm f4 lenses and 2×120 backs.
Really love using it and the flexibility of changing the backs is great.I can’t fault it really. They were very popular with pro’s in their time (as were hassies of course).
Hmmm.. I’ve always found it a slippery and expensive slope when buying lenses based on ‘character’ :)
If I was to buy into a MF slr system, would I be right in thinking I need the following core components:
– Body
– Lens
– Waist-Level Finder (in my case)
– Film BackIs there anything I’m missing, or should factor in ?
Ideally, I would be more than happy with something like a 500C/M (for the interchangeable screen), waist level finder, and a few backs (for high & low-iso B&w). I’ve seen a few combos with a 500c/m body, waist level finder, 80mm f2.8, and a back go for about €800 – is this reasonable and are non-normal lenses reasonably priced should I want to add to the kit ?
Thanks again,
Damien
Mark wrote:
I have a Bronica SQ-A setup with 50mm f3.5, 80mm f2.8 and 150mm f4 lenses and 2×120 backs.
What did all that set you back Mark ? ..if you don’t mind me asking :)
I’ve seen a lot of SQ-A’s with a hand grip, but assume you could also use a waist level finder also – would this be right ?
Damien
When I say ‘character’ I’m not talking about the condition of the equipment I’m referring to the image quality.
Lens, Body, Back, WLF… that’s basically it.
500C/M packages can be got for under €600 if you shop around on eBay and have a bit of luck on your side. Definetly shop around because prices vary a lot.
My 500C (Lens, Body, Back, WLF) was €400 and was in pretty much perfect condition. It’s almost identical to the 500C/M I got which had a light leak in the film holder. There’s really very little difference between the 500C/M and 500C. The image quality will be the same at the end of the day as only the bodies differ.
Getting additional lenses for it…. now that’s where it could get costly… at the moment I just make the photos work with the lenses I have.
PS. My SQAi with 80mm 2.8 Kit Lens, Metered Prism and Grip cost €350. The additional lenses that Mark mentioned can be got for about €80 to €180 each depending on where you shop.
Additional backs for the SQ cost about €45 whereas you’d be doing well to get a Hasselblad back for under €100.
I built a Hasselblad system over the last year. Thinking a MF camera with 80mm would do the job, loving it and finding more uses for it and more requirements for gear. Went for the camera that many people I liked seemed to be using (buying talent :) ! )
I have…
Body 501c with wlf,
2 x 120 backs
prism viewfinder for using it on a tripod,
lenses 50mm, 80mm and 180mm (50mm and 180mm are really heavy)All my gear packed including a tripod (1.3kg) comes to around 9kg, and my wallet is about 9kg lighter.
Nice camera, but doing it again I might go for a Mamiya 6 or 7, lighter, cheaper and very nice lenses I hear.
I can’t give much relevant advice as I only have experience with one of the options.
But I do love it and I think it has changed my photography.Martin
damien.murphy wrote:
Mark wrote:
I have a Bronica SQ-A setup with 50mm f3.5, 80mm f2.8 and 150mm f4 lenses and 2×120 backs.
What did all that set you back Mark ? ..if you don’t mind me asking :)
I’ve seen a lot of SQ-A’s with a hand grip, but assume you could also use a waist level finder also – would this be right ?
Damien
Not at all :)
Total cost was €520 incl p+p for something which when new cost something like $12-15k. Not too bad.
I was pretty patient when buying the 50mm and 150mm lenses, waited for a real good price on ebay
before I bought them.I have a WLF with mine. BTW, it doesn’t meter. You’d need at least an SQ-Ai for that.
Focussing screens are interchangeable also of course.Check this out. It’s been there for a while but so was nfl’s SQ-Ai which he got for a song.
Or given the range that nfl has right now maybe you could hire one from him????
Alan.
nfl-fan wrote:
When I say ‘character’ I’m not talking about the condition of the equipment
I know. Since I’ll be shooting b&w solely I have no problem with older design lenses designed with lower contrast in mind.
nfl-fan wrote:
500C/M packages can be got for under €600 if you shop around on eBay and have a bit of luck on your side. Definetly shop around because prices vary a lot.
Getting additional lenses for it…. now that’s where it could get costly… at the moment I just make the photos work with the lenses I have.
Good to know. Must research prices of additional lens. Had a look on Ffordes for reference, and 50mm and 150mm lenses seem to be gettable for about €500 each, give or take.
nfl-fan wrote:
My 500C (Lens, Body, Back, WLF) was €400 and was in pretty much perfect condition. It’s almost identical to the 500C/M I got which had a light leak in the film holder. There’s really very little difference between the 500C/M and 500C. The image quality will be the same at the end of the day as only the bodies differ.
Yes, the main difference between them seem to be the interchangeable screens, from what I read. Must have a look at photoethnography.com again, where there is a nice little chart showing the key differences between the Hasselblad models
nfl-fan wrote:
PS. My SQAi with 80mm 2.8 Kit Lens, Metered Prism and Grip cost €350. The additional lenses that Mark mentioned can be got for about €80 to €180 each depending on where you shop. Additional backs for the SQ cost about €45 whereas you’d be doing well to get a Hasselblad back for under €100.
Hmm.. food for thought.. that all seems so reasonably priced..
Damien
Thanks Mark – hoping to take advantage and pick up some nice medium format kit, before the digital-swooning world gets sense again :)
Martin – may have to do a bit of research on weight. It all seems reasonable with the 80mm, but then I have my Rolleicord with a 75mm lens for walkabout. I hear what you mean about the brand – one of the reasons I bought a Leica was I knew it could not be the camera that was the problem if I took poor images! :)
Alan – yes, seen this a while back.. something about that black and chrome that is so entrancing!
Damien
Hi Damien,
I have just finished BUILDING a MODULAR medium format film camera.
Received the last piece today !!!
When I say “building” I sourced all the differend modular components
for the Mamiya 645 Super from different sellers.
I created these images below for my blog, thought I would post them here too!The total system: Camera Body with winder, Prism finder, Lens, Strap, Back and insert
cost me around €250 delivered from europe and the U.S.Ok it doesnt have rotating backs or 6X6 capabilities and weighs in shy of
3.5 KG’s but it certainly suited my pocket !! so I will look forward to shooting some
B+W film through this.There are also DIGITAL BACKS available for this also up to about from 11mp to
about 25MP if I win the lotto! :)Good luck with the hunt!
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