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Advice on Medium Format Camera

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Advice on Medium Format Camera

  • Langan
    Participant

    Hi there..I looking to get into medium-format photography and I’m looking for advice. I have a limited budget so it won’t be a digital model. I hear the Mamiya 7II Rangefinder is a good camera. Does anyone own one? I shoot landscape so I think the 6X7 format will be most appropriate. Any advice on cameras, scanners and where to get good quality scans done would be much appreciated.

    Kevin :o

    Mark
    Keymaster

    Hey Kevin,

    Just moved this into the Film area where it might get some more attention :)
    I’ll see what more experienced others have to say before I give my 2 cents…

    thefizz
    Participant

    The Mamiya 7II is a fine camera with fantastic sharp lenses. The camera is not much bigger or heavier than an SLR. The 6×7 negs do suit landscapes but are big enough to be cropped if required and still produce quality prints.

    The original 7 model should also be considered as the only difference is the 7II has a multiple exposure facility. I have owned both and cannot fault them.

    Langan
    Participant

    Thanks for the info. on the Mamiya 7 camera. I was wondering if you could give me some insight into the digitization of the negative from the 120 film. What make of scanner do you use? or do you get someone to do it for you. I m aware that a high res. scanner is pricey, so I was wondering if I could get you insight into this matter. Ultimately I would like to print large prints, in excess of 20″X30″.

    Kevin

    thefizz
    Participant

    Sorry can’t advise regarding scanning as I only print in the darkroom.

    Mark
    Keymaster

    Hi Kevin,

    Epson have an excellent range of flatbed scanners
    I have a V500 which will do up to 6×9 and love it.
    I’ve also used a friends V700 (some PI-ers) and it was very good indeed.

    Like with everything its down to budget but you should do
    ok with an Epson.

    Langan
    Participant

    Thanks Mark for the advice. I’ll give the Epson models a look.

    The Mamiya7 is very nice, but expensive and also a bit fragile. It is also limited by being a rangefinder. Unless you’re a wideangle lover (the 43mm is insane) I’d start with any TLR, or cheap SLR and see how I like medium format. Just my two cents (I’ve owned a Mamiya7, Blads, TLRs P67s, etc.) Just my 2c.

    thefizz
    Participant

    The Fine Print wrote:

    The Mamiya7 is very nice, but expensive and also a bit fragile. It is also limited by being a rangefinder. Unless you’re a wideangle lover (the 43mm is insane) I’d start with any TLR, or cheap SLR and see how I like medium format. Just my two cents (I’ve owned a Mamiya7, Blads, TLRs P67s, etc.) Just my 2c.

    Hi Fine Print, in what way did you find your Mamiya 7 to be fragile? I’ve owned two of them and never had any problems. I think they are very well built.

    Peter

    aoluain
    Participant

    If you are interested in somethinng radical’ish – I have a Fujica GW690 rangefinder I dont use much!

    6X9 negative!

    here is an article on it . . .

    http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Fujica_GW690″ onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;

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