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Building a Medium Format System..
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Santa brought me a Bronica SQ-A but have yet got the chance to use it, picked it up on ebay for $249 plus $40 p&p and €54 duty & vat so about €250 and in very good condition, came with 80mm f2.8 lens, waist view finder & 120 back!!
Took me some time to get what I wanted at a price I was prepared to pay!!
Cheers Steve
well done ossie, good price!
there are certainly deals to be had out there
especially now that al lot of users are ditching their
MF film gear for digital.I would stay away from the older Mamiyas etc.
they are just not as modular and often lack
much needed functions like faster shutter speeds,
changeable backs and mirror lockup.I’m sure this is a silly question, but in your Hasselblads, Bronicas, and Mamiyas is the image in the waist level finder reversed as in my TLR ?
Damien
My first few shots with the hasselblad were of things that were not obviously asymetric (eg flowers) and it was very difficult to frame a shot….
… and then it dawned on me that the image was reversed :oops:M
well with the Mamiya if i take the prism finder off and look down into the
camera things are reversed, I wonder if the waist level finder corrects this . . .MartinOC wrote:
My first few shots with the hasselblad were of things that were not obviously asymetric (eg flowers) and it was very difficult to frame a shot….
… and then it dawned on me that the image was reversed :oops:M
Lol.. it’s difficult re-learning left-is-right – I’m just thankful I don’t shoot many action shots!
Many thanks for all the above advice, I think my mind is made up on a Hasselblad.
I’m currently setting about the task of finding/ assembling a kit I hope to comprise a body/ waist level finder/ 120 back/ normal lens. Future additions to include a portrait tele, addtional back and some sort of wide.
A 500 series body seems the way to go, given my modest budget, and probably a 500 C/M for the ability to change the screen.
Any advice on how to go about acquiring the above welcome. I’ve already begun monitoring the usual sources – ebay, UK dealers, etc.
Anyone come across any good deals of late on Hassy kits out there? – preferably one that’s not been flogged to death by pro’s :)
Damien
I saw your other post Damien, good luck with the hunt!
As film backs come in different sorts you might be disappointed if you get the wrong one.
A-12 is the standard 120 6×6 back. Probably what you should get first.
but there are also A-16 (for 645) and A-24 (for 220 6×6) and others.The insert and holder parts of the film back should have the same serial number, as they are hand adjusted at the end of the manufacturing to fit well, at least that is what I’ve heard.
M
Thanks Martin. I’m happy enough with 6×6 that I shan’t look beyond this at the moment.
That’s good to know about the backs, will keep an eye out for that. I see a bit of research in my future, especially if I go the route of sourcing the pieces seperately :)
Forgot to add to the above list, but will probably look to add an extension tube at some point also. The slower, contemplative shooting process with medium format seems to lend itself to still life, something I hadn’t thought I would be shooting.
Damien
Just picked up a Hasselblad 500C, and looking forward to putting it through it’s paces.
The kit is one of the early production models of the 500C, I believe. It has its battle scars but in all, in good condition, and the seller a decent chap. Have a few bits and pieces such as a strap and lens cap to pick up for it, and will mull over whether it really warrants a service.
In any case, it’s more than begging for a few rolls! :)
Damien
EDIT: the ability to change the screen seems a non-issue, maybe the C/M is easier, but the 500C merely requires the removal of 4 screws to change the screen. Hardly the deal-breaker it seemed from reading reports on the web!
I have two mamiya 645s with 55mm and 80mm lens I have used these cameras for years and found them to be very good havent used them now for over 3 years
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