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Cheap way into wide-angle medium format
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 7:40 pm    Post subject: Cheap way into wide-angle medium format Reply with quote
I'm looking for an economical way into wide-angle photography with medium format. Any suggestions?

Ideally, I want to have the equivalent of a 28mm (on 35mm) angle of view, and 6x6cm negs (I like squares) though 6x4.5cm would be acceptable. I'm guessing 6x9 will be just too expensive.

What sort of focal length will match the 28mm? 45 or 55mm perhaps?

For a body I have looked at Kiev 60, but I read quite a lot of problems with them via google searches.

Lens perhaps Kiev 60 lenses?

Other things I have maybe overlooked?

My preference is TLR but I know that's out of the question (have you seen the price of wide-angle Rolleiflex? Shocked

What do you reckon?


PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Pentax 67 or 6x7 MLU, with 55/4?


PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Landscapes or interiors?


PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
kansalliskala wrote:
Landscapes or interiors?
A little of both.


PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
how much money is "cheap" for you?

if you´re rather into TLR and still want to maintain lens-replacement capability, then Mamiya C series is good (and maybe only) choice. the lenses are great.

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Mamiya_C_series

but you still have to make your priorities up - depends on format, size, weight and money

if price matters and you wanted SLR then:
for 6x4.5 I´d choose Mamiya 645
for 6x6 Bronica SQ
for 6x7 Pentax 67 or Mamiya RB67


PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The C series looks promising. Body seems quite cheap. 55mm yet to be tracked down, though I found 65mm at around 70 to 90 GBP.

Budget is 200, but can be stretched a little each month.

There's something quite majestic about a TLR Cool


PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Abused Flektogon 50 and Pentax 645 or Pentacon Six. Pentax 645 more reliable , but Orio sell a perfect working P6 set on good price all you need to buy a cheap Flektogon older ones with lot of miles go cheap.

If you like fisheye Zodiak is awesome.

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/filmcamera/japanese/pentax-645-flektogon-50-kodak-ektachrome-100/?
http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/filmcamera/japanese/pentax_645/?
http://forum.mflenses.com/zodiak-8b-30mm-fisheye-pentacon-six-t44643,start,15.html
http://forum.mflenses.com/zodiac-30mm-fisheye-8b-pentax-645-fuji-neopan-accross-t45467.html


PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Pentacon Six + Flektogon 50mm f1.4 or 65mm 2.8


PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Wow, lots of sugegstions, thanks guys Cool

I'll go research immediately Very Happy


PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 10:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
P6 with Flektogon is good if the camera is working. I had one for some time but switched to a Bronica ETRS which is a far better camera. There is 45mm lens for the system.

The P6 with 3 lenses (50/80/120) fetched a better price than I paid for the Bronica with 3 lenses.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Probably not the most reliable cameras ever, but these are interesting -

http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-36.html

They have a 52mm f/3.5, a very early retrofocus lens. I sold one almost two tears ago, and some other lenses for the Fujita besides.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mamiya TLR or M645J would be my suggestions. Also, buying "BGN" grade cameras/lenses from KEH.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
yinyangbt wrote:
Pentacon Six + Flektogon 50mm f1.4 or 65mm 2.8


I've never heard of such a fast lens for medium format.. Really a 50/1.4?! I have to have it if true.

Mamaiya TLR's are capable of good images but I found them very clunky to use. No way I can afford a Rolleiwide either. Maybe Mamiyaflex be your best cheap bet.

I used a Bronica GS-1 for years and loved it.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Well, since nobody has mentioned it yet, I thought I should. The Bronica ETR 645 system can be picked up for cheap nowadays. I bought an ETRSi outfit off eBay a couple years ago for less than $150, and I've enjoyed using mine. The Zenzanon 50mm f/2.8 can be found on eBay and elsewhere for $150 or less. According to Bronica, it is the equivalent of a 30mm lens in 35mm format. The 40mm is less common and more pricey (about twice the cost of the 50mm or more), but it is also the equivalent of a 25mm in 35mm format, which to me is a much more useful focal length.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
What about a Fuji GS645w? 645 no rangefinder so you have to guess focus (zone?) or use an external finder. I have the GS645s and the lens is awesome.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 5:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Kram wrote:
yinyangbt wrote:
Pentacon Six + Flektogon 50mm f1.4 or 65mm 2.8


I've never heard of such a fast lens for medium format.. Really a 50/1.4?! I have to have it if true.


Typo - f4


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Farside wrote:
Kram wrote:
yinyangbt wrote:
Pentacon Six + Flektogon 50mm f1.4 or 65mm 2.8


I've never heard of such a fast lens for medium format.. Really a 50/1.4?! I have to have it if true.


Typo - f4


Thanks, I thought so.
Mad


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Where's Bill when you need him? Laughing How about the Koni Omega, looks like it has great lenses and they are not expensive.

I think Attila has one as well...


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
for 6x6 SLR there´s also Kowa Six, which is rather cheap but unusual. wide angle lenses are not often to be seen, but if price matters..

if you want to get under 200GBP including wide-angle lens, I think only option is either Mamiya C or any system which can adapt Pentacon6 Flektogon


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 5:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
berraneck wrote:
for 6x6 SLR there´s also Kowa Six, which is rather cheap but unusual. wide angle lenses are not often to be seen, but if price matters..

if you want to get under 200GBP including wide-angle lens, I think only option is either Mamiya C or any system which can adapt Pentacon6 Flektogon
I think I shall avoid anything I cannot easily get lenses for, like Kowa Six.

Mamiya C, and Pentacon 6 is looking favourite from my research so far, although getting a 45 or 50mm lens for the P6 looks much easier than the Mamiya C. There was a 55mm TLR lens, but they don't seem all that common. On the plus side, a Mamiya TLR body is very very cheap.

For 645 there is a wider choice. Bronica, Mamiya and, slightly more expensive, Pentax. Bronica lenses seem to be available for lower prices, but I need to visit a shop to see one - I've never even held a Bronny.

But I have been pretty amazed that Ebay sellers think their stuff is worth a frigging fortune! Even UK dealers are usually much better prices Shocked But I guess we knew this already Rolling Eyes


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 5:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
GrahamNR17 wrote:

For 645 there is a wider choice. Bronica, Mamiya and, slightly more expensive, Pentax. Bronica lenses seem to be available for lower prices, but I need to visit a shop to see one - I've never even held a Bronny.


I can't speak for the others because I've never used them, but the Bronica ETR is fairly small and compact. With the Speed Grip, it handles like a largish 35mm camera. I consider the Speed Grip (which has a two-stroke film wind crank and a hot shoe) to be just about a necessity with that camera. And having a prism finder -- metered or not -- makes handling it like a 35mm even more comfortable. Also, unlike most Mamiya 645s and the Pentax 645, the Bronica uses leaf-shutter lenses. The advantage to leaf-shutter lenses is flash sync is available at all shutter speeds. The disadvantage to leaf-shutter lenses is that the top speed is 1/500 second.

I also regard the ETRSi as the best model to consider because of two features that were added with it: mirror lock up and TTL flash with the correct adapter module and flash. Sunpak and Metz made adapter modules for the ETRSi; there may have been others.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 5:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
cooltouch wrote:
GrahamNR17 wrote:

For 645 there is a wider choice. Bronica, Mamiya and, slightly more expensive, Pentax. Bronica lenses seem to be available for lower prices, but I need to visit a shop to see one - I've never even held a Bronny.


I can't speak for the others because I've never used them, but the Bronica ETR is fairly small and compact. With the Speed Grip, it handles like a largish 35mm camera. I consider the Speed Grip (which has a two-stroke film wind crank and a hot shoe) to be just about a necessity with that camera. And having a prism finder -- metered or not -- makes handling it like a 35mm even more comfortable. Also, unlike most Mamiya 645s and the Pentax 645, the Bronica uses leaf-shutter lenses. The advantage to leaf-shutter lenses is flash sync is available at all shutter speeds. The disadvantage to leaf-shutter lenses is that the top speed is 1/500 second.

I also regard the ETRSi as the best model to consider because of two features that were added with it: mirror lock up and TTL flash with the correct adapter module and flash. Sunpak and Metz made adapter modules for the ETRSi; there may have been others.
Good info Michael, thankyou Cool

Another plus for the Bronny is they did a 40mm f4 lens, as well as a 50mm f 2.8. The 40mm is very attractive to me for the intended use Very Happy


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 5:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
GrahamNR17 wrote:

Another plus for the Bronny is they did a 40mm f4 lens, as well as a 50mm f 2.8. The 40mm is very attractive to me for the intended use Very Happy


Yes, the 40mm is the 35mm equivalent of a 25mm lens -- a very useful WA focal length.

I forgot to mention something -- in a previous post, I mentioned some prices that I found at eBay. It's worth mentioning that these are Buy It Now prices, and that if you have the patience to wait on an auction, it's possible to pick one up for less -- sometimes quite a bit less. I bought a 150mm for my ETRSi that was on eBay as an auction, for about $60. I haven't bought a WA for my system yet, but if I get it off eBay, I'll pick an auction or two and I'll just be patient.

This might be more than you wanted to spend, but it's a complete outfit with the 40mm and considering that it also has the AE-II metered finder and all, it's actually a very good price. 0 bids so far, you might be able to get it for the opening price.

Click here to see on Ebay


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Kram wrote:
yinyangbt wrote:
Pentacon Six + Flektogon 50mm f1.4 or 65mm 2.8


I've never heard of such a fast lens for medium format.. Really a 50/1.4?! I have to have it if true.

.


No ,it's f:4 ,wrong typing .Sorry!


PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nesster wrote:
Where's Bill when you need him? Laughing How about the Koni Omega, looks like it has great lenses and they are not expensive.

I think Attila has one as well...


Jussi, yes, Attila has the one I sold him and I sold off the rest. They are probably the cheapest way to go
with 6x7, other than stealing one. Wink
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