I use a Mamiya Universal Press - now discontinued but available on the
second hand market. It provides me with interchangeable backs for 6x7,
6x9 and 6x9 sheet film. Its a range finder or ground glass back
focusing. The lenses I have are 50mm, 65mm, 75mm, 100mm and 150mm. Other
than the f2.8 100 they are not very fast, but as I mainly do landscapes
on a tripod with this camera I don't care. I have also made a pinhole
out of a body cap which works well.
Like 6x9 format for landscapes!
I would recommend the Universal Press, its low cost - body back and
three lenses cost about $600 second hand - from the net! I guess that I
have spent about $2000 overall on the system, the 50mm and the f2.8
100mm are more expensive at around $500 each, also 2 better quality
Mamiya roll film backs.
All the stuff fits into a backpack and so is good for location work, if
a little heavy over long distances.
All in all I find this is a very good medium format system, had it for
about 2 years now and has and is serving me well. If you want 6x7/6x9
interchangeable everything and also a camera that is usable hand held
without breaking the bank then its a good option.
See a picture of it at:
http://www.ping.be/mel_proudfoot
Its under collecting and using classic cameras.
brgds
Mel
Elton N. Kaufmann - Cycloid Fathom Group wrote:
> I have owned a 645-1000s and now own a 645 Super which resembles the
> Pro in
> most respects. If you like the 6 x 4.5cm format and insist on an SLR,
>
> these are good cameras for the price. But remember, the price is
> relatively low and you may find that these machines feel a little
> "clunky"
> - I have had some small accessory parts simply break in normal use.
> For
> example, the cable release socket has pulled out of the plastic case.
>
> I also own a Hasselblad and the quality of construction is clearly
> superior to Mamiya and you pay for it.
>
> I have now moved to a Mamiya 6MF rangefinder which I have come to
> like for
> location work. I find the body shape more convenient to hand hold
> than the
> Hassy or the 645. If you only work on tripods, it doesn't matter of
> course. I like the 6 x 6cm format not just for the larger neg but so
> I
> need not rotate the camera 90 degrees for vertical versus horizontal
> compositions. (The Hassy 6x6 of course has the same advantage.) The
> variety of lenses for the SLR's is greater and if you need that, the
> rangefinder will not satisfy you. Also, if you tend to switch films a
> lot
> mid roll, the interchangeable back of the 645-Pro and similar SLRs is
> a must.
>
> I'd be interested if anyone favors 6x7 or 6x9 formats for location
> work -
> they seem somewhat bulky to me. A camera is such a personal thing, if
> I
> were in the market for a new one now, I'd rent a prospective choice
> for a
> week and do a lot shooting under different conditions before
> committing to
> the purchase.
> Happy
> Holidays,
>
>
> EltonK
>
> At 04:01 AM 12/24/97 -0500, you wrote:
> >Hello everyone!
> > I am looking into buying a medium format camera. I have been
> looking
> >into several diferent companies and I came acroos the Mamiya 645 pro
> series.
> >Does any one have any experience with this camera? Or can anyone make
> any
> >recomendations? Thank you in advance for any information you could
> provide me
> >with!
> >
> >
> Exhibiting fine-art and editorial photography
> Cycloid Fathom Gallery
> Elton N. Kaufmann, Chairman
> P. O. Box 8129
> Downers Grove, Illinois 60517-8129
> USA
> cycloid@cycloid-fathom.com
> http://www.cycloid-fathom.com/gallery/
> ftp.cycloid-fathom.com/group/uploads/