Hi Adam, I see you mention your Mamiya, but I forgot to ask: have you ever tried Mamiya's 35mm cameras? Overall, what do you think of them? The ZM, which I believe was their last 35mm, looks interesting. I gather it might be tough to find one in nice condition, as black camera bodies tend to get pretty scuffed up.
Glen On Sep 1, 2007, at 10:13 AM, Adam Maas wrote: > The handling of the 645N and 645NII are superb (Better than my > Mamiya's, > Although I do like the Mamiya 645AFDII even more), the original 645 is > IMHO compromised by the use of the ME Super 2-button interface (I'm > not > a big fan) but still handles well overall. Build is plastic-covered > metal, which is the norm for 645-format SLR's. > > 645's are the weight of a pro 35mm SLR, and only somewhat bulkier. > They're very handholdable, I regularly handhold down to 1/60th with my > old M645, and have tried the 645 Super at 1/30th (roll is still in the > camera, so we'll see). The Pentax 645's are every bit as > handholdable as > my Mamiya's. > > You aren't into tripod-only territory with either of the Pentax MF > SLR's. Only the Mamiya RB & RZ's are truly tripod-bound (Although it's > probably a good idea with a Bronica GS as well) > > -Adam > > Glen Tortorella wrote: >> Thank you for your thoughts, Adam. Medium format is an intriguing >> option. I will continue to ponder the matter. How do you like >> handling the 645 (i.e. the "feel" of it)? Is it more of a "tripod >> only" type of camera, or may one take good hand-held shots with it? >> Does the design include any plastic (like the top plate on my Super >> Program) or is it all metal? >> >> Regards, >> Glen >> >> On Aug 31, 2007, at 8:59 PM, Adam Maas wrote: >> >>> Glen Tortorella wrote: >>>> Hi all, >>>> >>>> I went to a somewhat "local" camera shop today to buy film. In one >>>> of the used cases sat a Pentax 645. It looked like it was in nice >>>> shape, and it came with a lens...I am not sure which one, though. >>>> Anyway, they are asking $560 for it. I have had at least some >>>> interest in the medium format domain ever since I saw my friend's >>>> Hasselblad back in 1997. Since it seems like an expensive >>>> pursuit, I >>>> have held out on buying a medium format setup. Any comments, >>>> folks? >>>> I know little about this type of photography, and I would >>>> appreciate >>>> any comments--either about the features of the 645 itself, or about >>>> medium format photography (i.e. associated issues and "things to >>>> keep >>>> in mind"). >>>> >>>> Thanks, >>>> Glen >>>> >>> Nice kit, a bit pricey, unless it's an N or NII(AF body). >>> >>> I'm a fan of the 645 format. It's big enough to get a really >>> noticable >>> quality boost over 35mm, but the camera's aren't any heavier than a >>> 35mm >>> pro AF body like an F5 or EOS 1v. >>> >>> I actually just picked up a Mamiya 645 Super kit today, for $800cdn >>> off >>> a friend. Got the 45/2.8, 80/2.8, 150/3.5, the body, AE prism N, >>> Winder >>> N, a standard prism, 2 backs and 3 inserts (2x120, 1x220). Quite a >>> good >>> price, and it replaces my older M645 which is back in the shop (I >>> also >>> own a 55/2.8 N and another 80/2.8 along with a prism for my older >>> 645). >>> >>> The Pentax units have several features built-in that are >>> accessories on >>> the Mamiya and Bronica 645's (Metering prisms, winders, backs). >>> This is >>> generally a plus for the metering and winding, but the individual >>> backs >>> are a bonus (that's one reason I upgraded to a Super from my M645, >>> some >>> Mamiya bodies, including the M645, have integrated backs like the >>> P645, >>> the others being increased reliability and the price was right). >>> >>> -Adam >>> >>> -- >>> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >>> PDML@pdml.net >>> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> >> > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
