Thinking about adding another MF camera

[Anthony Martinez]

What do folks here have to say about the Mamiya 645? I know it generally seems that I ought to push towards the land of larger negatives, but I've been getting the urge to pick up either another 6x6, or a 6x4.5 and the Mamiya looks like a good spot to enter that world.

Went and handled a pair of them at Houston Camera Co-op today. I was pretty pleased with the way they handled. If I move forward along these lines I'll sell off the Pentax 6x7 and its lenses and extension tubes to fund the new camera, and maybe either a 105 or a 135mm lens for my Mamiya C3.

Thoughts?

[venchka]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........what lenses do you have for the Pentax 6x7? Dibs on first refusal.
That said, did you know that you can use the 6x7 lenses on the Pentax 645? And on the new Pentax 645D?
Too many cameras may spoil the stew. Or not. It depends.

[Anthony Martinez]

I have the 150 2.8 and the 90 2.8 for the 6x7.

I honestly didn't even know Pentax had a 645, so I knew nothing of the ability to use the lenses on them.

On one hand I have some strange desire for medium format SLR. On the other hand I love my C3 and could probably get quite a few lenses for it if I sold off the Pentax stuff.

[wclavey]

Don't forget that I have a very usable Mamiya 65mm TLR lens for a very attractive price... it has some slight fogging on the viewing lens (a known Mamiya issue) but the taking lens is fine - - and it is priced to sell, reflecting that. It is entirely usable - - I have used it for years... The viewing lens is about a stop dimmer than the taking lens.

[Anthony Martinez]

I was going to ask if you still had that. Good to know.

[contributor_M]

Anthony,

The Houston Camera Co-op have a lot of fully M cameras available, or are you picking up your cameras between that place or online somewhere?

Bronica SQ-AI is the next camera I would like to purchase.

[Anthony Martinez]

Oh I know, Adrian. I go there at least once a week! I'm not real sure what the next move is to be honest. My Pentax 6x7 rarely gets used, though it does take great photos. Generally, I'm more inclined to use my Mamiya C3. Who knows.

[venchka]

I have the 150 & the 90 isn't on my shopping list.
If you get serious about the Mamiya 645, search high and low for the 80/1.9 lens. That lens is reason enough to get the Mamiya camera.
And another reason not to sell the Pentax.

Originally Posted by fdigital

1. Pentax/Takumar 105mm f2.4 - one of the best standard lenses I've ever used.

2. Contax 645 CZ 80mm f2

3. Mamiya 80mm f1.9

[ronocnikral]

i dislike my 645 system. after a 66 neg, it's a let down.

[Anthony Martinez]

After a what?

Right now (new day, different thoughts) I'm thinking I'll just stick w/ 6x6 and lens up on the Mamiya.

[venchka]

If I had a bag of medium format cameras and a hankering for another, I might go all the way to 6x9. For all of you sensor starved digi-folks out there, look and weep.

[wclavey]

Kodak Medalist (I or II) - - 6x9 RF - - probably the only film camera still on my list!

[venchka]

We could attempt to persuade Anthony to get a 4x5 camera and 6x9 back.

[Anthony Martinez]

Whoa whoa whoa there. I'm trying to stay motorcycle-portable. That's actually why I think just getting more lenses for the C3 is a good idea. 6x6 TLR + 6x6 folder w/ rangefinder? I reckon that ought to do it.

Get the 65 from Wes, and pickup a 135 as well. That'd cover wide, normal, and telephoto pretty well. If anything was left, I might even pick up a light meter.

[Valerie]

Dang, you've got it bad!