Medium Format Cameras (Part II)
By Danny Gonzalez
(2000 FC/FCM/FCW/3FCW)
(201F,203FE,205F/TCC):
Advantages:
- 1000th/2000th top speed.
- Fast lens options.
- Most 500CM accessories fully usable.
- Really
impresses clients.- F series lenses focus much more closely.
- H'blad extension tubes still cost less than any Bronica extension tubes(s).
- FE/FCC/TCC meter arguably the most advanced in any camera. (FE's to a far)
- Ability to use the CF lenses as though you were using a 'normal' H'blad.
- Instant return mirror.
- 2000/2003 FC/FCM/FCW cameras are realistically priced on the used market.
- 205TCC(not fcc) has redesigned mirrorbox that is _very_ smooth/quiet.
- 201F/203FE/205 FCC, though still far smoother/quieter than a 2000, don't have this mirrorbox as their action 'rings' like the older 2000 series cameras.
Disadvantages:
- Absolutely overpriced. So expensive, it hurts. (205FCC w/80 and TCC12 $10600)
- From very loud to slightly louder than, and without the smooth sound of, the 500 cameras.
- Mirror is much more jarring than 500 cameras (Late model 200 series cameras with their cloth shutters are much quieter/less jarring and far less fragile than the titanium foil 2000 series cameras).
- Shutters are fragile and easily damaged in the older 2000 series cameras.
- Electronic.
Parts Supply Problems with 2000 FC/FCM series update [8/2000]
Advantages:
- Only modern RF 66.
- Good level of automation with shutter button activated AE lock mode.
- Small, light and well built
- Large, bright, accurate RF focus patch.
- Extraordinarily quiet.
- Handles beautifully.
Disadvantages:
- Very expensive.
- Limited close focusing ability (esp. w/ 50 and 150mm lenses).
- Lenses aren't fast.
- System is limited.
- Resale values are low.
- Focus is finicky with the 150mm
- Metering with earliest 6 models tends towards underexposure because of poor in-finder baffling (improved on later production runs and all 6MF's)
Rollei 6003/6008/6008 Integral:
Advantages:
- Finest 66 system IMO.
- With revolutionary, amazing new revolving 645 backs, finest 645 system too.
- Beautifully integrated motor/metering systems are the worlds fastest/most advanced.
- Standard bearer of MF ergonomics.
- Holds, feels and handles like it was designed for universal perfection.
- Very compact considering what's in there.
- Built in darkslides.
- Multispot metering.
- Every kind of AE metering fully integrated with leaf shutters and fill flash. Name it, it's there.
- AE lock.
- Three shutter release buttons.
- Prisms rotate.
- Full info LED display regardless of finder.
- Largest 66 lens system.
- 1000mm is the longest off the shelf lens available in 66.
- Fastest lens options in modern MF (they'll have em all if they get H'blad's 110/2, Mamiya's 300/2.8, 500 4.5 and Ptx 67's 400/4)
- Inserts are cheap.
- Motor and metering included in purchase price.
- Fastest motor in MF (1+1/2-2 frames sec.)
- 6003 outfit is a bargain ($3160 10/96)
- Excellent film flatness with eight clip pressure points, probably the best
- currently available and made for photogrammetric requirements.
- Custom options of the Integral (with control box option) are more varied
- than any other camera system.
Disadvantages:
- Extension tubes are very expensive.
- Lenses could focus closer.
- Truly expensive lens system.
- Must rotate prism to change insert.
- Fairly loud. Can't shoot without the motor.
- Battery dependent and you can't use AA's in an emergency.
- Backs cost as much as a Bronica SQ 80 PS.
- 6003 comes with insert shell, not a darkslide capable back (it can take real backs though).
- 6008i is expensive
- Only inserts and batteries qualify as affordable.
- Resale values (in USA) generally aren't as high as its most direct competition
Advantages:
- Tilting front standard.
- Very quiet.
- Nice feel and sound.
- Completely modular
- E and SE models have built in meters.
- Reverse bayonet on each lens.
- Bellows allows very close focus capability
- Beautifully made
Disadvantages:
- Availability of electronic bus lenses/backs poor and very expensive.
- Fairly rare. Hard to find wideangle lenses and Polaback
Advantages:
- Reliable.
- Inexpensive.
- Good lens selection.
- Fair availability.
- Super 66 is completely modular
- Good frame coverage in finder.
- Polaback available but rare (super66 only)
- I know some pro's who actually rely on it everyday.
Disadvantages:
- Backs are weird L-shaped things that are hard to load and change.
- The front of the camera is apparently pretty fragile and won't withstand a fall, lens first.
- 40mm lens and Polabacks are hard to find.
Advantages:
- Inexpensive.
- Bellows allows extremely close focus.
- Interchangeable lenses (Other than Koni Omega 67 TLR and Gowlandflex/Cambo 4x5 TLR's; the only TLR with the feature)
- Good lens quality.
- extremely quiet.
- Leaf shutters sync at all speeds.
Disadvantages:
- Very heavy and large.
- Parallax and exposure factors make close work frustrating.
- Balance is funny with longer lenses.
- C220/C22 has separate film advance/cocking functions.
Advantages:
- Very small.
- Light.
- Extremely quiet.
- Beautifully made and very smooth.
- Reputedly superb lens quality
- Later models have removable finders and screens.
- Metered models have good meters. (surprised me).
- Cool film loading system with auto frame positioning.
Disadvantages:
- Best models are collectors items so are overpriced.
- Non interchangeable lenses.
- Doesn't focus very closely.
- Lens accessories are surprisingly good.
- Meters are Selenium based (except newest GX) and are inaccurate in reddish (indoor) light.
Yashicamat 124G/Minolta Autocords (later):
Advantages:
- Inexpensive.
- Good lens.
- Good meter.
- 120/220 capable.
- Very small and very light.
- Probably the best introduction to MF.
- Olympus made a six element 75mm 3.5 taking lens for their last TLr.
Disadvantages:
- Non interchangeable lenses.
- Doesn't focus very closely.
- Lens accessories are of poor quality
Advantages:
- Inexpensive
- 80/2 is a superspeed normal (fastest 66)
- Much like a Pentax67 or Pentacon in handling.
- Mirror slap not too bad
- Designed by same guy who designed the Nikon F2.
Disadvantages:
- Someone use this camera? I haven't.
645 cameras have most of the advantages of both 66 and 67 systems, and add a few as well.
Advantage 645:
- The smallest, lightest MF system SLR's (Pentax the best in this regard).
- Inexpensive, well integrated motor drives (Pentax's being the best; Bronica's the worst, IMO)
- Best per frame cost in MF.
- Interface intuitive to 35mm users (Pentax the worst in this regard).
- Fast lenses abound (Mamiya the best 645, by far, in this regard)
- All are very handholdable (with motor and AE prism).
- Fairly well dampened for noise and vibration (Pentax 645 wins as best MF SLR here.)
- 30 frames to a 220 roll.
- AE modes/prisms are available in all models.
Disadvantage 645:
- Relatively expensive as compared to other MF systems.
- Lightest castings and much plastic makes for more fragility as compared to other format MF SLR systems.
- All 645 SLR' are battery dependent.
Advantages:
- Full metal 35th Anniversary model (packed with Anniv. back) is same price as a normal version (body/back together)
- Only 645 SLR with full metering capabilities while using leaf lenses. (best 645)
- Fully modular.
- Fairly small and light.
- Best use/implementation of plastics in 645(best 645)
- Not too bad mirror slap/shutter noise (much improved on latest model ETRsi).
- Well integrated AE lock/spot metering options (with AEIII finder, on ETRSi) with full, open aperture and Leaf shutter.
- Excellent viewfinder contrast (best 645)
- Relatively inexpensive used.
- Completely modular. (best 645)
- Leaf shutters in all lenses allow TTL auto-fill flash control at all speeds (ETRSi model only). (best and _only 645 to offer the option)
- Loads very quickly.
- Gives good rebate.
- Speed Finder is unique. (best finder options in 645)
- Speed grip is excellently realized, quick in use (almost as fast as a motor)
- 70mm back option on secondary market
- Machined, solid metal body casting (at both finder and film plane) (only
- 645 SLR to offer this. Best of 645 Slr's in this regard).
- Full interlocks.
Disadvantages:
- No fast lens options. (worst 645)
- Some/most lenses are plastic barreled (heavily molded and done well).
- Close focus limit is farther than most other SLR lenses.(worst 645)
- Extension tubes cost around $500 each, long or short. (worst 645)
- Still very expensive new.
- Hard to find rental equipt.(worst 645)
- Newer ETRSi's aren't as well built as older ETR's. Plasticky. (except the new, metal covered 35th anniv.)
- All models are battery dependent.
- Motor options are configured like the speed grip and aren't as nicely integrated as other 645 SLR's. (worst motor system in 645)
- Motors are loud (worst 645)
- Finicky back mounting system (somewhat improved on ETRSi) (worst 645)
- 1/500th sec. top speed (worst 645)
- Doesn't hold its value as well as its competition (worst 645)
Mamiya 645 Super/Pro/SV/SVX pack.
Advantages:
- Aftermarket lens adaptors readily available to mount H'blad and entacon/Exacta lenses (step down only).
- Well integrated AE lock/spot metering options with AE finders.(best 645 SLR)
- Fully modular with full interlocks.
- Fastest available lens series in MF (best 645).
- largest available lens series in MF and/or 645 (best 645)
- APO lens series are the finest available in 645(best 645).
- Fairly small and light.
- Nicely balanced with most lenses.(best 645)
- Not too bad mirror slap/shutter noise.
- 645 Super accessories are fully functional and almost identical to newer
- 645 Pro ones.(best 645)
- Three motor options, two of which are current.(best 645)
- SV and SVx packs are comparatively inexpensive.
- Holds its value well on the used market.
- 1/1000th sec. top speed.
- Best integration of leaf and focal plane shutter systems in 645 (best 645)
Disadvantages:
- Requires accessory for mechanical cable release.(worst 645)
- All models are battery dependent.
- Very Plasticky (worst of the MF slr systems), with a flash molded plastic
- plate serving as back-to-body interface (on the critical mating face of the roll backs).(worst 645)
- Worst film flatness in MF due to lightly sprung insert system.(worst 645)
- Finicky spring tabs (to interchange backs and inserts).(worst 645)
- Poor metering capabilities when using the N/L leaf shutter lens series.
- 1 stop exposure compensation required when using 300mm/longer lenses in
- averaging meter mode. (switch to spot as it doesn't require compensation).(worst 645)
- Inserts are fragile and obviously dinky.(worst 645)
- Motors are comparatively loud.
- No TTL Autoflash.(worst 645)
- Expensive.(worst 645).
- 55mm and 80 2.8 lenses have flimsy plastic barrels.
Pentax 645/Pentax 645N AF.
Advantages:
- Ability to operate most Ptx 67 lenses with full auto diaphragm operation. (best 645)
- Most consistently excellent lens series in 645 (IMO).(best 645)
- Quietest shutter/mirror/motor in any MF SLRs.(best 645)
- Best dollar value of any 645 camera or lens series.(best 645)
- 120 macro is the only currently available MF macro that achieves 1:1 without tubes (though Mamiya has announced a new 120 APO macro that does this as well).
- Supplied with Motor and AE prism standard.(best 645)
- Best 35mm wide angle in 645.(best 645)
- Smallest and lightest 645 SLR (best 645)
- Only 300/4 EDIF in 645 which, along with the beautiful 600 5.6 EDIf are the least expensive APO tele's in 645.(best 645)
- Insert system is quick to change/load, well sprung and well built.
- Inexpensive to buy and with good film flatness as well.
- Only 645 system w shutter preferred and program modes.(best 645)
- TTL Autoflash.
- All metal lens barrels have silky smooth action.(best 645)
- OEM 70mm back option. (best 645)
- Single mechanical shutter speed.
- 1/1000th sec. top speed
- Holds its value well on the used market.(best 645)
- Pentax 645N AF advantages:
- include all of the above Ptx 645 advantages.
- 3 point and spot predictive AF with FA lens series(best 645)
- Auto bracketing (best 645)
- matrix metering (best 645)
- Spot metering
- 2fps motor (best 645)
- data imprint on film edge (best 645)
- Dial contrlled shutter speeds and exposure compensation
- Focus confirmation light (best 645)
- finder info below image
- Memory lock button
- Manual metering scale
Disadvantages:
- No finder or motor interchangeability. (worst 645)
- No AE lock option. (worst 645) [see note]
- Kepplerian finder must be dead centered on your eye and is hard to use when wearing glasses.
- Leaf lenses limited to 75 and 135mm focal lengths and cancel any meter
- function.(worst 645).
- Plasticky body panels.
- Finder eyepiece is vulnerable and fragile.
- Polaroid back is aftermarket only, requires a dedicated body and costs well
- over $1100 (worst 645)
OK, you've gotten this far; you've probably got a better idea of what it is you'd like to buy, but you need to put it into a dollar perspective. If you're just wanting to buy a camera /back/normal, don't mind that the thing is going to be used and w ant to spend the usual $1000-$1500; your choices are various.
Whole cameras, $1500 and under, currently available new
(these are used prices):
Hasselblad 500 cm/501c/500ELM/80c-n/80blkCT*/A12($1300-1500)
Hasselblad 2000FC/FCM/80F/A12 ($1000-$1600)
Rolleiflex 6006/6006mdl.#2/80/120($1400-1850)
Rolleiflex F Planar/12-24/2.8f/mint ($1200-2000)
Pentax 645/75/120/mint ($1300)
Pentax 67/105/TTL/mint ($1250)
Mamiya 645 Super/AE/80n/120/motor ($1250-1500)
Mamiya 645 Pro/SVx prism/80n/120 Pro ($1600 mint)
Bronica ETRsi/Ae/75/120 ($1400 w/ae II, $1800 w/aeIII)
Bronica SQa/80 PS/120/prism ($1200-1400)
Bronica GS1/100/120/wl/exc. ($1800 mint)
Mamiya 6/75mm/exc. ($1300-1750 mint)
Mamiya RB67ProSD/90/120/exc+
Plaubel Makina 67/mint ($1100-1300)
Mamiya RZ/110mm/120($1500-1900 mint)
Whole cameras, $1000 and under, currently available new
(these are used prices):
Mildly clean Pentax 645/75/120 ($1000)
Mildly clean Pentax 67/prism/105 ($900-1100)
Fuji 670
Fuji 670W
Rollei SL66/80/120/exc. ($800-1100)
Whole cameras, $1000 and under, older versions of current cameras
Bronica SQ (not SQa or SQai) w/ older 80/ 120 back
Bronica ETR ($650 complete) or ETRs ($800-950) w/ older 75/wl/120
Hasselblad 500c/500El/chrome 80 c(not T*)/A12
H'blad 2000FC/80F/A12
Mamiya RB67 Pros/90/120
Rolleiflex 6002/80
Exacta 66 mdl.#2/80 Schneider
Whole cameras, $1000 and under, older cameras:
Rolleiflex SLX/80/120
Rolleiflex 6002/80/120 (up to $1200)
Rolleiflex 2.8 E2 or 3 in great shape
Rolleiflex 2.8 F in nice shape
Rolleiflex 3.5F 120/220 in very nice shape
Hasselblad 500c/80c/M12 user
Mamiya C330f or s/80 and prism
Mamiya 645j/645/645 1000s with 80/prism/120 insert
Mamiya RB67 Pros in good shape/90 or 127/120
Bronica ETR/75/prism (maybe AE)/120
Bronica ECTL/75(80 2.4)/120 in mint shape
Graflex XLRF black/80 or 100 Planar/120/ close to mint
Pentax 67 (no mirror lock)/older 90 or 105/prism
Rolleiflex 3.5F in ok shape/ E in much better shape
Whole cameras, $600 and under:
Mamiya C330/80
Mamiya 645j/645/645 1000s(user)/80/prism
Bronica ETR/75/Prism/120/user
Graflex XLRF chrome/80 or 100 Tessar style/120
Exacta 66 mdl. #1/80 Schneider
Koni Omegaflex 67 TLR/90/120/very clean
Rolleiflex 3.5 E Planar, fairly clean
Whole cameras, $500 and under:
Koni Omegaflex 67 TLR/90/120/good shape
Rolleiflex 2.8 D/ very, very clean
Rolleicord Vb in mint shape
Bronica EC or C/75/120
Mamiya Universal/127/back
Kowa Super66/80/120 very clean
Whole cameras, $400 and under:
Bronica S2a/75/120
Kowa 66/80
Rolleiflex 2.8D in OK shape
Graflex Norita/ttl prism/80
Mamiya C33/C220/80
Bronica ETRC/75/prism
Mamiya 645j/80/prism
Mamiya Super 23/127/back
Whole cameras, $300 and under:
Bronica S/S2/Deluxe/75/120
Yashicamat 124G mint
Mamiya C22/C3/80
Koni omega Rapid/90/120
Minolta Autocord CDS/mint
Rolleicord V/mint
Kowa 6 or 6mm/80
Pentacon 6/80 Bio/clean
Mamiya C22/80
Whole cameras, $200 and under:
Yashicamat 124G/124/other models/clean
Minolta Autocord without meter/mint
Rolleicord/well used
Mamiya's oldest TLR's/80/well used
Whole cameras, $100 and under:
Yashicamat LM
Ansco/Kodak/Ciro/Graflex TLR's
Lubitel
Diana/Dories
Holga
Danny Gonzalez