Bought a REAL camera!!!! 6x4.5cm inside

So i finally did it, took the free-fall into medium format oblivion. Mamiya 645 1000s, with metered prism finder, 120 back, 2 220 backs, two focus screens, left-hand grip and 150mm f3.5 C. I probably won't completely get out of 135 but I will be phasing out a lot of my gear.

Every time you load it it's like loading a Springfield bolt-action rifle.

Very nice! Start putting aside some money for when you inevitable decide you want to go even bigger

Nice rig

congratulations on the sick camera. I love 645. I just like the aspect ratio, and it's also the right balance between practicality and image quality for my day-to-day pleasure shooting. I'd love to go bigger, and I'm definitely getting a Fuji GW690III as soon as I can but getting 16 shots out of a 120 roll is really nice.

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This one will get 15 out of a roll of 120.

I definitely will be adding some glass to it, should see some of my 35mm stuff up for grabs here in the coming days.

I was looking at some MF stuff just today at KEH. I always wanted to get into either a Pentax, Bronica, or Mamiya 645 system or the Pentax 6x7 system but never had the scratch. Now it looks like any one of those systems is well within reach at about $1000 or so with one lens, back, body, prism, etc. I hesitate though because I just wonder if there would be anything to be gained in image quality over what is currently available in the 5D3 or even my current 5Dc. I love the cool factor of having an old-school, manual focus 645 or 6x7 and even going so far as metering manually but I don't want to make the mistake of sinking a bunch of cash into this if it's just a passing phase for me and I won't stick with it because the IQ advantages just do'n justify the expense. Any input?

ctrout wrote in post #14477609
I was looking at some MF stuff just today at KEH. I always wanted to get into either a Pentax, Bronica, or Mamiya 645 system or the Pentax 6x7 system but never had the scratch. Now it looks like any one of those systems is well within reach at about $1000 or so with one lens, back, body, prism, etc. I hesitate though because I just wonder if there would be anything to be gained in image quality over what is currently available in the 5D3 or even my current 5Dc. I love the cool factor of having an old-school, manual focus 645 or 6x7 and even going so far as metering manually but I don't want to make the mistake of sinking a bunch of cash into this if it's just a passing phase for me and I won't stick with it because the IQ advantages just do'n justify the expense. Any input?

If you get a good image, 6x7 is going to beat even a 5D3 with a good scan. A D800 might close the gap a bit but get a drum scan of a sharp 6x7 negative, I'd be surprised if it didn't smoke any available digital 35mm option.

This is kind of anecdotal, but I've printed 35mm with very sharp results up to 12x18. You can more than double that with 645 up to 24x18 or larger. I've never printed that large with 645, but I've printed ~13x18 (16x20 paper) and it was stunningly sharp. The detail is there, but it doesn't have a 'sharpened' look like with digi prints. I've printed T2i images 20x30 and wasn't overly impressed compared to what I've seen with medium format, though I was impressed with the price point of the camera.

Just ask yourself is it worth the effort? For me it absolutely is. The film images are just more pleasing to me *usually*.

Even though digital is catching up pretty fast, I don't think it's going to be overtaking 4x5 anytime soon.

Ha! My dad shot with a pair of these for years decades ago. Cool to see theyre still out there! Enjoy!

h4ppydaze wrote in post #14479069
If you get a good image, 6x7 is going to beat even a 5D3 with a good scan. A D800 might close the gap a bit but get a drum scan of a sharp 6x7 negative, I'd be surprised if it didn't smoke any available digital 35mm option.

This is kind of anecdotal, but I've printed 35mm with very sharp results up to 12x18. You can more than double that with 645 up to 24x18 or larger. I've never printed that large with 645, but I've printed ~13x18 (16x20 paper) and it was stunningly sharp. The detail is there, but it doesn't have a 'sharpened' look like with digi prints. I've printed T2i images 20x30 and wasn't overly impressed compared to what I've seen with medium format, though I was impressed with the price point of the camera.

Just ask yourself is it worth the effort? For me it absolutely is. The film images are just more pleasing to me *usually*.

Even though digital is catching up pretty fast, I don't think it's going to be overtaking 4x5 anytime soon.

Ya think? Not even with this? LINK

I should have clarified... on 35mm format d'oh

but yes that camera might come close... I'd like to see them side by side

ben_r_ wrote in post #14479109
Ya think? Not even with this? LINK

Pfft - ISO 50-800, no thanks

($65G.. sigh)

got some more stuff for it, 45 2.8 and a waist-level finder.......and a bunch of 120 Portra 400, 160nc, vc and portra 800

Haven't touched my 35mm Nikon since.