Film camera

I'm thinking about venturing a little into the world of film. Found medium format Mamiya:
http://losangeles.crai​gslist.org/sfv/pho/382​0659540.html

Is this a good deal?

I have also seen for comparable price Bronica ETRs.
Which one would you recommend?

Or, should I stick to 35mm Canons or Nikons?

You might want to post this question in THIS thread dedicated to film nuts!

Thank you. Will do.

This really depends on exactly what your goals with film are.
-If you want to develop and print yourself in a home darkroom then 654/6x6 is really not all that much more difficult or expensive than 35mm.
-If you want to develop on your own and scan negatives to work with your options start to become limited and expensive for a real film scanner that will do big film.
-If you are not going to do your own processing at all then the medium format stuff starts getting much more expensive than 35mm


I have a mamiya 645 pro with the AE finder, power winder and a bunch of lenses. I love it because it handles just like a big SLR (probably because it is...) and big negatives are kind of addicting. There are also a slew of leaf shutter lenses available if you like using strobes and want to have a nice high sync speed.

It looks like you already have a nice collection of EF lenses, why not just grab an EOS 1n and take advantage of your existing L glass for a little bit until you see if the film workflow is something you like? If you find that you enjoy film you may want to hold out for either a mamiya pro TL (most features in the manual focus mamiya 645 line up and not much more money than the economy "e" version) or a 645AF (which opens the door to a bunch of crazy digital backs down the line).

So, Canon EOS film cameras use the same EF mount as their digital brothers?

RJ, here were my consideration for MF:
1. I would develop negatives in a local shop
2. I already have Canon 9000f scanner, which can scan film negatives. Not the best, but does a very good job
I don't expect a lot of change in quality going from 5dm2 to 1n or even 1v. Please, correct me if I'm wrong here.
I can get used Mamiya with 80mm or Bronica with 75mm both with film backs for approximately ~$300, which, considering cost of my other photo equipment, is not significant.

If I find that I enjoy MF and film, I can start moving in that direction and if I don't like, I can always resell for pretty much the same value.

If it's in good working order that's a fair price. Of course, if you buy from a company, such as KEH, you get a warranty to go with it.

Canon EOS film cameras do use the same EF lenses as their Digital cousins (just not the EF-s).

Since you are not going to be doing your own developing I would highly recommend starting with an EOS 1 , 1n or 3. All of the controls will be familiar to you, you can use the lenses you already have, they were build for pros and therefore usually hold up well and you can get one for between $100-200. You can then put the money you save towards a proper 35mm film scanner (it will make a difference, I promise)... and even really good 35mm scanners are much more abundant and affordable than medium format ones.

all that said, I am a huge supporter of medium format photography, but it is definitely not the most cost effective thing to do right once you take output variables into account.

rjcanon wrote in post #15959739
I have a mamiya 645 pro with the AE finder, power winder and a bunch of lenses. I love it because it handles just like a big SLR (probably because it is...) and big negatives are kind of addicting. There are also a slew of leaf shutter lenses available if you like using strobes and want to have a nice high sync speed.

I used to use a Mamiya 645, back in the day when I worked in film photography (wet chemistry and all). Loved it! As easy to use as an SLR.

JPMosu wrote in post #15979886
I used to use a Mamiya 645, back in the day when I worked in film photography (wet chemistry and all). Loved it! As easy to use as an SLR.

I take it, you don't do film any longer. Do you miss it?

Aleness wrote in post #15980600
I take it, you don't do film any longer. Do you miss it?

I have not shot a roll of film in around six years or so. Still own a Nikkormat FT3. Compared to my 7D, this thing is built like a tank! Heavy to hold. Also purchased a Yashicamat TwinLens Reflex (medium format). Not the best camera but it was cheap back in the 80's when I bought it.
I prefer digital for the immediate feedback you get from taking a look at the view screen on the back of the camera. Also like not having to pay for processing & prints, etc. I do miss being able to do your own printing and thus having some control there. If I were to do anything with film/print photography again, it would be making my own B&W prints in a darkroom.