Since I lost my job as a freelancer I will have more time to experiment with photography so I was thinking about trying out some medium format like Mamiya or Pentax. Any suggestions? I have about $500 to spend and would like to get a package (body, lens, etc...) to get me started. I would prefer to buy from someone on the forum as well. Thanks.

IIRC there were a few MF packages on the B&S here... I think you would be good with either a Pentax or Mamiya 645 set up. I have had a few film (35mm, TLR, MF, etc) over the years and just recently bought a pristine Mamiya 645 Pro-TL. I can say that I truly enjoy every minute of using this camera. Lenses are quite cheap as well and very sharp. All the best - good luck.

There is a Mamiya for sale here: http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/719887. It looks like a good deal. I noticed K&H has several Mamiya 645AF kits for around $800 in EX condition. I actually have about $700 available now.

That really is a great deal for what appears to be a camera in good condition. The straight 645 is indeed a classic and many people are still using it today. The grip is nice but left hand may not be for you. You really can't go wrong for that price....

I just noticed the grip. I wonder if I can switch it around since I am right handed most of the time. I am also looking at the Mamiya 645AF and the 645AFD.

I would just remove the grip and shoot it the original way.

I found a downloadable manual for the M645 1000s but not one for the original M645. Any ideas where I can get one?

Mamiya 7
A rangefinder with very sharp glass

This guy has all the manuals one could ever need....

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/mamiya/mamiya_m645/mamiya_m645.htm

I suppose it really depends on how much you want to invest. You may want to try out the 645 first (my suggestion) and see how you like it before making the plunge into the AF versions. I have also heard many good things about the newer versions but of course they cost a lot more.

Great link. Waiting to hear back from the seller.
In the meantime, anyone know anything about the Pentax 645 system? I have two beautiful Pentax manual focus lenses that I could use.

I own a manual Pentax 645 camera and continue to use it for landscape photography. In my opinion the Pentax system offers some outstanding lenses that are equal to (or in some instances better than) those offered by other medium format manufacturers. My favorite lenses are the 55mm and 75mm manual focus versions and the 35mm and 150mm autofocus versions. The prices that I see for second hand Pentax 645 bodies and lenses are truely a bargain when you consider the results that this system is capable of. I also own a Canon 5D which I use with a variety of zeiss and leica lenses, however, there are times when I prefer the images I capture with the Pentax 645.

Thanks for the info. I am looking at a mint 645N AF with the 75 2.8 FA lens and 120 Back. as well as a Mamiya 645AF system with a 80 2.8 lens and 120 back. Both systems are in immaculate condition but the Pentax appeals to me more partly because I am assuming I would be able to use my Pentax SMC 50 1.4 on it and it's about $220 cheaper. I know squat about medium format but it looks like fun.

treebeard, you would NOT be able to use any K mount lenses on P645, but P645 lenses are adaptable to K mount among others. So no SMC 50/1.4 on a 645.

If you want fast glass, Mamiya's the only way to do it on the cheap, with the 80mm f1.9, Pentax's fastest MF lens is the 105/2.4 in 67 mount.

Thanks for the info, it's much appreciated. I just snagged a mint Mamiya 645 Pro with winder and 80mm lens. I can't wait to use it.

The using isn't really the issue....... it's the scanning.
Be sure to try both negative and transparency film. There good info on scanning negatives now. Landscapers probably went a little overboard with shooting slide film. But it is nice to be able to see the finished product on the light box.
I don't find shooting 645 worth it. If I'm shooting film it's going to be 6x7 or bigger. Once on a tripod and dealing with film 4x5 is easy...........

Congratulations. You are going to love your 645 Pro... Enjoy and be sure to post. Merry Christmas too.....

Thanks for the info. I am looking forward to trying the format. I have no idea what I am getting myself into but I said that 2 years ago when I bought my first DSLR and this forum has alot of invaluable information.

treebeard wrote:
Thanks for the info, it's much appreciated. I just snagged a mint Mamiya 645 Pro with winder and 80mm lens. I can't wait to use it.

Great combo. Be sure to look for a 55mm f2.8 N, it's one of the sharpest lenses in the system and they go for dirt cheap.

I shoot the 645 Super myself, with 55/2.8N, 80/1.9C and 150/3.5C lenses.

mawz wrote:
treebeard wrote:
Thanks for the info, it's much appreciated. I just snagged a mint Mamiya 645 Pro with winder and 80mm lens. I can't wait to use it.

Great combo. Be sure to look for a 55mm f2.8 N, it's one of the sharpest lenses in the system and they go for dirt cheap.

I shoot the 645 Super myself, with 55/2.8N, 80/1.9C and 150/3.5C lenses.

Thanks for the advice. Any suggestions on a film scanner?

treebeard wrote:
mawz wrote:
treebeard wrote:
Thanks for the info, it's much appreciated. I just snagged a mint Mamiya 645 Pro with winder and 80mm lens. I can't wait to use it.

Great combo. Be sure to look for a 55mm f2.8 N, it's one of the sharpest lenses in the system and they go for dirt cheap.

I shoot the 645 Super myself, with 55/2.8N, 80/1.9C and 150/3.5C lenses.

Thanks for the advice. Any suggestions on a film scanner?

Don't buy anything less than a Epson V500 or 4490. Get the Betterscanning.com holder and ANR insert for the model in question. Spring for a V700/V750 with the Betterscanning holder and ANR inserts (you'll want 2 for the V700) if you can. The epson 120 holders are flimsy and very frustrating to work with and you really need the ANR inserts to get reliable film flatness even with the much better Betterscanning.com holders.

I'm currently using the 4870 (4990 predecessor) with the 4490 Betterscanning holder and an ANR insert. Works well although I'd kill for a Nikon 9000 or an Imacon (one day...)

I already have the V700 in my B&H cart.

Well done! You are on a roll - keep giving yourself gifts.... It is Christmas after all.

I figured what the heck. I love photography and I have been wanting to try medium format since last year but I have been soooooooooo busy working for my newspaper it's been tough. No excuses now though!

Threads like this ALWAY become "Buy what I have, it's cool!"
Tree, there are sooo many options. You'll need to think about what you really want.
What will you be doing with the camera?
What format do you prefer?
etc.

Here are some guides and comparisons.

http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/go1.html
http://photo.net/equipment/medium-format/

You can window shop here: http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/BrandTableOfContent.aspx


FWIW, I've got a bag full of Bronica SQ goodies and can hopefully answer any Q's about their 6x6 systems.

-Moo

Medium format is fun stuff

http://certo6.com/



You might be able to find some good deals on used medium-format film scanners (i.e. not flat beds). However, I use an Epson V750 pro, and other than the film holders, I don't have any complaints with it. I've gotten very good scans from it as well as carppy ones, but I'm pretty sure the crappines was my fault

The Microtek M1 is also well-regarded so it might be worth a look, but the last I heard Microtek was backing out of direct involvement in the US market, so I don't know who's picking up the slack as far as service and such for their scanners in the US. From what I can tell, it's also an excellent scanner, but has nice film holders and has a way to let you scan with less glass in front of the film, making it potentially the better scanner, though as far as I can tell the margin isn't large.