sasaki@harvard.ARPA (Marty Sasaki) (06/10/85)
I've decided that for most of my photography I want to use a larger
format than 35mm. I'm not quite ready for 4x5 or larger (don't have the
enlarger). I'm looking for recommendations for cameras in the 6x4.5 cm
format. Interchangable backs are not necessary, interchangeable lenses
are. SLR's are probably preferred, but if someone had a Mamiya c330 that
they wanted to sell, I would be willing to listen.
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Marty Sasaki net: sasaki@harvard.{arpa,uucp}
Havard University Science Center phone: 617-495-1270
One Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA 02138fohl@cbosgd.UUCP (Mark Fohl) (06/14/85)
I've got another alternative medium format camera that's even cheaper than the Mamiya C-330. It's Mamiya's C-220. It lacks only a few of the features of the 330. It doesn't have interchangeable focusing screens, it has a shutter release in one less place, it doesn't have interchange- able film backs, and you have to wind the film and cock the shutter separately. I've found these differences to be minor; I really enjoy using my 220. I bought an 80 mm lens and a 135 mm lens when I bought the body. The 135 is an OK lens as far as sharpness is concerned, but the 80 mm is dynamite. I can't believe the sharpness when I look through the grain focuser in the darkroom. The 80 mm has better resolution than most of my Nikkor lenses. I use my C-220 for B&W work, and I do mostly slides with the Nikon. As yet another medium format alternative, how about Pentax's 6x7? It seems to be moderately priced, and it looks like an oversized 35mm. I don't know anyone who owns one, but they seem worth considering. Mark Fohl Bell Labs - Columbus
anand@utastro.UUCP (Anand Sivaramakrishnan) (06/18/85)
*** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE *** Mark Fohl writes about Mamiya TLR lenses... < ... < I bought an 80 mm lens and a 135 mm lens when I bought the body. The < 135 is an OK lens as far as sharpness is concerned, but the 80 mm < is dynamite. I can't believe the sharpness when I look through the < grain focuser in the darkroom. The 80 mm has better resolution than < most of my Nikkor lenses. < < I use my C-220 for B&W work, and I do mostly slides with the Nikon. < As yet another medium format alternative, how about Pentax's 6x7? < .... < < Mark Fohl < Bell Labs - Columbus Two comments... the 135 and 180 Mamiya lenses are SOFT. Perhaps by design, for 'portrait' photographers. I have a 65, 135 and a 250, the 135 is definitely soft. The other two are just fine as far as sharpness goes, even wide open (or as near as I get to it). I have heard that the Mamiya 180 mm TLR is also soft. Also, I find that the ground glass screen has enabled me to judge my composition far better than eye-level viewing. I think the Pentax 6x7 is meant primarily for eye-level photography, if that's the case I see that as a drawback.