Medium Format
Medium Format
best medium format camera OTHER than hasselblad?
i've been craving a hasselblad forever, searching craigslist and ebay for a deal i can actually afford but i'm starting to realize that's not gonna happen anytime soon (i'm a broke college student). with that in mind, what is a good medium format camera i can get at a more moderate price? i'd be willing to pay up to 400 for body and lens. thanks!
You are in luck, digital has made the prices on used medium format gear drop substantially.
I would say that the best deals that you can get would be from Mamiya, every bit as good as a Hasselblad. I would suggest any of the 645 bodies, a metered prism (unless you want to get an unmetered one and use a light meter), a 80mm standard lens, a 45mm Wide Angle, and a 150 or so. Like the Hassys, these things take camera backs, and I have three with mine along with a Polaroid back. If you are willing to get only a waist level finder, that will reduce your cost. You can get a winder for it that semi-permanently attaches and auto advances your film, but then you can get along without that. You might not want three backs, but I would get two.
For the Mamiya there are no aftermarket lenses, it is Mamiya or nothing on them.
I would stay away from Bronica, it was a good camera, but no longer in production and little support exists. Pentax 67 and 67II are good but like most medium format, they are bulky and the Pentax lenses are more expensive than the Mamiya lenses on the whole.
If you want a bigger medium format, the RB and RZ 67s from Mamiya are superb. Deals abound.
The biggest drawback to the Mamiya cameras in my estimation is that they are heavy. The RZ might be lighter than the RB, but with an RB that I had and used for landscapes, I hiked with 50 pounds of gear. The RB can be handheld, but I don't recommend it.
Check with KEH at www.keh.com for their prices and then look up the number for Quality Camera or Quality Photo (I am not sure how they are listed) in Atlanta and call. They don't have a functional web page, but their prices are lower than KEH for the most part. If you call Quality, talk with Jeff and see what he recommends for you. I know him quite well and he will certainly help you out.
If $400 is your top limit, you can get a manual Mamiya 645 and a 80mm lens and maybe a couple of backs for that price or somewhere close to it.
Check out the Medium Format listings below and save 20% to 70% off retail prices:
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Leica S2 Medium Format Digital Camera Body Only |  |
1 Bid | US $14,000.00 | 13h 12m |
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Phase One P 45 Medium Format Digital Back | |
16 Bids | US $7,356.56 | 1d 18h 18m |
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Phase one IQ180 digital back medium format camera with camera body accessories | |
0 Bid | US $20,000.00 | 3d 15h 41m |
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Leaf Aptus 75 Medium Format Digital Back | |
0 Bid | US $5,200.00 | 3d 19h 43m |
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Phase One P 40 Medium Format Digital Back | |
20 Bids | US $2,550.00 | 5d 11h 9m |
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Pentax 645D Medium Format DSLR Camera Body 17971 | |
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US $9,995.96 | 10d 14h 29m |
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NEW PENTAX 645D 645 D 40MP MEDIUM FORMAT DIGITAL SLR DSLR CAMERA BODY | |
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US $9,899.00 | 11d 22h 46m |
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Hasselblad H2 Medium Format Camera 80mm F28 | |
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US $5,499.00 | 29d 11h 57m |
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Top-of-the-line Vanguard Sbh-300 Heavy Duty Ball Head Tripod cwnw_Headliner_style A Digital Age EXTRA Great Deal Alert from CameraWorks NW Beaverton, Oregon Vanguard SBH300 Heavy Duty Ball Head for Medium Format Precision Ball Head with Locking Quick Release holds 70 lbs F or S ale is the Vanguard SBH-300 Heavy Duty Ball Head for Tripods or Monopods. This is the strongest of all the SBH Ball Heads. The SBH-300 is a lightweight brute. SBH-300 precision-cut Ball Head moves swiftly and steadily so you wont miss the action. |
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Holga 120FN Medium Format Film Camera The Holga 120 FN is a medium format camera with integrated flash and a plastic lens. This model has additionally a standard tripod mount, a bulb exposure selector for extra long exposures and comes with two frames to take pictures in 6x4.5 cm or 6x6 cm size. |
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Hasselblad H4D-50 Medium Format DSLR Camera Body Only The Hasselblad H4D-50 Digital SLR Camera offers the ultimate in digital medium-format image capture to professional commercial, studio and fine art photographers. Built around a 50 megapixel, 36.7 x 49.1mm CCD image sensor with 16-bit color, the H4D-50 captures the subtle nuances and fine details of any subject. The chip provides the basis for optimal lens performance with a lens factor of 1.0, with both HC and HCD lenses. From high-profile portraiture and fashion to international travel photography, the H4D-50 provides image professionals with the superior handling and high image quality synonymous with the Hasselblad brand. The H4D-50 allows you to choose between working tethered to a computer, or untethered and storing your images on a compact flash card. A 4GB card will store about 60 images. You can view your captured images on the 3" double-res (460.320 pixels) TFT 24bit color LCD display. The H4D-50 features True Focus with APL (Absolute Position Lock), making auto-focus substantially easier and more accurate. The camera has a wide ISO flexibility (ISO 100-800) and a flash sync of up to 1/800th of a second. Options including GPS and Perspective Control modules, a choice of eye-level or waist-level finders and optics from 28mm wide angle to 300mm telephoto, support the H-system philosophy of full user customization with uncompromising quality. Paired with Hasselblad Phocus software, the H4D-50 represents a complete, digital image solution for all of your Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com! |
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Holga 120n Medium Format Fixed Focus Camera With Lens 144120 Part: 144120 Holga 120N Medium Format Fixed Focus Camera with Lens Item Includes Neck strap included Description The world famous Medium-format wonder! A cult favorite with a fanatical global following, the Holga produces extraordinary low-tech works of art with the bare minimum of mechanical function. Soft focusing, full double-exposure capability, intense vignetting, and unpredictable light leaks all contribute to the Holga's incredible photo effects. Each Holga is unique and produces signature images and peculiarities of its own. Buy several and throw some wood on your creative fire! Uses 120 film. Bulb exposure selector for extra long exposures. Your film will now travel smoothly in either 6x4.5cm or 6x6cm formats with the two plastic masks, included. Also, no more broken fingernails the format arrow on the back of the camera easily slides between 12 and 16 exposures Specifications Camera Type Medium Format Fixed Focus Camera w/Built in Lens Format 6x4.5cm & 6x6cm Lens Lens: f/8 60mm (plastic lens) f/8 an Earn 2% eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases! Backed by eBay Buyer Protection Program. Terms and Conditions apply. |
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Mack 1 Year Extended Warranty For Medium/large Format Camera Up To $2000 U110 Mack Extended Warranty: SKU# U110 Extended Period: 1 Year Covers: Used Medium Format Camera or Large Format under $2000 Return Shipping Charge : (US Residents Only) $10 In the event that this equipment requires any repairs or service it must be delivered post paid with warranty #, the owner's name and address, proof of purchase and description of difficulties encountered to Mack Camera Video Service, 200 Morris Ave., Springfield, N.J. 07081 with a check for $10.00 for shipping and handling in t Earn 2% eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases! Backed by eBay Buyer Protection Program. Terms and Conditions apply. |
Mamiya 645AFD II: Digital or FIlm, Medium Format Quality
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