DIGITAL OR MEDIUM FORMAT FILM

Hi all, man its been a LONG TIME since i was on here, how is everyone.

I have a dilemma, and need some guidance.

I am falling in love with a certain type of medium format camera a 645 version. But i still want to keep my digital.

What the heck shall i do ?????

You can have both in the form of a 645D.

cant afford it at £9 999 Have only got a small budget for film 645

You can still have both if you can find a scanner at a reasonable price that takes the negs from a 645 or have them digitized at processing time.

I dont mind using the prints for my gallery/showcase at home for clients, and then scan in the 10x 8 prints, what you think peter ???

If you have a decent scanner and are happy with its output quality, go for the 645.

Others more informed than I about medium format will be along soon, I'm sure.

I used large format (10X8 sheet film in a Gandolfi Monorail) in college about a million years ago, other than that, 35mm is the largest I've used.

Core bloody hell peter that is going back some years, I hope they will be here soon

Well I am 158 years old

I looked at this recently when I went through a hankering for a 6x7. MF gear seems to be holding its value very well indeed (I saw battered and heavily used 6x7 bodies going for over £100).

Put simply I don't think "small budget" and MF fit together, assuming you want a Pentax! The Bronica ETRS/ETRSi system seems slightly more sanely priced in that £200 will get you a body, lens, viewfinder and 120 film back with maybe a speed grip thrown in, but from what I understand it isn't in the same league where build quality is concerned.

Small budget being £280 I was mainly aiming for a bronica either that or a loan from a bank to pay for a £2k hasselblad

I little while back I had a hankering for some real film, and really fancied medium format too. I fancied a 67ii but that was way out of my price range especially considering it was something of a whim at the time. I saw a Pentax 645 kit that was reasonably priced but it was pretty big. I was really after something a bit more compact and in the end I settled on (whisper it - apologies everyone:shock a Fuji 645 rangefinder camera which I unearthed in a local camera shop. I have to say I really like it although I just use it now and then whenever I get the urge to run through a film or two. You might well find something similar for your budget, although you may have to settle for just the one lens... I guess it depends on what you want to use the camera for. I can't imagine my film camera would be great for everything, but is cool for just wandering about and snapping... Also the cost of film and processing should be considered if you are going to shoot a lot - it's not huge but of course it all needs to factored in...

Regards

I quite happily use MF film alongside my K10D. For £280 you should be able to get a Pentax 645 / film holder / A75 lens with £80 spare to blow on some film and developing. The price for 645 lenses is starting to creep up now the 645D is here but the (non-AF) A series lenses are still quite reasonable. Pentax 6x7/67 gear is more expensive and while you may get a kit for your budget it would probably be quite tatty and in need of a service (not cheap - another £100+).

I sold my Pentax 645 outfit as I prefer the square 6x6 format, plus I have an unhealthy obsession with TLR cameras (which Pentax have never made of course). With that in mind it should come as no surprise to hear that if I were in your shoes I'd buy a Rolleiflex T, Rolleiflex Automat or Rolleicord Va/Vb for that sort of money. If you're more comfortable with SLR cameras though buy a Pentax 645 and enjoy it - the picture quality is sublime.

have you seen one in that price range then ????

DOES ANYONE WANT A MF 50MM 1.7 M PK-A FIT ?????

£60 INCLUDING POSTAGE ?????

This thread got me thinking........

I once had an AGFA Isolette 220 roll film camera that I picked up, with a damaged bellows for a couple of quid.

I repaired the bellows and was off around London with my new toy. I've probably still got it somewhere. I never realised its full potential as my enlarger was 35mm only so I never made anything other than contact prints. I will still have the negs too.

Not in the same league as the Pentax 645 system, but I might dig around for it and the negs from it.

Come to think of it I haven't even scanned any of my 35mm work either!

Warm up the scanner..........I'm gonna be busy.

Thanks guys for the idea.........

MZ