Posted: 8/18/2017 4:04:18 PM EDT
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anyone into these?
I've always wanted one, they were always out of reach ($$) The Mamiya 645's seem to be very reasonably priced now, enough so to warrant trying it out. looking for some input from users or former users. I"ve got 3 DSLR's and was considering dabbling in MF for some Aviation and Landscape photos, just for fun.. see how it goes. |
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If you don't mind developing your own film and wet print or have a suitable scanner they can be an enjoyable addition to one's photo toolbox. I had a couple of Bronica ETRSi 6x4.5 cameras and (as with others) if you can find mechanically good film backs they are great film cameras.
I now have a Yashica LM 6x6 TLR and several 9x12cm sheet film cameras and enjoy shooting both film and photopaper negatives. |
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I am currently looking into getting a Hasselblad 500 C/M which I have seen for reasonably prices. They don't have all the bells and whistles as the newer ones but they I just need one to go click.
I saw one on the B&H website for about 500 with out the backs. Don't know to many of the details it got sold pretty quickly. |
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I picked up a near mint Mamiya RB67 ProS for $200 on ebay two years ago. It was shipped from Japan.Â
The light seals were toast, but there is a kit for the RB67 and it did not take long to change them out. I love my RB67. Best Camera I have. HP5+ and HC110 home developed.  Valkyrie by Chris Barzyz, on Flickr
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For color I send out to "The Darkroom" and for B&W I do it myself. The Darkroom is a web site out of CA who develops and scans film for $11 a roll. They do good work. I like the idea that they can develop to photo paper as an option. I wonder if they do nudes? 
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Get yourself an Agfa Rondinax daylight film developing tank and develop your own 120 film. They no longer make them but they can be found in good condition used.
Attached File Rondinax 60 shown with a 36U |
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I was just looking at those guys to do some developing for me. About how long was your turn around for a roll? I like the idea that they can develop to photo paper as an option. I wonder if they do nudes? here is a sample of their scans... from a 1955 Brownie Hawkeye Flash with Kodak Ektar100, 120 film  mean green by Chris Barzyz, on Flickr
Canon AE1P and Portra 400. A little too much blue, but I blame the film. The above Ektar is more color saturated then the Portra. 35mm film  prepped for the bone-yard by Chris Barzyz, on Flickr
I made 8.5x11 prints with these and they came out very nice. If I remember, I chose enhanced scan for the Ektar and standard for the Portra. |
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I've heard of them.. looking at developing my own B&W... from the videos, seems pretty easy/straight forward. Personally, I use Kodak HC110 concentrate and make mixes for a one shot deal. 30mm to 1ltr water at 68f for 6 minutes, 1 min stop bath (water or official indicator stop bath) and Ilford rapid fixer concentrate at 8 oz to 1ltr for 6 min and a good wash and dry. I scan with a older HP G4050 flat bed scanner with the aftermarket vuescan software and I'm very happy with the B&W scans. Color, not so much at home. So The Darkroom is my choice for color. another shot with the RB67 and HC110 developer  Valkyrie by Chris Barzyz, on Flickr
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Get yourself an Agfa Rondinax daylight film developing tank and develop your own 120 film. They no longer make them but they can be found in good condition used. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/35383/16780687728_640ef7bd99_k-287590.JPG Rondinax 60 shown with a 36U 
eta: Some clones worth considering: Loadomat 20 and the Kent 20 for 120 film and the Essex 35 for 35mm Yes, there are few shown on ebay as of this post, which I'm monitoring... I'll even entertain the 35mm version if they come together..... I'll probably do it (35mm), in the fullness of time. there is a kickstarter that is producing something like these, but the're still not ready to ship (and too late to get in on) eta2: Link for the Lab-Box (Kickstarter) version: http://www.ars-imago.com/lab-box/ |
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I flew that one back in 2010. Actually, I probably flew it several times.
Now, I fly a couch.
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What did you end up doing? How did the photos turn out? they turned out alright. Later, if I can remember, I'll share a couple. I've since developed some 35mm and the roll of 620. I have about 4 more rolls to develop, maybe this weekend. eta: some pics here and here |
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I love my RB67. Best Camera I have. HP5+ and HC110 home developed. I normally used accufine if I pushed the film due to the conditions of the assignment, but usually microdol-x since it was much cheaper. Check out what Ilford recommends for your HP5+ film.  The photos you posted seem it have some more grain than I would expect from medium format negatives.  It appears that contrast has been slightly exaggerated to lend more sharpness to the eye. Did you scan from negatives, or print?  If print, some of it (or much of it) could be the grade of paper and developer. |
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What did you end up doing? How did the photos turn out? they turned out alright. Later, if I can remember, I'll share a couple. I've since developed some 35mm and the roll of 620. I have about 4 more rolls to develop, maybe this weekend. eta: some pics here and here |
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I have a Mamiya RB67 Pro SD setup with a few lenses and backs, etc.
I really like the ability to change films on the fly by changing backs. I don't get much of a chance to use it due the relatively long process of setup for use. I have mainly used North Coast Photo to process the film and then scan. |
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I have a Mamiya RB67 Pro SD setup with a few lenses and backs, etc. I really like the ability to change films on the fly by changing backs. I don't get much of a chance to use it due the relatively long process of setup for use. I have mainly used North Coast Photo to process the film and then scan. the 1000s version would be a teeny bit better. I didn't know what I didn't know. it's not a bad camera, and quite good if you factor in when it was mfg. I have a full range of lenses for it that didn't cost a crapton of money to get. Almost everything about it is affordable...except the film 
Next MF will definitely have changeable backs though... and I have entertained the idea of a 4x4 as the next step.. but I'm in no hurry, unless a screaming deal comes along. |
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changing backs is the only regret I have about my camera (M645) the 1000s version would be a teeny bit better. I didn't know what I didn't know. it's not a bad camera, and quite good if you factor in when it was mfg. I have a full range of lenses for it that didn't cost a crapton of money to get. Almost everything about it is affordable...except the film
Next MF will definitely have changeable backs though... and I have entertained the idea of a 4x4 as the next step.. but I'm in no hurry, unless a screaming deal comes along. I think that when I do go large format that I will pretty quickly end up at 8x10. I don't see there being much of a difference in time between 8x10 and 4x5 so might as well get the much larger film area despite the higher cost per shot. |
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.... I don't see there being much of a difference in time between 8x10 and 4x5 so might as well get the much larger film area despite the higher cost per shot. 
I think 4x5 will suit me just fine.. small enough to backpack somewhere. of course, I never envisioned 4x5 till I had MF, so all bets are off until I have some experience with 4x5
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For me large format will have to wait quite some while when I can really take the time necessary for it. If I can't take the time now with a medium format then large format would definitely be a waste. I think that when I do go large format that I will pretty quickly end up at 8x10. I don't see there being much of a difference in time between 8x10 and 4x5 so might as well get the much larger film area despite the higher cost per shot. |