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Re: [OM] Off the deep end

Subject: Re: [OM] Off the deep end
From: "Mike Cormier" <ronaldcormier@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 01 May 2002 16:05:35 -0400
4X5 is great, but you might want to look at 6cmx6cm first. They're highly underated by LF photographers IMHO.

Unless you are becoming a serious pro, I'd advise agains a Hasselblad or Bronica, etc. If your main use will be as a serious amateur without alot of telephoto work, I'd consider a TLR. Rolei's are, of course, the OM-4 of TLR's, the 2.8 planar GX being the best. However, an older Rolei like the 3.5F of 2.8F, or even a roleicord, are much less expensive and produce practically indistinguishable results. These cameras are sharpest at about f8 and smaller, but produce wonderful "soft" portraits at open apertures. If a Rolei is a little too much to spend on a TLR, you should try a YashicaMAT. The MAT's have a copy of the Rolei Zeiss Tessar lens, and the results are for all practical purposes identical. If you go this route, buy either a MAT,12, LM, EM, 124 or 124G. The rest of the models may have a cheaper 3 element lens that is junk compared to the tessar design.

Another real option is to go with a Russian "copy" camera. The Kiev 88 is a copy of an early Hasselblad, and will run you about the same $$ as a good Roleicord. These cameras, while cqapable of excellent results, are NOT known for their build quality. Buy from Kiev USA if you get one, otherwise you are playing with fire. The Kiev 60 is a repro of the Pentacon Six, which is not bad, but not fantastic either. If you're in love with the idea of a SLR, however, you might want to consider it.

Lastly, there are the folding cameras such as the Zeiss Super Iconta III and it's clones (Moska 2, 4, 5, etc...). They are compact and handy, but not really an option for serious work.

I've had and used most all of these cameras, but I believe your best "bang for the buck" would be an early Yashica MAT with a 4 element tessar design Yashinon Lens. I'd avoid the 124 or 124G as they are overpriced (Thanks e-bay...). A great option if you can find one would be a YashicaMAT 12. I'm just getting back into MF myself after a hiatus... I'm going with a Yashicam MAT EM (from a list member no less) that will very soon go to Mark Hama for a full CLA. (And I've had Hasselblad, etc., but it's just not worth the extra $$$ to buy one [or a 4x5 LF] unless you are going pro IMHO)

Hope this helps.


From: AG Schnozz <agschnozz@xxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [OM] Off the deep end
Date: Wed, 1 May 2002 10:12:53 -0700 (PDT)

I'm considering really getting crazy here and going with a 4x5
camera for some of my B&W photography.  (Yes, I have a 4x5
enlarger in the darkroom).

Main application would be field use, and I'd like it to be as
light and compact as possible.  Am I totally crazy?
Recommendations?  "For Sale" items available?

Of course, the OM-4 would make a great lightmeter...

AG-Schnozz


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