Mamiya 645 Pro TL

Advantages: Fantastic image quality, good range of lenses
Disadvantages: Slow flash sync speed

...Now discontinued, but if you are lucky, you can still purchase a 645 Pro TL (this model's successor). Even newer models to this are the AF & the AFD (Auto-Focus with easy digital capability). The 645 Pro is a modular medium format camera (unlike the 645E). Not only are the lenses interchangable, but the viewfinders, winders, and film backs are also. Lenses (and film inserts) dating back to the 1970s work perfectly on the 645 Pro, other accessories (viewfinders, etc) need to be intended for the 645 Super (or the 645 Pro TL) to fit the 645 Pro. The horizontally traversing cloth shutter gives a shutter speed range of 4 secs - 1/1000th sec & B, with the flash sync speed being 1/60th sec ("leaf-shutter" lenses will allow flash sync at speeds of up to 1/500th sec). Two of the available viewfinders allow the camera to offer aperture... Read review

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Advantages: Quality, solidity
Disadvantages: Weight, evil ergonomics

...Mamiya RB67 When I decided to buy a medium format camera, I looked at an RB67, and easily dismissed it. You need hands the size of a gorilla, and it really ought to be sold with a Benbo tripod welded to the bottom. A kind friend lent me her “new” RB over Christmas - £250, and a lot of black paint missing. I still won’t be buying one: it is a camera I respect, but I certainly don’t love it! But if you want (or need) the versatility of bellows focussing, you may buy one. If you need a camera engineered like a battleship (and every bit as user-friendly), you may buy one. If you want excellent results, and don’t mind ergonomics that are just right for an octopus, you may buy one. If you take landscapes or portraits professionally, there’s a good chance you already own one. An RB67 offers enormous scope for doing things wrong... Read review

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Advantages: High quality images suitable for dramatic enlargements, well made camera and a pleasure to use.
Disadvantages: Could be difficult to use for a complete novice. Expensive though worth every penny.

...This a beautiful camera and I love the quality of images it can take. It is a medium format range finder camera that is as light as many 35mm cameras so you can literally carry it all day without fatigue. Medium format cameras are usually bulky and feel as heavy as a brick ( or a couple of bricks!). As it is light you can handhold it to take pictures. Again most other medium format cameras would make your arms ache or shake too much and you would have to use a tripod. So this camera offers you a choice. You can hand hold this camera all day without having to use a tripod and yet still get high quality medium format pictures or if you want to explore your photography and the cameras capabilities further with a tripod you can. I also own one of the heavier medium format cameras the Mamiya RZ and I've only taken it out for the day... Read review

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