Chris Lauritzen
(K=14949) - Comment Date 1/22/2003
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I would use the 180, it's closer to the 120mm in 35mm which is great for portraits. I use a Ziess sonnar 180 for portraits on my Kiev gear.
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Dayved Moore
(K=5) - Comment Date 1/22/2003
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Thanks for the quick reply.
You have a Kiev? Was looking at those on Ebay. Rather inexpensive...but not sure about quality.
Which one do you have?
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Chris Lauritzen
(K=14949) - Comment Date 1/22/2003
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I have both the 60 and 88cm. Quality can be a problem with these camera but both of mine work great. I don't use the TTL meter as it is way off (easily fixed but I am lazy)so I use a hand held one. I think the best part of using these cameras is being able to put Carl Ziess glass on the cheaply. My Sonnar 180 cost me about $250 on ebay. Try to duplicate on a Blad or a any other MF gear and it would cost you a small fortune.
As far as the pic's go I would put them up against a blad or anything else. The quailty of the glass is wonderful and I can get a whole collection of lenes for the cost of a Ziess 80mm for a blad.
Checkout www.kievcamera.com
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David Goldfarb
(K=7611) - Comment Date 1/23/2003
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Another affordable option, which I find more reliable than the Kiev, is the Bronica S2A. To learn more about all things classic Bronica, go to:
http://medfmt.8k.com/bronica.html
For portraits (from quite close in to head and shoulders) on my Bronica, I usually go with a 135mm and a 15mm extension tube. I'll switch to 100mm if I need a leaf shutter lens, which Nikkor made for the classic Bronicas only in that focal length. For a softer look, I'll switch to an old 240mm/f:4.5 Voigtlander Heliar, which I've adapted for the Bronica.
Anything in the 100-180 range is fine for 6x6, more toward 150-250 for 6x7.
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Chris Lauritzen
(K=14949) - Comment Date 1/23/2003
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The Bronica is a fine other choice. My Kiev's have proven to be reliable enough to use in my wedding biz but I have heard of others that having nothing but problems with theirs. I think I have stated that the main reason I like the Kiev?s is for the cost of the Ziess glass. Now I have not mention my Lubitel :-)!!!
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Charles Shupe
(K=202) - Comment Date 1/27/2003
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The conversion factor depends on which format you are refering to. The 35mm equivalent to the 645/66 format is roughly 55% of the focal length. It is 50% for the 67 format. So a 180mm lens for the RB you mentioned would be ~ 90mm in the 35mm world.
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Chris Lauritzen
(K=14949) - Comment Date 1/27/2003
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Dayved Moore
(K=5) - Comment Date 1/27/2003
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Thanks for all the info. I used to own a Mamiya RZProII along with lenses and backs...etc. I sold it to help with a down payment on a house. Biggest mistake EVER! Now I want back in. I've never seen a Kiev. Heard about Bronica's but never used. Couldn't even afford to look at a Hassey. Guess it's back to Ebay and search for some rare find.
Thanks again for the info. I'll be checking the various websites.
Dayved
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Paul Stenquist
(K=182) - Comment Date 2/9/2003
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Among affordable medium format solutions, the Pentax 6x7 shouldn't be ignored. I've found the MF Pentax to be an excellent camera for portrait and fashion work. The 165/4 leaf shutter lens allows flash synch up to 1/500, so it's great for outdoor portraits with flash fill. And the SMC Pentax lenses are world class in terms of sharpness and flare resistance.
Paul Stenquist
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Ron Wiginton
(K=295) - Comment Date 3/25/2003
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The Mamiya RB67 can be found at affordable prices on e-bay. I picked up a perfect Pro S with a new bellows for $250. In all I've set up 2 RB67 cameras with 3 220 backs, a Polaroid Back, 2 90mm lenses, a 150 mm Soft Focus, and a 180mm for under $2500.
Another very good lens for Portraits from Mamiya is the 150mm soft focus. It has 3 interchangeable "discs" to vary the diffusion.
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