Digital BW, The Print

on 8/25/01 1:08 AM, Stephen Kundell, MD at skundell@... wrote:

> So, does anyone out there have recommendations for a medium format SLR camera,
> preferably manual, not very heavy, with nice optics (the lenses above appear
> to have great Bokah), that also does not say "I am a Hasselblad, steal me!".
> This Koni is pretty ugly and threatening which is beneficial. BTW, I did have
> the Pentax 6x7 in the past, and a Horseman medium format. Both were too big
> and heavy. 

I use and endorse (!) the Rolleiflex if you don't need interchangeable
lenses, and the Rollei SL66 if you do. The SL66 is *massively* underpriced
at the moment on the second hand market. The lenses are also very
reasonable. They are wonderful cameras. Hint: buy one in good condition as
they cost not much more than a beater and they are *very* mechanical, thus
beaters may spend some time in the shop (like mine).

Hadley Chamberlain is probably your best bet, but the guy who runs sl66.com
also seems pretty sound.

A source at Rollei told me that the mirror release mechanism was eventually
redesigned because a 1/1000 inch error caused the mirror to lock up in rare
circumstances, so a later SL66 is a better bet.

The magazines are all 120/220, another plus. And cheap too.

There is nothing to touch them optically or in terms of versatility at the
price IMO.

The Rolleigrip turns them into very, very nice handheld cameras.


-- 
John Brownlow

http://www.pinkheadedbug.com

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