Re: infrared and medium format--what camera to buy?

["R. C. Lacovara" <lacovara@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I own a Yashica-Mat. When the film is advanced the camera combines the 
sound of one of those metal ratchet New Year's party favors with the "feel" 
of a loose can opener. Pressing the shutter button is even more 
distressing: the sound is approximated by striking an empty can with a 
fork. The meter readings often remind me of sensible setting for a lens and 
shutter.

Ok, that being said (at least a little tongue-in-cheek): the 'Mat handles 
120 and 220 film by a simple sliding change of the film pressure plate. 
Changing the film isn't a big problem. The aperture is modest at f/3.5. 
Although the camera doesn't appear to be all that rugged, I have owned it 
for about 25 years and it "takes a 'lick'n and keeps on tick'n." It's easy 
enough to use, although a bracket hand grip helps a bunch. The ground glass 
viewfinder is relatively bright, there's a built in magnifying glass for 
focus, and a sports finder all built in. I have from time to time actually 
held the camera above my head to take a picture above crowds... the square 
format alleviates any quandaries you may have as to the format of your 
frame. I don't really use the built-in meter.

For what they cost, you can't get into much trouble with a Yashica-Mat. 
There's both a telephoto and wide angle attachment: they tend to vignette, 
but I don't have that problem anymore since my X took the attachment lenses 
with her, presumably by accident.

FWIW, and sorry to be so far off topic...

Bob

At 12:10 PM 10/13/00, you wrote:
>The Plaubel Makina is a jewel of a folding 6x7 rangefinder with a nice 
>80mm or 55mm. Mine has a broken meter, but who cares. I saw they had seven 
>for sale at keh.com, three with the wider lens.
>
>I've used the Plaubel with Konica 750 with no problems. The bellows seem 
>plenty opaque to IR.
>
>At $800 and up they are only marginally affordable. A Yashica Mat 124 or a 
>Holga would be a less expensive alternative.
>
>
>
>At 10:12 AM 10/13/2000 -0400, you wrote:
>>I am thinking about buying a medium format camera, possibly to use infrared
>>in--and was wondering what is a good buy? good lenses etc...
>>I have tried the fujifilm 6x45zi  (point and shoot really) and think the
>>depth of field is a problem. I do like the convenience  and size of the
>>camera however.
>>I would rather not have square format--
>>what's your vote on a medium format camera, thats affordable and
>>versatile..  mamiya 711?  bronica?  mamiya 645--????
>>thanks ..
>>*
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