Hasselblad H1 or Mamiya 645 AFD?

minicoop1985 · Dec 14, 2015

If I could sell my Canon gear for a digital back, I would do it in a heartbeat. My boss thinks I'm an idiot, but hey. Let's be honest here. This isn't only for work, it's for having fun with while learning. There's a lot for me to learn, and this (while it's a film camera) will force me to learn it.

Derrel · Dec 14, 2015

Why not get incredible image quality for a lot less money, and buy a Pentax 645 digital? Is it because you don't want the option of all those affordable lenses? Or you do not want to buy a camera that was not thrashed to within an inch of its life by some busy working pro?

minicoop1985 · Dec 14, 2015

I'm not a fan of the ergonomics of the Pentax. Nor am I a fan of the condition any bodies I can afford will be in... Also, I'm hoping to have something I can start out with film and transition to a digital back, with film for a backup. I've got a LARGE stockpile of 120 film, and need to put it to use.

Have you looked at the price of Mamiya 645 glass? It's stupid cheap.

minicoop1985 · Dec 28, 2015

Welp, looks like this will happen sooner than I anticipated... My 7D's shutter took a crap. Need to replace it, and I already have money invested in the 645 system. Got a lead on a GREAT deal on a ZD digital back too.

gsgary · Dec 28, 2015

If I was looking for a 645 it would be the Contax

minicoop1985 · Dec 28, 2015

I've seen what the Contax can do, and frankly for what it costs, I'm not impressed. I'd rather go with a complete digital/film medium format SLR than a film Contax at this point. And besides, if I had to choose at that price point, it would be Hasselblad.

minicoop1985 · Dec 28, 2015

So much for the ZD back. Someone bought it out under me-seller said he was willing to wait, but apparently wasn't. Damn. I have a lead on a Phase One I'm interested in, so we'll see.

minicoop1985 · Jan 1, 2016

Here's the news. Put in an offer on a 645 AFD body and film back, so here's to hoping the seller accepts.

minicoop1985 · Jan 2, 2016

Seller accepted! I'm the owner of a 645 AFD kit!

minicoop1985 · Jan 7, 2016

Here it be:

My new to me Mamiya 645AFD, the Canon replacement. by Michael Long, on Flickr

ronlane · Jan 7, 2016

Congrats. Look forward to seeing some images from it.

minicoop1985 · Jan 10, 2016

Thanks, Ron.

The battery holder still isn't here. Gotta say I'm a bit frustrated that I've had this thing since Thursday and haven't been able to test it.

minicoop1985 · Jan 11, 2016

My impatience has paid off. It appears to be working. Can't tell if the shutter's working like it should until Wednesday (film gets developed Mondays and Wednesdays), but it seems like everything works.

minicoop1985 · Jan 14, 2016

Well, here we are. Got some test images off a roll of VERY expired (2006) 220.

83640013 by Michael Long, on Flickr

83640009 by Michael Long, on Flickr

These shots aren't anything special, but they're SUPER sharp, even wide open.

minicoop1985 · Feb 2, 2016

I can't believe how sharp these lenses are, particularly for how much they cost. Wow. Unbelievable how much detail there is in my shots with this thing.