 Jaime Finseth |
Mamiya 645AFD vs. Cannon 20D I am struggeling with a decision to go medium format or digital. I have narrowed my choices down to the Mamiya 645AFD and the Cannon 20D. But I have talked with some local photographers about their choice of "film" and I hear two things: 1) that those who do have digital have problems uploading files for development and the long hours involved with managing digital negitives; also I hear that digital quality is still not as good as film? 2) Those who have film say their time is used more in the field rather than on the computer, but that they will in time consider digital. I know that I will be shooting portraits of children and families, but I am torn and don't know what to go with! P.S. I currently have a Cannon AE-1. Any advise or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
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Kerry L. Walker |
There have been so many debates on which is better, film or digital, that, if they were printed, it would fill the Library of Congress. I, myself, am sticking with film (medium format). I am a member of another site where this debate has raged on and almost everyone will say that digital is not as good as medium format, even though they use digital and say it beats 35mm. I won't get into the debate of which is better, film or digital, but I will say that those who choose digital do spend more time on the computer processing their images. I would rather stay with MF and say the heck with it. Let the lab do the post processing. Having said that, your choice seems to be easy to me. Go with the 645AFD. You will have the choice of using either film or digital with the same camera (when the price of digital backs gets a little more reasonable, which it will). As far as camera lines themselves are concerned, I believe either Mamiya or Canon is a great choice.
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Kerry L. Walker |
I have a better idea. Buy both then decide you like the 20D better and send me the 645AFD! I will gladly take care of it for you.
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Tony Peckman |
I kept my Canon Elan II. I bought a Pentax 645 for very large prints (but not sure I will keep it) and I also have a CAnon Dig Rebel with an IS lens. I simply can't let go of the film cameras, BUT I use the Dig Rebel for 95% of my portraiture. I love using PS, simply to enhance the photo and bring more attention to the subject. I must admit, I do spend a little too much time with the computer/PS, but my clients really like the final print. Not to mention, for the price of the Mamiya 645 AFD, you could buy a 20d, an IS lens (or two) and any PS program you wanted. My vote is the 20d or the new Canon Dig Rebel XT with an IS (image stabilizer) lens. Since you just migrating from 35mm, you probably don't need the 645 format. Just my opinion.
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Maryann Ianniello |
Jamie I have the Mamiya 645AFD and also the Nikon digital D70. When I use the D70 I do spend a lot of time with the computer. My choice will always be film. I love my Mamiya! Good Luck! MaryAnn
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Jaime Finseth |
Thanks everyone for your input and advise! I have chosen to go with the Mamiya 645AFD. I think my mind was made up before I even asked the question, but wanted to see if there was anything that could change my mind. Kerry, you are right about the ability to use a digital back with this camera and I think having the option to do both formats is a good idea. Can you tell me what would be a good all around lense for this camera? Many Thanks!
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Kerry L. Walker |
Well, I prefer prime lenses so I would say the 80mm would be the first choice. I own a Pentax 645N with a couple of prime lenses - the 75mm and the 150mm. I also have a couple of zooms I use a lot - my left foot and my right foot.
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BetterPhoto Member |
i own a 645 afd, an 80mm 2.8, and a 150mm 3.5. I am about to get rid of 150mm and purchase a 120mm macro. the 150 is a decent lens but the macro allows for so much more when it comes to portraits. the macro is a MF lens, but it doesn't matter because the AF on the 645afd pretty much sucks. if you had to get two lenses, i'd recommend the 80 as a good standard length, and a 105-210mm for versatility. the macro is also good as I said. the 300mm is also very fun. check out my website. 90% of it was shot with the 645afd and the leaf valeo 17 megapixel back. http://jeffkroeze.com
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BetterPhoto Member |
i almost forgot to mention, I am days away from purchasing a Canon 20D as my first digital SLR. I can't wait.
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Ford |
I almost bought a film camera since they're getting so cheap. But checked out a couple of fashion photographers that used the 20D and the pictures were great. One of them uses Kubota actions and it looked exactly like film. For its price the 20D is outstanding.
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Andrew Laverghetta |
I think that's a good choice. I would love to get a medium format sometime. For now, I'm using my Canon 20D like what you were asking about and I love it. I believe pictures are a lot better from medium format and I could have gotten a medium format with the money I spent on my 20D and accessories to take advantage of the digital format, but it was easier to dump money once than to pay for processing and still not really have "positive" prints that I can examine closely and easily. Plus I don't have a job half the year so I can't buy a whole lot of film and the processing to match up with the amount of pictures I can take and review with the digital. It also really helps with being published in the university newspaper. Good decision though, I'm envious :)
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Melissa L. Zavadil |
I have two maymiya cameras that I have for sale: an RZ67 and a c330f both are in absolutely excellent shape. I have listed them on ebay but there were no takers I couldn't believe this but I am going to try again. These seem pretty hard to get rid of. I have sold my 10D before my new camera even arives.
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John A. Lind |
I have the predecessor to the predecessor of the 645AFD . . . an M645j and M645-1000S . . . with metered PDS prism . . . and have no intention of parting with either of them . . . to continue making large prints from the chromes and negatives shot through them. When working with medium format, I don't care for zoom lenses and have stayed completely wtih the primes . . . a 50mm shift, 80mm and 150mm plus a set of extension tubes for macros . . . and plan on acquiring two more, a 45mm or 55mm and a 210mm. -- John Lind
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