In the very near future my wife and I are planning a permanent move back to Africa.

I have a major project in mind and would love to hear from anyone who has experience
with the above camera / system or indeed other MF systems.

Thank you in advance. Stephen :))

Bronica is not a good camera, Stephen. The only good thing is low price. Mechanicaly is crap, the lenses are low level and are too old systems.

The best for documentary photo in medium format is Mamiya 645 series, you can find a lot of used ones, lenses and backs in ebay.

645 is portable like a slr, easy to use, you can have diferent backs for diferent film and there are a lot of diferent lenses available.

Depend of you budget, you can buy a manual focus 645 Pro or the new AF systems like 645AF or AFD.

But this is my opinion, you can get a lot of other diferent opinions :-)

Just proves how opinions vary. It is common knowledge that Bronica addressed all the shortcomings experienced by early Hasselblads. I have used an S1 and anS2 for over 30 years without any mechanical failure. Something I can't say for my Hasselblad 500CW. My Bronica uses Nikkor lenses, not exactly milk bottle glass.

:-)

Get yourself a nice Mamiya 7II I am selling one with three primes that beat all comers! I will consider most offers! OE me to talk.

Ha...opinion...thanks guys keep talking !

It is very strange. I have been in touch with Mitra Tabrizian, Professor of Photography at
Westminster University. Her work now on show at the Victoria & Albert Museum has
inspired me towards this new project whilst back (and at home!) in Africa.

Needless to say this work was shot on a Bronica 6x7 !!!

http://www.mitratabrizian.com/tehran.php

Mail me here or at edds.stephen@gmail.com

THANKS :))

i don´t refer 6x7 systems before, because are huge cameras you can´t have in your hand without a tripod or monopod, specialy in Africa country, except if you will do "studio" work there :-)

But Mamiya 7 is a 6x7 camera not huge and is very portable, with superb lenses. For me the only problem is that not possible change backs and when you put a roll of film you must use it until end. WIth interchangeable backs you can change from diferent backs with diferent film as you want, it´s why i prefer 645 and RZ systems from Mamiya.

About the work of Stephen Edds are with a Bronica camera, is like if i want to play piano like Leonard Bernstein and need to buy a Steinway & Sons piano before do that :))

Hi Stephen,

an alternative is the rollei 6008-system. Build like a tank (heavy), with an excellent metering system,
bright screen and motorised filmtransport. Lenses are from Schneider or Zeiss (expensive, even used).

I wish you a successful project.

Frank

I have the Bronica 645 and its an amazing camera, produces beautifully detailed images..... consistently!

I looked at both the Bronica 6X7 and the Rollei 6008 but after long discussions with Rui i purchased the Mamiya RZ67 Pro II and i can tell you it is simply amazing. Best descission i have made regarding any camera equipment.
So i will tend to agree with Rui that the Mamiya lenses and system are first class! But in saying that the Bronica 6X7 was a very close second.
I think either way you cant go wrong!

Glen

Thanks Glen and everyone...this is all very fascinating....I will get back to you :)) I am looking forward to yet more opinions !!!

Not a comment on one camera vs the other Stephen - just a thought to put in your head as to whether one brand vs another has better servicing in Africa

Sebastião Salgado do a lot of work in africa with his Pentax 645 and in latter times he use also a Mamiya RZ67 in his last project.

But he have a team of assistants to do everything, carrying stuff, repair it, put film in backs etc etc

I do some street documentary, portraiture, landscape in last April on Sahara desert in north of Africa with the Mamiya RZ67 and a monopod. Never forget the face of a Reuters photographer in Ait- Ben Addou village when se me using the RZ67 and tripod inside the village.

His face was more or less like this : =8-()

Don't worry Rui....I have a lot of staff ! :))

I haven´t staff, but i allways carry the 6x7 myself with lot´s of fun :-)