The Cameras

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Contax 645, Fuji 400H, 80mm lens, f/2.8. Nogales, AZ.

THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF FILM CAMERAS ON THE MARKET (AND A FEW IN YOUR GRANDPARENTS’ ATTIC), BUT WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU? LET’S NARROW THE CHOICES SIGNIFICANTLY TO MAKE GETTING STARTED EASIER.

Medium Format

CONTAX 645. THE CADILLAC OF MEDIUM FORMAT.

This is my workhorse and my baby: the Contax 645.

Let’s start with my basic outfit, which I recommend to anyone who’s serious about shooting medium format film: the Contax 645 with 80mm f/2 lens, back with 120/220 insert, battery grip, and metered prism. (The prism is the part that you look through. It’s mounted on top of the camera ...

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