Sirs

I am gored by the horns of a dilemma. I wish to seek the collective wisdom of this forum to help answer my $64000 question: should I invest in a 35mm SLR all-singing-all-dancing AF system? I mean to work in fashion photography and I already own Mamiya 645 and 67 systems. For my kind of work can a state-of-the-art 35mm bring with it any advantages over an MF system? Or can a 645 suitably work in place of one in terms of handling speed and spontaneity of work? I seek the advice of those who have used both formats and why they have chosen to stick with one over the other. My heart tells me to invest in a Leica M6 rangefinder system for my own satisfaction but my mind tells me that perhaps a Canon or Nikon will make more business sense.

-- rene (renequan@goplay.com), February 08, 1999

Answers

Rene, Your interest is fashion photography, and you already have Mamiya 645 and 67 systems? And you're fretting about the need to acquire a 35mm SLR system? Why? You've already got superb equipment for your stated purpose. Stop obsessing about hardware and learn to use effectively what you've already got.

-- Dave Kemp (Lempda@worldnet.att.net), February 10, 1999.

I'm with Dave on this one. Besides, your Mamiya cameras have interchangabale backs, which means they're ready for prime time when digital back prices come down out of the stratosphere.

-- Darron Spohn (dspohn@clicknet.com), February 10, 1999.

Follow your heart.

You are the one and ONLY person who knows what is right for the way you see and the way you shoot.

Life's too short...

-- Altaf Shaikh (nissar@idt.net), February 14, 1999.

Don't think you need anymore equipment but if you're a camera junkie, then follow you heart and get that M6! Its the last camera you ever want (not need)!

-- Alf (alf@hotmail.com), July 27, 1999.

Your desire for an M6 leads me to believe that you need to scratch the new gear itch something bad, that's means something exotic. Call Leica and ask them if they have some of those special edition M's left, you know the ones, gold plated, lizard skin, etc, etc:-) Seriously though, the Mamiya's will do fine for fashion and if you have $6400 lying around, get the M6, it'll hold tit's value well also should the need to sell arise. If you have an actual photographic goal you need to achieve with this $6400, I don't think the M6 is the answer to anything but pleasure, enjoyment, and the occasional stunning photo that is actually in focus (sorry Leica folks:).

-- Devin Brande (brande@shoreham.net), July 30, 1999.