Borrowing a medium format camera for project.

daz103

daz103

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Darren
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Cheeky request, I know, but I am heading to Poland at the beginning of June and I am looking to do a project whilst I am there. I really want to do it on medium format film.

I was wondering if any nice person on here be willing to lend me a camera and lens. I will pay for any postage incurred and the camera will be added to my insurance.

I would be massively grateful. Thanks.
 
Hi daz,

have you looked on the various "find me a medium format camera" threads in the F&C section? It might be that you could get something suitable for less than you think and that would then be all yours!

If you're still set on borrowing, then some more info would be helpful - what style of camera, does it need interchangeable lenses, what format (there's a noticeable difference between the various MF image formats), what effective focal lengths (if you're not used to MF fields of view, then a "50mm lens in 35mm format" or whatever would be helpful).

Please don't take this as a negative comment - it's just that you've posted one of those "how long is a piece of string" requests!

Also, do you know in advance what film you wanted to shoot it with? There are loads of threads with examples from various film stocks so that you can choose if you're not sure.

Come by the F&C section, we don't bite!
 
Cuchulainn said:
Hi daz,

have you looked on the various "find me a medium format camera" threads in the F&C section? It might be that you could get something suitable for less than you think and that would then be all yours!

If you're still set on borrowing, then some more info would be helpful - what style of camera, does it need interchangeable lenses, what format (there's a noticeable difference between the various MF image formats), what effective focal lengths (if you're not used to MF fields of view, then a "50mm lens in 35mm format" or whatever would be helpful).

Please don't take this as a negative comment - it's just that you've posted one of those "how long is a piece of string" requests!

Also, do you know in advance what film you wanted to shoot it with? There are loads of threads with examples from various film stocks so that you can choose if you're not sure.

Come by the F&C section, we don't bite!
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply. I am probably looking for something like a 645 type of thing with something between a 50- 80mm lens. i am still deciding on the film stock.

Possibly would also consider a mamiya rz or rb, but might be a bit over the top for plane travel.
 
You could pickup a Bronica ETRS for very little money. And then just sell it on when you return. I sold a whole load for my father in law a few months back on eBay (all mint and boxed) and was amazed at how little it goes for. Lenses go for around £50, the body under £100, film back £20 etc,.
 
Cool. Do you have access to 120 film development facilities? The reason I'm asking is that June isn't far away and if you've not got experience with MF and recent experience with film, then you might be disappointed in the outcome if you don't get half a dozen rolls through your camera before leaving.

Naturally, if you're a pro with 20 years experience before moving to digital them my apologies - it's just painful to see people slate film after a couple of bad experiences when a bit of guidance beforehand would have had a different end opinion (though not necessarily result - some people don't like it, and that's fine)
 
I have not had much experience with 120 film, but have used 35mm for a number of years before going digital.

This is part of the reason I would like to borrow one for this project as I am not entirely sure if I will get the most out of it, but I feel that the way of working would benefit me for this project.

I am planning on having the negs scanned.
 
120 is a completely different beast than 35mm. Most 120 is a different ratio to 35mm film, loads differently, most medium format cameras are very different in design to 35mm cameras, most have no metering (or if they do, primitive at best).

Medium format SLRs have mirror slap that means anything slower than 1/30s is likely to have blur (that is very generalised, but for the most part true), and anything with a waist level viewfinder will have an image reversed. Their controls tend to be have very different layouts to most 35mm cameras as well.

It generally takes a bit of getting used to, more than you might think.
 
Why not buy, then you can sell for pretty much what you paid for it.

With all due respect, why would anyone loan you stuff for free? Whats in it for them and what if damage happens?
 
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