Digital Medium Format Thread

Yes, I'm using full frame and looking to get into digital mf too. The depth of field control makes for 3D like images and those photos have a massive tonal range.
 
ecniv said:
Depends on the lens. Mitakon 65mm is very nice. and not too expensive. :) just keep on zooming....
Click to expand...

I've gone down the Pentax route as I have a film Pentax 645 with two zooms and a 2 x TC. The 645Z comes with an AF 45-80 lens so that frees up my MF lens to be sold on the film camera body to recover some of my 'investment' :rolleyes: It also comes with a MF 35mm prime that will be a very welcome addition.

I'm camped out near to the front gate waiting for the parcel to be delivered....... tomorrow!
 
Nice.

645z was digital if I remember correctly...

I've also got the 150mm and 200mm 645 pentax lenses and a 120mm macro. All work very well, all bought used in various conditions (macro has a busted adapter ring I think) plus a 2x extender with the 200mm.

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just checked dpreview... large cmos sensor --> biggger than the medium format?
Let us know how you get on with it. Seems to be around the same price as a used gfx 100s
 
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It is the 44x33 sensor, so not of the same size as 645 in film. Same as the digital Fuji, Hassleblad, et al.

Having the film Pentax 645 swung the decision for me in the Fuji v Pentax choice. Anything else is a big step up expense wise. I have Silkypix that I use for my Lumix S-1 so I can hit the ground running and with the Pentax lenses being so cheap I'll expect to add a macro lens in due course.

I have only run one roll of film through the 645 having bought it instead of going digital. However, I can't help associating the shutter sound with "Kerching!! Another four Euros down the drain." And, something popped up on a saved search on the Freeads..........

I can resist everything except temptation ;)
 
The Pentax 645Z is a beast! More buttons than on an accordion.

I didn't have time for the familarisation course so just winged it on the afternoon dog walk. Along the way I discovered that the previous owner had the camera set on a fluid iso setting and on JPG capture, not RAW. I also 'lost' autofocus and couldn't find the damned switch except by accident :rolleyes:

As a result I wasted a virtual roll of 120 film and have only kept one photo out of the batch.

Memorial de Chassenon P645Z by Clive Kenyon, on Flickr


Its only done just over 5K clicks. Not yet run in. :)
 
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Same pic in black n white btw
Pentax 120mm macro bought used and slight abused, but is fine for me :D

Its when you zoom on the light to see the printed icons... wow ;)



Still trying to get those small flowers blowing in the wind.... sigh .. close I think but more practice needed :D
 
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I'm getting the hang of the P645Z now. It had been cutomised to the previous owner's taste and was counter intuative to my Lumix S1. Half a day in the field has answered some of my questions.

With the autofocus FA 45-85 @ f11

Church de St Coutant.jpg


And the manual focus A 80-160 set wide open @ 4.5

resistance memorial 1.jpg
 
I went to a local village this morning determined to get to grips with the P645Z. It is only a small village, but there is a wealth of subjects to photograph.
St G de C Cemetery View 4419.jpg

St G de C Steps and Tower 4438.jpg

St G de C Cross & View 4437.jpg
 
One of my photographic subjects is old churches. I'm helping with a project to identify the pre-1000AD churches in France. I have been using a Lumix S1 and a Leicasonic V-LUX 114 both with image stabilising. The Lumix has a pretty good dynamic range, the V-LUX less so. I went to a local church yesterday with the P645Z to see how it fared. This photo was taken with a SMC A 35/f3.5 lens at f8 and a shutter speed of 1/125 hand held. The TAV function set an iso of 2000.

St G d C Church 30mm 4435.jpg

Same church using the SMC FA 45-85 AF lens, hand held at 1/125, f8, 64000iso

St G de C grave in church.jpg


And the same lens outside at a more reasonable iso

St G de C cross patees.jpg

All in all I am very happy with the P645Z. I'll probably keep the film body until next year just to use up the rolls of 120 I have.
 
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Today's dog walk featured my P645Z and an old aero plane.....

Fouga Magister 0018.jpg

Fouga Magister 0016.jpg

Fouga Magister 0019.jpg

Fouga Magister 0020.jpg


100% detail from last photo.....

crop_IMG0020.jpg .jpg
 
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A little bar in Sauvagnac, France with my P645Z. The dynamic range had to be stretched a little to include details of the interior

Sauvagnac Bar Window PTF 0026.jpg
 
Out and about with the P645Z this morning....

Sauvanac Leafy Bar 0090.jpg


Compreignac 0042 Edited.jpg

Both with the SMC A 35mm manual focus lens.
 
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Since getting the P645Z I haven't had much chance to do much photography because of the oppressive heat. Most of the usage has been the odd foray stalking old churches for the project that I help out with. I've been using the Pentax to take the record shots and found that the incredible dynamic range has come in very useful. Typically I need iso of 6400 to 25000 inside the churches to be able to hand hold the camera. If I used a tripod it would take me hours to do what I achieve in 20 minutes. One of the features of the P645Z is a TAV function that lets me set a shutter speed and aperture and the camera sets the iso. I don't have to keep my eye on the display as when using the 45-85mm FA zoom or 35mm MF prime it is set at f8 & 1/125 and it is point and shoot. With the other cameras; Lumix S1 & Leica V-LUX I had the benefit of IS, but sometimes had to stop down to f4 or select a very low shutter speed or increase the iso value to be able to get the shot.

My normal routine is to photograph the outside with the 35mm lens set at the optimum hyperfocal focus for f8 then take interior wide angle shots before switching to an AF zoom lens to record detail inside then outside. No faffing about remembering to swap iso values. Just point and shoot. Most of the time I can get away with just one lens change. Occasionally I have to put the 80-160mm on to get a bit closer to the carvings on the pillars.

I've also used it 'off duty' for recording scenes that I have come across along the way. I've deliberately forced myself not to re-take local subjects that I have taken with my other cameras and tried to find new scenes to record. Obviously with the outdoor subjects I am not using the top end of the iso range, but I still use the TAV function along with the wheel controls that I have programmed to have the AV change by the front wheel and the TV by the rear wheel. I still hand hold the camera so just make sure that the shutter speed is fast enough to prevent camera shake with the reassurance that if I change the TV the AV remains at what it was set at as the camera adjust the iso to suit.

I use Adobe Elements to convert and develop the RAW files and am content with the results so far.

The dynamic range is impressive. I the original there was no detail in the nearest door.

Epenede Door Test 0190.jpg


There isn't much light in most old churches. Despite that I can hand hold the Pentax.

Compreignac 0058.jpg


Recovering the bleached out highlights in the midday sun.

Monument de Chassenon.jpg


Colour rendition isn't too bad either

Sunflower side on P645Z.jpg
 
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