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EdinburghGary

EdinburghGary

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Gary
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Hi Guys,

Suppose someone wanted to spend £500 to £1,000 on me at Xmas....and suppose I wanted to play about with a Medium Format camera for LANDSCAPES (film), without needing to process myself (ie, I use a shop to get prints....).....

What would you recommend? :)
 
Mamiya twin lens job. I've got one and it's a real treat to use. I have had Bronicas (all sold now) but have always enjoyed using the Mamiya.

It is totaly manual (doesn't even need a battery) and is proper, pld fashioned photography with great picture if you get it all right. You will learn lots about photography using this sort of camera.
 
It would really depend on which format you prefer; the common ones are 6x4.5, 6x6 or 6x7, less common is 6x9 and panoramic is 6x12 and 6x17.

For 645 I've owned both the Bronica ETRSi and Mamiya 645ProTL. I didn't get on with the layout of the Bronica although I recognise that it's a fine camera and the lenses are quality. My preference was for the Mamiya 645, I just preferred the handling.

For 6x6 I had a Mamiya C330f and although it's a bit quirky to use, it was a lot of fun. I didn't feel the lens quality was up to the standard of the others I've owned.

I used to own an extensive RB67 ProSD kit and this was probably my favourite camera of all time. It was very heavy to lug around all day in the field but was a joy to use. When I started travelling more I traded it for a Mamiya 7II, still in 6x7. This had probably the highest quality glass of all the MF systems I've used and the results were stunning.

For panoramic I had an Art Panorma 617 and this was loads of fun to use but somewhat specialist.

For between £500 and £1000 you could pick up a decent MF kit for all those mentioned above with the exception of the ArtPan. If you look in the For Sale section you'll see that I'm selling both my Mamiya 7II and 645 ProTL.
 
Also depends on the format you want to use, the 645, 6x7 or 6x9 will be similar to the Nikon you use, oblong on shape but the 6x6 ones are square which some people love (me included).

Personally I would go for either the Mamiya 330f model or the Bronica SQAi ones (Cherryrig uses a Bronica SQA)

Both models are very cheap to get hold of these days and give excellent results.
 
oh oh this is the man that doesn't print his pics this could be intresting i would love to see you in costco once you get them just ripping them up infront of the girl at the counter along with the line ****, crap, ****, minted, WTF and WAFD to see them :)

Michael
 
stressless said:
oh oh this is the man that doesn't print his pics this could be intresting i would love to see you in costco once you get them just ripping them up infront of the girl at the counter along with the line ****, crap, ****, minted, WTF and WAFD to see them :)

Michael
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Costco :runaway:

Not sure they would process.
 
they do they have one of those big old funny boxes with the gloves at the start so you can get into the film wothout it hitting the daylight....... the gloves are mostly used now-a-days for getting the dust off the top of it though!
 
rent one from calmulet you will be bored within 2 weeks waiting for pics to be processed is so 90's.
 
what do you get to do instead of viewing the picture on the screen after you have taken a picture?
 
stressless said:
what do you get to do instead of viewing the picture on the screen after you have taken a picture?
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Pray you got the shot or take another just in case...

Or just look automatically at the back of the camera anyway and then remember you've got the film camera this time...

(I do both of the above).
 
Gary, knowing the format of your pics, and being a man of means, I'd like to see you go for a panoramic camera. Not sure how expensive they are (damned, i think), but that would give you something really cool to play with. :D
 
Dude I will call my Great Grandad, he might have one of these "so called cameras" kicking about in the spare room. He swears by it, but he is as blind as a bat, as are most people who think they produce good results.
 
68lbs said:
Gary, knowing the format of your pics, and being a man of means, I'd like to see you go for a panoramic camera. Not sure how expensive they are (damned, i think), but that would give you something really cool to play with. :D
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I LOVE the panoramic format. Its awesome.
 
you could just get CS4 and use the stitch feature
 
stressless said:
what do you get to do instead of viewing the picture on the screen after you have taken a picture?
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Hey Phyllis, some of us like working without the safety net you know. ;);)

Personally, unless you're buying a system for using with a digiback I'd forget 645. The prices between the various formats are so close now that if you're going MF, you might as well get a decent sized neg. For me that means 6*6 or upwards.

The square has always been my fave (apart from 6*17 which is a whole other budget all together) as it's the hardest to work with. The mamiya TLR's offer the best IQ for your money but I never got on with them at all. The bronny SQ is a delight in my book and of course, if money allows, the hassy is a timeless classic.

The DADDY of MF has to be the Mamiya RB67. Nothing sounds like it, feels like it, or works like it. If big and beastly isn't your thing then the Mamiya rangefinders are truly exquisite, in either 6*6 or 6*7 flavours.

It's a big old choice but in truth, there are no bad ones really. :D
 
dazzajl said:
Hey Phyllis, some of us like working without the safety net you know. ;);)

Personally, unless you're buying a system for using with a digiback I'd forget 645. The prices between the various formats are so close now that if you're going MF, you might as well get a decent sized neg. For me that means 6*6 or upwards.

The square has always been my fave (apart from 6*17 which is a whole other budget all together) as it's the hardest to work with. The mamiya TLR's offer the best IQ for your money but I never got on with them at all. The bronny SQ is a delight in my book and of course, if money allows the hassy is a timeless classic.

The DADDY of MF has to be the Mamiya RB67. Nothing sounds like it, feels like it, or works like it. If big and beastly isn't your thing then the Mamiya rangefinders are truly exquisite, in either 6*6 or 6*7 flavours.

It's a big old choice but in truth, there are no bad ones really. :D
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6 x 17 ?

Thanks for the info on other models too.
 
EdinburghGary said:
6 x 17 ?
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the height of panoramic shooting. Think of it as a half frame 5x7inch large format machine using 120 roll film.

I had the Fuji kit that lets you fit a viewfinder to to the top, giving you a monster of a rangefinder or (and by far the best way) you can compose on ground glass and do it the real way.

The best camera I've ever owned by miles.
 
EdinburghGary said:
6 x 17 ?
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6cm by 17cm

Made by the likes of Fuji 617 prices start around £2500 used
Art Panoramic about £1500 but not sure
Fotoman 617 about the same price
Oh Linhof 617 again about the same price as the Fuji

6x17 = 4 shots per role of 120 film.
 
dazzajl said:
the height of panoramic shooting. Think of it as a half frame 5x7inch large format machine using 120 roll film.

I had the Fuji kit that lets you fit a viewfinder to to the top, giving you a monster of a rangefinder or (and by far the best way) you can compose on ground glass and do it the real way.

The best camera I've ever owned by miles.
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Compose on Ground Glass? Man, this is all alien to me...
 
this is all alien to me...
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So was the nikon when you turned up here about 5 mins ago. ;):D

Basically, you open the lens and where the film goes, you have a piece of glass that you see the image on. It's dark, hard to see, upside down and back to front.

You'll love it. :LOL:(y)
 
dazzajl said:
So was the nikon when you turned up here about 5 mins ago. ;):D

Basically, you open the lens and where the film goes, you have a piece of glass that you see the image on. It's dark, hard to see, upside down and back to front.

You'll love it. :LOL:(y)
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That one with the view finder sounds easier :)
 
Gary - for that kind of money I'd start off on something like a Bronica SQA and get a couple of lens and back options - say a 40 or 50mm (very wide angle for MF) and 75/80mm lens (like a 50mm on your D3) and three backs - 6 x 4.5, a 6 x 6 and a polaroid back.

This will give you a nice selection of options and a quality camera. You asked for some MF examples - have a look at the "Show us yer film shots then" thread - nice mix of both MF and 35mm to show you the difference. Otherwise, let me know and I'll post up some of my own MF shots (y)

Oh, BTW - the waist-level viewfinder totally rocks. Being able to see your shot without pressing your eye up to the camera is too cool ;)
 
EdinburghGary said:
Would love to see some images taken with these...
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There's not much to see on a screen over and above a digital image, they just look cropped to one shape or another with a filmy feel.
There are loads of film shots in this thread, 35 645 6x6 6x7 6x9 and 5x4.
And a lightbox shot comparing some sizes.
I'm amazed how insular the film forum can feel, I always thought everybody read everything, even if they don't admit it, though I gotta say, I don't see much of post processing and business..:LOL:
 
Hi Gary if you go with medium format the best film processor is pyramid Imaging at the moment in the Grassmarket but moving soon to Jane Street Leith.
Guid Health:beer::beer::beer:
 
ekimeno said:
Gary, actually, I think you'll like these MF landscape shots of Glencoe, Scotland - taken by forum member alan89w on both Hasselblad and Bronica MF cameras
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Those images are sooo nice!!!:love:

I'm shooting with a Bronica SQ-A and I must say at the moment it's one of my most used cameras. I don't know why, but just the images you can get from them are soo nice and there is just something about the 6x6 look
 
Hasselblad :)

Mine was under £500 so you could add some serious glass within your budget :)
 
I've got a Fuji GSW690 Mk2. Takes 6x9. Fixed lens rangefinder. Legendary picture quality. Some examples in my gallery under Velvia 50 scans.
 
whats to think about, forget about film get a grip of yourself man, 2009 is the end of film dead and burried as it should have been 15 years ago! i could give you some matches and it would be the same as buying one, burn the money you could even get a great shot while you are at it!

Michael
 
stressless said:
whats to think about, forget about film get a grip of yourself man, 2009 is the end of film dead and burried as it should have been 15 years ago! i could give you some matches and it would be the same as buying one, burn the money you could even get a great shot while you are at it!

Michael
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:LOL: Knob :D
 
Hi Gary

Find your processor first, make sure you can actually get them processed easily.

stew
 
artona said:
Hi Gary

Find your processor first, make sure you can actually get them processed easily.

stew
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WIll do, its still a debate whether I do this or not. There is part of me that says "no more gear" until at least I learn how to master what I have!
 
I've used a few MF cameras, and currently have a Hasselblad 501CM and an RB67 ProS. The Hasselblad is just sex in metal, but if I had to pick a working camera, it would be the RB67 all day long for the larger format, the revolving back, close up ability right out of the tin with the bellows focusing, and ability to shoot different neg sizes with different backs. It is a big beast in every way, but that's probably part of it's appeal for me.

The RB range is now replaced by the RZ range, and I think it was a backward step - the RZs are plastic bodies and battery dependent, although they do offer electronic shutters. The RB's are purely mechanical no bartteries required.

Have a look on ebay, you can pick up nice RBs or RZs very cheaply along with bits for them.
 
Digital backs are available for the RBs and the blads now if you were thinking about future proofing your choice. ;)
 
CT said:
Digital backs are available for the RBs and the blads now if you were thinking about future proofing your choice. ;)
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CT thats what scares me more than anything £££ :)
 
CT said:
Digital backs are available for the RBs and the blads now if you were thinking about future proofing your choice. ;)
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Talking of which CT. Do you think the likes of the Hassleblad H3D-II 39mp model, do you feel they still have that "magical" MF feeling I hear so much about. Do they capture the same feel so to speak...
 
What is it about MF that you want in particular? If you've not shot film before and don't know if you'll like it why not get a decent Nikon film body with which you can use your existing lenses. Also have you checked out the cost of process and print on 120 over 35mm, there's quite a difference in it. Due to my high failure rate during the early stages I'm not getting my film printed yet due to the cost of producing mediocrity. Instead I just get them developed and scan the reasonable ones at home so you might want to factor in about £200 for a decent MF film scanner.
 
EdinburghGary said:
Talking of which CT. Do you think the likes of the Hassleblad H3D-II 39mp model, do you feel they still have that "magical" MF feeling I hear so much about. Do they capture the same feel so to speak...
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LOL. I instinctively don't like' em just looking at the appearance of them. :puke:

I can't speak from any experience of them at all, but I've no doubt they're an awesome digital camera on the large format, and blads come with Carl Zeiss lenses, which is about as good as it gets. I doubt they'll have the same feel quite honestly, but this is the route Hasselblad have had to go if they want to survive in the current market. All the pros are dropping their film blads for 'em which is why if you were so inclined you can pick up a mint blad for comparitive peanuts - less than the price of many decent lenses for your DSLR, and it will without doubt outlive you even with regular use. ;)

On the other hand Ffordes are still selling off the last of their Mamiya Pro SD's complete and brand new in the box for around £750 quid which is a steal and would make a lot of sense if you wanted a camera to keep and use - bullet proof build and reliability.
 
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