Nav: Home
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?
May 23, 2012, 20:08

Login with username, password and session length

MicrostockGroup

Microstockgroup Sponsors


« previous next »
Pages: [1] Print

Topic: Anyone shoot medium format FILM  

(Read 4246 times)
leaf
« on: January 19, 2010, 04:31 »

So you know that old stuff... film?!

I thought it would be fun to get an old TLR camera like a Yashica or Rolleiflex if I felt  wanted to spend that much.  I like the process of shooting on film and miss it sometimes.  I shot and developed a lot on a 35mm film camera but I think if I went with film now I would want to have a medium format camera.

So does anyone else shoot medium format film, and if so, what camera do you use?  Any suggestions for me?


Ignore | Logged


DepositPhotos.com
RT

Dreamstime GaugeiStock Gauge
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2010, 05:38 »

Why not get a Hassy 503CW, then you could have the best of both worlds if you bought a digital back for it. (Expensive I know but it's an option)



Ignore | Logged


leaf
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2010, 05:49 »

Why not get a Hassy 503CW, then you could have the best of both worlds if you bought a digital back for it. (Expensive I know but it's an option)



well I am not sure I want to spend that much.  but having a camera that I could use a digital back with (possibly eventually) could be nice.  I haven't checked out the weights, but I was under the impression that a TLR would be a fair bit lighter than a SLR for medium format, which is an advantage to me. 


Ignore | Logged


RT

Dreamstime GaugeiStock Gauge
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2010, 06:08 »

Why not get a Hassy 503CW, then you could have the best of both worlds if you bought a digital back for it. (Expensive I know but it's an option)



well I am not sure I want to spend that much.  but having a camera that I could use a digital back with (possibly eventually) could be nice.  I haven't checked out the weights, but I was under the impression that a TLR would be a fair bit lighter than a SLR for medium format, which is an advantage to me. 

Yeah not sure about the weight thing to be honest, I had the chance to use a 503 once a few years back, I can't remember weight being an issue, I only mentioned it because I had the exact same thought as you a while back and I did some looking around on eBay, and my desire gradually built up from one MF camera to another to another ending up with the 503CW, and no I haven't got one yet because even on eBay they fetch a fair price.
I like old cameras and every once in a while I buy one, last year I bought two mint Kodak brownies, the guy on eBay was selling them as a pair, when they arrived I was surprised to see they are indeed mint, in fact he put a note in saying one had never seen a film, still haven't used them they're in the back of the cupboard but one day I will.



Ignore | Logged


runamock



« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2010, 07:04 »

At the other end of the scale you could always get a Holga!


Ignore | Logged


Randy McKown


Dreamstime Gauge
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2010, 10:09 »

one of my favorite medium format cameras I used back in the day was a Mamiya 645 Pro with the power grip. I strongly recommend getting the power grip too .. Medium format with 35mm styled operation. It was an awesome camera back in the day.

Here's a good example of a used one I found on ebay .... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360202133443&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=WVF%3F&GUID=b81d0e381240a0269a736b93fffd91d3&itemid=360202133443&ff4=263602_263622


Ignore | Logged


WarrenPrice

Dreamstime GaugeiStock Gauge
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2010, 10:42 »

Still kicking myself for selling my Mamiya C330 when I "liquidated."   Cry

I'm looking now at a Minolta Autocord that my wife gave me to replace it.  She got it at a garage sale.  I'll get around to running a roll of film thru it one day ... maybe.   Sad


Ignore | Logged


leaf
« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2010, 11:08 »

hm, yeah those both look like nice cameras.  I think I am leaning towards a TLR camera. 


Ignore | Logged


PixelBitch



« Reply #8 on: January 19, 2010, 12:09 »

Go for the Rolleiflex...especially one with the Zeiss 80mm f2.8 lens...have worked with them in the past and they are gorgeous. Can also recommend getting a brighter focusing screen as the standard ones are a bit dark to work with. May be a bit pricier but in the long run well worth it!


Ignore | Logged


Newsfocus1
« Reply #9 on: January 19, 2010, 12:43 »

Like Warren I used a Mamiya TLR for many years. I lugged that and an Olympus OMI around Fleet Street for many years (B/W in the Mamiya and colour tran in the OMI -the latter for Television "stills"). Don't have either camera anymore. What I do still have is my first "proper" camera which I was given when I was eleven years old. A GB Kershaw 630 folding camera (120 format). Press a button on the top and the lens pops out on a little bellows arrangement. Some of the pictures I took on that then have sold on micro sites recently! I'll have to buy a roll of film for it sometime -just for fun. Regards, David.


Ignore | Logged


willie


« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2010, 13:54 »

in the 80's till the time i "half-retired"  i had both Rolleiflexes.

SLX for its motodrive for fashion, sports,etc..
the old Rolleiflex SL66 for its bellows Schemplufg advantage.

prior to that i was only carrying the Zone VI view, but after i got the older Rolleflex SL66with Schempflug, i used this more than the view, for obvious reasons, you 're more mobile.

if i were still working with the pro store, where i could get tons of films at a discount, and perks to all that's film, equipment,etc...
i would forget about digital.   with film you don't get the new problems that comes with digital medium.   the only problem being RF (reciprocity failure), and grain (which is not really a problem in our days),etc..
which are less complicated to prevent that the new anal monsters (banding, noise, CA, fringe,etc).

i only went digital because it's cheaper for my wallet . but if money and cost were the issue, i would still shoot with film . except with film slowly going obsolete , your options for films will be a problem today.

p.s.
i still have the 4x5 slides and 6x6 and other medium format films in my archives of old print boxes. they're impeccable. i wish i could pull them out of storage to scan them for stock. but i don't have the cash to get a scanner that will do these gorgeous images justice. anyone who has shot or seen an 8by10 slide or even 4 by 5  or the lesser 6by6 will tell you that it'll be a long time before digital can match . yes, in this sense, those were the best old days.
« Last Edit: January 19, 2010, 14:22 by PERSEUS »

Ignore | Logged


Mr. Stock


« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2010, 14:16 »

I used to love my Pentax 6x7, basically a super sized 35 mm SLR. Had to sale it years ago, wish I hadn't, slides so big you practically didn't need to print 'em. No need for a loupe most of the time.


Ignore | Logged


Zeus


Dreamstime GaugeiStock Gauge
« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2010, 14:27 »

A had a couple of Pentax 645s  for many years. Real work horses, cheap, great optics, fairly light. Would recommend.


Ignore | Logged


Blahh Bamm!

New Member


« Reply #13 on: May 25, 2010, 14:14 »

I've been shooting with a Minolta Autocord TLR for the past couple years and have been pretty happy with the results. They usually go for around 150-250 on the bay, for the money definitely a nice camera.

If you are buying from ebay make sure the sellers mentions a CLA (clean, lube, and adjust) these usually cost around 100-150 and are essential for a 50 year old camera.

Rollie is the king of the TLR for good reason though, I don't think my Autocord can match it for overall sharpness(though my autocord is dying for a CLA). If you want to spend a little more the Rollieflex SL66 looks really nice and not nearly as expensive as a Hasselblad.


Ignore | Logged


Dook


« Reply #14 on: May 25, 2010, 15:39 »

I have Kiev 60 with 80 2.8 and 120 2.8 lenses. Great and cheap camera. It was bought in Russia long time ago. But, it sits in the basement now.


Ignore | Logged


madelaide
« Reply #15 on: May 25, 2010, 16:52 »

I got this from Calumet today:

Quote
The truth is: film is alive. Many photographers find that film provides a superior level of quality for the money spent (if not altogether). This is particularly apparent when dealing with medium format film sizes like 120 and 220.

Realizing this, Fujifilm releases the GF670, a medium format film camera that seems destined to be a classic film camera for the post-film era. A Fujinon EBC 80mm lens extends from the GF760's foldable 6x6 and 6x7 dual-format body, ensuring pristine detail in a manageable size.

Beyond its available automatic aperture priority, the GF670 is a full manual camera—making it elegantly straightforward for pros who trust their photographic instincts. It might be surprising that there are few bells and whistles on the camera, but for the Fujifilm GF670, the proof is in the quality it produces.

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/331-335A/?t=CM02&a=CM02


Ignore | Logged


hqimages



« Reply #16 on: May 25, 2010, 18:05 »

Yup, with an agfa isolette II Smiley


Ignore | Logged


Jonathan Ross

Dreamstime GaugeiStock Gauge
« Reply #17 on: November 05, 2010, 17:33 »

 One of my highest selling images was shot on a Rolly in Amsterdam a few years back. I wanted to take a trip without all the digital and found it slowed me way down to focus even more on composition and concept. Fun thing to do. I still have two Mamiya 645 AFD if anyone wants to make an offer, lenses, case, filters, the works.


Ignore | Logged


WarrenPrice

Dreamstime GaugeiStock Gauge
« Reply #18 on: November 05, 2010, 18:33 »

I've been shooting with a Minolta Autocord TLR for the past couple years and have been pretty happy with the results. They usually go for around 150-250 on the bay, for the money definitely a nice camera.

If you are buying from ebay make sure the sellers mentions a CLA (clean, lube, and adjust) these usually cost around 100-150 and are essential for a 50 year old camera.

Rollie is the king of the TLR for good reason though, I don't think my Autocord can match it for overall sharpness(though my autocord is dying for a CLA). If you want to spend a little more the Rollieflex SL66 looks really nice and not nearly as expensive as a Hasselblad.

Me too (Minolta Autocord)  but it gets very little use.


Ignore | Logged


jbarber873


« Reply #19 on: November 05, 2010, 18:38 »

  It's funny because today i came across a couple of hass 500c/m's that i haven't used for some time. I looked up the price that i could get on a sale at KEH and it was $79 for the body. It's amazing how the price of the film cameras has fallen. They were and are great cameras, but time marches on. The rolleiflex is a great camera too. I had one for a while, but i like the hassleblad better. It's all personal choice i guess. The great thing is you can have your choice of cameras at bargain basement prices!


Ignore | Logged


crazychristina


iStock Gauge
« Reply #20 on: November 05, 2010, 21:23 »

Slightly OT, but I was reading about the making of the Swedish movie Let the Right  One In recently, and the director Tomas Alfredson said it was shot on film and wouldn't have looked the same shot digital.

I'm awaiting a digital MF camera, but today I hunted out my old Mamiya 645 and loaded up some out of date film I had in the fridge. I'll take it out later and see what I can find.


Ignore | Logged


traveler1116


« Reply #21 on: November 06, 2010, 11:55 »

Bronica ETRs, can't wait to get back home and shoot a few rolls actually I sometimes wish I had it on the road.  I would really like to get a fuji 6x9 or something similar but they are still pretty expensive.


Ignore | Logged


a1bercik


« Reply #22 on: November 06, 2010, 16:21 »

I use (sometimes) Yashica 124 TLR - it is very handy, light and reliable. In fact it is only 3,5 wide open but works for me.
There is still problem with processing - I can't find pro studio (close enough) to develop colours in London...


Ignore | Logged


grp_photo


« Reply #23 on: November 07, 2010, 01:37 »

the Yashica TLR is nice and cheap, otherwise you can buy a Pentax 645 (very handy old models are very cheap on ebay) and once you collected enough lenses for it you can upgrade it pretty cheap to the most advanced (autofocus, weather-sealed, sensor cleaning etc.) digital medium format camera on the market - the Pentax 645D (old lenses are full compatible with the new digital body).


Ignore | Logged


Jonathan Ross

Dreamstime GaugeiStock Gauge
« Reply #24 on: December 03, 2010, 14:20 »

Hi Leaf,

 I still have two Mamiya 645 AFD bodies and several lenses. I like the 645 format as it feels like a 35 when looking through, it also gives you more frames per roll especially when shooting 220. These cameras can also be used with a digital back. Great camera, I started shooting stock on them and used Portra neg. film then scanned on an Imacon scanner, boy that was a lot of work compared to today. They are all just taking up space in storage.

Best,
Jonathan


Ignore | Logged


Microstock InsiderEnvateo Photo Tools
Pages: [1] Print 
« previous next »
Jump to:  


Related Topics
Subject Started by Replies Views Last post
Nikon Medium Format - MX
Cameras / Lenses
leaf 11 2613 Last post October 15, 2008, 17:23
by Vonkara
Digital Back for Medium Format?
Cameras / Lenses
RGebbiePhoto 2 1021 Last post November 20, 2008, 23:50
by bravajulia
Anyone using medium format?
Cameras / Lenses
leaf 14 2174 Last post October 10, 2009, 03:48
by leaf
Pentax 645D - Medium Format 40 MP
Cameras / Lenses
leaf 3 1268 Last post May 20, 2010, 09:09
by leaf
Editorials of film shoot - what are the "rules"?
General Stock Discussion
click_click 4 444 Last post May 20, 2011, 12:48
by click_click

TinyPortal v1.0.5 beta 1© Bloc