Anyone using MF for Train Photography?

jmooney · Sep 2, 2009

Just curious if there are any railfans/rail photographers using MF. If so what do you use and how do you get on with it? Feel free to share pics too

Take care,

Jim

BobbyChitrakar · Sep 2, 2009

Cameras I use are the Rolleiflex 3.5 E2, Rolleicord VB and the Mamiya 645. Ilford Pan F 50, FP 4 +...

jp80874 · Sep 2, 2009

I have taken a tripod, RZ67 and a 250mm lens to Cass W VA for the Shay rides up the mountain. They have photo events where they take a load of photographers up the mountain, stop at scenic spots, dump the photographers and promise they will come back with the train. The train with 2 or 3 engines goes out of sight, then puffs around the curve to much clicking of cameras. It is a beautiful place and the engines are great, but it is rough gong up and down wet steel steps angled on the hill with that heavy and cumbersome a rig. I would prefer going up the hill in a jeep, setting up the 7x17 and awaiting the arrival of the train. Unfortunately that was not offered when I was there.

John Powers

jmooney · Sep 2, 2009

Any picture of the Shay's that you can post John? I love those little workhorses.

DWThomas · Sep 2, 2009

Hmmm - it's sort of on my do-list. I used to chase steam excursions with a 4x5 and 35mm, so I assume my Bronica would be a nice middle-of-the-road (track?) compromise. At one point in ancient history, I bent up a rectangular frame of aluminum bar and carved two wooden grips, one on each side, with cable releases fitted through holes. The 4x5 (B&J Press) mounted on the bottom bar inside the frame, and a 35mm SLR mounted on top served as a viewfinder. I could sometimes get several shots with the 35mm, but tried to be disciplined ("don't shoot 'til you see the whites of their eyes") for the one large format shot possible on any one pass.

There's a few samplings scattered through here, but there are many more slides to scan (that's also on the do-list). I plan on some hanging out along the former Reading East Penn Branch one of these days, that carries quite a bit of traffic.

A year or so back I was just setting up, Bronica on tripod, to photograph a building in Fleetwood when the crossing lights next to me started flashing. I swiveled the camera around, composed and pressed the button -- and the dark slide was still in. So after fumbling, I got this:

Better luck next time!

DaveT

archphoto · Sep 2, 2009

I have photographed trains with about all the diferent MF I have owned and own, did quite a bit on 35mm aswell.
Europe has a great railroad system, Brazil, at least the part where I live now, has nothing.

Peter

Dave in Kansas · Sep 2, 2009

Some years ago (about 22) I picked up a C330 TLR that I thought would make a good camera for railroad photography. I used it on a steam excursion back in the early '90s and was very please with it. I've since picked up a Pentax 645 and had it out over the weekend and happened to catch the eastbound Amtrak on its way to St. Louis. With its autowind I was able to get 2 shots whereas with the TLR I probably would have only gotten one shot. So I'm thinking the Pentax would be a good choice for such an activity.

For stationary RR photography, I might still be inclined to use either the 330 or maybe my SQ-A, or maybe something else. Sometimes I make the mistake of taking too much equipment with me and then it gets in the way.

Dave

Rick Olson · Sep 2, 2009

Yes .. I use a Pentax 67II for my rail photography when motion capture is required. I have also used my 5 x 7 on the East Broad Top Railroad in Pennsylvania to photograph the yard and shops. I will be going to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in New Mexico soon and will be taking the Pentax 67II with Kodak TMY to stop the action. This camera can also be handheld with good results if careful.

Rick

Dave in Kansas · Sep 2, 2009

Rick,

Your 67II should be a good choice for shooting that RR. I was there before I had any MF equipment, but got some great shots of the RR in Chama with my 4 x 5 Speed Graphic. You might also want to consider taking your 5 x 7.

I found it very difficult to shoot anything from the train due to the motion.

Dave

Ian Grant · Sep 2, 2009

Did some with the Rolleiflex 3.5E last Easter, but the negs are a few thousand miles away

When in the UK I have a Preserved line 10 minutes walk away, usually I shoot LF, restrictions are much tiggter than they used to be.

Well it's medium format compared to shooting with the 10x8. 120 in pre-1950's books is known as a Miniature format alongside 35mm.

Ian

jp80874 · Sep 2, 2009

jmooney said:
Any picture of the Shay's that you can post John? I love those little workhorses.

Sorry, no working scanner at present. Here is their web site. http://www.cassrailroad.com/shay6.html
They link to two other RR in the mountains. You can concentrate on Shays or play around. It makes a great week or weekend.

John

rudolf · Sep 2, 2009

I know a guy, who - whenever we go near the railroad - has to make some photo with trains or something related it.
As far as I know him, he makes his work with Hasselblad (earlier works) and Mamiya 6 (recently).

You can see some samples here:
http://robertkresa.com/iSTC.html
(he joined apug recently, so maybe he'll tell some additional info).

Best regards,

DWThomas · Sep 2, 2009

O Shay can you see

jmooney said:
Any picture of the Shay's that you can post John? I love those little workhorses.

Not John, but ....

Cass Shay #5 IIRC, an oil burner from a California operation and not so little - 70 tons, I think

(Scans of 4x5 negatives)

DaveT

gordrob · Sep 3, 2009

I use a Mamiya Press 6x9 or Linhof V when I am photographing (chasing) steam trains. This year was a bit of a bummer since they did not run the CPR Empress for some reason. I will try and get a couple of scans done of some of the shots I have. There is not a lot of steam trains in our area so chances of photographing them are rare. The last chance to get photos will be on the weekend of Sept 19 and 20 when they will run the CNR 6060 for 2 day excursions in central Alberta.
Gord

Slixtiesix · Sep 3, 2009

Check out the picture by Heidi Niemala in this gallery.
Dead Link Removed
This train seems to be huge!

Robert Kresa · Sep 3, 2009

Well, rudolf has forestalled me, I don't know what could I add more.
He wrote about the cameras, and I think that's exactly an answer to
the question. The interesting thing is, last year I learnt that in
Poland walking on the railroads is forbidden, and that lesson cost me
10 euros fee.
I felt a little bit uncertain here as well. I was just waiting for
being chased for invasion on private property:

Recently I work on pictures, say, of panoramic character. Although the
camera is less than 24x35, total area is almost 6x4,5

http://robertkresa.com/PAN28.html
http://robertkresa.com/PAN29.html

nuckabean · Sep 3, 2009

I've taken a couple pictures of trains on my Mamiya 7

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nategrossman/3721500533/in/set-72157621348225107/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nategrossman/3503723526/in/set-72157615777107903/

jmooney · Sep 4, 2009

Excellent images everyone! Thanks for sharing them. I think I'm going to give it a go with MF for trains....now to pick a camera

Robert Kresa · Sep 4, 2009

Do you think about a panoramic camera? It maybe more useful than a standard MF.

Sirius Glass · Sep 4, 2009

Great photos! Now if I could just find a train ...

Steve

JonPorter · Sep 6, 2009

I use a Bronica SQ-Ai, mainly with the 110mm lens. I've also recently acquired a Pentax 67, since most railroad shots tend to be rectangular in composition. I use prisms with both cameras; waist-level finders are just too awkward for action shots, especially if I'm hand-holding the camera.

brian steinberger · Sep 7, 2009

jmooney, any MF camera will work well for train photography. My personal preference is for a MF rangefinder. They are small and light and can be used handheld much easier than say a Hasselblad or RB67. MF SLR's will be better if you're going to be photographing close ups of trains or need long lenses to photograph trains from a distance. You should first make a choice between an SLR or a rangefinder, then after you make that decision you can choose which format. Here's a photograph I took with the Bronica RF645 and 45mm lens.

mightyomega · Sep 7, 2009

Ah! Medium format and trains?!? I've shot trains with everything from a Super Ikonta BX down to a Agfa Cadet. My flickr photostream is filled with train pictures I took with medium format cameras. I most often use one or another of my Ikontas these days.
About half or more of the pictures in this set were taken with MF cameras including an Ernemann Film K and 6x4.5 and 6x6 Zeiss Ikon Ikontas and Nettars.
I'm not a great photographer, but I have fun playing with my toys

jmooney · Sep 8, 2009

Thanks for all the info and inspiration! I really enjoyed seeing all of your images as well, please keep them coming!

I got really lucky on eBay over the weekend and picked up an RB67 Pro-S w/waistlevel, 120 Pro-S back, and 90mm for $163.00! I'm really excited for it to arrive. I'll be heading out after some trains soon after I get my hands on it.

jmooney · Sep 8, 2009

brian steinberger said:
jmooney, any MF camera will work well for train photography. My personal preference is for a MF rangefinder. They are small and light and can be used handheld much easier than say a Hasselblad or RB67. MF SLR's will be better if you're going to be photographing close ups of trains or need long lenses to photograph trains from a distance. You should first make a choice between an SLR or a rangefinder, then after you make that decision you can choose which format. Here's a photograph I took with the Bronica RF645 and 45mm lens.

Great shot Brian! You bring up some interesting points and I'll probably wind up using a combination of both. I've already go an RB67 on the way but it's not the most portable and I really miss my Leica M6 but would prefer the larger negative so I'll be adding a MF RF to the bag soon too.

Jim

Anyone using MF for Train Photography?

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