Deciding which format to take and use.

rayonline_nz · Aug 30, 2016

For those of you who shoot multiple formats. Do you just decide one format? When I go on trips especially on travel let's say a smaller town so it is more do'able. The 35mm film cameras are so much more agile and that one can get bulk b/w film. On the other hand there is medium format with the larger negative but it may not be as finese. Although there are 120 rangefinders ......

Like to know your thoughts.

Cheers.

Vaughn · Aug 30, 2016

Depends on what project I am working on...or put another way, it depends on why I am photographing. My projects tend to be very loose, but often format and printing process dependent.

Jim Jones · Aug 30, 2016

Good 35mm cameras can deliver quality photos that satisfy most users. There is a greater range of cameras, lenses, and film available than for larger cameras. You don't have to carry so many rolls of film and change it so often. It's a clear-cut decision for me.

Theo Sulphate · Aug 30, 2016

Prime rule for me is to take just one camera and one lens. I like to travel extremely light.

If it's a multi-day or longer trip, I use 35mm. If it's a one day trip (out and back on same day), I may choose medium or large format.

Now that I have Minoxes and a Pentax 110, I may use one of those on multi-day trips. With the Pentax 110, I wouldn't mind taking three lenses since they're so small.

BrianShaw · Aug 30, 2016

I travel with one format, and one camera. I pick the format/camera based on the most useful at the location. I might bring multiple lenses and a tripod/monopod. Sometimes it's a folding 35mm rangefinder, and sometimes it's a speed graphic. I once traveled with lots of gear but grew weary of carrying it all.

mshchem · Aug 30, 2016

I have RZ 67s behemoth, but great. My daily shooter now is a Bronica SQ-AI, it's about half the size of the RZ. HOWEVER if I could only take one camera, hands down a Fuji GW 690 II or III. These cameras can still be found occasionally in prime condition huge 6x9 negative (which you better have a darkroom or prepare to send to a pro lab for printing ) totally mechanical, no battery, no meter, great rangefinder that's parallax corrected. Not that heavy but prepare for second looks because it looks like a Leica on steroids. Just the pure no fiddling around camera. Get a teeny little Gossen incident meter and a pocket full of 120. You can spend 6 times as much fo a Mamiya 7 II, I wish I had one but more stuff to think about and no immense negative.
Best Regards Mike

Poisson Du Jour · Aug 30, 2016

For those of you who shoot multiple formats. Do you just decide one format? When I go on trips especially on travel let's say a smaller town so it is more do'able. The 35mm film cameras are so much more agile and that one can get bulk b/w film. On the other hand there is medium format with the larger negative but it may not be as finese. Although there are 120 rangefinders ......

The 120 / 6x7 or 6x6 format has been my go-to for some years now. Depending on what I have in mind, or on a whim, I will take either MF or 35mm, and sometimes just a pinhole camera and meter running 120 film. 35mm cameras may be agile, but too much automation interferes with the creative process of making an image by seeing with the camera, rather than through it.

I disagree that the medium format lack finesse. The quality of the larger format lets it speak for itself, and the majority of serious photographers are not at all bothered by any perceptions of antiquity or lack of finesse or refinement ... whatever! But you must also consider your capacity to carry equipment. My 35mm and MF equipment is close to the same, while a pinhole is delightfully light and a conversation starter and does the trick when I want to wander away from clinical / technical (but not aesthetic!) conformity!

Terry Breedlove · Aug 30, 2016

Really depends. Most times for short quick trips the 35mm is loaded with TRI-X and the 50mm. However I am getting ready to go on two week photo road trip and I am bringing the 35mm the Hasselblad and a 4x5.

jimjm · Aug 31, 2016

I think this is where medium format RF's really shine, at least for me. As far as size and weight, my Bronica RF645 with lens is about the same as a Nikon F100 and the lenses are really, really good. I've heard similar things about the Mamiya and Fuji RF's, although the Mamiya 7 can be pretty pricey these days, most of the Fujis are fixed-lens and the Fuji 6x9 seems a bit too big (Texas Leica?). Only possible downside to the Bronica is limited focal lengths (45/65/100, maybe 135), but that's what I use the most anyway. Also, I'd kill for one if Bronica made it in a 6x7 landscape format version

I still shoot a lot of 35mm, but if image quality is particularly important I'll bring an MF camera. Large-format only when I have a lot of time to spend and the wife's not standing by the car tapping her foot...

Peter Schrager · Aug 31, 2016

Terry leave the 4x5 home...it will work to your advantage
Best, peter

Jesper · Aug 31, 2016

When I do 135 or 120 it is just one format but when I'm using larger formats I usually pocket an Olympus XA just in case.

Ian Grant · Aug 31, 2016

I've just had to make a decision on this, Normally I shoot LF and use a TLR alongside but I want to travel light while in Canada and have a camera with movements. 35mm isn't an option as I rarely shoot this format and my Mamiya 645 cameras have no movements, So I decided to build a 6x7 field camera and a week later it's almost complete.

Ian

narsuitus · Aug 31, 2016

rayonline_nz said:
For those of you who shoot multiple formats. Do you just decide one format?

I have a few rules that help me select the format to use.

1. Avoid using small format for black & white because I have never been satisfied with my 35mm b&w images.

2. Avoid using large format unless I have someone to help me carry the equipment.

3. If I am paying for the images, use the most economical format.

4. If a customer is paying for the images, use the format that will best meet the customer's needs.

5. If I want quality landscapes, use my 4x5 inch large format or my 6x9cm medium format.

6. If I need color slides, use 35mm small format.

7. If I need large prints (over 16x20 inch), use large format or medium format.

8. Avoid letting my film inventory dictate which format to use. Buy more film if needed.

9. If size and weight are important factors, use a small format compact.

10. If avoidance of loss, damage, and theft are important factors, use one of my expendable small or medium format cameras. I do not have an expendable large format camera.

Sirius Glass · Aug 31, 2016

I use 120 6x6 for serious work including traveling. If I am not concerned with the value of the photographs or do not have the time to carefully photograph, I will travel with 35mm. 4"x5" are for playtime at home.

Terry Breedlove · Aug 31, 2016

Peter Schrager said:
Terry leave the 4x5 home...it will work to your advantage
Best, peter

Thanks. I only want it for shooting in the Redwoods. I need the movements to straighten those super tall trees. the Hasselblad is the main camera for everything else.

rayonline_nz · Sep 1, 2016

I have been thinking of my travel. Got a trip coming up soon with Hong Kong. Going with the entire family here. Many stops, public transportation. Ie big cities - HKG, Taiwan, China etc.

In the past I used to shoot off a tripod with 35mm carefully slowly. Just got my 120 format camera very recently ago. I've found that I didn't have much street style photographs to show the vibe of the place. Almost torn that I need a small camera and a larger one then the managing of that while on travel can be challenging.

Deciding which format to take and use.

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