Interchangeable backs on medium format SLRs - when/what/why do you use them?

[RezaLoghme]

I'd argue that the Rolleiflex is a superb camera for portraiture even today and 100 years from now. The sequence of pressing the shutter then winding the very smooth mechanism is very satisfying in the way a Hasselblad can not be.

I am talking about professional photographers.

But sure, for passionate hobbyists, using a 6x6 TLR is a cool thing to do (I owned one for many years).

Personally, I am a bit too modest to be sure what happens in 100 years from now.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

There is no rule that says you have to finish a roll before removing it. In the end, film is cheap.

not any longer

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

There is no rule that says you have to finish a roll before removing it. In the end, film is cheap.

I often bracket + and - stops when using my RB67 6x7 with 10 shots per role. That gives me three sets of three and leaves the tenth shot unused when I replace the film or swap the backs. Or I'll shoot the 10th shot unbracketed.

 

[RezaLoghme]

not any longer

Ok, lets talk facts.
Here a roll of XP2 120mm is about 12 EUR.
At 6x6, one snap is 1 EUR.
If I decide to give up 3 remaining shots at the end of a roll, I throw away 3 EUR.

Is that really a "thing" to worry about?

 

[Don_ih]

Ok, lets talk facts.
Here a roll of XP2 120mm is about 12 EUR.
At 6x6, one snap is 1 EUR.
If I decide to give up 3 remaining shots at the end of a roll, I throw away 3 EUR.

Is that really a "thing" to worry about?

Make it a habit.
Do it a thousand times.

 

[Pieter12]

Ok, lets talk facts.
Here a roll of XP2 120mm is about 12 EUR.
At 6x6, one snap is 1 EUR.
If I decide to give up 3 remaining shots at the end of a roll, I throw away 3 EUR.

Is that really a "thing" to worry about?

It all depends on how patient you are, how important the images already taken may be and how you value your images and your time. I often find that random images taken to finish off the roll are among the best. But if there is an image I have a burning desire to see and print, I will willingly throw away part of a roll of film. Anyone counting pennies and shooting film is on a fool's errand anyway.

 

[Paul Howell]

I'd argue that the Rolleiflex is a superb camera for portraiture even today and 100 years from now. The sequence of pressing the shutter then winding the very smooth mechanism is very satisfying in the way a Hasselblad can not be.

For TLR (sort of) portraits the Konica Omegaflex, 6X7, takes the same backs as the Konica Rapids. The 90mm lens is very good, same lens as used on the Rapid. It is not a true TLR it is direct view but with a 45 degree finder becomes more of true TLR. It is designed for eye level viewing, diffcult to use for a landscape, but ideal for portraits. My parents bought me one when I gaduated from college. As I not shooitng many portratis I sold it for a Mamyia C33.

 

[spookyphoto]

I loved my Rollei 3003 which was a 35mm SLR with interchangeable backs. Used one for color transparency and the other for B&W.

 

[Paul Howell]

I loved my Rollei 3003 which was a 35mm SLR with interchangeable backs. Used one for color transparency and the other for B&W.

Still working?

 

[spookyphoto]

Still working?

I sold it a while ago. Have been sorry ever since.