Is medium format your main format?

GarageBoy · Jul 24, 2020

If so, what do you shoot and what's your camera of choice?
I mainly shoot 35mm film with 28-135mm lenses, so I'm not looking for super long or super wides - I don't need the speeds, and for low light stuff, I have a non film solution. Takes me months to go through 36 exp. Should I just switch to a 645 slr or a rangefinder or a tlr?

I have a 28/50/105 set up for my Nikon if I want 35mm, but I got spoiled by MF slides...

ic-racer · Jul 24, 2020

I was exclusive medium format from about 1978 to 1983. I got back into 35mm a lot more when i found that small prints from 35mm hold very well against larger prints from medium and large format. I print most of my 35mm to about 6 x 9 inches on 8x10 paper.

Ariston · Jul 24, 2020

I find it hard to go through 36 frames, too. If you don’t want to jump to medium format, loading your own film is a good option. I load about 15-20 shots at a time and find it to be the sweet spot. Of course, you can’t load color.

For medium format, I would go with an RB or a folder. Both are good budget cameras, and one gives you the modular option, while the other gives you a lightweight option.

mshchem · Jul 24, 2020

I shoot 35mm slides, Nikon D5, auto bracketing. A little bit of Tri-X in Leica. Everything black and white I shoot medium format. 6x6, 6x7, 6x9 and 6x17. 6x6 some slides, 6x17 90% b&w, 10% chrome. Anytime I want to make a print it's medium format.

narsuitus · Jul 24, 2020

GarageBoy said:
... what do you shoot and what's your camera of choice?

Originally, I only used medium format.
I started shooting small format just before I started shooting for a newspaper.
Last, I started shooting large format when I got a job in a reproduction studio shooting copies of blue prints and art work.

Now, I shoot:
4x5 and 8x10 large format
6x6, 6x7, 6x9, and 6x12cm medium format
35mm, APS-C, and micro 4/3 small format

My Cameras by Narsuitus, on Flickr

narsuitus · Jul 24, 2020

GarageBoy said:
Should I just switch to a 645 slr or a rangefinder or a tlr?

I have used medium format SLRs (Mamiya 6x7cm), rangefinders (Fuji 6x7 and 6x9cm), and TLR (Mamiya 6x6cm) cameras. I liked them all.

I never shot 645 but if I did, I would select a Pentax 645N. I was very impressed by an Alaskan landscape photographer who used a pair of Pentax 645 cameras to capture great images under very harsh conditions.

Medium Format Kit by Narsuitus, on Flickr

Donald Qualls · Jul 24, 2020

I carry a 35mm camera (Kiev 4, with Jupiter 8 and a 35mm Jupiter 12 in a tiny bag along with spare film, filters, cable release, Leitz variable viewfinder, and a 6x9 folder and a roll or two of its film -- need to upgrade, since my 135mm Jupiter 11 arrived) every day. I keep a lightweight tripod in my car.

When I have something serious to photograph, I grab my Reflex II, my RB67, Super Ikonta B, or that 1927 folder that rides in the bag every day. And my heavy tripod.

I expect I'll get back to shooting 4x5 again sometime soon -- but that takes even more preparation than the RB67 (three film backs, two lenses plus tele-converter, film, filters, cable release -- pretty well fills up a laptop bag). Film holders, lenses in boards, loupe, dark cloth, cable release, heavy tripod, changing bag (for emergencies). And then processing sheet film, more of a production than roll film...

I'd say my comfort zone is squarely in medium format, but I like having more versatility than I can get by carrying a lightweight folder every day -- hence the 35mm RF.

Paul Howell · Jul 24, 2020

I shoot more 35mm followed by medium format, 6X9 and 6X6, although I have 6X7 back from my Mamiya Press dont use it very often, then 4X5. For 6X6 I have a Yashica TLR and Kowa 66. I use wides to short teles, 150, on occasion I'll use a 250 on the Kowa. I've stopped shooting 36 with my 35mm, shoot 24s and even 12 so I process within a day or so of shooting. If you;re happy with the results you get with 35mm get a bulk loader and custom load the number of shots you shoot on an outing.

cjbecker · Jul 24, 2020

I started off with 35mm, then quickly moved to using medium format only for about 5-10 years. C41 and B&W. All 6x6. C41 was sent to a lab and got 5x5 prints back, B&W was printed by me, mostly to 4x5 or 7x7 on 8x10.

More recently, I have pretty much stopped shooting medium format completely. I have been shooting 35mm slides for all my family pictures/trips and for all my B&W work, I shoot speed/crown graphic 4x5. It has replaced all of my handheld/tripod medium format. Pretty much all my photos are of my family and trips.

jwd722 · Jul 24, 2020

Started out with 35mm almost 50 years ago, Ricoh then Pentax a Nikon on to Minolta and back to Pentax. Dabbled in 4x5 20 years ago (amazing negatives!) stuck with 35mm and added a Pentax 645 about 15 years ago but just never felt it was the right size, back to 35mm using Nikons. About ten years ago I bought a Mamiya 645 used it for a few years and wanted more, size still lacking. Moved to TLR's, a Rolleiflex and an Ikoflex, 6x6 is nice. Not being satisfied I tried 6x7, a Mamiya RB67, now we're talking, but also acquired a Graflex 6x6 back for it, best of both sizes. Happy with it but have now added a Fuji GW690 (why not?), close enough to 4x5 quality but much more portable. Still use my Nikons though. I still have most of the afore-mentioned cameras (plus too many others) but enjoy Medium Format the most. Its been an enjoyable trip so far!

Bormental · Jul 24, 2020

Yes. My favorite is 6x6 square at 12 shots per roll. 12 shots is a perfect length for a one-day project. It enforces concentration and makes the process more deliberate. Give me 12 frames and a city block and I'll make at least one interesting photo or maybe two. Give me 36 frames and the same block and I'll come back with 36 garbage shots.

However, I still do 35mm when I have an exact idea in my head. Often this happens after I review my past digital shots, i.e. I know the location and I just want a different angle/look and I know that it must be on film. This way I simply return to the "crime scene" armed with a 35mm camera and usually this ends up with the result I had in mind, but that's almost cheating.

But when I am shooting something for the first time, I do my best to have it on 120 film.

Pioneer · Jul 25, 2020

It really depends on my mood. There are periods when I shoot a lot of medium format and very little 35mm or large format. Other times I work a lot with either the 5x7 or the 8x10.
But there are certain times when nothing will do but a rangefinder in 35mm. These times I am usually out hunting people shots and that is more difficult to do with the medium format cameras.
Lately I have been enjoying working with my Pentacon Six, the Zeiss 80mm lens and some color slide film; most likely Provia.
I do think it would be difficult for me to work with only one format but I can't say I have ever really tried except for a one year period where I shot exclusively with my rangefinder. The 35mm rangefinder is still my favorite choice because of that.

Grim Tuesday · Jul 25, 2020

I'm drawn also to the limit of 10-12 frames. It tends to be right about the right number of pictures I want to take on any given roll. I started with a koni omega 6x7, didn't like it's handling compared to a 35mm slr and was only impressed by an image once in a while. I got a yashica LM triplet and was blown away by it. Took some of my all time favorite pictures. I thought I'd give serious medium format another chance, so I got a Hasselblad. Loved the image quality and the negative size. Then a mamiya c330 fell into my hands so I got enamored by the non mirror TLR again. And for some reason I got an Autocord and a rolleiflex. I sold the Autocord to fund the flex, which was a mistake. Great camera. The rolleiflex is also great but I've been through two now, after the shutter pooped out and couldn't be fixed. Then I thought 6x7 might be fun so I found an affordable Pentax 6x7. 6x7 is actually fun, and it turns out after years of waist level viewing I really like an eye level option. And, after hundreds of poorly exposed photos I like the meter on the Pentax. But I don't like the weight of the Pentax. So I ended back up with the good old koni omega. This time with the rangefinder adjusted correctly! Now, I mostly use the Pentax or Hasselblad when I have room for a camera bag with lenses, the rolleiflex or mamiya when I need something compact and the koni omega when I need to bang something around and not worry about breaking. They each have their place and the lenses are all great, but different.

It is such ridiculous opulence compared to when even one of these cameras would have cost thousands, but it's a luxury I get to have fun with these days!

MattKing · Jul 25, 2020

I've used one medium format camera both for fun and money since the 1970s. I currently have four others.
And I've used 35mm regularly since then as well. Including cameras shared with my wife, most of which are good P & S cameras, I have at least twelve of those.
It is kind of difficult to pin down what my "main" format might be.
616 (adapted to 2.25" x 4.5"), 620 (6x6 and 6x9), 135, and within 120 sizes, 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x9, 6x12.

Ai Print · Jul 25, 2020

I make images in 35, 120, 4x5 and 8x10. I find I am by far most productive and make my best images with my medium format Hasselblad system. Yesterday I carried a pack with a 501CM, 60CFi, 100 CFi, 180 CFi and four different films in that many backs to a high point at about 11,500 feet and had a blast making images as the lighting and image design dictated. I used Tmax 100, Rollei IR 400, Agfa APX25 and Kodak Technical Pan films.

I just can’t do that kind of work that efficiently that far afield with any other format or system as well as I can with my Hasselblad system, it’s been my favorite for decades.

guangong · Jul 25, 2020

Like Pioneer, I don’t have a main film format. I always like to have a camera with me, often a Minox or Minolta 16. I am partial to 35mm rf camera’s because they are quiet and discreet. Although somewhat larger and less discreet, my Super Ikonta B is useful because for the most part people don’t take it seriously. My go to camera for situations where photography is strictly prohibited. My other MF cameras are used for a more deliberative picture taking.
I realize that for many, every click of the shutter is aimed at a perfect photograph, but my use is for everything from visual note taking to whatever strikes my interest. And sometimes there’s luck. My most expressive photograph of my daughter in her teens was taken in subway with Minox. One never knows!

StepheKoontz · Jul 25, 2020

Lately I've been shooting a lot of 127 lol. I love the Baby TLR's. I too roll my own 35mm short rolls with 12-15 frames and also shoot some 120. When I buy film I try to buy the 24 rolls, I agree 36 is too many and I end up just wasting frames trying to use it up in many cases.

Jim Blodgett · Jul 25, 2020

I spend far more time in the darkroom than I do out shooting, always have. So I prefer medium format because of the negative size. Started with Yashica TLRs around the turn of the century and just a few years ago switched to Mamiya 645s. I really enjoy the ability to change lenses with the Mamiya (which is why I changed over) but man, that camera bag gets heavy. Actually, the camera itself is kind of awkward to hand hold, kind of clunky. But I really like those lenses and negatives.

lenshood · Jul 25, 2020

Grim Tuesday said:
mamiya when I need something compact

this made me smile - not often one hears the c330 called “compact”

halfaman · Jul 25, 2020

Medium format is my choice in 85% of my shots. Normally a Pentax 67II with a 105 and a 55 mm, I adore my Mamiya RZ67 Pro II but the weight makes me use it ony for a few hours. 6x6 (Iskra, Bronica SQ) and 6x9 (Mamiya Super 23) are ocasionally visited. I use very rarely 6x4.5 (Fuji GS645) or 35 mm (Canon EOS 1V, Nikon FM2).

Tom Kershaw · Jul 25, 2020

Medium format is my comfort zone, and what I started off with to a great extent (6x6 Bronica), however I'm gradually moving more towards large format work.

Dali · Jul 25, 2020

GarageBoy said:
If so, what do you shoot and what's your camera of choice?

I am in a minimalist phase right now... I fixed my Olympus OM10 and use it with its Zuiko 1.8/50. This is my 35mm choice.

For MF, it is better (or worse...): Lubitel-2 or Lubitel 166U, nothing else.

As you can see, I prefer to travel light and not to freak out about gear.

wyofilm · Jul 25, 2020

MF 85% of the time (range finder, folder, and Pentax 645), 35mm 10% of the time, and LF 5% of the time. I darkroom print b&w and find MF negs much more pleasurable to work with compared to 35mm negs. Also, I have a very hard time getting though 36 exposures.

DWThomas · Jul 25, 2020

Hmm -- there can be so many "it depends" items in these sorts of discussions!

Pre-bit-zapping days, I shot 99% 35mm. Pretty well wandered away from film in the early 2000s, but then, after a trip to Italy, as I looked at digi-shots of those eroded masonry textures from Pompeii, I had brief flashing visions of B&W exhibition prints. After deciding Hassy gear was still a bit $$$$, I bought a Bronica SQ-A planning to go minimalist -- one body, one lens, WLF, and maybe two backs. That has since ramped up to five lenses, several finders, etc. and it's great stuff for studio or landscape work on a tripod. But less handy for travel, especially as part of a tour group or with non-photographer family members and not working out of ones own motor vehicle.

Since that initial burst of medium format enthusiasm, I've added two folders (Voigtländer Perkeo II 6x6 and Ercona II 6x9) for "light" travel, and most recently seem to gravitate to a Yashica Mat 124G for "being serious but not over the top."

That said, I took my Canon A-1 when My Faire Spouse and a couple of nieces went to the Women's March in DC in 2017 -- more compact, less conspicuous, and less value at risk. I far less frequently use film gear from Minox 8x11 to an 8x10 pinhole camera. I do admit these days I shoot far more images with electrocuted bits than film, and sinking even lower, a surprising percentage of snapshot stuff currently happens with an iPhone 6s. But I have 40 year old Craftsman screwdrivers and a DeWalt cordless drill driver too! Pick tools to fit the situation.

There's my 1.3 (after tax) cents,

MattKing · Jul 25, 2020

lenshood said:
this made me smile - not often one hears the c330 called “compact”

It is quite compact if you are working with a two or three lens kit.

Is medium format your main format?

GarageBoy

ic-racer

Ariston

mshchem

narsuitus

narsuitus

Donald Qualls

Paul Howell

cjbecker

jwd722

Bormental

Pioneer

Grim Tuesday

MattKing

Moderator

Ai Print

guangong

StepheKoontz

Jim Blodgett

lenshood

halfaman

Tom Kershaw

Dali

wyofilm

DWThomas

MattKing

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Is medium format your main format?

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