Is medium format your main format?

[Alan Edward Klein]

The word "shoot", which according to the OED, dates at least as far back as 893, has so many definitions as both a noun and a verb, that I'm reluctant to allow one usage to overwhelm all the others. I suppose it's indicative of our society's current obsession with absolutes-- there can be no moderation, no nuance-- if a word offends one out of 8 billion people, it must be avoided at all costs by the rest of humanity, lest it be considered a "microaggression".

It is unfortunate that "shoot" has become synonymous with "kill" (especially since they're not synonyms). If it's any consolation, it's also the word for new botanical growth.

Maybe we shouldn't be so obsessed with dumbing down our language to the lowest common denominator, and pretending an education is something to be embarrassed about.

"Shoot". I never thought of that.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I too am interested in language, and find the evolution in my reaction to the term "shoot" interesting.
I'm guessing that I'm most uncomfortable when someone uses a phrase like "shoot someone" in reference to photographing that someone.
Modern day horrors (quite rightly) affect how we react to things, including how we react to words and phrases.
I'm quite confident that if you were to walk out in the street with a riflestock camera mount now it would be perceived differently than if you had done so in 1975.
Language is a powerful thing, and how and where it is used is worth paying attention to. That is far different than a pre-occupation with some sort of political correctness.

Hmmm. Telling relatives you intend to go home and shoot your wife could have interesting consequences.

 

[Ariston]

The great thing about language is that everyone can use it as it suits his own tastes. I am not for censoring language, and I am certainly against any type of thought police.

The word “shoot” doesn’t bother me at all. But it also doesn’t bother me if someone wants to use a different metaphor. I am not their editor. I say live and let live.

 

[Pieter12]

The word "shoot", which according to the OED, dates at least as far back as 893, has so many definitions as both a noun and a verb, that I'm reluctant to allow one usage to overwhelm all the others. I suppose it's indicative of our society's current obsession with absolutes-- there can be no moderation, no nuance-- if a word offends one out of 8 billion people, it must be avoided at all costs by the rest of humanity, lest it be considered a "microaggression".

It is unfortunate that "shoot" has become synonymous with "kill" (especially since they're not synonyms). If it's any consolation, it's also the word for new botanical growth.

Maybe we shouldn't be so obsessed with dumbing down our language to the lowest common denominator, and pretending an education is something to be embarrassed about.

Well, maybe I will start using the term "expose" as in I am going to expose that person in the chair.

 

[MattKing]

The great thing about language is that everyone can use it as it suits his own tastes. I am not for censoring language, and I am certainly against any type of thought police.

The word “shoot” doesn’t bother me at all. But it also doesn’t bother me if someone wants to use a different metaphor. I am not their editor. I say live and let live.

It seems fairly obvious that it is best to use words that others will understand if one wants to use them to communicate.
But would you intentionally use words that you know that others find offensive or vulgar or upsetting or fear creating if that wasn't your intention, and if there are lots of other words that convey your meaning.
I would never want to police your thoughts. But I'm quite willing to have an opinion about your diction.

 

[abruzzi]

Well, maybe I will start using the term "expose" as in I am going to expose that person in the chair.

Better than exposing yourself.

 

[wyofilm]

It's always fun to "shoot the shit!" (Casual conversation of unimportant topics.)

Shoot is a euphemism for shit. Instead of "Aw shit!" one could say "Aw shoot!" But I'm pretty sure "Shoot the shoot" wouldn't make sense to anyone.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

MF is my main format for pictorial photography. I suppose I could use LF for that kind of work if I were to invest heavily into this, but MF allowed me to build my kit bit by bit without having to plonk major bucks at a single moment.

I like 35mm for shooting fast, recklessly, or portably.

 

[Pieter12]

Better than exposing yourself.

That would be a self-portrait.

 

[grat]

Well, maybe I will start using the term "expose" as in I am going to expose that person in the chair.

As in remove their clothing? Tell their secrets?

Technically, "exposing" is what you're doing to the film when creating an exposure, but don't use "exposure" to refer to the amount of light you capture-- it will drive some people on the internet batty, and they'll lecture you for hours.

The problem with English is that it has such a bonkers evolution, pulling in bits and pieces from so many languages and cultures, that nearly any term you come up with, can be offensive to someone. Shoot has one of the longest entries I've ever seen in the OED-- Supposedly "set" is worse.

For what it's worth, I don't have a *better* word than "shoot", although, as a rule, I always use it in the manner of "I'm shooting some photographs", or "I'm shooting my C33 today". If a person or a place is involved, I "take a photo(graph)".

And just because I hate derailing threads, for film, my primary is medium format, but I've been learning large format (4x5) as well, and occasionally combining them with a 6x17 back on my 4x5 camera.

 

[Bormental]

The problem with English is that it has such a bonkers evolution, pulling in bits and pieces from so many languages and cultures..

That's true for many (all?) languages! I am convinced that English doesn't have a problem. What we have a problem with, is unnaturally high sensitivity level of certain people. Or, to be more precise, we accept this as a problem with the language. I've ran into a lady who was offended by the term "master bedroom" recently.

 

[MattKing]

I've ran into a lady who was offended by the term "master bedroom" recently.

That is silly.
But would you understand if she took umbrage at someone who said that a women's place was to be "barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen"?
It is a matter of empathy and degree.

 

[etn]

I was thinking of suggesting that he get a child carrier that has the kid on his back . They usually love that location also . Peter

Peter,
thanks for this suggestion this is indeed planned, we are just waiting for the kit to be a bit taller (a few more months). But I fear I will only be in a position to carry the full Hassy weight when he'll be able to walk by himself

 

[campy51]

I am not a very artistic person so I would consider myself a drive by shooter. I take a bunch of shots in the hopes I get one good enough to print.

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

I was taught that the word "shoot", when used in reference to taking images, came from the "Snapshooting" game that was played by many after the Brownie became a household item.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/invention-snapshot-changed-way-we-viewed-world-180952435/


Jeremy

 

[GarageBoy]

I'm going to take some kids into the shade and flash them...

Hmm Fuji 690s seem to be more affordable than 670s, and I like 645 slrs because they handle like giant modern 35mm slrs

 

[Donald Qualls]

I was taught that the word "shoot", when used in reference to taking images, came from the "Snapshooting" game that was played by many after the Brownie became a household item.

Worth noting that "snapshot" or "snapshooting" are both terms that originated with guns and gun training, just like "shoot" itself (which actually predates halfway modern guns, perhaps even the 14th century introduction of gunpowder to Europe -- harder to be sure, the language has changed too much since the Thirty Years' War).

A "snapshot" is one taken too quickly to truly aim, depending on reflex, muscle memory, and proprioception for any accuracy it might claim, while "snapshooting" is the act of making snapshots, including training to do so effectively. It's the classic "fast draw" shot of spaghetti westerns (though much less so of the real Wild West), the "from the hip" shot seen in so many gangster movies.

It's easy to see how, after a major war in which tens of thousands, at least, were trained in "shapshooting", the terms might have entered the language in relation to the often poorly thought out, haphazardly composed photos made by rank amateurs, especially in documenting family events like birthdays, holidays, graduations, christenings, weddings, and funerals.

 

[flavio81]

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...

6x7 and 6x6 used to be my main format, using often my RB67 or my C330.

However, as soon as I realized that 35mm negatives made using Acros or Delta 100 and correctly enlarged could look really nice as well, I shot less MF and more 35mm. It also helps that I have way more 35mm cameras.

Note that i'm not saying image quality is similar... The difference between 6x7 and 35mm is obvious and striking.

 

[AndyH]

I'd normally say I'm pretty much a 50/50 guy. I have Nikon, Rollei, Leica, and Spotmatic bodies loaded right now, as well as Hasselblad, Rollei, and Super Ikonta in medium format. If I judge by how often I pick up a 35mm vs medium format bag, it's probably 60/40 toward 35mm. If I judge by how often I'm going on a destination photo trip, it's probably 60/40 the other way.

Andy

 

[warden]

I'm going to take some kids into the shade and flash them...

Hmm Fuji 690s seem to be more affordable than 670s, and I like 645 slrs because they handle like giant modern 35mm slrs

I think those Fuji 690s are an outstanding value if your aim is a big negative with great glass. They're worth more than they cost IMHO. Every camera has drawbacks but I always get a little GAS when I see one.

 

[Alan Gales]

I suppose it's indicative of our society's current obsession with absolutes-- there can be no moderation, no nuance-- if a word offends one out of 8 billion people, it must be avoided at all costs by the rest of humanity, lest it be considered a "microaggression".

I'm offended by people who are offended.

I see nothing wrong with shooting a camera, shooting a gun or shooting the moon with a yo-yo. I also commonly say "shoot" instead of "sh*t" or other curse words. We have many words in the English language that have more then one meaning. So their, they're, there!

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Well, maybe I will start using the term "expose" as in I am going to expose that person in the chair.

My wife would object if you tried to expose me.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Worth noting that "snapshot" or "snapshooting" are both terms that originated with guns and gun training, just like "shoot" itself (which actually predates halfway modern guns, perhaps even the 14th century introduction of gunpowder to Europe -- harder to be sure, the language has changed too much since the Thirty Years' War).

A "snapshot" is one taken too quickly to truly aim, depending on reflex, muscle memory, and proprioception for any accuracy it might claim, while "snapshooting" is the act of making snapshots, including training to do so effectively. It's the classic "fast draw" shot of spaghetti westerns (though much less so of the real Wild West), the "from the hip" shot seen in so many gangster movies.

It's easy to see how, after a major war in which tens of thousands, at least, were trained in "shapshooting", the terms might have entered the language in relation to the often poorly thought out, haphazardly composed photos made by rank amateurs, especially in documenting family events like birthdays, holidays, graduations, christenings, weddings, and funerals.

I remember the old Kodaks from the 1950's. The shutter release would slide down with your thumb and "snap" when the shutter released. It felt like a snap and made that sound.

 

[fs999]

I mainly shoot MF with (in order of appearance ) : Mamiya C220, Pentax 645N, Plaubel Makina 67, Suzuki Opt. Co. Press Van (6x6) and Agfa Super Isolette (6x6).

 

[brainmonster]

I thought about making medium format my main format. I only have 1 mediocre medium format camera at the moment but I really like the quality of medium format that I've seen. I also like the feeling of depth and the over "medium format look". However I like the effect of Portra 160 over Ektar 100 on medium format. Ektar has nice bright colors but less "character" in my opinion, it looks a little too "perfect" and has a digital-like quality too it. I also think that taking less pictures per roll could have a good effect on making sure you go for quality over quantity.

Then again I've also been really liking the look of the high quality leica/zeiss/voigtlander lens pictures I've been seeing. Some of these images are so good that they could be mistaken for medium format pictures. But I'm wondering if scanning could also be a factor. I'm using an Epson v550 and thinking of switching to DSLR scanning. It's a bit of a wonky setup and I'd be using a Micro 4/3 camera with macro lens. It takes up some space but I could probably just sell my v550 since they are in short supply right now.

Not really sure where to upgrade next here for best ROI.