Medium Format Daydreaming

narsuitus · Sep 9, 2006

1. How many people are still using their medium format cameras?

I use 6x7 and 6x9cm medium format rangefinders.

Before the rangefinders, I shot 6x6cm twin-lens-reflex.

2. What are some of your fond moments and/or experiences?

I will never forget the time a photographer from a competing studio tried to sabotage a wedding I was shooting by secretly changing the sync setting on one of my twin-lens-reflex cameras from electronic flash sync to flashbulb sync. Thank goodness I discovered what he had done before I used the camera.

3. Which Do You Prefer To Shoot, Color or Black and White?

I prefer to shoot color slide and color print film with my medium format cameras. However, since I am now having difficulty finding 5-liter Kodak E-6 chemistry locally, I am shooting less color slide film.

3. What type(s) of medium format camera/accessories do you own?

Fuji GW670 III and GSW690 III

Since the 35mm SLR is my system camera, other than lights, filters, light meters, a tripod, and a cable release, I dont own or need many accessories for my medium format cameras.

Roger Hicks · Sep 9, 2006

Increasingly, in the studio, I shoot 6x7cm with a reducing back on a 4x5 inch monorail. Usually black and white, very little colour nowadays: when I have to shoot colour for editors who don't understand anything else, it's usually 35mm slide or d*g*t*l.

Outside, usually 44x66mm on my Alpa (Biogon format), plus some 6x6cm Kowa, 6x7 'baby' Linhof and an assortment of weird leftovers such as a Polaroid 600SE with 6x7 and 6x9 RF backs, a Graflex XL modified to take 6x8 RB back, a Pentacon 6 and various 'collector' folders from Agfa and others (invariably disappointing). I also have a Semflex TLR but I have to pull the shutter out and clean it before I can use it.

Cheers,

Roger (www.rogerandfrances.com)

photogolf · Sep 9, 2006

"Quote"
I will never forget the time a photographer from a competing studio tried to sabotage a wedding I was shooting by secretly changing the sync setting on one of my twin-lens-reflex cameras from electronic flash sync to flashbulb sync. Thank goodness I discovered what he had done before I used the camera.

That bastar$$^%...I hope your wedding shoot went well depsite his actions!

benjiboy · Sep 9, 2006

I use two Mamiya T.L.R bodys, one is a C330 F the other a C33, the lenses I have are the 55, 80,135, and 180 , I've enjoyed using this gear for nearly twenty years and find this type of equipment ideal for people photography, my main interest , the cameras are quiet, sync for flash at any speed, and at the point of exposure you can see the subject and if your flash fired.
I shoot both prints and slides and like the Fuji professional films, mainly pro 160s, and Astia F. I prefer to shoot slides for my personal work, and love the quality that 6x6 slides produce when they are projected, about 90 % of my work is colour and is all processed at a local prolab

Kobin · Sep 9, 2006

photogolf said:
1. How many people are still using their medium format cameras?
2. What are some of your fond moments and/or experiences?
3. Which Do You Prefer To Shoot, Color or Black and White?
3. What type(s) of medium format camera/accessories do you own?

Me! I love MF. I like opening up my old Zeiss Ikon Nettar and have people comment about it. They seem to like the "like gran'pa used to have" look of it. When I mess around with the C330, people are more suspicous. "You work for the paper or a magazine?" I hear the unspoken questions, "What are doing, and why?" I guess the Mamiya looks more professional. It evens says so at the bottom, "Professional".

I shoot more b&w because I'm a hobbiest and I develop and print b&w. I have to spend a couple hours in traffic to drop off 120 color at the lab. It's a hassle going into town just for this.

The Nettar and C330 are the only MF gear I own. I'd love to have a Mamyia rangefinder, a 6 or 7ii-- Daughter has a 7ii. Sweet!-- but I'd rather put the money into LF gear. Someday.

K.

jovo · Sep 9, 2006

After the heat of my passion for LF wore off a bit, I came to my senses about how happy I am to have and use my P67. I even bought a fourth lens for it last spring from Keh, a used, but perfect looking 135mm which I like a lot! Even the Mamiya C220 is still getting a workout, especially since my wife bought a prism finder for it. It's lighter than the Pentax and goes on the smaller Bogen 3001 tripod...great for traveling.

I recently came across the first roll of film I ever took with the P67 (around eight years ago). I didn't much care for the results at the time, but I've totaly revised that opinion. I'll be printing at least on neg from that roll soon (I've already scanned a few). Sadly, that first use of the camera was the occasion for having my original 135mm lens stolen. I had set the kit on the ground behind me while taking a picture with the camera on a tripod. I moved away from the kit to better frame what I was intent on photographing. I never saw the lens disappear. It was a $579 uninsured loss. Yikes....I hate even the fleeting memory of that event. (BTW...the serial number of that lens is 8727724 if anyone comes across it.)

m_liddell · Sep 9, 2006

photogolf said:
1. How many people are still using their medium format cameras?

Me!

photogolf said:
2. What are some of your fond moments and/or experiences?

One that sticks out was going to a photog exhibition in London and being amazed at the prints. They looked so real and 3d compared with my prints from 35mm. I decided to look into medium format that evening.

Fondest memory was shortly after getting my RB. I drove to Kimmeridge bay and the conditions looked all wrong, the tide was ok but the cloud was moving in fast. Suddenly the sun burst through a gap in an arc right over the sea. I raced to get everything set up and just got time for 2 frames before it dissapeard and the sky began to cloud over totally. To date it is in a different league to any photography I have ever shot. It was also teh first print I made from a neg shot on MF.

photogolf said:
3. Which Do You Prefer To Shoot, Color or Black and White?

B&W mostly, I just seem to find it easier to prosuce better photographs for some reason. I have a back with colour in it usually just in case. For people pictures I often use colour neg, but I'm mainly a landscape guy.

photogolf said:
4. What type(s) of medium format camera/accessories do you own?

I shoot almost exclusivly 6x7 now, either my rb67 or mamiya 7. The last time I used my nikon FM was a shoot for web graphics - 6x7 would have been a total overkill.

The two of these compliment each other perfectly. One's shotcoming is the other's strength in many areas. I would like to shoot people pics spontaneously handheld using MF but a hassy H1 is kinda out of my price range!

Bromo33333 · Sep 9, 2006

photogolf said:
1. How many people are still using their medium format cameras?

Count 2 here!

photogolf said:
2. What are some of your fond moments and/or experiences?

Learning about them and how to use them when my wife was shooting her artwork with one when we lived in California! Good times.

photogolf said:
3. Which Do You Prefer To Shoot, Color or Black and White?

Me? Black and white. My wife seems to have no preference, though I think she leans towards B&W.

photogolf said:
3. What type(s) of medium format camera/accessories do you own?

Was Hasselblad 500C, now upgraded to a Hasselblad 501CM. The usual filters and hood. Tripods and so on. Nothing special except the camera itself. Just got a Rolleicord as the 'kickaround' camera - got it cheap enough that it is going to be a 'fun' camera.

gr82bart · Sep 9, 2006

photogolf said:
1. How many people are still using their medium format cameras?

I use my Hassey about 80% of the time.

2. What are some of your fond moments and/or experiences?

When I first got my Hassey. I was like a kid in a candy store as I opened the packages from B&H. I had B&H deliver the new camera and all the accessories and lenses to my work. My colleagues were gathered around and "oohed and aahed" at this marvelous piece of engineering.

3. Which Do You Prefer To Shoot, Color or Black and White?

Colour transparencies by a mile.

3. What type(s) of medium format camera/accessories do you own?

I own a Hasselblad 503CW and too many accessories and lenses to list.

Regards, Art.

elekm · Sep 9, 2006

Just daydreaming about the following:

2. What are some of your fond moments and/or experiences?
Just using the cameras is a lot of fun. I use the SL66 because it's a great, versatile camera although it's a bit heavy. And I like the folders because they're unobtrusive.

3. Which Do You Prefer To Shoot, Color or Black and White?
I really like b/w, but I also shoot color because it reminds me that I actually like to shoot color two. Favorite color emulsions are Kodak Portra 160NC and Ektachrome 100 GX.

3. What type(s) of medium format camera/accessories do you own?
Rolleiflex SL66, various Rolleiflex TLRs, Zeiss Ikon folding Ikontas, Super Ikontas and Mess Ikontas. Not many accessories -- some filters and such.

My favorite is a 6x9 Super Ikonta and a 6x6 Mess Ikonta.

Phillip P. Dimor · Sep 15, 2006

I use my Pentax 645 with 75mm lens 80% of the time. It is a dream to use and absolutely reliable in every possible sense. No other accessories.

Next comes my Hasselblad 503cx with 80mm C Planar. I use the waistlevel finder mostly, though I do own a Kiev metered finder. I use the Kiev finder with a flash bracket, it's quite convenient.

I shoot black and white.

My favorite moment? Shooting with my hassy during a wedding.. FLAPKUHCHAP click.. hehe

pschauss · Sep 15, 2006

Count me as another medium format user.

I started 5 years ago with a used Yashica A which I bought for $40, just to see if I would like medium format. I was immediately hooked by the larger negatives and the feeling of more direct involvement in the picture-making process which comes from using a completely manual camera. Since then, I have experimented with a couple of Moskva's, a Pentacon, Kiev 6C, and an Iskra.

My favorite "moment" was a trip I took to Portugal with the Yashica A. Here is a sample.

jmailand · Sep 15, 2006

I have two older Mamiya 645's with a 80mm and a 65mm lens that I use when I want to see my depth of field. A couple Chinese Seagull 6x6 TLR's that I picked up cheap and were almost brand new. The lenses on these are suprisingly quite sharp. I know one is Tesar clone, I'm not sure about the other It donsn't specify like the newer Seagull branded ones. A Zeiss Ikon Nettar 6x6 that is nice to carry around as a pocket medium format, the lense is very good for a 3 element. Some Agfa Isolettes that I use for the same reason ,the Nettar has a better lense though. I'm just starting to play around with some old 6x9 Kodak Tourist folders. I figured out a way to grind metal out of the film side so I could get a 120 roll in it then just use a 620 spool for the take up. So far the negatives look nice but I haven't printed any of them yet.

I do mostly black and white because I can process and print it myself quite cheap. I have processed some color film, but I haven't got into color wet printing so I just scan the negatives. If I want real prints, I send it out to be processed. I have some slide film sitting in the freezer maybe next year I will try some Ilfochrome printing.

I guess I use them for the same reason as everybody else, sometimes I just want that bigger negative than you get from 35mm.

James.

thebanana · Sep 15, 2006

I've never figured out how to post a thumbnail. How is it done?

Abbazz · Sep 16, 2006

photogolf said:
1. How many people are still using their medium format cameras?

A bunch of nice people, including me

The last few MF camera makers left are struggling to survive, because the number of pros using film-based MF cameras is decreasing rapidly, so there are more than enough second hand cameras on the market for the amateur users...

photogolf said:
2. What are some of your fond moments and/or experiences?

Every time I take my big Fuji G690 out of the bag is a great moment. Especially when I look at other people's expression in front of the huge rangefinder camera. It looks so much like an oversized toy!

photogolf said:
3. Which Do You Prefer To Shoot, Color or Black and White?

I prefer black and white, but I have to admit I shoot a lot of color films. That's because I am often away from home and I can have color negs developped for cheap about anywhere on earth. When I'm back home, I scan the best pictures are then convert them to B&W when appropriate.

photogolf said:
3. What type(s) of medium format camera/accessories do you own?

I have a few MF cameras. My prefered camera for every day use is a Fujica G690BL with 50mm super-wide or 100mm AE lens. I also use 65mm and 180mm lenses. For portraiture or table top still-life, I sometimes use a Mamiya C330s with 105mm or 180mm lens, a Linhof Technika 6x9 with a rollfilm back and a Tessar 105mm lens or a pre-anniversary Speed Graphic with old barrel lenses and a Calumet C2n back.

Cheers,

jmailand · Sep 16, 2006

thebanana said:
I've never figured out how to post a thumbnail. How is it done?

See the "Manage Attachments" button down near the bottom of the post input screen. Click on it and find your picture on your computer. Real easy.

The "Insert Image" button at the top does not seem to work on my system don't use that.

James,

NikoSperi · Sep 16, 2006

Let me see... in 2006 my Hassies have been:
Back country skiing in BC, Canada
Taking pre-dawn seascapes in the Med
Taking wedding pics in Brittany
Taking coastal seascapes in Brittany
Taking portraits in studio

Who says we need to get out more often?!

Next plan is to try to fit the SWC in an underwater bag - I just need to find how to operate the film advance...

lxdesign · Sep 16, 2006

I got into Medium format 2 years ago with the purchase of a Rolleicord at a camera auction held annually here in Toronto.

Then in August, a good friend of mine, offered to sell me his Mamiya ProTL kit, and I thought about it, and said .. ya sure! He let me have it while I am still figuring out how to pay him back (good news is that he's not in a hurry for the payment), and in the meanwhile, I've shot close to 20 rolls so far, and having way too much fun!

The kit includes:

Mamiya ProTL Body, Prism Viewfinder, Powergrip, 2 film backs, 80mm, 120mm macro, and 210mm telephoto lens. Plus, a vivitar flash, and simple light meter.

I love to shoot Kodak E100 VS... love the saturation of the colours. I am still trying to find my way around black and white, and don't think I've found a favourite as of yet. I am experimenting with Tmax 400 tomorrow.

David

Black Dog · Sep 17, 2006

Been shooting MF for about 13 years-currently with a couple of Mamiya C330s which are my most used cameras (with 55/80/180mm lenses ). Use b&w (XP2 is probably my fave) most of the time but I do the occasional bit of colour now and then, usually Velvia/Provia.I like MF because it gives bigger negs than 35mm but it's quicker to use and more portable than LF- very important on a long hike or gnarly terrain. Memories? too many to mention-must get the darkroom finished and print some of them.

Dr David Hall · Sep 18, 2006

Okay, still love medium format and use nearly every day. Have Mamiya C330 with 65, 80, 135, 180, and 250 lens. Also Pentax 67 with 105, 200, & 65 (old one with 100mm filter size). Recently got a Bronica ETRsi with the 75 and am enjoying exploring with it . Very nice to work with so far. Use B&W and color about equally. Thanks

boilerdoc · Sep 26, 2006

Oh yes, I love the MF! The experience of seeing a 645 transparency projected on a screen is magical. No digital to match that yet that I can afford.
Just returned from the Badlands where I shot a Contax 645 AF with lenses ranging from the 24mm Fisheye to the 350/4 Zeiss. Forty pounds of gear plus tripod. Whew! Worth it though. Rod Planck, et al were suffering along with their Nikon D2x stuff.
Every firing of the shutter is a 'mini orgasm' so the last shot is always the most memorable. Ha!
Next favorite is the Mamiya M7. Just like a Leica on steroids! Put 10 rolls of Portra BW through it last night photographing gorgeous ladies.
Steve

karavelov · Sep 27, 2006

I am shooting medium format in B&W most of the time, using Fomapan 100, and the new love is Fortepan 200. My workhorses are a Kiev60 and a Penentacon 6 with the almost the full line of excellent lens: Zodiak fisheye 30/3.5, Flektogon 50/4, Biometar 80/2.8, Volna 80/2.8, Vega 120/2.8, Biometar 120/2.8, Sonnar 180/2.8. I also use a cheap 6x9 folder and plan to construct 6x9 viewcamera for the movements (arca-swiss is not in my budget). Sometimes I take pictures with my enlarger - it is such a fun.

Harry Lime · Sep 27, 2006

photogolf said:
Just daydreaming about the following:

>1. How many people are still using their medium format cameras?

Still using mine. As a matter of fact I'm taking my Rolleiflex 2.8GX on an extened shooting trip. Love the big 6x6/6x4.5 neg and how the TLR design allows for unobtrusive shooting.

>2. What are some of your fond moments and/or experiences?

Two things:

1. The first time I handled and saw the results from my Rolleiflex 2.8. It was loved at first touch. I had finally found a MF camera that was a kindred spirit to my Leicas.

2. I was shooting at Reagan's funeral in Santa Monica. Not only was I the only person shooting film in a sea of digital SLR's cameras, I was also the only one shooting with a MF TLR. I also was the only person who was able to lift his camera over his head and turn it upsidedown so I could shoot over the crowd while still being able to frame a shot through the chimney viewfinder. Try that with a Canon or Nikon.

>3. Which Do You Prefer To Shoot, Color or Black and White?

Black and white, mostly Tri-X, some Delta3200 (@1600)

>4. What type(s) of medium format camera/accessories do you own?

Rolleiflex 2.8F
Rolleiflex 2.8GX
Rolleicord III
Rollei prism finder
Rolleifix
Hoods, caps, cases

Hasselblad 501/cm
Hasselblad 501cx
2.8/80 (chrome)
4/150mm (chrome)
I prefer the chrome lenses, because they glow a little more.
I wish I had a 4/50mm or the 3.5/60mm.
Film backs, hood, Kiev finder etc.

HL

DougGrosjean · Sep 27, 2006

>1. How many people are still using their medium format cameras?

Me. But I'm a new convert.

As digitals got better and better, I wanted my film images to get better than 35mm offered. A friend suggested MF (I'd almost forgotten it existed), and a Yashicamat 124. My g/f had an old TLR, a Ciro-Flex, that her Dad bought new and shot her childhood with, sitting in the closet. We got it out, probably hadn't been used in a decade or so. It worked fine.

Bought some Ciro-Flex cameras of my own, used them about 6-12 months before buying a Rolleicord V and then a Rolleiflex, a Kodak Medalist, and Zeiss-Ikon Ikonta 6x9 folder, and a 35mm Widelux.

I use 1 or 2 of the above cameras every week, but if I could only use / keep two, they'd be the Rolleiflex and the Widelux.

André E.C. · Sep 27, 2006

1- I do use MF.

2- Each negative I had exposed so far, lousy ones included.

3- B&W.

4- A very respectable Hasselblad V system and a beautiful 6x9 folder Zeiss Ercona with a Jena Tessar 10,5 cm f/3.5.

Cheers

André

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