Hmm... he only arrived yesterday and has a lot to read already so it may be premature to assume we've scared him away
pentaxuser
New to medium format. Help needed!
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Hmm... he only arrived yesterday and has a lot to read already so it may be premature to assume we've scared him away
pentaxuser
Most hand-held cameras, especially 35mm rangefinders, are made for right-handed/left-eye dominant users.
Hmmm... in that case what advice would you give Painless Potter in a shoot- out against rangefinder user
pentaxuser
Hmmm. I always thought that cameras were oriented for right-handed and right eye dominant users. If I had to used my left hand or eye for photography I’d never take a picture!
My mistake. I meant righ-handed/right-eye dominant.
I would recommend that the OP decide on a format first and then work through what cameras/systems will provide the format.
6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9... there will be an obvious body/system that will work for them regardless of the choice and if they are interested in a step up from 35mm, they need to be thinking about how 35mm worked for them and what they would like to do with the format. If protraits is the primary interest, I could see a 6x7 camera being the winner... that limits the options.
However, they appear to maybe be interested in 645, so a slightly larger version of the 35mm format. A suggestion could be made to consider a 6x9 camera/cameras because it doubles down on the difference in film format over the 645. Nowhere near as many lens options in those, however.
That said, I think it may be impossible to go wrong with a good-condition Pentax 645 body and lenses. Great system camera and quite inexpensive. Operates very much like a 35mm so the jump isn't really too big.
6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9... there will be an obvious body/system that will work for them regardless of the choice and if they are interested in a step up from 35mm, they need to be thinking about how 35mm worked for them and what they would like to do with the format. If protraits is the primary interest, I could see a 6x7 camera being the winner... that limits the options.
However, they appear to maybe be interested in 645, so a slightly larger version of the 35mm format. A suggestion could be made to consider a 6x9 camera/cameras because it doubles down on the difference in film format over the 645. Nowhere near as many lens options in those, however.
That said, I think it may be impossible to go wrong with a good-condition Pentax 645 body and lenses. Great system camera and quite inexpensive. Operates very much like a 35mm so the jump isn't really too big.
I would consider 645 to be considerably larger than 35mm, not just slightly larger.
For portraits, 6x6 is a fantastic format. I do think though if the OP is used to the 35mm format, then 6x7, 6x8, 6x9 is an easier jump than change both format size and aspect ratio. It depends on how flexible one's mind set is.
But don't we simply hold the Blad in our right hand and the left hand has to "pull the trigger"? I'm left-handed, right-eye dominant, and I love the Blad, for many reasons, but this one, too.
Sounds awkward to me. If I hold the camera in my right hand, I would have to cross the other hand over to fire the shutter. I usually use my right hand to hold any camera and trip the shutter, using my left hand to focus and steady the camera. I am left handed and left-eye dominant.
That was my first MF (after a Holga). I still have the wide. I shot a roll of Velvia 50 with it this summer, but haven't got around to develop it yet. Bet it's fantastic!
About 645 not being enough of a benefit from 135...
As for choice of MF camera...I personally feel that handling each of your considerations is very important...it is rather like trying out driving a car. Some have controls better placed for your own preferences, some simply feel better (in your seat and in your hands), and you can discover the one which simply better suited to YOUR personal tastes...that is as important as the features list! a /test drive/ is important in the selection process, even if it is nerely 5-10 minutes in a store which your candidate camera.
- 135 format is 24mm tall, takes 16.9X magnification of negative to create 16" x 20" print, and grain becomes objectionable to many at that magnification
- 645 format is about 43mm tall, takes 9.45X enlargement to create 16" x 20" print, and so its grain is only 55% as large (single axis) as the 135 format print, and only 31% of the grain area.
As for choice of MF camera...I personally feel that handling each of your considerations is very important...it is rather like trying out driving a car. Some have controls better placed for your own preferences, some simply feel better (in your seat and in your hands), and you can discover the one which simply better suited to YOUR personal tastes...that is as important as the features list! a /test drive/ is important in the selection process, even if it is nerely 5-10 minutes in a store which your candidate camera.
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My recommendation would be a Bronica ETRS or ETRSi with an eye-level AEII prism and a manual "thumb" winder attachment.
"Familiar" ergonomics to a 35mm SLR, but with 645 image size..and sharp image quality.
"Familiar" ergonomics to a 35mm SLR, but with 645 image size..and sharp image quality.
Andrew O'Neill
Moderator
I have several MF cameras, and my all time favourite is the RB67. It has waist level finder, which I do use, but sometimes I stick on the prism finder. Interchangeable backs that rotate makes it easier than tilting the camera on its side. The camera weighs a ton, but I work with a tripod %99.9 of the time. It also keep you pretty anchored when and if a tornado happens to pass by... 
I've sort of standardized on the mamiya 6 rangefinder, yet I really enjoy modularity and options. I'm a conflicted soul. Also, both of my Mamiyas are effectively dead right now. Having said that, I simply love using the thing. It's comfortable to use, pretty light and has really nice lenses. There are some specific types of images I miss out on with it, but oh well.
My very first medium format experience was actually with a Hasselblad 500cm that our high school had. It was used in the studio with the teacher in the room, but still.
The first one I owned was a mamiya 645 pro tl. I found the ergonomics and the functioning of that camera to be just fine for me. I had the motor-wind grip and the prism finder though (overgrown slr at that point). For the late nineties though a Nikon f4s with grip was taller sitting on a table.
@Kowloon go handle some cameras. See what feels "natural" for you, then decide on a budget. Well, maybe decide on the budget first.
My very first medium format experience was actually with a Hasselblad 500cm that our high school had. It was used in the studio with the teacher in the room, but still.
The first one I owned was a mamiya 645 pro tl. I found the ergonomics and the functioning of that camera to be just fine for me. I had the motor-wind grip and the prism finder though (overgrown slr at that point). For the late nineties though a Nikon f4s with grip was taller sitting on a table.
@Kowloon go handle some cameras. See what feels "natural" for you, then decide on a budget. Well, maybe decide on the budget first.
I am left handed but that does not make a difference with the Hasselblad. I hold the camera in my left hand and focus and adjust with my right hand.
Super akwa
Plainly super awkward way to do it, but Hasselblad knows a fix for every person out there, no matter how unnatural it may be to many of them. With shown hold, right hand moves over left hand in order to focus ... only on a moon this is best. Makes me wonder if Hasselblad actually handled own cameras and came up with that. Or was it on TikTok first.
Plainly super awkward way to do it, but Hasselblad knows a fix for every person out there, no matter how unnatural it may be to many of them. With shown hold, right hand moves over left hand in order to focus ... only on a moon this is best. Makes me wonder if Hasselblad actually handled own cameras and came up with that. Or was it on TikTok first.
No one did! But I am being extremely busy with work and barely have time to breathe.
I did not read everything yet, but I am overwhelmed by all the good pieces of advice. I will digest and try to narrow down
Ok so after having read everything (thanks again for all the answers) I think that for me the main interest of the 120 is the result of the pictures. More detailed and therefore with the possibility of making large prints.
That being said, I will not go towards Hasselblad since many of you mentioned the fact that it may jammed from time to time, and may not be suitable to a beginner anyway.
Regarding the format, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9... It is kind of a mystery to me since I am not exactly sure what impact it will have for me at the end of the day. But I take that 6x6 is the most common out there. So I think that before choosing a model, I might need some insights about the format because I am sure that there is more to understand than what I can gather on the net.
That being said, I will not go towards Hasselblad since many of you mentioned the fact that it may jammed from time to time, and may not be suitable to a beginner anyway.
Regarding the format, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9... It is kind of a mystery to me since I am not exactly sure what impact it will have for me at the end of the day. But I take that 6x6 is the most common out there. So I think that before choosing a model, I might need some insights about the format because I am sure that there is more to understand than what I can gather on the net.
6x6 can be dealt with two ways. Some people see it as away to get the image and they plan on cropping to another format later. Others like the square and work with it as it is.
Take some of your existing photos and crop them to a square. Get a sense if you find that an interesting format. You might find that the square simply isn't for you. Then I would go to 6x4.5 with a prism and grip that will give you an nice image improvement 35mm. I mean, if you are cropping 6x6 anyay, why not get 15/16 frames instead of 12? Pentax, Mamiya, and Bronica all have quality 6x4.5 cameras. Focus on condition, warranty, and possibly lens options.
If the square intrigues you, get a Zeiss Super Ikonta III or IV with a Tessar. Or a Bronica SQ with a prism and grip since you don't like waist level finders.
Sure, 6x7 and 6x9 have more negative. but you need printing and such to take advantage of that. On the internet, most any medium format will have what you want.
Take some of your existing photos and crop them to a square. Get a sense if you find that an interesting format. You might find that the square simply isn't for you. Then I would go to 6x4.5 with a prism and grip that will give you an nice image improvement 35mm. I mean, if you are cropping 6x6 anyay, why not get 15/16 frames instead of 12? Pentax, Mamiya, and Bronica all have quality 6x4.5 cameras. Focus on condition, warranty, and possibly lens options.
If the square intrigues you, get a Zeiss Super Ikonta III or IV with a Tessar. Or a Bronica SQ with a prism and grip since you don't like waist level finders.
Sure, 6x7 and 6x9 have more negative. but you need printing and such to take advantage of that. On the internet, most any medium format will have what you want.
It's a bewildering field, you have my sympathies. I used quite a range of MF gear, particularly in the late 80's & 90's.
In the end I found 6 x 4.5 a bit too small to give the real benefits of a larger negative.
I wonder if it would be best to jump in and try something not too expensive first. My suggestion would be the Fuji GW690. It's got the big 6x9cm negative, but is relatively simple and quick to deploy, being a rangefinder. The 40mm-equivalent lens ( 90mm on this format ) is quite versatile, you can get quite a lot of subjects nicely with this. However you can get experience of loading the rollfilm, dealing with depth of field problems , tripod use, filters etc.
It depends whether you are the sort of photographer who is always using longer or shorter lenses than standard, though.
I use the Fuji quite a lot these days.
However i just went on EBay to check prices and it looks like the bit about them 'not too expensive' is now history.
I bought a well-used one for £350 about 5 years ago but it looks like they are double that price now .... damn !
In the end I found 6 x 4.5 a bit too small to give the real benefits of a larger negative.
I wonder if it would be best to jump in and try something not too expensive first. My suggestion would be the Fuji GW690. It's got the big 6x9cm negative, but is relatively simple and quick to deploy, being a rangefinder. The 40mm-equivalent lens ( 90mm on this format ) is quite versatile, you can get quite a lot of subjects nicely with this. However you can get experience of loading the rollfilm, dealing with depth of field problems , tripod use, filters etc.
It depends whether you are the sort of photographer who is always using longer or shorter lenses than standard, though.
I use the Fuji quite a lot these days.
However i just went on EBay to check prices and it looks like the bit about them 'not too expensive' is now history.
I bought a well-used one for £350 about 5 years ago but it looks like they are double that price now .... damn !
Probably repeating myself, but with what you are after, 645 is to me the first course of action. I don't know where all the 645 comments are coming from, some nearly equating 645v to 35 mm. Sure it is not 6x7 or 6x9, but it is a large negative that you would have enlarge real big to finally see a benefit of going bigger.
6x6 takes a bit of getting used to, and 35mm is no preparation for this format. Used "un-sqaure" leads to 645 in the end for all practical purposes after cropping. Square is a unique format with lots of appeal, but frankly, unless this is the intent, it quickly becomes a waste of film. Cut a square window in a cardboard and use it as a framing tool, walk around and see how square works for you. No need to by a camera to find out. If you don't like it, go "un-sqaure" with 645 or larger.
6x6 takes a bit of getting used to, and 35mm is no preparation for this format. Used "un-sqaure" leads to 645 in the end for all practical purposes after cropping. Square is a unique format with lots of appeal, but frankly, unless this is the intent, it quickly becomes a waste of film. Cut a square window in a cardboard and use it as a framing tool, walk around and see how square works for you. No need to by a camera to find out. If you don't like it, go "un-sqaure" with 645 or larger.
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