Portraiture work

[jibanes]

I've always used my 250 for portraiture (with FP-3000B), and I've often got some good results. I like the softness and very analog feel of the pictures; and the convenience of the camera itself (I use a close-up lens). I often wondered however if this was a recommended choice for B&W portraiture or if I should, at least for the sake of learning, consider another camera for portraiture exclusively (studio work, mostly head shots) on either Fuji, Polaroid or Impossible film; not excluding larger formats of course.

 

[darkosaric]

Next logical step would be Polaroid 600 SE or Mamiya, but it is expensive camera. But it can take medium format film as well. It is up to you to decide is it worth a 800-1000 $. Form another side I (and many more) paid more for Leica .

 

[Nathan Riehl]

The 250 seems like a fine camera, but maybe try and find one of these?

 

[jacaquarie]

Have you thought of the Polaroid film back on a view or press camera??
I have been known to use a Speed Graphic with the old Polaroid back. works for me...

 

[jibanes]

I have reviewed all those alternatives, what I have found out so far:

* Konica Instant Press seems a little better than its FP-1 counterpart (better lens, and better build), maybe built for journalism more than anything else, but that's quite alright, great camera; and probably somewhat straightforward to service.

* The 600SE (or its mamiya counterpart) is a fantastic setup for portraiture, except that the 127mm would capture a little more than head+shoulders, considering you can't focus closer than 1.5 meters on this. Maybe a better alternative would be a Mamiya RZ with a polaroid back?

* I thought of using a Linhof 4x5 with a polaroid back, but shouldn't I just go 8x10 instead, if so, which camera could handle impossible 8x10 with acceptable results?


Thank you,
Jerome

 

[Nathan Riehl]

I've seen a lot of Suicide Girl shoots where the photographer used a 600SE or the Mamiya equivalent. The results are superb. +1 for that if you can find one at a reasonable price.

 

[jibanes]

What would be the advantages of a Polaroid 600SE over a mamiya RZ with a polaroid back?

 

[Nathan Riehl]

Image size. The Polaroid 600SE will shoot a full sized Polaroid, as it is 6x9 by nature, while a Mamiya RZ67 kit will have a noticeable black border around a smaller image. The Mamiya RZ67 is also quite heavy and very large in size overall.

 

[jibanes]

I understand.

In the case of the RZ67, the polaroid holder was mostly to test exposure before using film. It was meant to be used with disposable polaroid film.

As a closing shot, any arguments for 600SE vs. Universal?

 

[Nathan Riehl]

The case is the same for me with my Bronica and any other 6x4.5 system. As for choosing between those two systems, I looked at this link here for a comparison and it looks like the Mamiya gives you more options. I guess the Polaroid 600SE is a simplified version made if you just want to shoot Polaroid photos, as the medium format film back is supposedly going for an upwards of ~$300, while the same back is only ~$50 for the Mamiya system. That being, I'm assuming, because the backs are interchangeable with the Mamiya 23 backs. The price is the same for the Polaroid back on a Mamiya Universal (~$50).

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

If you can find film for 250 , continue to use it. They have excellent Cooke Triplet clone and you can never find its qualities at a japanese lens. Its soft at the color and wildly sharp at bw and soft at the portraits. Think , you are using a camera made by the people WHO invented the film.
These old cameras are priceless and triplet lens is a big chance to own.

If you want to change your camera and move to film World , use a 250 dollars old Rollei with ZEISS TRIOTAR lens. Its a triplet and may be the best lens in the World. Invest time at flickr and try to see the qualities of that lens.

Other suggestion is more expensive zeiss ikon camera with ZEISS TESSAR lens , its four element.

 

[jibanes]

now that's some serious insight. Truth is, I know nothing about lens design, and while I can look at pictures, I'm not sure what to be looking for when comparing to other designs, would you recommend a reading on lens design?

 

[Nathan Riehl]

Honestly, it's cheap as hell, so I'm going for a Polaroid Big Shot whenever I can find one I can afford. I know I can use Fuji FP-3000b in shade and Fuji FP-100b or FP-100c in daylight. I'd hate to have to buy flash cubes, effectively doubling the price to shoot. That's why I'm concerned with the film types.

 

[jibanes]

Nathan, do you know how to compensate exposure when using the spacers on the Universal/600 for macro work?

 

[Nathan Riehl]

No, I've never done any sort of medium format macro photography. I'm just a fashion/portrait/event photographer.