What do you think about the vertical 645 format cameras?

darinwc

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For those of you who have a Fuji 645 or similar camera that by default shoots in a vertical 645 format, what do you think of the format?
Are you often rotating the camera to use it in landscape format?
Or do you 'get used to' shooting in vertical format?

Thanks for your opinions!
 

Vaughn

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Seems to be a waste of 120 film (I'm washing a couple rolls of 6x9 right now)...

Vaughn
 

Jon King

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I shoot more verticals now... unless I rotate the camera

I've used a Fuji 645 and now a Bronica. The camera are small enough that they are easy to rotate when needed, just like a 35mm camera. I do seriously find more vertical compositions than I had before. I don't think that's a bad thing.
 

wayne naughton

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makes not one wit of difference with me, apart from getting used to it when i first got the camera

wayne
 

JDP

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Hello there,

Yes I like the format. It is a good way to make a compact medium format camera. It's my most used camera (Bronica RF645).

It does not influence my picture taking habits - its not difficult to rotate the camera when required!
 

hughitb

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I found it weird at first (Bronica RF645) but then got used to it in that I found myself shooting 90% vertical pictures. I wasn't that happy with the situation though as I guess I am more of a landscape person, so I got a Mamiya 7 instead ... and am now trying to sell the Bronica ....
 

srs5694

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I only shot two rolls with a Kiev 645 (a Kiev 60 modified for 6x4.5 images); the camera had problems and I returned it rather than deal with them. Aside from that, it was a bit odd, but I expect I'd be able to get used to it. I didn't find it difficult to rotate the camera when desired -- and if the monstrous Kiev 60/645 body can be easily rotated, that's bound to be true of other cameras!

That said, I often shoot vertical photos with my 35mm cameras, so I'm very willing to rotate the camera. If you don't even think about rotating a 35mm camera to get verticals, I expect you'd find a "natively" vertical-format 645 camera very weird at best.
 

Vaughn

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I have a very light weight 4x5 that one must unbolt the camera body from the standards to change from portrait to landscape (or back again), so it was easier to just flip the camera over using the tripod head. Even still -- whatever orientation I happen to have the camera on was the one I tended to use most. Rather odd to see how a simple thing like that affected my "vision".

Vaughn

PS...Philippe...yes square is better, but only if printed square!
 

Graham.b

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Some one once said, (i wish i could remember who said it) you go out with one camera one lens and you will work harder at the photo. So does it really make much difference.

Graham
 

Vaughn

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Graham, as I moved slowly from 2 1/4 to 4x5 to 5x7 and now 8x10, I had only one lens per format (all "normal"...80mm/150mm/210mm/300mm). It is only in the last few years that I have a selection of lenses for the 8x10. A single lens it is a good way (but not the only way, of course) to learn how to see "photographically" and I highly recommend it. In a world of infinite possible images, one can photograph one's entire life with a single lens on one format camera...and still have fresh new images to find.

But I guess I am getting a bit off-topic. vaughn
 

agfarapid

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Verticals with Fuji 645's

I use the GS645 folder & a Mamiya 645. I love the convenience of the Fuji-it's quick & has great optics. I've gotten used to the vertical format. Conversely, the Mamiya is cumbersome with verticals, so I use it mainly with horizontals.
You pays your money & you take your chances!
 

Nick Zentena

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But you're on the tripod. I'm guessing most that don't like it are hand holding.
 

Vaughn

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True Nick. We have a Fuji 6x7...I noticed that they designed in a second shutter release to make it easier to use the camera in portrait "mode" (on the front of the camera). That shows some design consideration to make it easier to use. Flipping a view camera is a bit of a hassle as it changes how one works the swings and tilts.

Vaughn
 

sanking

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I personally much prefer the 645 format to 6X6 because I would never want to print a square image and using 6X6 is just a waste of film for me. As for the vertical format, it does not bother me a bit with my Fuji GA645Zi because shooting with the camera turned sideways is jsut as easy to me as shooting with it held horizontally.

32 shots on 220 film, and a variable focus lens on a small camera body makes the GA645Zi one of my favorite cameras.

Sandy King
 

craigclu

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I prefer the orientation for the duty that I put my Fuji folder and Bronica RF645 to. It's perfect for candids at receptions, weddings, etc. Album orientation is easiest when pictures are vertical, so only the shots that are forced to be horizontal (large groups, for instance) need to be in the album sideways.
 

Graham.b

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Vaughn, hello i think our post crossed in transition, it was intended for the op, but the point you made is a good and fair one. I do try to look at a situation in all pro's and cons. But the 645, it is as said just a matter of turning the camera around, tri pod or not, i do use my tri pod when i am out with my 645 and use the camera as needed and do not think about how the camera is set, it is all about the picture. I have a RF645....

Regards
Graham
 

chop61

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I use a GA645zi, and vertical works for me...but on the occasion that I need a horizontal, I never seem to turn it the same way. So then the frames on my contact sheets don't go the same way, which is annoying. But that's the only thing.
 

removed-user-1

I used to have a Fuji 645 and I loved the "default" vertical, since it encouraged me to look at the sky more when shooting landscapes. It really did teach me something about composition.
 

brian steinberger

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I have the Bronica RF645 and love it. The vertical framing makes it different and interesting. I just love the camera in general. Great camera! And as someone else said, it's not hard to rotate for landscape photos. It took about two weeks to get used to it. It's just that little thing that makes it different from the other cameras that I own that makes me miss it when I'm not using it. It's always nice to take a different camera out once in a while. I'm a sucker for rangefinders anyway...
 

Curt

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I have the axis tilting tool for my Mamiya 645, it mounts on the tripod and the camera mounts on it. It rotates the camera on the lens axis. Simple, dedicated to that specific camera, a little heavy but very handy. I used to just rotate the tripod head, but that was when I only had the Mamiya 1507 tripod which is very heavy. A vertical orientated 645? Maybe for portraits.

Anyone mask 5x7 to 5x5 and print 5x5 square on a 4x5 enlarger? Me neither, I'm a rectangular framer.
 
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