Your choice for handheld portraits?

mjs · Feb 22, 2010

I'm mostly a large format guy but I'm interested in doing more photography with people for a while. I want something more spontaneous and mobile than the typical LF outfit. While I know that there are LF options (Graphlex, etc.) I'm also interested in exploring other options, from 35mm and medium format. I had a Mamiya 645 J system in the past but wasn't really happy with the camera. I have a 1939 Rolleiflex with a wonderful lens, but I'd like the option to get tighter than an 80mm lens will take me, and coatings would be nice, if truth be told. Therefore,

If you wanted a camera and a couple of lenses for handheld portraits, what would you chose and why? And, if your vote goes to a Leica or something not *quite* medium format, I understand! Thanks for your help!

Mike

jp498 · Feb 22, 2010

I'd go for a 35mm SLR with an 85 or 105 prime lens for existing light. I like my Nikon 105 f2 af-dc lens, though older ones like 105 AIS and the vivitar 85 prime are also well regarded. If the grain is a problem, choose a finer grained film.

2F/2F · Feb 22, 2010

My non-35mm choices for hand held portraits (only cameras I own):

1. Mamiya C series, or other TLR (I have a C-33, a C-220, and a Rollei Wide Angle) - the most fluid and quick/candid
2. Mamiya RZ (or RB, but I have an RZ) - slower lenses, slower to handle, but does great in good light
3. Linhof Technika 4x5 (both of mine are model III, version 4s) - more formal pix, usually with 240 or 360 lenses, in my limited use thus far. Often I use with a monopod, which is not really hand held.
4. Speed Graphic 4x5, for slightly wide AOV (127mm lens) - a bit faster ad sloppier than the Linhof due to FL that is on it

If I had one, a Graflex RB would probably bump both the Linhof and the Speed down a notch.

For 35mm:

1. Any auto-aperture SLR
2. Any manual-aperture SLR, as long as I am shooting wide open

Ektagraphic · Feb 22, 2010

Pretty much most of the MF TLR cameras

removed account4 · Feb 22, 2010

a leica with a 50 or 90 ( depending on how tight you want it )
or a pen ft with the 38 because enlarged the grain is just so nice
or a graflex slr while standing on something big because they are just made for portraits ...

TSSPro · Feb 22, 2010

For creamy backgrounds and more realestate to work with negative-wise, I'm voting bronica, or other square system. no need to flip for horizontal, or vert, plus its got all the options of a modular system.

Best of luck.

Wayne R. Scott · Feb 22, 2010

In medium format for hand held portraits I use a Bronica ETRS with 150mm lens, a speed grip and a rotary view finder. You get 15 shots on a roll of 120 film with the 645 format. I think the 180mm lens would be better for head & shoulders, alas, I do not have one.

In 35mm I use a Nikon F3HP with MD4 and one of the following lens 85mm f2.0, 105mm f2.5, or 180mm f2.8 EDIF. I probably use the 85mm the most.

In large format, I can't think of any reason why I would want to hand hold one. If I did I would use a Crown Graphic with an Ektar 203mm f7.7 with the rangefinder calibrated to it. And I would use a batch of graphmatics to be able to shoot quickly six shots before having to reload the back.

YMMV.

Wayne

mjs · Feb 22, 2010

Interesting comments so far. I'm a little surprised by the number of recommendations for 6x6 TLR's. Although I'm aware that Imogen Cunningham used Rolleiflexes for portraits (and I greatly admire her photographs,) I hadn't thought it to be really all that great of a portrait camera. Maybe I should re-think that. Similarly, I'm also thinking of large format possibilities such as Graphics and Graphlexes and maybe one of the newer Polaroid camera conversions, with a Graphlex back. My aging back would appreciate something a little lighter though, I think. I have a great 35mm Minolta Maxxum camera but I think it's too loud for this task, too stereotypically "smile, camera in use!". If I go 35mm a rangefinder would be preferable because it's very quiet. I love my Yashica Electro but the 45mm lens is really shorter than I think I'd like for this sort of thing. My impression, though, is that a Leica with a couple of lenses would be out of my price range. I need to come in at less than $1000, preferably a lot less. Thanks for all the great ideas, everyone!

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of using a Rolleiflex. Hmm. Using FP4 or TMX, it wouldn't hurt a bit to crop 30% or so of the negative, if necessary. Hmmm, again...

Mike

MattKing · Feb 22, 2010

Mamiya C330 and a 135mm lens, plus one other lens to your taste.

You might find that a Mamiya 645E would give you a different experience than a Mamiya J.

Matt

timk · Feb 23, 2010

if you want a quiet camera, it rules out most medium format SLR's unless you're going to lock the mirror up (don't get an RB67 as you don't get a lever to lock the mirror up you have to "fire" the mirror to lock it up) . So you probably want a TLR or rangefinder medium format.

On the TLR front... advantage of a Mamiya TLR is the interchangeable lenses. The rolleiflex is limiting in that you don't have much choices in the way of long lenses.

Rangefinders... Mamiya 6, Mamiya 7, fuji 67 or maybe a folder?

35mm... Leica, Olympus OM SLR's are very quiet, small but I'm a bit biased because I shoot olympus OM....

Charles Webb · Feb 23, 2010

My choice............................

My choice for a hand held portrait camera is a Pentax 6X7. The lenses are second to few, and the standard 105 does a remarkable job for many subjects. They can be purchased for very little right now and are tough as a tank. (Cons Is definitely a heavier choice than some but the 6X7 format being my favorite delivers a fantastic sharp image.
I have also been a Hasselblad user for more than 50 years, they work just fine however are several times more expensive than the Pentax and in my opinion do not do deliver a bit better finished image than the old 6X7. An often overlooked bug with 21/4x 21/4 inch negative is that largest head size you can get with Hasselblad lenses is smaller than the
best headsize atainable with the 6x7 format. For portrait work I choose the verticle rectangle.

C Webb

2F/2F · Feb 23, 2010

In your experience with the Pentax 67 cameras, Charles, what is the slowest shutter speed at which they can be held for consistently sharp shots (11x14s and 16x20s, let's say, and the 105mm lens)?

Micky · Feb 23, 2010

i vote the leica M, because i love the look of my 75mm 'lux for portraits and still life.

suzyj · Feb 23, 2010

I think it depends a lot on whether they're posed portraits or candids. For candids I'd stick with 35mm - My Nikon FE2 with 85mm f/1.4 Ai-S or 180mm f/2.8 Ai-S would be my choice, probably with Provia 100. Or else the same lenses on a digital back.

For more posed portraits, I'd go with my M645, probably with a 150mm lens. I'd have to use the prism though, as portraits with the waist level finder are just plain weird.

Rolleiflexible · Feb 23, 2010

Rolleiflex all the way.

ooze · Feb 23, 2010

Rolleiflex (possibly with Rolleinar I - depending on portrait type) is my preferred setup. I can also speak favourably of a Hasselblad + 80mm lens and an 8mm extension tube.

I have shot just one roll with a friend's Pentax 6x7 and 105mm lens for portraits, on a tripod. It is a cracking combination but I'm not sure how well I could manage it handheld.

jgjbowen · Feb 23, 2010

Nikon FM3a (VERY bright viewfinder) 85 f1.4 lens and Tri-X . It's the cat's meow when photographing small children early in the morning.

Steve Smith · Feb 23, 2010

timk said:
it rules out most medium format SLR's unless you're going to lock the mirror up

The OP was asking about hand held. Whilst it is just about possible to use mirror up when hand held, you would have to be certain of holding the camera very steadily if you didn't want the composition to change.

Steve.

arigram · Feb 23, 2010

I've used both my Rolleiflex and Hassleblads with all lens combinations 40, 80, 120, 180, with extension tubes, softar filters, BW film, color film, 50 iso to 3200 iso, studio strobes, flashgun and available light. For handheld portraits of course, either on the street or in the studio. I rarely bolt my cameras on tripods even when shooting in the studio. Whatever that will convey what I have in mind, or whatever is available and convenient at the time. One can choose to either focus on one camera+lens+film combination, or be flexible. Both are valid and both are great learning and creative approaches.

jmschwartz · Feb 23, 2010

I'd put my money on the Pentax 6x7. Image quality is excellent with nearly any lens. The 105/f2.4 is exceptional. There is also a 90mm and 165mm leaf shutter available if you want faster flash sync speeds.

Cainquixote · Feb 23, 2010

i like the 6x7 format. i shoot it with a gs-1. I can't get as close to the subject with it as i would like. The prices for extension tubes are obscene.

I have a mamiya 645e. Nice body, amazing optics but the 1/60th flash second is annoying some days. The focal plane shutter does open up some interesting options for lens hacking.

Both cameras are loud. A mamiya 645 1000s with motor winder is very loud.

I haven't shot the square format in 7 years. The last time i did that was with a kiev, or a chinese tlr. I wouldn't recommend either.

benjiboy · Feb 23, 2010

If I was buying an SLR purely for outdoor portraits it would have to be the Pentax 6X7 11 with a medium telephoto lens, because it handles like a 35mm SLR and produces medium format photo technical quality.

eddym · Feb 23, 2010

Tele-Rolleiflex or Hasselblad 500 series with 150mm Sonnar; if you want to shoot more closeups, add Rolleinar or extension tubes.

Joachim_I · Feb 23, 2010

Another vote for the Pentax 67 system, preferably a 67II. I like the 2.8/165mm lens for portraits. Horizontally, it is comparable to a 85mm lens for 35mm. It is quite fast for a medium format lens. It has a minimum distance of 1.6m which covers an object size of about 42x54cm. There is also a 4.0/200mm lens which is good for tighter portraits because it covers about 32x41cm at 1.5m minimum distance. At minimum distance, both have a very limited depth of field of about 2.2cm wide open which is nice in some occasions (this is for a CoC of 0.05mm).

nsurit · Feb 23, 2010

What I use is an Olympus OM (single digit model, like an 1,2,2S, 3 or 4) and the Zuiko 85mm f2. Sweet combination. The 85mm is my most used lens and is current attached to the front of an OM 3Ti. Realitively light, well built cameras and wondeful optics. The 3 and 4 series cameras also have a great metering system. Can't be beat

Your choice for handheld portraits?

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