Lubitel Medium format, anyone got one here?
Discussion
it all seems pretty digital round here but iv just stepped back to Medium format, starting with a cheapo Lubitel for starters, if i get on with it then il invest in a Hasselblad longterm. does anyone else on here use one? im keen to get a few pointers to save me wasting film. im well aware of the light leaks but that just adds to the fun i think.
I guess you REALLY have to want to go medium format these days. (And let's face it the results can still be much, much better). I gave up mine as I never blow up more than A2 and it was costing me a bloody fortune to process, and the benefits of digital are SO numerous.
I was using Hasselblad and Bronica, so don't know Lubitel, but I wish you luck my friend, and hope you have a VERY deep pocket.
I was using Hasselblad and Bronica, so don't know Lubitel, but I wish you luck my friend, and hope you have a VERY deep pocket.
The Lubitel is fun to play with but I would go for something a bit more up-market if you really want reasonable results with ease of use. I have had Lubitel, Ricoh, MPP and Mamiya 6x6s in the past and would suggest the investment of a few quid in a Mamiya is well worth it. NO you can't have my last C330 as I still use it (occasionally to be sure, but I still do).
Prices seem to be rock bottom (take a look at the small ads in your local paper). The main costs are in film and processing, not a problem for DIY enthusiasts, significantly more than 35mm. Even buying 120 film can be a trial, my supplier had to order it just for me last time I wanted some C41.
Rob
edit to add a quote about Lubitels from another forum "In the last 10 days on eBay 15 have been have sold fetching from £6.50 to £37 depending on condition and if they had case". Gives you a clue as to how much to pay, but no-one had anything good to say about the results from one.
Prices seem to be rock bottom (take a look at the small ads in your local paper). The main costs are in film and processing, not a problem for DIY enthusiasts, significantly more than 35mm. Even buying 120 film can be a trial, my supplier had to order it just for me last time I wanted some C41.
Rob
edit to add a quote about Lubitels from another forum "In the last 10 days on eBay 15 have been have sold fetching from £6.50 to £37 depending on condition and if they had case". Gives you a clue as to how much to pay, but no-one had anything good to say about the results from one.
Edited by robbin'b on Thursday 1st February 15:48
I've had a Lubitel II since I was about 10 years old and I've never liked using it mainly because of having to look at an upside down image in the viewfinder. It seems to be reliable enough though and I've not had any light leak problems. As for not wasting film my only advice would be to wind on immediately that you have taken the photo but don't cock the shutter until you're happy with the image in the viewfinder.
If I was trying something medium format just for cheap fun I'd probably try a Lomo. If I wanted to try a proper TLR then a Yashica or Mamiya would be better - its not as if they'd lose any value nowadays !
If I was trying something medium format just for cheap fun I'd probably try a Lomo. If I wanted to try a proper TLR then a Yashica or Mamiya would be better - its not as if they'd lose any value nowadays !
Edited by te51cle on Thursday 1st February 16:09
gumballer said:
im keen to get a few pointers to save me wasting film.
Be very methodical about winding on and cocking the shutter. There's no interlock to prevent double exposures - or, for that matter, blank frames.
You may have a cardboard 6x4.5 mask inside the camera which will give you a choice of formats.
Never had any trouble with light leaks on the Lubitel I had, though I guess build quality is patchy so some are probably worse than others.
I would avoid Lubitel, exept if it is just really for some experimentation.
You can find very cheap Rolleicord, it is a good option, it can be 40 years old, it usually still works well, with lens quality still very good today.
I don't understand the comment telling it's weird to want to try medium format when it is digital time.
There is just nothing to compare between the 2, it is 2 completly different approach of photography.
I think that, if instead of a digital camera witha 4Go card on which they proudly make 1000 shit pictures of their hollyday, people would have a medium size camera with just 1 roll film of 12 view for their hollyday, they would actualy certainly come back with better images.
You can find very cheap Rolleicord, it is a good option, it can be 40 years old, it usually still works well, with lens quality still very good today.
I don't understand the comment telling it's weird to want to try medium format when it is digital time.
There is just nothing to compare between the 2, it is 2 completly different approach of photography.
I think that, if instead of a digital camera witha 4Go card on which they proudly make 1000 shit pictures of their hollyday, people would have a medium size camera with just 1 roll film of 12 view for their hollyday, they would actualy certainly come back with better images.
dmax said:
I would avoid Lubitel, exept if it is just really for some experimentation.
You can find very cheap Rolleicord, it is a good option, it can be 40 years old, it usually still works well, with lens quality still very good today.
I think that, if instead of a digital camera witha 4Go card on which they proudly make 1000 shit pictures of their hollyday, people would have a medium size camera with just 1 roll film of 12 view for their hollyday, they would actualy certainly come back with better images.
You can find very cheap Rolleicord, it is a good option, it can be 40 years old, it usually still works well, with lens quality still very good today.
I think that, if instead of a digital camera witha 4Go card on which they proudly make 1000 shit pictures of their hollyday, people would have a medium size camera with just 1 roll film of 12 view for their hollyday, they would actualy certainly come back with better images.
exactley, i wanted to be forced into giving more thought to the photos i am taking and not so snap happy, i have always wanted to try medium format too. it is purly experimentation for now, in the future il look to get something a bit better put together. thanks
The comment about being careful over double exposure reminds me of a friend who got a Lubitel, tried it out on one of the girls in his office, shooting against a black background. He got the most perfect double exposure (no sniggering at the back!) but it was pure chance. Having done it once he tried to recreate it, became a feature rather than a handicap, so even the apparent snags can be made useful.
He also complained about the focussing and viewfinder but if you are working slowly, which is the only way to do it with 12 exposures at your disposal, then concentrating on the details becomes part of the fun.
To play with, just do it!!
Rob
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