I'd like to try medium format

[nickd01]

I quite fancy having a dabble in the mysterious world of medium format. I'm hoping it might be a little more accessible now digital has arrived so there may be more medium format kit on the 2nd hand market.

Has anyone used / got a medium format set up? What have you got?
Are there any websites I can start learning from? Is it really that "hard"?!

I'm going to go for the landscape / portrait area just to see if I can see a difference in the images compared to my 5D.

[EmmaP]

Main difference is the format - 2.25" square, 6 x 4.5 cm, 6 x 7 cm, 6 x 9 cm and fact that the camera uses roll film. Each format has a quality all of its own and some are better suited to portraiture whilst others landscape, for example. You'll no doubt need a light meter too. The quality of the resulting images will be wonderful! Enjoy!

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

I bought a Hasselblad when I left college and it's still going strong, albeit with a digital back attached.

You might enjoy the slower, more contemplative way of working, or you may be frustrated by the more awkward handling. The cameras themselves are generally pretty simple, so just read the manual and you should be fine.

Although a well-processed medium format transparency is truly a thing of beauty, the work involved in scanning that to a useable digital form means I'm never going back.

If, however, your budget will stretch to a medium-format digital back, then you'll really see a quality difference. My 5D can get pictures in circumstances where the Hasselblad/Phase One would be a liability, but the ultimate quality just isn't there.

[EmmaP]

Good points S.Gonzalez Esq.! The contemplative method may be a real joy but it can also be intensely frustrating. I've always been an SLR girl myself, not having the patience for medium format and coming from a social documentary background. Having said that, the best photograph I ever took was on a large format camera. It all depends on the subject matter really and the time that you have at your disposal. I'm contemplating a foray into medium format film at present but it will be for one specific project and then subsequently for frivolous personal work.

[chrisj]

You might want to look at something like a Mamiya C220 or C330.
They're twin lens reflex cameras (TLR's), can be had for not a lot of money.
I've been using a C220 for about 4 years now and still love it.
It's a culture shock in use, but it taught me loads.
Have a look on https://secure.ffordes.com/index.htm

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

If you're serious about landscape, I'm selling this...



and I'll throw in a meter and your choice of roll film holder (6x7, 6x9 or 6x12cm)

[Scho]

i want that. how much?

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

That depends if you want the other bits thrown in for free. PM me for details...

[Andy M]

I bought a 503CW last year to compliment my 5D. Lovely lovely camera, but essentially frustrating. Like Emma I like the speed and ease of an SLR. As a result I sold the 503 & 5D and bought a 1Ds 3.

The bokeh from medium format shots is something to behold though, and I love the look of Provia 100F (for landscapes etc) and Portra 160NC for portraits.

[poah]

nickd01 said:

I quite fancy having a dabble in the mysterious world of medium format. I'm hoping it might be a little more accessible now digital has arrived so there may be more medium format kit on the 2nd hand market.

Has anyone used / got a medium format set up? What have you got?
Are there any websites I can start learning from? Is it really that "hard"?!

I'm going to go for the landscape / portrait area just to see if I can see a difference in the images compared to my 5D.

I'm selling my bronica ETRS kit for £300 if you want a cheap intro into MF photography

ETRS body
75 & 150mm lens
2 backs
speedgrip
metered prism
and about 13 rolls of 120 film (includes fuji velvia 50, provia 400X Astia 100, kodak GS100, fuji neopan 400CN, kodak Tmax 100, ilford fp4 125, pan 50 & delta 3200, Adox CHS 100)

[Jenx]

S. Gonzales Esq. said:

That depends if you want the other bits thrown in for free. PM me for details...

So the "other bits" aren't free then

Martin.

[nickd01]

chrisj said:

You might want to look at something like a Mamiya C220 or C330.
They're twin lens reflex cameras (TLR's), can be had for not a lot of money.
I've been using a C220 for about 4 years now and still love it.
It's a culture shock in use, but it taught me loads.
Have a look on https://secure.ffordes.com/index.htm

Thats a helpful link, thanks.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Jenx said:

So the "other bits" aren't free then

Martin.

OK. I'll rephrase that. If you want the free bits, then you don't get a discount on the camera.

[nick_bbb]

There is another way that hasn't been suggested, HOLGA!

Lot's of fun if you want to muck about with a bit of film

www.lomography.com

[nickd01]

poah said:

nickd01 said:

I quite fancy having a dabble in the mysterious world of medium format. I'm hoping it might be a little more accessible now digital has arrived so there may be more medium format kit on the 2nd hand market.

Has anyone used / got a medium format set up? What have you got?
Are there any websites I can start learning from? Is it really that "hard"?!

I'm going to go for the landscape / portrait area just to see if I can see a difference in the images compared to my 5D.

I'm selling my bronica ETRS kit for £300 if you want a cheap intro into MF photography

ETRS body
75 & 150mm lens
2 backs
speedgrip
metered prism
and about 13 rolls of 120 film (includes fuji velvia 50, provia 400X Astia 100, kodak GS100, fuji neopan 400CN, kodak Tmax 100, ilford fp4 125, pan 50 & delta 3200, Adox CHS 100)

That sounds like a good kit for me. Let me have a quick look at what an ETRS gives me and I'll PM you.

[Scho]

nick_bbb said:

There is another way that hasn't been suggested, HOLGA!

Lot's of fun if you want to F**K UP a bit of film

www.lomography.com

edited for accuracy

[Elderly]

EmmaP said:

Main difference is the format - 2.25" square, 6 x 4.5 cm, 6 x 7 cm, 6 x 9 cm

You missed one Emma I use a Fuji GX680 III which is 6 x 8 cms and by using masks you can choose to use any of the other formats up to 6 x 8.

It's like a giant motor-driven Hassleblad plus bellows movements;
combining speed of use, with medium format 'quality' and view camera adjustments.

I suppose it never caught on because of its weight.

[_dobbo_]

Interesting to note that of the people posting here, two took a foray into medium format cameras, and both have sold or are selling their gear. I think that speaks volumes.

I'll stick with my Holga for silly fun (or f***ing up film apparently), and my DSLR for everything else.

[poah]

_dobbo_ said:

Interesting to note that of the people posting here, two took a foray into medium format cameras, and both have sold or are selling their gear. I think that speaks volumes.

I'll stick with my Holga for silly fun (or f***ing up film apparently), and my DSLR for everything else.

I need the money, don't want to sell it. used it just last week

[Dogsey]

On the back of this thread I've decided to dig out my Dad's old Yashica TLR and run a few reels of film though it.

Slightly off topic - where's the best value (not necessarily the cheapest) place to get 120 film developed and the slides (I want to try some Velvia) scanned?