Interested in Medium Format

[mmuhlenkamp]

Hey everyone, I'm interested in doing some medium format stuff, but I'm having a hard time figuring out where to start. I bought a little holga and really enjoy the unpredictableness of it, but I think I would enjoy a more controlled camera with nice quality lenses. It looks like there are some good set-ups out there for around $300 which is definitely in my price range, but without ever having messed with these kind of cameras before it's hard for me to know what I'm really getting.

What good sites or resources are there for someone getting into medium format film? Is there anyone local (I live in Denton) that might want to show me how to use their stuff so I can get a sense of how these cameras work?

Thanks for any advice/input.

[ronocnikral]

the cameras are pretty straight forward. the photography principals are the same too.

i guess some definition would be nice. do you want guidance on cameras, film, developing? what kind of medium format stuff do you want to do?

buy the bronica in the buy/sell section if an slr and 6x4.5 is your fancy. or a mamiya 7. do your research on pricing before you put in an offer though.

wayne, what's your 2 cents?

[studiocygnet]

Hi Melissa,
there is a long discussion of this topic over at Fred Miranda forums. It was started by someone with a Holga as well, that wanted to get more into it.
Right here:
Medium Format Film Bodies? - FM Forums

Like it says in one of the first few posts, you may want to decide on what negative format you like first (as in 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, etc.) before camera shopping.
I really like square (as my signature might indicate) so I've got a Zeiss Icon folder that cost me about $60, a Mamiya C220 TLR that was about $200, and a Mamiya 6 rangefinder with all 3 lenses available that was a whoooole lot more back when I got it. They all take a 6x6 negative.

[srwatters]

One word...Hasselblad.

500 series body. MF lenses are abundant.

Or if you're a fool like me, buy into the H series with HC autofocus lenses, get hooked and then go MF digital. It's like crack.... You've been warned!

Just do it.

[mmuhlenkamp]

Thanks for the responses guys. I like the square format the most I think; so I would like a camera that supported that. I'm fine with trying a rangefinder or a TLR, but I've never seen a camera like that in use and I'm not sure how to figure out what would suit me best. I just know I've seen some awesome results and really enjoy the look of what I've seen from medium format.

I'll probably do mostly outdoor landscapes/cityscapes and random found crap photography, not interested so much in portraits or anything like that at the moment. I'm really just tempted to buy something and figure it out, but I'm trying to stop the impulse buying

Edit: also, I would like something doesn't NEED a tripod, I don't want to always have to lug one of those around.

[ronocnikral]

buy the the c220 from timbertoes over in the buy/sell. i lugged mine all over this last vacation. excellent choice on the 66 format.

i've never held a hassy, but i'm sure they are nice.

[mmuhlenkamp]

It's been sold

[ronocnikral]

that stinks. it was a good deal, that's why. rangefinder forum. wait. strike when the iron is hot. or, if you're like me, pony up the cash and buy at keh. at least you know what you are getting.

[wclavey]

Melissa, I have an offer for you that you could refuse, but you might not want to...

I have an Agfa 6x6 folder (Ansco Speedex 4.5) with a shoe-mounted RF that is in like new condition - - new bellows and complete CLA about 3 years ago (by Certo6, for what it's worth). It works great and was my carry-around camera until I got my Fuji GS-645 6 months ago. All you would need to add would be film and a light meter. And it certainly doesn't need a tripod...

If you would like to borrow it to see if you like something "realer" in the way of 6x6 cameras, then I would be happy to lend it to you for a few months. If you like it and want to buy it, great. If not and you want something else even more "realer," great, too - - just send it back.

I have made it a goal to keep my unused cameras in use, especially if they can be of service to people trying to learn new stuff (David P, The Philosopher, has my old 4x5 right now...). So let me know if you are interested.

[mmuhlenkamp]

Wow, what a great offer Westley! I don't want to refuse at all!

I'd be happy to pay for shipping at the very least, what would want for it if I want to keep it? I've looked up some photos quick and it certainly looks like a fun little camera.

TPF is awesome.

[KJ Smith]

I think what Wes is offering is a place to start. MF cameras can get rather large. An older folder is about as small as you can get.

While a Hassy would be nice, they are expensive. If you think a Range finder would suit your needs, look for a Mamiya 7. The lenses for the Mamiya 7 are the best lenses ever made for MF. Yes better than the Hassy.
The 7 is a 6x7.
The 6 is a 6x6.

As far as regular style MF 645 is as small as it gets. I have and use a Mamiya 645E. One of the nice things is that its all one piece. Most MF SLR type cameras are modular. The prisms are removable and the backs are removable. While that offers a lot of flexibility it also increases the weight of the camera and introduces more places for light leaks.

Wayne will be along and interject his opinion in the morning....


Here is a link to Certo6 site.

[heespharm]

I like the 645 format (just bought a mamiya from lee) but sometimes it can look a little like a high quality 35mm... My suggestion if you want something different is go for 6x6 or 6x7...

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by heespharm

I like the 645 format (just bought a mamiya from lee) but sometimes it can look a little like a high quality 35mm... My suggestion if you want something different is go for 6x6 or 6x7...

Completely different aspect ratio.

One of the reasons people like 645 is because it enlarges directly ( without crop) to standard sizes.

645 is referred to as the "perfect format".

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by wclavey

Melissa, I have an offer for you that you could refuse, but you might not want to...

I have an Agfa 6x6 folder (Ansco Speedex 4.5) with a shoe-mounted RF that is in like new condition - - new bellows and complete CLA about 3 years ago (by Certo6, for what it's worth). It works great and was my carry-around camera until I got my Fuji GS-645 6 months ago. All you would need to add would be film and a light meter. And it certainly doesn't need a tripod...

If you would like to borrow it to see if you like something "realer" in the way of 6x6 cameras, then I would be happy to lend it to you for a few months. If you like it and want to buy it, great. If not and you want something else even more "realer," great, too - - just send it back.

I have made it a goal to keep my unused cameras in use, especially if they can be of service to people trying to learn new stuff (David P, The Philosopher, has my old 4x5 right now...). So let me know if you are interested.

Westely, what else you got?! Very generous. I was looking at doing a ginormous freestyle order soon. pm me if you are interested in saving a little $$ on some arista edu. My last roll is loaded in camera.

645 is a good format. as kevin pointed out, 8x10s with no crop. also, you get 3 more frames/roll of 120...

[crackhead]

I have a Fuji GA645 with the 60mm f/4 fixed lens. Takes wonderful photos and is light enough to take anywhere.