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Archive 2012 · Medium-Large Format tips

  
 
Krosavcheg
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Medium-Large Format tips


I shot two rolls of Neopan today on my Fuji GW690 III and I must say I missed shooting it for some time now.
Only thing is its fixed lens feels a little limiting.
I am just contemplating any other options. I got GX680 Pro III but I was really busy until last month and never got around to test it properly.
It's a great camera, but its drawback is size and general amount of tools to lug around with it. I still need to get WA bellows and rail extensions as well as 120/220 cartridges.

Are there any interesting options? Speaking both practically and creatively. Lens price and availability weighted against performance and quality, operation and practicality.
Or perhaps easier
Mamiya RZ67 or RB67? Fuji M7? Pentax? Bronica? Rollei TLR? What are you guy's personal preferences?

Thank you very much for sharing in advance.



Oct 14, 2012 at 09:48 AM
ken.vs.ryu
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Medium-Large Format tips


I have a TLR and didn't enjoy shooting it as much as the Fuji GW. I'm just used to holding the camera to my face. The GW is also easier to deal with a Hassy.


Oct 14, 2012 at 10:12 AM
mcbroomf
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Medium-Large Format tips


I had a GW690 III for a while, principally as backup and better portability to my LF systems. If I were to decide to get back into MF film now I would choose a Mamiya 7

Mike



Oct 14, 2012 at 10:16 AM
redisburning
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Medium-Large Format tips


pentax 67 is worth trying.

mamiya 7 is worth buying if you can live with the MFD (I couldn't)

didn't like rolleiflex, bronica or the fuji rfs.

large format is awesome. I love my Sinar but it's a tank that requires a fair bit of doing to shoot with.



Oct 14, 2012 at 05:20 PM
AmbientMike
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Medium-Large Format tips


Somebody had a tlr with interchangeable lenses, think it was mamiya.


Oct 14, 2012 at 05:39 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Medium-Large Format tips


You could add a GSW690II or III. I shot primarily with a GW670II and GSW690II for a few years before going digital. It was a great combination.


Oct 14, 2012 at 06:40 PM
Krosavcheg
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Medium-Large Format tips


Many Japanese shoot Pentax MF cameras. I am somewhat distrustful of their choices
I don't mind waist level finder personally, but GW690 does feel good to hold indeed.

I recall someone advising against Mamiya 645s and suggesting RZ, but I can't quite recall the thread...need to search.
One camera I was eyeing is Fuji panoramic Gx617, but it's rather expensive, awkward and still without interchangable lenses.

What did put most of you off TLRs? If you don't mind me asking..

GSW is tasty but fairly rare. Need to visit local shop - they had a rack full of GW last time but I didn't have much time..



Oct 14, 2012 at 08:37 PM
ken.vs.ryu
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Medium-Large Format tips


I can't hand hold tlrs and wlfs properly. I'd rather not have a tripod with me.


Oct 14, 2012 at 09:54 PM
tophoto.
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Medium-Large Format tips


I'm a big fan of the rz67, own the pro II varient my self. Once you get use to the size (smaller then the rb) it's a really fun streamlined system. Lenses are all very nice and are relatively cheap and readily available on sites like keh. The viewfinder is large and bright, so focus is a snap, and the built in bellows is incredibly useful.


Oct 14, 2012 at 10:28 PM
alwang
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Medium-Large Format tips


Strange, i find hand holding the major advantage of my Rolleicord. Waist level viewing held against my chest feels very natural to me, and the lack of a mirror or focal plane shutter means i can shoot at way lower shutter speeds.


Oct 14, 2012 at 10:30 PM
Peire
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Medium-Large Format tips


For me Mamiya 6/6MF and Mamiya 7/7II systems win the medium format challenge.


Oct 14, 2012 at 11:38 PM
luminosity
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Medium-Large Format tips


I own a D700, X100, Mamiya 7, and F100. The Mamiya 7 is my favorite camera of the four. I held a Pentax 67 recently, and while it was lighter than I expected, I was thankful in a new way for my 7. I own both the 80 and 65, and the 80 is perfectly balanced with the camera. It's also spectacularly sharp. The 65 is sharp as well, but the 80 is in a class of its own.

The only legitimate issue I can see someone having is the relatively small minimum aperture-- f/4. It's not an issue for depth of field in my view, but I don't share the obsession many people have with matters related to such things (the 150/4.5 is available if necessary, and it happens to be the least expensive lens on the used market). It is, however, an issue for light gathering, which is part of why I've begun using a flash with my 7. It's possible to make up some ground by shooting at a lower shutter speed, since it's a rangefinder and one with a leaf shutter.

I like rangefinders and find focusing with them easier than a manual focus SLR. Your mileage will vary.



Oct 15, 2012 at 02:15 AM
redisburning
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Medium-Large Format tips


1m minimum focus distance was really limiting

also, the body is very plasticy and the viewfinder is supremely cluttered.

I think both of those are legitimate issues.

What did put most of you off TLRs?

2.8 planar wasn't good until f8 and I felt the operation was a bit clunky. I will get a 3.5 tessar eventually; I like the look of that better than the 3.5 planar personally.



Oct 15, 2012 at 03:26 PM
luminosity
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Medium-Large Format tips


One person's plasticky is another person's lightweight (that's my version of it). I don't think the viewfinder is cluttered at all. It has rangefinder lines and that's about all. What else is there?

I don't get the minimum focusing distance being an issue. It has never been so for me. Perhaps it's limiting if you like supremely close up photos of people, but that's not my thing.



Oct 15, 2012 at 04:07 PM
AmbientMike
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Medium-Large Format tips


I didnt use my tlr much. One normal lens and no macro. 12 shots on aroll not much (on 35 mm at the rime)


Oct 15, 2012 at 08:17 PM
AmbientMike
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Medium-Large Format tips


I used to want the Fuji with the wide lens. The Rolleiflex is light. Probably about the same weight as some mf lenses. Easy to carry both.

Close up dioptres are available for tlrs if you can get the subject lined up properly with them.

I agree wide open bad w/my Rollei. F/8 about right.



Oct 15, 2012 at 09:14 PM
Krosavcheg
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Medium-Large Format tips


What about Hassies?


Oct 16, 2012 at 09:08 AM
corposant
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Medium-Large Format tips


Krosavcheg wrote:
What about Hassies?


Great system, but can be expensive.



Oct 16, 2012 at 11:15 AM
carstenw
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Medium-Large Format tips


Hasselblads are anachronistic. They have absolutely no features beyond film loading, shutter speed, aperture and focusing via the viewfinder (okay, and mirror lockup). You need to bring your own meter (unless you want to buy a 203FE/205TCC/205FCC). On the other hand, they are wonderful to operate, have some great Zeiss lenses, and have a satisfying clunk when you shoot.


Oct 16, 2012 at 04:18 PM
brucemuir
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Medium-Large Format tips


carstenw wrote:
Hasselblads are anachronistic. They have absolutely no features beyond film loading, shutter speed, aperture and focusing via the viewfinder (okay, and mirror lockup). You need to bring your own meter (unless you want to buy a 203FE/205TCC/205FCC). On the other hand, they are wonderful to operate, have some great Zeiss lenses, and have a satisfying clunk when you shoot.


Sounds perfect to me.
Plus they are great for handholding.



Oct 16, 2012 at 04:29 PM
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