Makten wrote:
Actually, I mostly shoot well stopped down and I still appreciate the benefits of a larger format. "Detail" is only a small part of image quality. I don't think I could have gotten this punch and crispness with the NEX-5N, regardless of whatever lens I put on it.
The larger the format, the greater the local contrast in proportion to the final image height. This was shot with the standard Zeiss 80/2.8 @ f/11 or f/16 on the Hassy 500 c/m.
I didn't mean you.
Well I certainly wasn't upset. I was just trying to have a discussion.
Martin,
The example on your webpage and this shot of hoe bucket reminds me once again why - at least for B&W work - digital just can't give the range that film does.
"I don't care for any developing or printing. I never had a fascination with darkroom, as so many other people do. I was blessed/cursed with tons of great photo labs in LA (anyone remember Newell?)."
L.A. used to have so many labs. Some good, some not so great. I remember Newell, Paris, A&I, Photo Impact among others. In the end, the best one I've used, and the only one in the last twenty years is Schulman Photo Lab on Sunset. They seem to have outlasted all the others by providing great service at reasonable prices and specializing in the fine art market. Hell, I remember, back in the day, when they had a daily pickup and delivery anywhere in L.A. Well, that's gone now, but at least they're still kicking.
Here's a Mamiya 7 T-Max100 shot from a road trip coming back from Montana. Probably the 50mm, but who really knows or cares. Or another Mamiya T-Max from Lower Rock Creek Rd. And no, highways, is not all I shoot...but you get an idea of what great lenses, film and scanning can do for an image, even at web size.
I forgot about the Yashica TLRs. I had two of them over the years. A model D and a Model A. I think I only paid about $ 100 for the last one. I recently died, however, when the shutter froze up. I think the ones with the Yashinon lenses are better than the Yashikors or Yashinors?.
I didn't check the message before posting. Thanks for pointing that out. The camera died not me. I had trouble with that camera before keeping the film in alignment. For the price, they were good though.
I don't really have a fascination for the process of developing/printing (and now that I have a kid, the idea of storing reagents at home is even less appealing), but I do like the results. I think there is something to be said for a great photographic print. I'm also interested in developing/printing because it seems there's no cost effective way to shoot large format without doing the developing yourself (not true with MF: I still find it reasonable enough pricewise to develop MF through Fuji). So I've been toying with this idea for a while.
so i never pulled the trigger on this last year, but am thinking about it again.
can you guys link me to some places that do developing? i'm trying to figure out what this would cost me if i wanted to shoot a couple rolls a week of like 120 and have the negatives scanned (or scan them myself?)
Peter Figen wrote:
....Here's a Mamiya 7 T-Max100 shot from a road trip coming back from Montana. Probably the 50mm, but who really knows or cares. Or another Mamiya T-Max from Lower Rock Creek Rd. And no, highways, is not all I shoot...but you get an idea of what great lenses, film and scanning can do for an image, even at web size.
I developed and scanned (on a flatbed) my own 120.
It was not difficult other than fooling with the stupid plastic reels the first few times.
tbh Ive shot so little recently that Im seriously considering trading the m2 + zm50 for a pentax 67. I wish I knew someone in DFW who could let me play with one or even just hold one.
The Pentax 67 is big, and certainly much heavier than a Mamiya 7. There are many more lenses available, of course, which is a major plus. It's also an SLR, so framing is more accurate.
I'd never use one myself, but I've seen good work done with them.
A $450 Rolleiflex 2.8D, or any other non-collectable Rolleiflex such as the Automat MX EVS, with Zeiss Tessar lenses... Film developed in home made Rodinal from paracetamol powder. Really not expensive way of shooting 6x6 with fantastic results.
Otherwise a Pentax 67II with the standard yet awesome 105/2.4 and also a 55/4.
Edit: With regard to film, I really like the Rollei brand. Many don't like the Rollei films, and I can understand why, but they suit my style quite nicely. Especially the Infrared 400 and the RPX 100 types...
RZ67 with the 110 is a spectacular setup, but it's a bit longish for walking around (obviously depending on how you shoot).
You could find a Mamiya 6 with a 75mm right around $1000. Light, easy to use, ridiculously sharp lens, the 75mm is like a wide normal lens (as mentioned earlier).
