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Archive 2017 · for the medium format shooters

Dustin Gent
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · for the medium format shooters

most likely i will move to MF in a few months. I know with film that the body doesn't make a difference, but glass does. I have several C/Y glass that is amazing. Zeiss makes glass for the Contax 645 format, but the Contax bodies are not cheap.

what other system makes glass as sharp as the Contax 645 system? The price difference between a Hassy, Mamiya Bronica and others compared to the Contax are crazy. Just trying to get some info and research.

Oct 29, 2017 at 05:29 PM

CreationBear
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · for the medium format shooters

Have you given any thought to maybe jumping up to a 6x7 format? I've been impressed over the past year with how "mature" the Pentax 67 system is--lots of nice lenses and well thought-out accessories to be had. As for "sharpness," I've seen where experienced pro's have rated some of them in the 90-105 lp/mm range (e.g. the Super Tak 75/4, the new version of the 55/4, and both zoom offerings.) It might boil down to how you use your system: I'm mostly working off a tripod here in the Smokies, but I also appreciate the ability to slap a fast lens on and do some impromptu street shooting...the Pentax 67 is a big beast of a camera, but I've found it surprisingly ergonomic.

Oct 29, 2017 at 05:52 PM

Dustin Gent
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · for the medium format shooters

i use a tripod 95% of the time. thanks for the options! One thing i am worried about is availability of film. I know that Velvia and Provia might be on the chopping block, but haven't really looked at 6x7 yet. Cost per shot isn't the biggest concern as i didn't shoot a lot when i had my DSLRs.

Oct 29, 2017 at 05:56 PM

DannyBurkPhoto
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · for the medium format shooters

Dustin - I shot 4x5 and medium format for many years until I converted to digital two years ago. I had a Contax 645 for awhile and loved it. The lenses are excellent, especially the 120 makro - I was reluctant to sell the camera because of the latter lens in particular, but I wanted to move to a larger format, and get movements as well.

When I sold the Contax, I got a Fuji GX680. It's a huge beast and not outdoor-friendly unless you shoot near the car, but it's like no other. It's basically a view camera using MF film, and the Fuji lenses are superb. The whole thing can be picked up ridiculously cheap nowadays, as I unhappily found out when I sold mine in 2015!

I have reviews of both systems on my website in case you care to have a look:

http://www.dannyburk.com/equipment_reviews.htm

Oct 29, 2017 at 06:06 PM

JohnBrose
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · for the medium format shooters

why would you think the body doesn't make a difference? It makes a very large difference, sure lenses are very important, but the usability of a body is very important also and the depth of the system. Also, a lens can have wonderful sharpness, but not the character that you want or the wrong focal length etc. I used Bronica SqaI bodies and lenses and they had a great system. I would probably suggest a system that you can get maintained/repaired. Most will have lenses that are up to the task.

Oct 29, 2017 at 07:20 PM

coogee
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · for the medium format shooters

If 645 is in the mix, Mamiya is cheap, RB/RZ. The lenses aren’t going to make or break the pictures.
If size/weight dont matter, Bronica, Pentax.

Oct 29, 2017 at 09:09 PM

Two23
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · for the medium format shooters

The Fuji 680 is a great system. I was once a commercial photographer's helper and that's what he was using for product shots instead of 4x5. If you shoot a lot of architecture or landscapes the movements are great. I have used Fujinon lenses on my 4x5 and they were uniformly excellent. The 680 is one of the larger medium format systems though. I've stayed with my Chamonix 045n field camera in part because it is very light and compact. One of the things I love about 4x5 is I can use lenses from any age on it! I have a cluster of lenses from 1840s/50s, another cluster from 1905/25, and four from the 1990s.

Kent in SD

Oct 29, 2017 at 09:50 PM

freaklikeme
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · for the medium format shooters

My choice was the Hasselblad 500. The CF 40/4 FLE, CF 50/4 FLE, CF 80/2.8, CF Sonnar 180/4, and the 135/5.6 + bellows are among the sharpest lenses I've ever used. They have other problems (five-blade apertures, the correction for color aberrations on the two wides isn't on par with modern lenses, leaf shutter speed tends to be more approximate than accurate, and they're all big and heavy) but absolute resolution with good 120 film isn't among them. I had both 6x6 and 645 backs for the camera, but I think I ran two rolls of film through the 645 before I decided to just go 6x6. The square format's addictive.

Oct 29, 2017 at 10:01 PM

MAubrey
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · for the medium format shooters

I have two MF systems:

Mamiya Pro TL (645) w/45mm, 80mm f/1.9, & 150mm f/3.8.
Mamiya Universal Press (6x9 & 6x7) w/50mm f/6.3, 100mm f/2.8.

They're both superb. The Press body is about 50% heavier, but purely mechanical, the rangefinder is lovely and with the right film holder can shoot basically any MF format from 645 to 6x9. The Pro TL is great for its compactness and format flexibility and the SLR focusing is a delight through a waist finder.

Love them both.

Oct 29, 2017 at 10:17 PM

banpreso
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · for the medium format shooters

low price, high quality, and portability, most of us can only afford to prioritize two out of those 3 things when considering a medium format system.

prices for all medium format systems are really low, and build quality is generally really high, so its pretty hard to go wrong (unless you went with a camera model that has known issues, such has Fujifilm GS645 with bellow that can cause light leak). it is really important to define your requirements (how portable? interchangeable lens needed? max aperture needed? desired format? how much budget?)

for a starter medium format kit, if you are looking to get into a system, Pentax 6x7 is great as the lenses are really cheap, the camera is barely portable, and the size of the negative is a significant increase compared to 35mm so it delivers the wow factor for first time medium format users. another fun thing you can do with the pentax 6x7 (and some other medium format cameras), is you can put a 35mm film adapter into the camera to make its shoot panorama (70mm x 24mm). This can be really fun paired with films like cinestill for really cinematic shots, and is a poorman's hasselblad xpan.

Oct 30, 2017 at 12:58 AM

Alexluu627
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · for the medium format shooters

Pentax 67 lenses are superb
mamiya RZ67 lenses are top notch and cheaper than pentax lenses. the 110mm f2.8 is comparible to the contax.
Mamiya 7ii lenses are really good too, but expensive.

I don't like the carl zeiss lenses for my Hasselblad 500cm system.
Never played with the fuji lenses, but the h lenses for the hasselblad H system they make are great. The 100mm and the 120mm macro are superb.

I vote for Mamiya RZ system for price, availability and quality.

Oct 30, 2017 at 02:23 AM

sebboh
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · for the medium format shooters

i vote you get a texas leica, but mostly because i really enjoy seeing people shoot with those.

Oct 30, 2017 at 03:04 AM

sculptormic
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · for the medium format shooters

If I was going back to film it would be the Mamiya 7II. Great camera and a nice set of lenses. The 43mm is superb. But it is a rangefinder so no very long lenses, 210 is the longest, I beleive. But for 6x7 system it is all very portable.

Oct 30, 2017 at 06:38 AM

Gunzorro
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · for the medium format shooters

CreationBear wrote:
Have you given any thought to maybe jumping up to a 6x7 format? I've been impressed over the past year with how "mature" the Pentax 67 system is--lots of nice lenses and well thought-out accessories to be had. As for "sharpness," I've seen where experienced pro's have rated some of them in the 90-105 lp/mm range (e.g. the Super Tak 75/4, the new version of the 55/4, and both zoom offerings.) It might boil down to how you use your system: I'm mostly working off a tripod here in the Smokies, but I also appreciate the ability to slap a...Show more →

The sensor on the 67II is pathetic.

I finally sold most of my Pentax 67II this last year. Still have a few lenses to list.

I prefer the Pentax 67 system to the Mamiya 67 (RB/RZ) -- much more portable and even easily hand-hold-able.

Oct 30, 2017 at 07:42 AM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · for the medium format shooters

I think you are right to look at lens sharpness. I remember seeing lens tests, and the Hassleblad lenses were sharp, compared to the best 35mm lenses, imo, IIRC, but the Rolleiflex 6x6 weren't.

I used to read pop photo a lot, might have been in there, if you have archived editions in your local library.

What are you planning on doing with the images? If you are scanning, I'd want as much detail as possible. I haven't shot much medium format. But if you don't have high resolution lenses and are scanning, it seems like you would be better off, or close to as well off, with a much lighter and more versatile system, using 35mm or ff and good lenses.

If you are printing directly, medium format will be better, imo, even if the lenses aren't as good. Less grain, bigger negative/slide size.

I have an old Rollei TLR and Mamiya RB sitting around, but film is so expensive. It sounds like I shoot a lot more images than you do, though. The RB is a beast, compared to a 5D or similar. Plus I do a lot of macro and tele, which is easier on digital.

I've read that people are getting images as good as medium format on ff and even aps. So I'm hesitant to use them. But I was surprised at the detail in an old slide several months ago. I think it was kodachrome 64, and Velvia might be a bit better.

Oct 30, 2017 at 12:43 PM

Johnny B Goode
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · for the medium format shooters

I only have experience with Pentax's 6x7. It was a pretty cheap system to get into and I've been happy with the lenses. Here's a quick reference guide to what's available for the system:

http://antiquecameras.net/pentax6x7lenses.html

Oct 30, 2017 at 01:43 PM

Dustin Gent
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · for the medium format shooters

thanks for the info everyone! I need to start researching them. The Fuji system looks to be a great deal. At least i have a starting point for research

Oct 30, 2017 at 08:28 PM

JohnBrose
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · for the medium format shooters

I would say if you are going to shoot film, then keep it all analog and not worry about scanning. If you plan on scanning then i would just suggest starting with digital in the 1st place. If sharpness is a high priority-you'd be real hard pressed to get a sharper image from film than one of the higher rez digital bodies with good lenses. If it's the feel and the process you're after than more power to you.

Oct 30, 2017 at 09:34 PM

philip_pj
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · for the medium format shooters

Yes, buy the Pentax 67 and give all who see you a great sight. People actually felt embarrassed being seen in public with one, lol. If you shoot people, not only will the monster obscure your face, your head will disappear from view and subjects will have a startled expression! If not from the sheer scale, from the booming mirror flap/shutter report.

'almost every feature is archaic by modern standards. It's very large and heavy (by 35mm standards; small and light by 67 standards), fires off like a cannon (mucho vibration and noise) and is quirky..'
There are upsides however: you'll never have to worry about where your little finger will rest; and they make a handy weapon in seedy neighborhoods.

The Fuji 680 series is even more outlandish and looks like a scientific instrument at a nuclear test site. It weighed all of nine pounds (4150 grams), putting many large format cameras to shame. With a lens we are talking bowling ball weight categories. Hit the gym, bro.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuji_GX680

Mamiya 7II is the go. Or Fuji GA645 for more frames per roll. Both take 220.

Oct 30, 2017 at 09:40 PM

DannyBurkPhoto
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · for the medium format shooters

True, the weight and bulk of the 680 isn't to be underestimated. I believe it's the biggest SLR ever made; it makes all others look like pygmies. I made the mistake of trying to carry it and 5-6 lenses in a backpack once. Once. After that, it was always back to 4x5 (lighter, with 8-9 lenses!) if I was any distance from the car.

It was a great camera, though; weight/bulk were really its only flaws. Wonderful in use, with tilt/shift/rise on every lens (front standard only), and those beautiful 6x8 chromes.

Oct 30, 2017 at 09:50 PM


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