Mario Testino + Pentax 67 @ 1/30 second

UnkleSamo · 08-27-2015, 01:36 PM

Excellent UK documentary of Mario Testino. He is using Pentax 67 + 90mm f/2.8 handheld and synced to flash via X-Sync port for the majority of this video of Vanity Fair shoots! A tripod is not a must have for 1/30 sec shooting w/ the P67 system. I'm not saying everyone has a steady hand but, I definitely have results more than satisfactory for me...

You Tube

stevebrot · 08-27-2015, 03:32 PM

Polaroid back...now that is cool.

tuco · 08-27-2015, 04:42 PM

You can have the steadiest hold in the world and 1/30th will still give you motion blur if your subject is moving around, waving hands, etc. But a flash that will help freeze the shot and mask any minor movement if the flash is equal or greater than the ambient from my experience with it.

willeisner · 08-27-2015, 06:56 PM

I have a 67 with polaroid back and a flash 540 fgz use it with the lens LS 165mm f4

desertscape · 08-28-2015, 10:13 AM

A famous photographer using a Pentax 67. Love it.

tuco · 08-28-2015, 10:42 AM

Yeah, pretty cool. But film cameras are cheap these days. For a professional, I don't see they wouldn't have more than one film camera especially if you do a lot of strobe work. There are plenty of other medium format film cameras capable of making that task a lot easier with more lenses that have higher flash syncs for daytime strobe balancing and will also deliver just as good a image as one from a Pentax.

UnkleSamo · 08-28-2015, 12:50 PM

No doubt... This was posted for those as there are so many posts regarding the Pentax 67 hand hold capability, flash sync rate of 1/30 sec and mirror slap...I also found the documentary rewarding as I have a few Testino books despite not being a huge fan but, I never knew many of his iconic works were shot w/ the Pentax 67 system. I'm definitely not trying to tout the 67 as the best camera or that it is the best Medium Format camera. It is my favorite but, to each their own. There is no "BEST" camera or format. All cameras have their pros and cons and are just tools for each situation... DSLRs are more suited than virtually all Medium Format cameras (digital or film) for action etc. Large format has it's strengths, etc. There is no one camera that is the best for all

tuco · 08-28-2015, 01:33 PM

I think the whole medium format film market was about specialization in different categories. No one camera was the best for everything. The main two categories would be studio and field cameras. Clearly, some were at home more in a studio than the field and of course the other way around.

stevebrot · 08-28-2015, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by tuco

Clearly, some were at home more in a studio than the field and of course the other way around.

Based on the handling characteristics of some, what you say makes a lot of sense.

Steve

thomasfallon · 09-19-2015, 05:19 PM

Just snapshots served up with a thick veneer of bull crap. Not reportage because he can't use the ambient light. Not a painter's eye because he can't paint the light. Just a big blast of flash an inch off the lens with faces lit like pancakes, nothing more. Polaroids? Why? He needed to test flat light? No, just like everything else about his act - all for show. Look at the beards he creates under the chins of those women - a thin black line under all the chins when that flash fires. I recognize his high degree of skill - in salesmanship - in building relationships - in self-promotion and in branding. He has my respect there. Skill with lighting? It's as basic as any 60's wedding photographer. Skill with posing? Sure, let's do two girls on toilets.

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08-27-2015, 03:32 PM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Polaroid back...now that is cool.

08-27-2015, 04:42 PM	#3
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,026	You can have the steadiest hold in the world and 1/30th will still give you motion blur if your subject is moving around, waving hands, etc. But a flash that will help freeze the shot and mask any minor movement if the flash is equal or greater than the ambient from my experience with it.

08-27-2015, 06:56 PM	#4
willeisner Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 122	I have a 67 with polaroid back and a flash 540 fgz use it with the lens LS 165mm f4

08-28-2015, 10:13 AM	#5
desertscape Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272	A famous photographer using a Pentax 67. Love it.

08-28-2015, 10:42 AM	#6
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,026	Yeah, pretty cool. But film cameras are cheap these days. For a professional, I don't see they wouldn't have more than one film camera especially if you do a lot of strobe work. There are plenty of other medium format film cameras capable of making that task a lot easier with more lenses that have higher flash syncs for daytime strobe balancing and will also deliver just as good a image as one from a Pentax.

08-28-2015, 12:50 PM	#7
UnkleSamo New Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 10 Original Poster	No doubt... This was posted for those as there are so many posts regarding the Pentax 67 hand hold capability, flash sync rate of 1/30 sec and mirror slap...I also found the documentary rewarding as I have a few Testino books despite not being a huge fan but, I never knew many of his iconic works were shot w/ the Pentax 67 system. I'm definitely not trying to tout the 67 as the best camera or that it is the best Medium Format camera. It is my favorite but, to each their own. There is no "BEST" camera or format. All cameras have their pros and cons and are just tools for each situation... DSLRs are more suited than virtually all Medium Format cameras (digital or film) for action etc. Large format has it's strengths, etc. There is no one camera that is the best for all

08-28-2015, 01:33 PM	#8
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,026	I think the whole medium format film market was about specialization in different categories. No one camera was the best for everything. The main two categories would be studio and field cameras. Clearly, some were at home more in a studio than the field and of course the other way around.

08-28-2015, 03:25 PM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by tuco Clearly, some were at home more in a studio than the field and of course the other way around. Based on the handling characteristics of some, what you say makes a lot of sense. Steve

09-19-2015, 05:19 PM	#10
thomasfallon Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 43	Just snapshots served up with a thick veneer of bull crap. Not reportage because he can't use the ambient light. Not a painter's eye because he can't paint the light. Just a big blast of flash an inch off the lens with faces lit like pancakes, nothing more. Polaroids? Why? He needed to test flat light? No, just like everything else about his act - all for show. Look at the beards he creates under the chins of those women - a thin black line under all the chins when that flash fires. I recognize his high degree of skill - in salesmanship - in building relationships - in self-promotion and in branding. He has my respect there. Skill with lighting? It's as basic as any 60's wedding photographer. Skill with posing? Sure, let's do two girls on toilets.