Medium format film, anyone?

Urmas R. · 04-18-2009, 07:31 AM

I find myself getting more and more back into classical film photography, especially medium format (just got another TLR camera). Although it will never replace digital, I prefer it now for staged shots, where I have loads of time. Anybody else shooting MF film here? Especially with older 1940-50 cameras?

As it is not really necessarily Pentax related, do you happen to know any lively MF forums?

*geauxpez* · 04-18-2009, 10:04 AM

www.apug.org is always a good souce for info on film cameras. Someone there was selling 2 Pentax 67's in the last day or two.

*k100d* · 04-18-2009, 10:14 AM

there's a decent amount of activity in RangeFinderForum on MF

Cosmo · 04-18-2009, 10:28 AM

After putting a few rolls through it, I'm sure you'll change your maind about it replacing digi.

I have a Yashica Mat EM TLR.

Urmas R. · 04-20-2009, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Cosmo

After putting a few rolls through it, I'm sure you'll change your maind about it replacing digi.

I have a Yashica Mat EM TLR.

It's such a nice feeling, isn't it. Digital seems kind of a fake in comparison. No histograms, no 8GB memory cards with hundreds of photos....

I have used Fuji Provia and Velvia, which I both like. Have you used anything (color slide film) from Kodak recently. Do they offer anything that Fuji doesn't or that they do better?

Gooshin · 04-20-2009, 10:52 AM

on demand histogram is the single most important "fake" gimmick that has compressed the time it took me to learn photography from years to months, not to mention the money saved from endlessly wasting film and darkroom hours to understand how the world-lens-film relationships work.

Cosmo · 04-20-2009, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by Urmas R.

It's such a nice feeling, isn't it. Digital seems kind of a fake in comparison. No histograms, no 8GB memory cards with hundreds of photos....

I have used Fuji Provia and Velvia, which I both like. Have you used anything (color slide film) from Kodak recently. Do they offer anything that Fuji doesn't or that they do better?

Other than the ocasional Kodak colour plus, and 1 roll of T-Max 100, I haven't used any Kodak, I'm a Fuji guy.

filmamigo · 04-20-2009, 03:17 PM

I love shooting medium format! I have a nice Yashica 12 (basically a 124G without the support for 220 film.) I also got a nice AGFA Isolette folder from my dad that I cleaned up.

As to the "gimmicks", I don't think digital itself is the gimmick. Histograms are a great tool. For me, the real gimmicks are autoexposure and autofocus. By making me turn the knob or ring to set focus, aperture and shutter speed, I have to think about them. It's actually no slower than the "auto" functions, and I have at least made an unconscious choice. With any modern camera (film or digital SLR) it's so easy to just fire away before really evaluating what choice the camera made. When I try and slow down, it actually takes me longer because I have to evaluate what choices the camera made, decide if it's the choice I would have made, and then act to intervene (with the control wheels and/or ISO settings and/or exposure compensation.)

I would love to see a digital version of the MZ-M, with an LCD screen and histogram, but only manual controls. It would be the ultimate photographic learning accelerator.

Urmas R. · 04-21-2009, 02:06 AM

Originally Posted by Gooshin

on demand histogram is the single most important "fake" gimmick that has compressed the time it took me to learn photography from years to months, not to mention the money saved from endlessly wasting film and darkroom hours to understand how the world-lens-film relationships work.

I have to agree here actually. My way of shooting with K20d has also been in full manual mode and then checking the histogram for every shot. It is so nice and easy to learn from it. I would be totally broke, if I would have learned it all in film. Luckily I have had the chance to do it in parallel and they complement each other very well.

mr.voigtlander · 04-21-2009, 03:15 AM

Try the Kodak Portra negative films - especially the NC for portraits. It is superb!! Another thing to do is rate your film 1/3 - 1 stop under the suggested ISO. Then get it processed as normal. Gives you more shadow detail. And gorgeous colours. Straight out of the camera. Better than anything digital can do. No noise and no post processing time. Just pure pleasure!!

I only shoot film using cameras from 1920-30s, and others, but mainly in B&W. Medium format is great to use, good luck and keep with it.

cheers,

*snappy* · 04-22-2009, 04:55 PM

I do the same. Kodak Portra NC 400- and 800 about 1/3 under suggested ISO. It is time consumming, however, it's very enjoyable . Frints have a very unique and artistic feeling. Plus I don't have to worry too much about purple fringging. Like everyone else, I just don't do this very often anymore, however, I will not get rid of my film cameras.

*eyou* · 04-23-2009, 09:53 PM

found this in my basement. was my grandfathers. i havent tried it out yet though, but it seems to be working without any film.

Click on the image to view it in a larger size

Urmas R. · 04-24-2009, 08:37 AM

Wow! Lucky you! The Rolleiflex cameras go at a pretty high price in Ebay.

Check this webpage for more information on which model you have:

All Rollei - Rolleiflex - Rolleicord - TLR Cameras by year - www.rolleiclub.com

*k100d* · 04-24-2009, 11:02 AM

wow what a beauty, it would be a waste not to use a camera like that
leica=king of 35mm, hassy=king of 6x6, rollei=king of tlrs

Ellen Rutchick · 04-24-2009, 11:56 AM

Hi there,

I'm a film-shooting anachronism in both medium format (Pentax 67II) and 35 mm.

My go-to films are:

Color transparency - Fuji Provia 100 and Astia 100

Color negative (portaits) - Kodak Portra 400 NC

B/W negative - Kodak T-Max 100 and 400

Have fun!

Elllen Rutchick