Getting into medium format

skysh4rk

skysh4rk

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RJ
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I'm sure there's never been a post on here asking for help when choosing a medium format camera...

Anyway, I've found that I've really been enjoying film photography over digital recently, so I've made a decision to sell some of the digital equipment in order to purchase some medium format gear.

A friend loaned me an old Lubitel TLR (admittedly not the finest MF camera) to see what I thought of the waist level finder and I really liked the idea of it, although I found this particular camera very difficult to focus.

Are there WLFs that feature split-prism focusing or something similar that make it easier to focus? I often like to shoot wide open (my favourite lens is the Samyang 85mm f/1.4), so I want to be able to shoot at large apertures with some confidence that I can nail focus like I do on my Nikon cameras.

I was initially drawn to the idea of 6x6 and was looking at the Bronica SQ-AM or various TLRs, but I've been impressed with some of the photos I've seen on flickr taken the Mamiya 645 and see that that system offers an 80mm f/1.9 lens, which appeals to me (although I might not be able to afford it right now).

I'm looking to spend about £160-£200 to start, as I want to leave some money left over to pick up a scanner that can handle MF negatives, but this could increase depending on how the sale of the digital stuff goes.

Below are the sorts of photos I like to take, so I'm looking for a system that allows me to improve upon this (without necessarily needing a tripod preferably). I'm under the impression that medium format offers even sharper photos with smoother bokeh than 35mm, but please don't be afraid to tell me if you don't think my photos (or my style of shooting) will improve with MF.




Boxing day relaxation by skysh4rk, on Flickr



Titanic Belfast by skysh4rk, on Flickr



Christmas Market Sweets by skysh4rk, on Flickr



The 'squiggly' bridge by skysh4rk, on Flickr
 
Well RJ these are a very nice selection and welcome to f&c.

Now as you alluded to in your opening line there have been many, many threads on here about MF and so I shall not bore you with the same old answers that you can find with a quick search. But generally speaking MF does offer improvement over 35mm, it does in general give a pleasing bokeh (horrible word) and it will almost certainly slow you down and annoy the pants off you. :lol:
WLF can be found with split screen, I have a Mamiya C330 with just such a thing and you don't need a tripod all the time, but it does help.
As to your style, well its only you who can decide whether it has improved or not, as its only your opinion that really matters, after you've had a go.
If you keep your eyes on this forum I think there may well be a meet organised oop north soon so if you want to have a go at trying out some MF cameras come along, there are always a good selection and its a laugh as well. :thumbs:

Hope this helps

Andy
 
Hi RJ, hope that FM is working out well for you!

I have a Mamiya 645 Pro and it's a great camera to use. It's obviously a bit more awkward to use over 35mm due to the size and weight but you soon get used to it.
 
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Hi Andy,

Many thanks for the response!

Perhaps 'style' was the wrong word. I only became interested in photography about six months ago, so I guess I just want to make sure that I can actually make use of what medium format cameras have to offer. I know the types of photos I want to take and I think that medium format is the way to do it, but I just want someone to interject if I'm getting ahead of myself and I'm better to continue honing my skills in the 35mm realm rather than buy new equipment.

With regard to the C330 and the split screen, how easy/hard do you find the focusing if you're handholding? Is it possible to nail focus at larger apertures without the magnifier lens thingy or it is necessary to stop down considerably when shooting with the WLF down low?

I really do need a chance to have a go with some of these sorts of cameras so I'll keep an eye out for a meet, but knowing me I'll probably already have bought something by then.
 
I can usually nail it handheld but my eyesight isn't great so I best guess to begin with then use the magnifier to finesse it. I have to say I use a tripod for 75% of the time though, if I'm MF'ing I usually make sure I have the time to take my time.

Andy
 
desf said:
Hi RJ, hope that FM is working out well for you!

I have a Mamiya 645 Pro and it's a great camera to use. It's obviously a bit more awkward to use over 35mm due to the szie and weight but you soon get used to it.
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Hi Des.,

I've liked it too much and it's causing me to get even more interested in film photography! Where does it end?!

How do you find the focusing on the Mamiya? It has a split screen for this, correct?

I don't necessarily mind some size and weight, as I intend to use my 35mm cameras when I need something smaller/lighter (the Nikon FM springs to mind!), but I do want to be able to handhold it.

What the slowest shutter speed you can handhold the Mamiya?
 
If you intend to scan, research your scanner costs before your camera costs.
Doesn't matter how good your camera gear is, if the scanner is carp, the pics will be carp..;)
 
Andysnap said:
I can usually nail it handheld but my eyesight isn't great so I best guess to begin with then use the magnifier to finesse it. I have to say I use a tripod for 75% of the time though, if I'm MF'ing I usually make sure I have the time to take my time.

Andy
Click to expand...

Okay, that sounds reasonable. I definitely would intend to use the camera mostly in situations where I know I'll have time—otherwise I'd turn to digital or 35mm—but the focusing on the Lubitel I was using was so difficult that I couldn't really get a feel for how a WLF would really work in practice.
 
Yep, the Mamiya has a split screen. It's fine to focus, I've had no problems.

I've hand held down to 60th but not recommended due to the big mirror I guess.
 
If you like the waist level finder (I do) you will probably want to stick with the square 6x6 format. If you have a 6x4.5 format camera like the Mamiya 645 or Bronica ETRS and you rotate it to take a vertical shot, the image in the viewfinder will be upside down.

However, these two cameras with a prism are great.

I used to have an RB67. This was good either way as instead of rotating the camera, you just rotate the back.

On your budget you could just about get an ETRS but if possible, I would suggest saving up a bit more and get a SQ. The reason I am saying this is that the ETRS was my first medium format SLR. It's all I could afford at the time and I was pleased with it. A couple of years later I had a bit of spare cash and bought the RB67. I think that if I had initially waited a bit and bought a SQ, I wouldn't have bothered with the RB67.


Steve.
 
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joxby said:
If you intend to scan, research your scanner costs before your camera costs.
Doesn't matter how good your camera gear is, if the scanner is carp, the pics will be carp..;)
Click to expand...

Yeah, the scanner is a big pain as I already have a Plustek Opticfilm 7400 that I got for Christmas, but obviously that only does 35mm film.

I've seen some scanners like the Epson V500 and Canoscan 9900f on here and on ebay for under £100 and was hoping that would do for now.

I'd probably rather have the nicer camera gear to start though, as I can always rescan the MF negative another time. If I don't upgrade and I continue to only shoot in 35mm, I'm sacrificing quality that I can never get back then.
 
Steve Smith said:
If you like the waist level finder (I do) you will probably want to stick with the square 6x6 format. If you have a 6x4.5 format camera like the Mamiya 645 or Bronica ETRS and you rotate it to take a vertical shot, the image in the viewfinder will be upside down.

However, these two cameras with a prism are great.

I used to have an RB67. This was good either way as instead of rotating the camera, you just rotate the back.

On your budget you could just about get an ETRS but if possible, I would suggest saving up a bit more and get a SQ. The reason I am saying this is that the ETRS was my first medium format SLR. It's all I could afford at the time and I was pleased with it. A couple of years later I had a bit of spare cash and bought the RB67. I think that if I had initially waited a bit and bought a SQ, I wouldn't have bothered with the RB67.


Steve.
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Yeah, I was initially quite drawn to the Bronica SQ-AM (I'm assuming that's a later version of the SQ you mention) because it's 6x6 and have seen one for a decent price (although that one has a prism finder), but I'm not sure I was that impressed with some of the photos I've seen on flickr from it.

The flickr photos of the Mamiya 645 seemed to have more of the depth and pop I'm looking for (although it's 645, which isn't initially what I wanted). I'm not sure if the Mamiya has better glass or if Mamiya owners have better scanners?
 
skysh4rk said:
Yeah, I was initially quite drawn to the Bronica SQ-AM (I'm assuming that's a later version of the SQ you mention) because it's 6x6 and have seen one for a decent price (although that one has a prism finder), but I'm not sure I was that impressed with some of the photos I've seen on flickr from it.

The flickr photos of the Mamiya 645 seemed to have more of the depth and pop I'm looking for (although it's 645, which isn't initially what I wanted). I'm not sure if the Mamiya has better glass or if Mamiya owners have better scanners?
Click to expand...

Oop, nevermind. I've just gone back through flickr and also read up more on the Bronica SQ and I think that might just be what I'm looking for. The problem, however, is finding a way to finance it...
 
SQ-AM is an SQ-A with a motor winder, that is all.

There will be very little difference between an SQ-A and a 645 Mamiya, we aren't talking digital sensors here, film is film, its the same in both cameras.
If you wanna look at samples, which to be quite honest seems a shade obsessive, look on http://www.pbase.com/cameras/bronica/sqa
Not that it will tell you anything more than you will be told here, its a fine system with fine top quality lenses, the film, what and how you shoot/process it is up to you
 
The SQ-AM ha an integral motor drive and is probably not what you are looking for. I would look at the SQ-A or SQ-B.

There is not much between Bronica and Mamiya as far as lens quality is concerned and i certainly wouldn't use on line images to judge them by.

EDIT: Great minds think alike/fools never differ (delete as appropriate).


Steve.
 
joxby said:
SQ-AM is an SQ-A with a motor winder, that is all.

There will be very little difference between an SQ-A and a 645 Mamiya, we aren't talking digital sensors here, film is film, its the same in both cameras.
If you wanna look at samples, which to be quite honest seems a shade obsessive, look on http://www.pbase.com/cameras/bronica/sqa
Not that it will tell you anything more than you will be told here, its a fine system with fine top quality lenses, the film, what and how you shoot/process it is up to you
Click to expand...

Steve Smith said:
The SQ-AM ha an integral motor drive and is probably not what you are looking for. I would look at the SQ-A or SQ-B.

There is not much between Bronica and Mamiya as far as lens quality is concerned and i certainly wouldn't use on line images to judge them by.

EDIT: Great minds think alike/fools never differ (delete as appropriate).


Steve.
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Thanks to both of you for the advice. I am interested in the square format, so I'll be taking a closer look at the SQ-A or SQ-B then.


MindofMel said:
Think the mamiya c330 is great value
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was looking at this too as I've seen it available at a few places and Andy mentioned it as well earlier in the thread.

Has anyone had the chance to handle both the C330 and the Bronica SQ-A or B? How do they compare?
 
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