Medium Format Digital & Film Advice...

Rossjukes

Rossjukes

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Ross
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Hi,

I'm looking for some advice please...

I shoot Medium Format film and with recent price increases, it's become more of a 'few times a month' thing than an 'anytime I want' deal... However, I use digital cameras every day for work and they just don't give me the same enjoyment.

This got me thinking, can I find 'one system to rule them all' - so a Medium Format film camera that will accept a digital back (or vice versa). So far, my research has thrown up the Hasselblad H1 or H2 as a potential option. I'm also very keen on one of the 40mp CCD digital backs (the fact that I shoot regularly at sunset/night might be a problem here??).

I also shoot a lot of architecture/landscape so I would love a decent tilt/shift option if at all possible, preferably some kind of adapter rather than separate lenses or LF camera with a digital back (sorry, a bit too slow for my typical style of shooting).

I would love the film back to be in the 6x7 aspect ratio but I'm 99% there isn't a camera that can do 6x7 film & take a digital back? - Is there a 6x6 option?? Or is it all 645? (I doubt there is a digital back much larger than a 645??).

I just wondered what people might recommend? I guess I should also get to the sticky point of budget - I would be selling a few cameras to fund this so I think around the £2k would be achievable - but again, happy to listen to advice on this, if a bit more budget would yield better results, I may be selling quite a lot of cameras!

Thanks for any advice - this is all still very much in the 'idea' stage but glad to listen to people with more experience than me! :)

Thanks,

Ross
 
Hi

I too have been looking at Medium Format Digital and so far this is what I have learnt.

Hasselblad H1 and H2 you need to get on that has a warranty as they do have a bit of a reliability issues and as mot have been use in a Pro environment they will be well used.
A H3 may be the one to go for.

Hasselblad, from the H3 onwards, I am fairly certain dropped their support for other backs so you will have to stick with the Hasselblad ones.

Mamiya/Phase is another option as their lens tend to be a little less money, but you'll need to shop around and there backs are also highly regarded (their XT4 IQ150 is a thing of beauty but at £46K plus VAT it should be)

As for backs the Phase 45+, 65+ and Hasselblad H 39 (the 39II is the one to go for but is not cheap when on a H3) are all full frame, so no crop, and they all use Kodak CCD sensors, I think the H39II and P65+ have fairly reasonable hi ISO capabilities like 1600 ISO, think that is as high as they go (there are so many once you start looking it get confusing.

Nearly all the other Sensors are 44x33mm which I think is a 4x3 ratio, similar to Pentax 6x7.

Oh forgot to mention, the early backs that fit on to the Hasselbald H1 I think will have to be tethered, so you would have to link to a PC/Laptop to allow storage of images.

Just been mooching around again and yes you get tilt / shift adapters to fit a variety machines BUT I a not 100% if they are for adapting older MF Lens to fit mirror less machines you would have to do a bit more research.

You say £2K?

Is that for just a camera and or a full kit?

If it is just a body then it might be worth looking at the Fuji GFx 50 or 50R as they have dropped in price and would certainly take the adapters and be very much more up to date compared to the other machines I have mentioned above.

I know you mention that you shoot MF Film but the older MF Digital machines are certainly slow, both on boot up and AF many have single AF points and are no great at getting AF accuracy. Again, use Google and search, sometimes it can a bit but there is info out there.

Hope some of that helps
 
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Hi @Knikki Thank you so much for the detailed response, that's incredibly useful (for instance, I would have completely overlooked the necessity of tehtered shooting on the H1's!)

After thinking about it, I might be biting off a bit more than I can chew in terms of trying to make one system fit all needs, but I am still very interested in a medium format digital kit to use along side my other MF film kit.

So, I have been looking at the Pentax 645Z - I think it would 'scratch my itch' in terms of MF digital and even looks like it handles like a proper MF film camera - would love to know if you have an opinion in them at all as I think that might be the way I go!

Thanks again :)
 
A 645z is an amazing thing. The only thing is cleaning the sensor is a right pain in the arse as it is so recessed but they are simply fantastic in every other regard.

What I would say is it is sized like an MF film camera, but is very DSLR like in controls, menus.

Used lenses galore on eBay.
 
SFTPhotography said:
A 645z is an amazing thing. The only thing is cleaning the sensor is a right pain in the arse as it is so recessed but they are simply fantastic in every other regard.

What I would say is it is sized like an MF film camera, but is very DSLR like in controls, menus.

Used lenses galore on eBay.
Click to expand...
That sounds very promising (in the most part) do you have an idea what a decent, used body would go for these days? Appreciate the help :)
 
Rossjukes said:
That sounds very promising (in the most part) do you have an idea what a decent, used body would go for these days? Appreciate the help :)
Click to expand...


I looked on Ffordes and they also have a 645z, but with 59k shutter clicks. You are better with a lower count body as the shutters are only rated to 100k, and they are expensive to replace and Pentax parts/repairs are not the fastest.

As a camera, I think it's a class act and the files are a delight to work with.


Best wide zoom I have ever had.
 
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Rossjukes said:
Hi,

I'm looking for some advice please...

I shoot Medium Format film and with recent price increases, it's become more of a 'few times a month' thing than an 'anytime I want' deal... However, I use digital cameras every day for work and they just don't give me the same enjoyment.

This got me thinking, can I find 'one system to rule them all' - so a Medium Format film camera that will accept a digital back (or vice versa). So far, my research has thrown up the Hasselblad H1 or H2 as a potential option. I'm also very keen on one of the 40mp CCD digital backs (the fact that I shoot regularly at sunset/night might be a problem here??).

I also shoot a lot of architecture/landscape so I would love a decent tilt/shift option if at all possible, preferably some kind of adapter rather than separate lenses or LF camera with a digital back (sorry, a bit too slow for my typical style of shooting).

I would love the film back to be in the 6x7 aspect ratio but I'm 99% there isn't a camera that can do 6x7 film & take a digital back? - Is there a 6x6 option?? Or is it all 645? (I doubt there is a digital back much larger than a 645??).

I just wondered what people might recommend? I guess I should also get to the sticky point of budget - I would be selling a few cameras to fund this so I think around the £2k would be achievable - but again, happy to listen to advice on this, if a bit more budget would yield better results, I may be selling quite a lot of cameras!

Thanks for any advice - this is all still very much in the 'idea' stage but glad to listen to people with more experience than me! :)

Thanks,

Ross
Click to expand...

@Rossjukes a preowned GFX could be interesting if you're talking body only. I switched from Hasselblad H3 to GFX a few years ago and found the results much better. The sensor size of the H3, GFX and Pentax are all the same, bigger than "full frame" but much smaller than 6x7!
 
SFTPhotography said:

I looked on Ffordes and they also have a 645z, but with 59k shutter clicks. You are better with a lower count body as the shutters are only rated to 100k, and they are expensive to replace and Pentax parts/repairs are not the fastest.

As a camera, I think it's a class act and the files are a delight to work with.


Best wide zoom I have ever had.
Click to expand...
Ha, I was actually looking at this one - https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/product/pentax-645z/sku-1813894 which is what got my interest (slightly higher shutter count but the body doesn't look as scuffed, which I assumed was a good sign!).

With my (somewhat) limited budget, I was potentially looking at pairing it with this lens - I'm assuming it would be a decent 'walk around' lens? Or at least to get me started...

Appreciate your help :)
 
TimHughes said:
@Rossjukes a preowned GFX could be interesting if you're talking body only. I switched from Hasselblad H3 to GFX a few years ago and found the results much better. The sensor size of the H3, GFX and Pentax are all the same, bigger than "full frame" but much smaller than 6x7!
Click to expand...
I think the GFX might be a little wasted on me at the moment - though I would love to try one! After putting some thought into it, I can't say that I would honestly need more than 50mp - I still regularly print images from at 24mp Canon 5d Mkiii - up to A1 and never had any complaints so I think I need to be a bit realistic with my 'needs'... Though a GFX would probably weigh a bit less than the Pentax!!
 
Rossjukes said:
Ha, I was actually looking at this one - https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/product/pentax-645z/sku-1813894 which is what got my interest (slightly higher shutter count but the body doesn't look as scuffed, which I assumed was a good sign!).

With my (somewhat) limited budget, I was potentially looking at pairing it with this lens - I'm assuming it would be a decent 'walk around' lens? Or at least to get me started...

Appreciate your help :)
Click to expand...

45-85 is a fine lens tbh as is the 80-160. But the 28-45 is special. That seller is selling one of those too.

The build of the Pentax bodies and cameras is exqusite being honest.
 
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Hey @SFTPhotography - So, I ordered the 645Z - turned up today, it's a beast alright... Need to pick up a lens and hunted around for the 28-45mm but they are all just out of my budget... Can I ask what other lenses you would recommend? Mostly for Landscape/Architecture but also occasional portrait sessions? Did they offer a Tilt Shift option? I can't find much to suggest that they did... Appreciate your help :)
 
Rossjukes said:
Hey @SFTPhotography - So, I ordered the 645Z - turned up today, it's a beast alright... Need to pick up a lens and hunted around for the 28-45mm but they are all just out of my budget... Can I ask what other lenses you would recommend? Mostly for Landscape/Architecture but also occasional portrait sessions? Did they offer a Tilt Shift option? I can't find much to suggest that they did... Appreciate your help :)
Click to expand...

The 28-45 is THE one being honest. I'd maybe try 0% finance or Klarna to get one.
45-85 is perfectly fine but often not short enough, and the primes will be great. For landscape/architecture you want short FLs. No tilt shift sadly.
 
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