Medium Format

G

gpc1

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,289
Name
Greg
Edit My Images
No
Hi all
I’m interested in getting an old school medium format camera. I don’t know why, its just something I fancy having a play with and seeing the results. I shoot with 5D mk2’s and L lenses at the moment, as well as a Lomo LCA+.

I really want to shoot with a medium format in B&W, possibly to force me to slow down, think about composition. I have recently been looking at

Sally Manns work as well as a host of other large and medium format B&W’s and really like the feel / look. I can’t explain what it is, but the images, format and B&W processing just seem to resonate.

Is there a camera you would recommend for a first foray into medium format. Plus an idiots guide to medium format lol!! I know you tube has a raft of info so I will trawl through that.

Also, is there a recommended way of developing the images (I don’t have access to darkrooms to process myself) ie a recommended company that would listen to an individual’s wishes on how the final image is to look / feel. Or do DSCL / Photbox / Loxley do the job?

Thanks all, much appreciated
Rgds
 
gpc1 said:
Hi all
I’m interested in getting an old school medium format camera. I don’t know why, its just something I fancy having a play with and seeing the results. I shoot with 5D mk2’s and L lenses at the moment, as well as a Lomo LCA+.

I really want to shoot with a medium format in B&W, possibly to force me to slow down, think about composition. I have recently been looking at

Sally Manns work as well as a host of other large and medium format B&W’s and really like the feel / look. I can’t explain what it is, but the images, format and B&W processing just seem to resonate.

Is there a camera you would recommend for a first foray into medium format. Plus an idiots guide to medium format lol!! I know you tube has a raft of info so I will trawl through that.

Also, is there a recommended way of developing the images (I don’t have access to darkrooms to process myself) ie a recommended company that would listen to an individual’s wishes on how the final image is to look / feel. Or do DSCL / Photbox / Loxley do the job?

Thanks all, much appreciated
Rgds
Click to expand...

Hi Greg.....
I can help you with the link to where to get your film developed here

As for choice of medium format camera....well, everyone has different likes....
I have only recently decided to try film, and have not long had my medium format camera, I looked at a few, read a fair bit, got confused a lot!...... in the end, I chose one I liked the look of :lol:
My camera is the Mamiya RB 67....
 
Square B&W is cool and very different to any other format.
= Hasselblad film V series 200s and 500s
 
Last edited:
Its hip to be square...... Mamiya C range, Yashica Mat, Rolleiflex or Rolleicord (depending on budget), lots of good stuff out there. For something a bit different and as simple as it gets have a look at the Ross Ensigns, lovely British cameras with excellent shutters and lenses and it will fit in a coat pocket. The 820 gives you the option of 6x6 or 6x9 negatives but they usually go for a bit more, anything from £40 to £100 depending on the model/age/condition.

Ross Ensign 12-20 - 12 shots on a 120 roll

RE-12-20 by andysnapper1, on Flickr

And produces lovely images

Weardale-Railway4 by andysnapper1, on Flickr

I think I've just persuaded myself to buy another of these...:banana:

Andy
 
Last edited:
Andysnap said:
Its hip to be square...... Mamiya C range, Yashica Mat, Rolleiflex or Rolleicord (depending on budget), lots of good stuff out there. For something a bit different and as simple as it gets have a look at the Ross Ensigns, lovely British cameras with excellent shutters and lenses and it will fit in a coat pocket. The 820 gives you the option of 6x6 or 6x9 negatives but they usually go for a bit more, anything from £40 to £100 depending on the model/age/condition.

Ross Ensign 12-20 - 12 shots on a 120 roll

RE-12-20 by andysnapper1, on Flickr

And produces lovely images

Weardale-Railway4 by andysnapper1, on Flickr

I think I've just persuaded myself to buy another of these...:banana:

Andy
Click to expand...


Oh my...:love:
 
Easy tiger....
 
gpc1 said:
Hi all
I’m interested in getting an old school medium format camera. I don’t know why, its just something I fancy having a play with and seeing the results. I shoot with 5D mk2’s and L lenses at the moment, as well as a Lomo LCA+.

I really want to shoot with a medium format in B&W, possibly to force me to slow down, think about composition. I have recently been looking at

Sally Manns work as well as a host of other large and medium format B&W’s and really like the feel / look. I can’t explain what it is, but the images, format and B&W processing just seem to resonate.

Is there a camera you would recommend for a first foray into medium format. Plus an idiots guide to medium format lol!! I know you tube has a raft of info so I will trawl through that.

Also, is there a recommended way of developing the images (I don’t have access to darkrooms to process myself) ie a recommended company that would listen to an individual’s wishes on how the final image is to look / feel. Or do DSCL / Photbox / Loxley do the job?

Thanks all, much appreciated
Rgds
Click to expand...

Hi Greg,

Whew, medium format is simply amazing and there are so many different options for cameras, formats, etc.! Do you have any idea what film size you are interested in (e.g., 6x4.5cm, 6x6cm, etc.)? Do you prefer square frames? Slightly rectangular? Knowing that information will really help to narrow down your camera search.

With regard to development and scanning, I personally use UK Film Lab and highly recommend them. They will work with you to get the look you're going for and they also provide feedback regarding exposure with every batch of film that you send them, which is quite useful if you're just learning film.

That said, I've only used them for colour film though, as I do my own black and white at home, but I don't see any reason their B&W work wouldn't be as good (although it's probably more expensive than their colour developing).

Also, just so that you are aware, you don't need a darkroom if you're only developing B&W film.
 
Last edited:
mmmm....that is one sweet folder
 
My first medium format was a Yashica TLR which was a great introduction. I've always loved square format, and the left/right reversal you get from the waist-level viewfinder gives a whole different view on what the final picture will be like, unlike anything you get with an eye-level SLR etc. There's a rather nice Yashica in the classifieds right now (no connection to the seller)...
 
magicolor1 said:
My first medium format was a Yashica TLR which was a great introduction. I've always loved square format, and the left/right reversal you get from the waist-level viewfinder gives a whole different view on what the final picture will be like, unlike anything you get with an eye-level SLR etc. There's a rather nice Yashica in the classifieds right now (no connection to the seller)...
Click to expand...


Andy's one yes, i looked and had to turn off and breath calmly and deeply, i want it so bad lol
 
thanks for the input guys. Big help.

I may take a look at that yashica, and i have a bid on an ensign already...lol
what film would give really rich black and whites?
Cheers guys.
 
I have had good results with AG Photographic developing film, one of the cheapest but not the quickest turnaround.

I have a Rolleicord and think it is a wonderful camera... so much so I am selling a Leica M2 and keeping that as sole film camera. Its a wonderful camera to hold and use, and at £100 or so a great buy.
 
cambsno said:
I have had good results with AG Photographic developing film, one of the cheapest but not the quickest turnaround.
Click to expand...

Ditto, ditto, and ditto. Very happy with the results and price from AG, and willing to tolerate the slowness (14 days, post-to-post, in my case)
 
Had a ETRS, liked it, but pretty big, awkward (for me at least) , i've got some portrait projects in mind, wouldn't mind using a TLR, seems like people seem to like them, and they have some cracking glass for portraits in them, nice DoF too :)
 
Be interested to hear how you get on, I picked up an almost new Bronica ETRS a few years back now and I've toyed with using it for some portrait work but digital is so convenient I've never bothered, I keep telling myself I must learn how to use it and have a go... or sell it on and let someone else have ago.

Hopefully seeing your results will spur me on to try it
 
When it comes to Black and White film I now only use Fuji Acros. Very smooth tones, minimum grain. My intro to Medium Format was the Yashica Mat. Still got it and will never part with it (as long as it still functions). Probably one of the best value TLR's out there.
 
I'm loving Acros as well, very rich and smoooth...rather like me (except for the rich bit...oh and the smooth bit)
 
Good thinking Greg.......well I always think "don't spoil the ship for ha'penny's worth of tar" so if you are going to do B/W, don't use a 35mm camera that can be bought cheap, but spend more for buying\using medium format and upwards......for the best results.
 
Bare in mind that for B/W negs, you don't need a darkroom. So you could dev & scan yourself with no need for a darkroom.
That also gives you the option of experimenting with films/developer combinations.
 
I'm rather excited - today is MF day here!My 'new' Mamiya 645j is here, some Kodak T-Max 400 arrived as well, so I'm off! I plan to shoot a roll or two over the next couple of days and when I've processed them I'll post some scans / pics if anyone is interested...
 
thanks again guys.
will soon be the proud owner of the yashica. Still got the bid on the ensign too. Will be scouring ebay for film. Will post up the results once i have had a crack.

fuji across looks good as does the t max 400........looking forward to seeing what i can produce. Im aiming to create a great family portrait of my wife, 2 year old and newborn for a large, square print to go on the wall. nothing cheesy, something timeless.

thanks again all

rgds
 
I'll pop a roll of Acros in so you can get shooting straight away.:thumbs:
 
Great to see some more MF users. Looking forward to seeing the results here. :)
 
now the proud owner of a ensign selfix 820 too.....mint as well.

let the learning curve begin!
 
gpc1 said:
now the proud owner of a ensign selfix 820 too.....mint as well.

let the learning curve begin!
Click to expand...

Oh, very nice. A bit more of a learning curve than with the Yash but I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top