Medium Format-Changed Everything.

[MartinN]

The question for comparing MF and smaller formats is perhaps that can I accept the quality of smaller format or do I have to have the larger format? Of course there is horses for courses and long fast tele shooting like wildlife and sports is so much easier with 35mm or digital smaller. Myself, I simply tell myself I don't do those things that can be better done with 35mm. My main question that I always have to ask, is do I need MFD or can I accept the different quality of MF film. Mostly I switch back and forth, sometimes I enjoy MFD with 22Mpix back and then I remember my lovely MF film gear and start using that again, for nostalgic reasons. But one thing that I seem to have problems with is 35mm Film or Digital. Simply it does not feel adequate and I crave for MF.
My best camera is the mighty Fuji GX680, but what a workout to carry in the woods. I have some backup GX680 gear and I wait for the 6x7 or 6x8 digital sensor. Will it be possible to manufacture such a sensor cost effective in the future ? I don't know but taking into account how fast computer CPU:s are advancing there is at least some hope left. A scanning back would be adequate. But in my lifetime ? I don't know but wait.
My point and shoot camera is Mamiya 645AF and the AF performance is really adequate compared to the focusing process with the Fuji GX680. But I miss the Fujis 8x8 ground glass and loupe.

 

[Godfrey]

A bazillion years ago, I sold *everything* (my entire Leica M system plus my Nikon system constituted everything other than a point and shoot at the time) to acquire a Hasselblad 903SWC. I then contrived as how I could use the SWC to do everything ... and found that while it couldn't actually do everything, it did a fair good approximation of same. Of course, that led to acquiring a 500CM and a couple more backs, couple more lenses, etc. And then digital came about and I was out of corporate and started my photo business, so I sold the SWC and all the Hassy gear to fund more digital gear. And on and on...

Go back? Sure, maybe. Sometimes nostalgia wins.
Go forward? Always.

Forward for me right now means smaller, lighter, and simpler. My goal is a pro-quality capable kit that is compact and light enough that I don't mind having it with me on a fifty mile bicycle ride. I don't make huge prints, 11x17 is generally the largest. Books don't need as much resolution as big prints either.

Whatever works and gives you satisfaction.

G

That was my response a year and some ago. My 'smaller, lighter, simpler' meme has been well fulfilled with my Leica CL kit. AND my interest in medium format film ... and digital ... has reawakened over the past year.

I've always loved 6x6 and it's still not a reality in digital. I've been enjoying shooting 6x6 and 645 a lot in film recently, as well as more and more Polaroid SX-70 (same format really). But 33x33 in digital is available now, and soon. And the differences should be modest... So I'm going in for it. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do with it.

Different format cameras see differently, and they expand our ability to see, our vision. I know there are new things that will materialize in my photos when 33x33 (and 33x44) is in my hands, and can't wait to get there.

G

"No matter where you go, take the time to look and see where you are."

 

[Shashin]

Maybe we are showing the wrong images. We need some porn.

These were my perfect film cameras:

From left to right: Mamiya 6, Mamiya 6MF, Horseman SW612, and Widelux F8. I picked up the first Mamiya 6 in 1992 and still own it. It is an amazing portable MF camera and rangefinder to boot. That is what got my hooked on rangefinders. The Widelux came next. It is just a fun camera to use, but challenging to get interesting images beyond the wow-neat effect of swing-lens panoramas. I bought the second Mamiya after a fall deep in the Japanese Alps where I did not have a second camera--I lesson I have learnt. The Horseman came last. I find the 2:1 panoramic aspect ratio my favorite of all the panoramic aspect ratios. It is much more versatile.

My digital MF:

Like Tom, I really like the ergonomics and OVF of the Pentax645D: the EVFs of the new crop of MFD cameras give me pause. The downside is the weight. But this camera has given me the appreciation of working on tripods. Still have and use this.

My 645D bakup:

Sony RX1. Small, light, and great image quality (enough to make your hair stand on end.) This is my backup for the 645D.

This is my digital rangefinder solution and an answer to the question if you can leave MF:

My Fuji X Pro2 and XF10 travel setup. With the 645D, I missed the spontaneity of my Mamiyas. I was hesitant to move down from MFD and 35mm, but I ordered an X Pro 2 and made 40" prints from the output to see if it reached a certain level of quality. I figured if I can get to 40" and be satisfied with the quality, I could be very happy with this (I always shot 400 ISO film with my film MF cameras). Well, I am really enjoying these cameras and producing most of my work with them recently. Apparently, I am only one of four people shooting Fuji X-series cameras, see the Fuji forum at GetDPI.

It is also nice to be able to take a camera anytime I go out, not really possible with the 645D. This is especially true with the XF10, which is really small.

I still really like my 645D but I have been doing a lot of urban photography and it is not the most inconspicuous camera. When I took this with the Pentax I had a number of people stop and ask what I was doing. (And a lot of stares from people just walking by.)

 

[pegelli]

Do I lust for MF? You bet. :clap: Will my photo's get better? I doubt it :lecture:

However I never took the plunge, always stayed with 35 mm (or smaller).

But this film set still delivers very nice results:



In the end it's all about having fun and for me portability and economy are important, so I don't see MF gear in my future, but who knows........

 

[JohnBrew]

Do I lust for MF? You bet. :clap:
Oh, hell yes.

Will my photo's get better? I doubt it :lecture:
Right on!

My first camera (1962) was a 6x6 point and shoot. Man, those contact prints were the best. Funny, I don’t ever remember talking about “sharpness” until digital came around.

 

[MGrayson]

My history:

Thirty Five years ago...
Olympus XA - fun
Fujica SLR - meh
Yashicamat TLR - Yes!
Pentax 6x7 - Best camera evah!:thumbs:
4x5 Field Camera - Hmmm... nothing looks good
8x10 Century - Took ONE exposure. Frustrating. Sold everything.

Fifteen years later... kid on the way, so must get camera.
Olympus 3030 - Digital! Wooo!
Canon 10D - Digital SLR! ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ!
Canon 1D - Kids move too fast! Need pro AF.
Canon 1DsII - Need MP, Zeiss 21 Distagon FTW! :grin:
Leica M9 - Canon stuff too heavy. Leica optics unfortunately not hype. Never get the hang of rangefinder
PhaseOne IQ140, Cambo, SK - Fabulous IQ. Too much stuff to carry around. Sits unused most of the time.
Leica S - OMFG, what a fun system! Could be lighter, but such a joy to use. :thumbs:

And there we stand.

--Matt

An update, as that was 15 months ago.

Leica S - especially with 24mm, too heavy due to health problems (now resolved).
Leica SL- too heavy, as I have only the awesome zooms.
Leica TL2 - weighs nothing. 11-23 zoom spectacular. APS-C doesn't excite.
Hasselblad X1D - Heretic! Makes MF possible again.

Only problem - I don't love the Hassy. It's a great tool. Does more than the S did (e.g., long exposures). Lighter, wider (21mm a bit extreme). Have 907X bundle on order, but I don't 'click' with it. The output is "hmmm.. I can work with this." not "Hot Damn! Lookit that!" Of course, it could be me, and if I carried the S around again, I'd be just as burnt out. That's an experiment I should make. But I'm afraid of the answer.

Matt

 

[tsjanik]

Maybe we are showing the wrong images. We need some porn.

OK, my printer room:

 

[jng]

The first time I handled 120 film in the darkroom some 45+ years ago, I was hooked. While along the way I also enjoyed using a Pentax Spotmatic (the 85mm Takumar was a dream) and various digital Nikons (D300S and D700, my favorite, and later the D800E), the allure of the larger format never stopped calling me. Here's some documentation of my journey into Dante's inner circles of hell:

My original Hasselblad 500C, which dates back to 1961 and has been with me since perhaps 1974:


And its trusty companion, the SWC:


As I went digital I picked up a very nice 501CM:


Which worked for a while with the IQ160:


Until all hell broke loose:


Live view and electronic shutter proved to be irresistible:


Simply irresistible:


And my travel kit that let's me stay with a larger-than-35mm format (XCD 90 has since been added to the kit):


Now I'm just hoping to acquire a son-in-law who might be willing to haul all this gear around for me (among other good reasons, of course)...

John

 

[Shashin]

...but I don't 'click' with it.

And that I always find interesting: if you don't click, you literally don't click.

I clicked with my Mamiya 6s and X Pro2, but not my Hexar Silver. I clicked with my Horseman SW612, but not my Nikonos IV or Wista VX, even with a 6x12 film back. I clicked with my xf10, but not my RX1. I never found the joy in a Nikon FM or D800 as I do with my Pentax 645D. The Widelux really has little competition, but a really satisfying camera to shoot with. And honestly speaking, even the cameras I have clicked with are very different. It is almost like I am an irrational human being swayed by whim and whimsy. But those whims are important for me actually photographing, at least on a personal level (professional work is a bit different, but then inspiration is not required).

But one interesting thing about the cameras presented by everyone here is they are high-end specialized cameras. No one is waxing poetic over their Cannon Rebel.

 

[MGrayson]

And that I always find interesting: if you don't click, you literally don't click.

Indeed! Which is why I find gear wars baffling in the extreme. Somehow "I like X" becomes "you shouldn't like Y". Very strange.
:chug:
Matt

It is almost like I am an irrational human being swayed by whim and whimsy

You and me both.

 

[richardman]

Wow, didn't notice the original post was over a year ago, ha ha. Some new member restarted a zombie...

 

[Oren Grad]

No one is waxing poetic over their Cannon Rebel.

Since you asked: the SL1 is a sweet little camera. Not without its quirks, and for a variety of reasons I'm not using it much at the moment. But when I'm in the mood, the SL1 with the EF-S 24 pancake is loads of fun. The other, larger Rebels... meh. But the SL1 is a little jewel. An economy-class jewel, but a jewel nonetheless.

 

[Bill Caulfeild-Browne]

When I was 6 yrs old I was stricken by polio and left with weak left arm that prevented me from playing much by way of sports. My father gave me a camera instead and I learned how to develop film and make daylight contact prints. I don't remember what the camera was but it had bellows and shot 620 film. By the time I was 10 (65 years ago!) I had moved on to an Ilford Craftsman 6 by 6 and won several prizes in school photo competitions. My first 35 mm was a Bilora Radix which used Agfa cassettes and shot 24 by 24 mm images. I still have many negatives and some colour slides from it. I even have an example of that camera as well as the Craftsman.

By the time I was a late teenager I had moved back to MF with a second-hand Rollei 3.5 which I used through my university years as a press photographer along with some architectural and fashion shoots. I loved that camera and while I sold it to raise money to pay for my passage to Canada, I have since acquired a beautiful, mint, Rollei 2.8F. It's mostly for display though I do run film through it occasionally to keep the parts lubricated. It fits the hand so well, it's great pleasure just to hold it.

During those years I also had an antique wooden 6.25 x 8.5 inch "full plate" camera that I shot with glass plates! But it was very tedious and although the detail in the prints was astounding, it was just too expensive a proposition for me in those days. But I have never forgotten that resolution and I'm sure it contributed to my present-day infatuation with MF and its ability to resolve detail.

Once I'd earned a little money in Canada, I bought a Yashica J5 (just before the Pentax Spotmatic was announced, unfortunately, or I'd have bought it) and for the next twenty years or so I was shooting with 35 mm, mostly with Canon. (I loved the F1) But then - back to MF with a Hassy and then a pair of Rollei 6008s. (Great cameras).

In 1999 I went digital - back to Canon. But I still yearned for the real estate that MF offers and when a friend lent me his Contax with a Phase back, I was hooked. Back to MF once again! I used Leica Ms as back-up but never really fell in love with rangefinders, despite having used them for some of my best selling pictures.

Phase led to more Phase and my prime gear is now the XF and IQ4-150 back with lenses from 28 to 240 mms. Although I make large prints, I really don't need 150 mpx - I simply can't tear myself away from the image quality. Yes, it's heavy but I usually only tote the 35, 55, 80 and 150 BR lenses and carrying the gear helps keep my own weight down!

I have a Sony AR3 and several lenses for back-up and bird photography and a Fuji X100 as a pocket camera. I will provide some camera porn in my next post.

Meantime, I think MF has always called me back from whatever else I've been lucky enough to own and I don't think that will ever change...though Dante may have other ideas.

 

[dave.gt]

When I was 6 yrs old I was stricken by polio and left with weak left arm that prevented me from playing much by way of sports. My father gave me a camera instead and I learned how to develop film and make daylight contact prints. I don't remember what the camera was but it had bellows and shot 620 film. By the time I was 10 (65 years ago!) I had moved on to an Ilford Craftsman 6 by 6 and won several prizes in school photo competitions. My first 35 mm was a Bilora Radix which used Agfa cassettes and shot 24 by 24 mm images. I still have many negatives and some colour slides from it. I even have an example of that camera as well as the Craftsman.

By the time I was a late teenager I had moved back to MF with a second-hand Rollei 3.5 which I used through my university years as a press photographer along with some architectural and fashion shoots. I loved that camera and while I sold it to raise money to pay for my passage to Canada, I have since acquired a beautiful, mint, Rollei 2.8F. It's mostly for display though I do run film through it occasionally to keep the parts lubricated. It fits the hand so well, it's great pleasure just to hold it.

During those years I also had an antique wooden 6.25 x 8.5 inch "full plate" camera that I shot with glass plates! But it was very tedious and although the detail in the prints was astounding, it was just too expensive a proposition for me in those days. But I have never forgotten that resolution and I'm sure it contributed to my present-day infatuation with MF and its ability to resolve detail.

Once I'd earned a little money in Canada, I bought a Yashica J5 (just before the Pentax Spotmatic was announced, unfortunately, or I'd have bought it) and for the next twenty years or so I was shooting with 35 mm, mostly with Canon. (I loved the F1) But then - back to MF with a Hassy and then a pair of Rollei 6008s. (Great cameras).

In 1999 I went digital - back to Canon. But I still yearned for the real estate that MF offers and when a friend lent me his Contax with a Phase back, I was hooked. Back to MF once again! I used Leica Ms as back-up but never really fell in love with rangefinders, despite having used them for some of my best selling pictures.

Phase led to more Phase and my prime gear is now the XF and IQ4-150 back with lenses from 28 to 240 mms. Although I make large prints, I really don't need 150 mpx - I simply can't tear myself away from the image quality. Yes, it's heavy but I usually only tote the 35, 55, 80 and 150 BR lenses and carrying the gear helps keep my own weight down!

I have a Sony AR3 and several lenses for back-up and bird photography and a Fuji X100 as a pocket camera. I will provide some camera porn in my next post.

Meantime, I think MF has always called me back from whatever else I've been lucky enough to own and I don't think that will ever change...though Dante may have other ideas.

Great story, Bill!

You have been brought back to the fold more than once and that is a good thing! It is true that the extra real estate and higher resolution is seductive. As much as I love my cache of Nikon SLRs, and they are so much fun to use, I miss my 503cxi dearly. But that is film, and for my usual MFD rigs these days, I too, cannot see giving them up and that is difficult because I now need to find paying gigs for them to earn their keep. How do you like that concept, Dante?:ROTFL:

Totally agree with you about the big gear. keeping you healthier... LOL, I don't know how bad off I would be if it weren't for huffing around with the 40lb. backpack the last couple of years.:grin:

 

[tjv]

Have you used the new Hasselblad 907x? How do you know it doesn’t click for you? Or you talking solely in terms of the 50mpx sensor? Just curious. I’m only interested in that camera for the digital back that might eventually be released with the BSI 100mpx sensor. But a small TC / SWC with AF using X lenses is a great proposition too.

Horses for courses of course.

An update, as that was 15 months ago.

Leica S - especially with 24mm, too heavy due to health problems (now resolved).
Leica SL- too heavy, as I have only the awesome zooms.
Leica TL2 - weighs nothing. 11-23 zoom spectacular. APS-C doesn't excite.
Hasselblad X1D - Heretic! Makes MF possible again.

Only problem - I don't love the Hassy. It's a great tool. Does more than the S did (e.g., long exposures). Lighter, wider (21mm a bit extreme). Have 907X bundle on order, but I don't 'click' with it. The output is "hmmm.. I can work with this." not "Hot Damn! Lookit that!" Of course, it could be me, and if I carried the S around again, I'd be just as burnt out. That's an experiment I should make. But I'm afraid of the answer.

Matt

 

[Oren Grad]

During those years I also had an antique wooden 6.25 x 8.5 inch "full plate" camera that I shot with glass plates! But it was very tedious and although the detail in the prints was astounding, it was just too expensive a proposition for me in those days. But I have never forgotten that resolution and I'm sure it contributed to my present-day infatuation with MF and its ability to resolve detail.

:thumbup:

I'm still shooting whole plate (6.5x8.5) - film, not plates! - exclusively for contact printing. It's my favorite sheet film format. Quite a few years ago now I did a little write-up for Mike Johnston, with background on the format as well as the story of how a fellow large format photographer, Sal Santamaura, commissioned a new WP camera from Hiromi Sakanashi at Ebony:

https://theonlinephotographer.blogspot.com/2007/04/more-about-ebony-sv-wholeplate_09.html

 

[georgecleansman]

my first Medium Format camera was AGFA 6x9

 

[Michiel Schierbeek]

And that I always find interesting: if you don't click, you literally don't click.

I clicked with my Mamiya 6s and X Pro2, but not my Hexar Silver. I clicked with my Horseman SW612, but not my Nikonos IV or Wista VX, even with a 6x12 film back. I clicked with my xf10, but not my RX1. I never found the joy in a Nikon FM or D800 as I do with my Pentax 645D. The Widelux really has little competition, but a really satisfying camera to shoot with. And honestly speaking, even the cameras I have clicked with are very different. It is almost like I am an irrational human being swayed by whim and whimsy. But those whims are important for me actually photographing, at least on a personal level (professional work is a bit different, but then inspiration is not required).

But one interesting thing about the cameras presented by everyone here is they are high-end specialized cameras. No one is waxing poetic over their Cannon Rebel.

Hello Will, I saw you photographed with a Fuji 50R. i was wondering; do you click wih that one? I still love my Pentax 645Z, it is a real camera for photographers. Love the tripod mount on the side! And the 28-45 is my favourite lens, I take 70% of my pictures with that lens. The only thing is; it's getting a bit heavy for the long walks I make.
I think a 50R would only feel as un upgrade in size and weight, although walking around with a slippery rectangular box....I don't know.
I am interested in your thoughts about this?

A real upgrade would be a Fuji 100 in a smaller package as they offer now. The new modular mock up looks interesting.

 

[MGrayson]

Have you used the new Hasselblad 907x? How do you know it doesn’t click for you? Or you talking solely in terms of the 50mpx sensor? Just curious. I’m only interested in that camera for the digital back that might eventually be released with the BSI 100mpx sensor. But a small TC / SWC with AF using X lenses is a great proposition too.

Horses for courses of course.

Oh, I have no idea if I'll like the 907x or not. I was talking about the X1D. I can't tell anything until I pick up and use a camera. I'm slightlyt pessimistic, as I don't care for the 500c I inherited (literally) from my Mother-In-Law, but I loved TLRs, so who knows? It was ordered on impulse because it's beautiful and functional and IF it clicks, it will be a great opportunity to get back into tech cams.

Best,

Matt

 

[Shashin]

Hello Will, I saw you photographed with a Fuji 50R. i was wondering; do you click wih that one? I still love my Pentax 645Z, it is a real camera for photographers. Love the tripod mount on the side! And the 28-45 is my favourite lens, I take 70% of my pictures with that lens. The only thing is; it's getting a bit heavy for the long walks I make.
I think a 50R would only feel as un upgrade in size and weight, although walking around with a slippery rectangular box....I don't know.
I am interested in your thoughts about this?

A real upgrade would be a Fuji 100 in a smaller package as they offer now. The new modular mock up looks interesting.

Michiel, Tom (tsjanik) is using the 50R with a 645Z. Tom, perhaps you can chime in here. Personally, I have not liked any EVFs I have seen, although I find the LCDs on the back of the cameras very useful. (My walk around camera is the Fuji X Pro2.)