jennifer_spencer Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 <p>Oh gosh, I love my medium format pictures. The texture, the square format of my camera, it's cool. I use a Rollei TLR from the 1930s. It's light, easy to work with, and doesn't need batteries. I can take it almost anywhere. A great compromise compared to the toolbox that is my 4x5 and the heavy Nikon D200. <br> <br /> Scanning it is a chore, but here's one I managed. (Please forgive any odd tones...) Cherry blossoms against an Alabama sky:<br> <img src="http://jspencerphotography.com/images/website020.jpg" alt="" width="597" height="600" /></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjoseph7 Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 There are plenty of Pros shooting medium format these days, with Digital backs. There is an interesting article about two photographers who shoot mainly with medium format cameras in this month's issue of American Photo if you care to read it. Their names are Klinko and Indrani. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwao_sakurai Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 <p>It seems to me that most "pros" actually use MF (mix of film/digital) and of course LF cameras. There are so many amateur/pros that don't even know about the format differences. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfcole Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 <p>I think complaining about the time involved in scanning is whining. Blow off the negs, hit "scan" and go have a snack. Doesn't it blow away darkroom printing for speed?<br> I guess it's al relative. The time issue isn't scanning, but cloning out dust. Now THAT's a time killer.....<br> Since everyone's posting:</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianS1664879711 Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 <p>With the number of responses to this question, I shouldn't bother saying, "me too".</p> ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will_floyd_evans Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 <p>Actually, I just got *back* into using medium format after not touching it for about 20 years. Useable 120/220 gear can be had at *very* reasonable prices on eBay, or a good used dealer like KEH. You could do a *lot* worse than picking up an old Mamiya 645 to get into film photography. Film will around. As long as it remains at *least* a niche, some factory somewhere in Europe or China willl be churning it out. You can still by vacuum tubes... Cost can be managed. I'm falling into a routine of snapshotting the world in digital, then taking the film back to reshoot the favorites...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_wilson1 Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 <p>Try and take my Hasselblads, just try.....</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boinkphoto Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 <p>Mamiya M645 with Velvia, though I'm egging to go larger...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmurphy Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 <p>If there are other hopeless addicts like me out there, maybe you can relate. Medium format isn't just a film format, it's a state of mind. The ritual of loading the film and the clumsy yet extremely lovable cameras just make me so happy. Not to talk about the tonal range and character that blows digital out of the water. I wish I hadn't sold my 645 Pro TL, but now I'm getting ready to welcome a Hassy into my life. I'm 21, and I honestly I never have to shoot my last roll of film.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
declark Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p>Using my Pentax 645 is great, but the Rolleiflex T is even more fun. Love the simplicity and all mechanical feel. The square is addictive too. For the small number of rolls that I do scan (mostly B&W nowadays in the darkroom) I will just send to Northcoast Photographic. The scans are way better than what I can get off an Epson and are spotless. Costwise they work out to about 80 cents a frame for the scans. I have a digital p&s as a lightmeter for my Rolleiflex and is great for snaps, but I just can't get too enthused about it. I've downloaded many sample images from high end DSLR's from a review site to see what the fuss is about, but they all seem to look sterile to me. I realize they probably are straight from the camera and could use a bit of tweaking, but I'd just rather get a great looking Velvia scan and be done with it.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
declark Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p>Sorry double post</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick_stack Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p>Darius -</p> <p>Fer sher, I have for years been mostly a med format user. Long time owner of a 500CM, 'Flex E-2, 'Flex 4X4 and 'Cord Vb. I use 35mm, 4X5 and DSLR as well, but 120 is the favoured. Strictly amateur, but quite active with photography in my retirement. Plenty of quality film types available, just not as wide a selection as before, but everything I would need is still around.</p> <p>The custom lab issue is real, I have only one left in my city, but what they can't do I can send away in the mail. For me, the look of 120 B&W or slides, (Velvia,) is not matched by anything else in my inventory.</p> <p>I feel much the opposite of some, I am quite optomistic there will be enough film use for a considerable time, sufficient to warrant continued production by the current manufacturers. Times do change alright, but the traditions of quality images last for a long time. Until I find something that is clearly superior to 120 film, that will be my preference. Live large. </p> <p>Patrick </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_south Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p>Well, I have to admit that my Pentax 67 II hasn't seen much action in recent years. When I shoot film it's usually 4x5. But the Pentax still has a very special place in my heart. It's more fun to use than any small-format camera I've ever held in my hands, and the 6x7 chromes scan very well. In some cases they come out even SHARPER than the chromes from my 4x5. I suspect that the inherent rigidity of a fixed-body camera helps, plus the P67 lenses don't have to cover a huge image circle. I've always found 6x7 chromes to be an absolute pleasure to work with on the light table.</p> <p>Another thing I love about the Pentax is the easy-to-read DOF scales on all of the lenses. It's very easy to dial in the hyperfocal distance when you need to maximize depth-of-field. You sacrifice DOF in order to get a large negative, and the Pentax has no tilt and swing movements. Without the hyperfocal distance a lot of shots would not be possible. The P67 is about 20 times easier to focus than a view camera, which I appreciate in situations where you only have a few seconds to grab the shot. Last but not least, the metering prism is the most accurate "built-in" meter I've ever used. Nikon should analyze it and put the same technology into THEIR cameras.</p> <p>Yeah, I'm going to have to give the old girl a new set of batteries and take her out leaf-shooting this weekend! I just hope I still remember how to reload the film rolls. Loading a P67 in the field with cold hands is, well, not a whole lot of fun.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive1 Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p>Absolutely! I currently have three box brownies, two Holgas, a Zeiss Ikonta Ikon, a Rolleiflex SL66, a Lubitel 166b and a Fujifilm GA645i Pro. All except the brownies, which need repairs, get used a lot. <br /> <br> <a href="http://fotogrotto.wordpress.com/"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/3974428494_49b9f8b291.jpg" alt="" /> </a><br> Rolleiflex SL66</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.r.j._wiest Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p>Still shoot medium format (Rollei SL66), love it and don't intend to give it up. Great detail in the B&W negs as well as in Velvia slide film. Love shooting digital, too, and some 35mm. Depends where I'm going, what I'm shooting and what I'm trying to accomplish. If I'm hiking, I won't take the heavy SL66/lenses, it's usually digital, but there's something magical about slowing down, putting the SL66 on a tripod, composing, etc. On the other hand, I love digital for wildlife shots as I'm not going through the expense of a bunch of film/processing in an attempt to get the best possible image.<br> RW</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.r.j._wiest Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p>Still shoot medium format (Rollei SL66), love it and don't intend to give it up. Great detail in the B&W negs as well as in Velvia slide film. Love shooting digital, too, and some 35mm. Depends where I'm going, what I'm shooting and what I'm trying to accomplish. If I'm hiking, I won't take the heavy SL66/lenses, it's usually digital, but there's something magical about slowing down, putting the SL66 on a tripod, composing, etc. On the other hand, I love digital for wildlife shots as I'm not going through the expense of a bunch of film/processing in an attempt to get the best possible image.<br> RW</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samoksner Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p>I carry a Bronica SQ-ai that i carry with me everywhere along side a Leica m6 or a Nikon FE. I don't end up making a photo with it everyday, but every time i do, it's a pleasure. I mostly shoot B&W negatives but last week i finished a roll of B&W slides... I almost fainted they were so beautiful! </p> <p>Along with my Leica, the Bronica will be the last thing i sell.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giovanni Cappai Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p>I too still shoot mostly MF with a Mamiya 7II and a 645 ProTL; mostly Provia 100 and some B+W also.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlwakefield Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p>I shoot MF, 35mm and digital they are all great. I love shooting my mamiya RZ67 which is always with the tripod and WLVF and hand light meter. Its always a good day to get out and about with that getup beats the fitness center anyday. The results are great but would love to make shots like Craig posted. cool shots</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kparratt Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p>Yep - 120/220 and 70mm > Hasselblad and Linhof</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piotr-trebicki Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/9366532-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="680" /><br> Yes, photo above was taken with Mamiya C200 but I use Mamiya RZ67 as well, great fun but it is getting more expensive and less labs processing.<br> cheers</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miesnert Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p>All the time, it's all I use!<br> <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/3971239034_5e50234d18.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="426" /></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miesnert Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p>All the time, it's all I use!<br> <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/3971239034_5e50234d18.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="426" /></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_murphy_photography Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p>I use my Hasselblad 500C/M and 150mm F/4 C Sonnar all the time. It leaves my 12.1 MP Nikon D700 <em>in the dust..........</em><br> <em></em><br> I will still drag out my Rolleiflex 6 x 6 and shoot photos with it. It's 54 years old and still going strong!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_murphy_photography Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 <p><em>"</em><a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=125195"><em>Terry Dent</em></a><em> </em><a href="http://www.photo.net/member-status-icons"><em><img title="Subscriber" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub10.gif" alt="" /></em></a><em>, Oct 21, 2009; 08:56 a.m.</em></p> <p><em>I shoot 100% medium format. If a picture is worth taking, it's worth taking with a Hasselblad!"</em><br> <em></em><br> Amen to that Terry!!!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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