tad doxsee

<p>Tangentially related, in a fun way, with possible inaccuracies:<br>

A friend of a friend was at a local fund raising event. She approached one of the event's "special guests" and asked if she could get a quick snapshot of the two of them. Before the friend could pass her camera to someone else to take their picture, the special guest said "I can do that " and then quickly took the classic at arm's length self-portrait-with-other shot. The special guest, Annie Leibovitz.</p>

<p>The only portraits I take are of people lying down. 6x4.5 works great for me! ;-)</p>

 

For several years, I've watched from the sidelines the price of that scanner stay the same (now going up) while the prices of DSLRs continue to drop. It's just not fair! :-(

Hi,

 

You might try craigslist for local listings. That's how I found mine.

 

Tad

Brooks Jensen, the editor of LensWork, wrote an excellent essay, called "The Real Revolution in Photography", which is closely related to many of the issues discussed in this thread. I highly recommend reading it.

You can find it by going to this page:

http://www.lenswork.com/enhanced/lwcollection.htm

and then picking the "PDF Preview" link for issue #73. The essay is on page 5 of the PDF.

I second the Lowpro Toploader 65 AW suggestion. It worked great on it's own and now I'm fortunate enough to have two add-on lens cases. When I've got a backpack on my back, my camera case is on my chest. When I'm walking around town, I use the single strap and my camera case is at my side.

If you're going to be shooting landscapes, you've got to ask yourself how far and how long you will be carrying the camera. When I was making a similar decision a few years ago, I went to a camera store and held the cameras I was considering. For me, the M7 II was the logical choice for a big negative in a small, lightweight package that I could take with me on multi-day backpacking trips. I've been very happy with the camera.

 

- Tad

Nice shots all!

 

Here are two, from the same stream, about 75 ft apart, taken the same afternoon.

 

One in color:

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/2647815&size=lg

 

and one in black and white:

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/2840798&size=lg

I love this question because it brings all of the M7 shooters out of the woodwork. ;-)

 

I bought mine a few years ago and love it. I chose it over the medium format alternatives because I wanted a camera that I could easily take on multiday backpack trips. I use black and white filters all the time and occasionally the polarizing filter when shooting color. I find that it also makes a great walking-around camera for vacations. Finally, it's easy to shoot hand-held. Almost all of my non-landscape photos were taken without the use of a tripod.

 

Tad

I just use my wife's "good" scissors. :-)

It's never been a problem scanning with my Epson 3200.

Hi Craig,

 

Welcome to the club. I'm sure you'll enjoy your new M 7II. I have a couple of additional comments.

 

I think you'll find it's small size and light weight to be two of it's best features. I take mine backpacking every summer.

 

I too plan to get a Nikon film scanner someday (after I get a third lens) but until then, I'll be quite happy continuing to scan with my relatively inexpensive flatbed (Epson 3200). It produces scans that result in fine looking 8.5 x 11 prints.

 

Tad

David,

 

I very much enjoyed your web site, both your photos and your articles about how you backpack with your 4x5 equipment. A couple of years ago I moved up to 6x7 and must admit that one of the reasons I'm hesitant to move up to 4x5 is because I've taken many of my favorite photos while backpacking, and can't imagine how I'd carry the extra weight. Your photos and descriptions are inspiring, but your honest descriptions of "extertions and dangers" make me think that carrying my lighter weight gear may not be such a bad choice for me. :-)

 

Thanks again for your contributions.

 

Tad

I haven't used an RZ, but the Mamiya 7 is very hand holdable. The few people shots in my folder were all hand-held while on vacation, as was the photo of the chimneys above Verbier. If need be, I find that I can shoot hand held at 1/15 sec with the 80mm lens on the M7 with decent results.

I've used XTOL (1:1) exclusivley for about 3 years, mostly for TMAX 100. Perhaps I've been lucky, but I've stored full strength XTOL in an accordian-style plastic bottle and other plastic bottles for up to 6 months without any problems.

Hi Tim,

 

I suggest that before you ponder the pros and cons of all the camera options for

all of your requirements, I'd focus on requirement #6 first. If you

really plan to carry

your camera into the backcountry, go to a nearby camera store

(if you haven't already) and pick up all of the cameras mentioned

above

and imagine carrying each one in your backpack along with your tent,

sleepbag, food, etc. That's what I did, and ended up getting the Mamiya 7. I've been very happy with the camera. Good luck.

 

Tad

Perhaps Andreas Gursky knows the answer. ;-)

For my first year with the camera, I had only the 80 mm and didn't feel I was missing too much. I later got the 50 mm and have had both for about 2 years. I probably use the 80 mm 2/3 of the time. When I traveled to Switzerland this winter, I took only the 80 and felt it was a great for walk-around shots after a day on the slopes. (My last uploaded photo was taken handheld with this setup with 100 ISO film.) I plan to get the 150 mm once my budget allows it. Hope this helps. - Tad

Hi Arthur,

 

I'm not sure if you can see what you're looking for

in this photo, but take a look at this Mamiya 7 example,

if you'd like:

http://www.photo.net/photo/2452755&size=lg

I'm sure there are plenty of other examples here

in photo.net (but no more in my portfolio).

 

Tad

Hi Richard,

 

This is an obvious suggestion, but have you tried using a polarizing filter with the M7II?

 

I sometimes use the Mamiya filter, which is a little cumbersome but works well. If you shoot black and white, you can boost the contrast between clouds and blue sky with an orange or red filter also.

 

Polarizing filters can also be used to cut down on glare and reflections, and there's no way that I know of to do that with PS.

 

Tad

Hi L,

 

I agree that a 645 kit would be handy. By the way, I get 10 shots per 120 roll.

 

Tad

Hi Noah,

 

I've been very pleased by my Kirk PZ-62 quick release plate, which

I use with my Kirk BH-3 ball head. I don't know if the plate is compatible with the Arca-Swiss or not. I can get at all of the stuff I need to on the bottom of my camera with the plate mounted. In fact, I don't think I've taken the plate off since I attached it a couple of years ago.

 

Tad

I got the Mamiya 7II over the other 6x7 options because I wanted a camera that I could easily take backpacking with me. I've used it on several two week trips and it travels very well. I find the 80mm very useful. I'd think twice about not having it or the 65mm as part of your first kit. I have the 50mm and 80mm but have not yet shot with the 150mm. - Tad

One of the main reasons I choose the Mamiya 7II was portability. If you'll never carry your camera far, then I suppose that shouldn't be an issue. I carry mine with two lenses and several filters backpacking in a chest harness bag.

 

Using a polarizer isn't hard but the grad filter is a challenge.

 

Because I can't preview the depth of field I find the distance of the nearest object in the frame by focussing on that (easy) then I adjust the focus to ensure that it and infinity are within the depth of field indicators on the lens. I try to be conservative by at least one f stop. That usually works for me.

 

If you're still considering the M7II, I hope that helps.

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I take my 120 E-6 to Calypso (mentioned above). They do nice work. Fortunately, I work only 2 blocks from them.

 

Tad