mark_grow1

Derek,

Let me preface this by saying I am a big fan of Marc's work and knowledge. It's members like Marc that provide insight into alternative approaches...

When we went digital I came from a background in medium format, thus staying with the primes was natural. My wife wanted to venture into a zoom thus we got the 24-70L 2.8. Now while this is a great piece of glass it didn't feel as natural as the primes in my bag. For one event I rented the 70-200 IS, and yes, this is another fine lens, but again I found myself not moving around as much and became dependant on the zoom.

All I will say is I love my primes and really like the results I get with them. I think Marc is giving you some great advice...

Mark

ZZZZzzzzZZZZZzzzz Boy this is interesting!

Mark

I'm trying to tie our film into our wedding workflow. Recently we

had a roll of film scanned during processing for evaluation. This is

a 30mb Frontier scan done of a 120 negative.

Question: Is this a bad scan, or is this as good as it gets...?

Mark

In kinda following Marc's lead we have returned to shooting weddings with the Bronica SQ. Although my second shooter (wife) still shoots digital, we have found the film and proofs have reduced the backend workload a lot.

Currently I also have my lab do 30mb long roll scans, and I have an Epson 4990 here if there is a digital need. Right mow I think this is the workload we are sticking with. We are also evaluating a Nikon F6 for the wife......that's another story.

Mark

I've been evaluating the D70 for eight months now and have not been overly impressed. This camera trends towards noise (even slight under-exposure), the skin tones are way too red and the DR is horrible. In our evaluation for a potential wedding camera we have elected to invest in a F6 and a F100.

Mark

Thank's for the reply gentlemen. I always hate talking about film as I get this feeling I'm going to regret it, but heck, I'm still shooting a Bronica SQAi (and loving every minute)...

I guess the plan will be get the F100 (or F6) and have the film long roll scanned during proofing. For the larger scans I'm thinking a Nikon 9000 ED.....anything to keep the wife happy ;)

Mark

After a long stint with digital cameras my wife (second shooter) has

expressed an interest in looking at a Nikon F6/F100 combination for

shooting at weddings. This is simply a workflow issues as we have two

young kids and she would like to cut down on some post=production

time.

We looked at both models at WPPI but have not had a chance to really

look them over. Just would like some thoughts from photographers

using these models for wedding photography..

Thanks

Mark

"T"

I too shoot the D70, but there are so many variables to this question. The D70 hates under-exposure and picks up a lot of noise, thus I tend to go back to my Bronica when I'm concerned about lighting and resolution.

So, no I don't use the D70 for groups.

I light groups with one or two Quantums..

Mark

After an investment in digital cameras and software I have come to enjoy both methods of capture. Why limit yourself to just one method as no camera is best for everything. There are aspects of film that digital cannot duplicate just as there are aspects to digital that film cannot duplicate.

While talking to the Fuji rep at WPPI he stated that Fuji had another UP year in film sales, and Fuji is going to concentrate on film scanning technology for the future. That seems to tell me that film is alive and well. Right now I can send my 120 film in for processing and proofing and for pennies add 30mb long roll scans.

Will we ever see the return of manufactured MF cameras....doubtful. Will people continue to love and enjoy those cameras that are out there.....without question. Is film better than digital....who cares! Is digital better than film......who cares!

Mark

Now that I have recovered from my brain fade.... Simon...the medium format has a benefit vs. style curve that you will need to deal with. While I do have a motor drive on the Bronica it is not well suited for some types of photography... While I have the S2 also (and a D70), we as Nikon/Fuji owners are in a bit of a holding pattern...

My D70 does not handle large groups well so I shoot with the Bronica and have the film long roll scanned at 30mb. The future hope is for the D200. I can only hope for a low noise, 8mp chip... I had thought about the D2x but I'm not sure I need 12mp for wedding coverage?

That H1 could be a monster at some weddings....?

Mark

Simon,

First, I wouldn't give the results on Luminous Landscape too much credit. It's the same stunt that Shutterbug pulled not to long ago when they did a film vs. digital story. The careful reader would note that they elected to scan the film on a consumer grade flatbed scanner. Just another way to "dummy down" the results.

I cannot comment about the Mamiya ZD as nobody really knows anything about it, but I know my Bronica SQ (when cropped) has an effective film space of a 645 and the results are great.

You might want to do a search. One of the members here did a 1ds vs. medium format test. You may find those results interesting.

Mark

Scott,

Thanks a bunch...... Funny, you are with a lab for 15 years and when they close it puts you back on the learning curve...

Take Care

Mark

Let me start by saying "yes I dad a search and could not find a good

answer"... :)

The Burrell Lab has closed in San Diego, only leaving one pro level

lab open in the area. Because I'm 80 miles from that lab I elected to

establish an account with an "out of state" lab. I'm at the point

that I need to order supplies to include my crop cards. I have no

idea which crop cards to order since my previous lab did optical

enlargements and the negs were not carded...

I shoot 6x6 and 6x7 and need to get an idea of which cards I should

order... Any help would be great.

Thanks

Lab-less in San Diego

Jay,

Im not really sure there is anyone simple answer to this question. Much of your answer you already know based on your comfort level and shooting style. As a wedding photographer myself I shoot a Bronica SQAi and a Nikon F3, but I also have a D70 with plans for the Nikon D2X.

Currently I think many wedding photographers are evaluating their equipment needs and demands on their workflow. Some (like me) have found a comfort level with all mediums of capture and use the tools I need for a specific event or situation. Many of the wedding photographer I associate with all have some film aspect to their business. Many still shoot with 35mm SLR's and their work is breath-taking.

While recently adding digital to my line-up I have also continued to make an investment in medium format. If your going to make the leap into digital you might want to consider the 20d. Currently the 20d has the best lp/mm resolution in its class. But also know that the purchase of the camera is the first step on a long road of expensive software. Color managment, raw converters, and Photoshop (which has RAW converters) is not an inexpensive road...

Mark

Stacy,

This year we elected to convert my wife over to digital (she is my second shooter) with the purchase of a D70 (with anticipation of an S3 later.....hold that thought). I still shoot all MF with my Bronica SQAi and a host of lenses. What I quickly found is that these two mediums should compliment one another as opposed to working against each other.

Everything is about results in photogrpahy. I would contend that the average bride could give a hoot about your method of capture as long as your work supports your price. But as the professional it's up to you to select the impliments of your craft. I have always contended that it is more important that you like the gear your using and get the results you desire as opposed to having the latest and greatest.

When ever I make a decision about a change or purchase I try to approach it from the perspective of the consumer. If Im hiring a wedding photographer do you show up and say "let me see you camera gear"....no, you want to see the work. Film, digital......who cares!

Digital is a great tool if you understand its strong points and its limitations. The same holds true for my heavy Bronica. But I would contend that it is very important for even film photographers to understand digital workflow, not beacuse film is dead, but rather because it can add so much to your business.

Right now I have all my 120 film long roll scanned, this allows me to make corrective adjustments prior to the enlargements going out. or the flush mount album being created. In fact we are adding a Nikon 9000ED film scanner because the have a long term commitment to film and digital.

Just be open to new ideas...

Mark

Bill,

Yes, but you lose the TTL function.....

Mark

I just purchased a D70 to add a digital element to my wedding

coverage. I have been following a number of sites where many of the

wedding photographers are annoyed with the iTTL pre-flash. I guess

some are getting a lot of "blinkers" in there candid shots.

Is this really an issue?

Mark

Real quick question. Can you attach the pocket wizard direct to the

hotshoe on the D70, or do I need a safe sync....?

Thanks

Mark

Currently I shoot with a combination of medium format and digital at

weddings. On occasion while constructing our flush mount albums we

have needed the ability to scan some of the 6x6 negatives for the

album. While I get the general feeling that dedicated film scanners

are better than flatbed scanning, for purposes of preview and albums

would the Epson 4870 meet my needs ???

Thanks Mark

Currently I shoot with a combination of medium format and digital at

weddings. On occasion while constructing our flush mount albums we

have needed the ability to scan some of the 6x6 negatives for the

album. While I get the general feeling that dedicated film scanners

are better than flatbed scanning, for purposes of preview and albums

would the Epson 4870 meet my needs ???

Thanks

Mark

Jim,

Great test, and thanks for sharing the results. I have always suspected this to be true, and have spent the last year expanding my Bronica SQAi equipment.

Mark

Nikon-Film

Bronica-Film

Marc,

I think you are right on with your thread here. What has happened in wedding photography is everyone made the move to digital, and with time they have had the opportunity to evaluate it's place as a tool.

For one I shoot a lot of film with a SQAi, but I do intended to add a Fuji S3 this year. Never with the intention of replacing my MF, but just to add a tool. I think in the end everyone will have the opportunity to evaluate there style of wedding coverage and adjust accordingly.

Thanks

Mark

Angelo,

I think what the guys are telling you is buying a camera is a personal decision based on anticipated use. There is no way we can give you an informed decision based on the information you have provided.

Last year when I elected to replace my RB67 it took me six months of intensive evealuation before I found a camera that matched my needs. Both the Contax and Mamiya are great cameras, you just need to evaluate your needs...

Felix,

I think what your being told is there are better ways to research this on the net. We would hate to have Kevin stroke out since he seems to hang on every post!

Mark