Who shoots medium format?

[puredrifting]

Hi all:

I am considering acquiring a Pentax 645N outfit, there are some great deals out there. Can anyone post their experiences in shooting medium format? Any comments of 6X6 vs. 6X4.5 formats? It seems that if I want to shoot epic landscapes and art images, medium format would be hard to beat. I can get 120 processing for $5.50 and scans to CD for $5.49 or $12.00 for high res. So medium format boils down to about .85 to $1.25 per shot, not bad.

The 645N packages have a low learning curve coming from 35mm and the lenses are really high quality and dirt cheap. I am seeing 645N bodies in E+ condition including the 120 back and a 75mm 2.8 lens for around $500.00. The additional wide angle lenses and tele lenses sell in pristine condition for a few hundred dollars ea. from KEH, etc. These packages new originally sold for $3,000.00 to $5,000.00

Seems like a fun thing to get into and I have always loved medium format images. You cannot argue with resolution and image size, more is better.

Best,

Dan

[CharlieG]

I've always been a big fan of medium format. I first learned photography in the 60's on a borrowed Yashica twin lens. In college I shot with a 6x7 and finally got a Bronica 6x6. Upon graduation I got a Hasselblad and shot with that until the age of digital came into play. I totally agree there is nothing better than a medium format image...
Well I take that back, my 8 x 10 camera can beat it but I can't afford to play with it like I used to...
Its a great time to get used medium format cameras

[puredrifting]

Wow, an 8x10? That must be amazing to shoot but also amazingly expensive.

Medium format looks like a lot of fun to shoot, I never bought one back in the 70s or 80s because I couldn't afford one. Now, with the "death" of film, they are pretty cheap and there is a lot of nice gear on the market for very little money.

Dan

[snp]

Been shooting digital for the last 5 years but can't get away from my old Fuji 6x9 medium format. With the same 2x3 ratio as 35mm, it's a great rangefinder landscape camera which I use exclusively with b/w film. I soup the film in my bathroom, just like the old days, then scan the negs at a pretty high rez. Everything else is PhotoShop. It's my 'back to basics' mode.

[puredrifting]

Wow Scott, those are some beautiful images!

Thanks for posting them, I really like your work.

Dan

[grahamdunn]

Hi Dan,
I have a Yashica 124G ( a dual-fixed lens setup) and have to say it is so much fun and the images turn out really cool. Have you considered getting a scanner and just getting the negative developed? I get my negatives done for about 3 dollars a roll, then scan them on an Epson V500 scanner (about $250 or so). The resolution is unbelievable. There are some images from my Yashica and Holga with various films on my flickr if you're interested. http://flickr.com/photos/20937302@N06/sets/72157612268539334/

I guess the only thing to worry about is the repair factor on the machinery, but the Pentax, Mamiya, and Hasselblad cameras seem to be built like tanks, so if you get one in good shape, you're probably okay. Let us know if you take the plunge!

[puredrifting]

Hi Graham:

Will do. I just went for an almost brand new Nikon F100 that I need to shoot with for a while. At some point though before the end of the year, medium format is looking very appealing.

Good advice on the processing and scanning.

D

[dadoboy]

I have a few Bronica 6x6, and Mamiya 645's and even an RB67 with some very nice KL lenses.
It's not the quality of the images alone that keeps me to medium format.
I love looking at the large optical image that you get.
Even on 35mm I only like the viewfinders on my Nikon n90s and F5. Large with great eye relief.
On digital, my d40 and d90 have terrible optical viewfinders. It's partly because the smaller size of the APS size chip and corresponding mirror/optics. My next digital camera will have to be full frame just so that I can get a better optical viewfinder.
Medium format rocks! Get one for a steal!

[DivotDan]

Word on the N90s. I LOVE mine.

Scott, awesome shots. What filters were you using to make the sky so dark? Orange or Red maybe?

[snp]

You guessed it... a deep red.