GAS496 Loc: Arizona

[quote=GoofyNewfie]Shooting large and medium format usually has a different approach than 35mm.
With fewer frames per load, slower shooting and more expense, the larger formats just about require you to think more about your shot (that’s a good thing)...

Agree with GoofyNewfie and would like to add that much of the pleasure of photography, for me, is derived from the process of using medium and large format systems. That slower more comtemplative approach deciding what the image should be has an appeal that digital capture by its nature can’t satisfy. The wet darkroom also has an allure all its own.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

You could get poster size from the D810.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I've had 3 x 5 FOOT print from a 12 megapixel Nikon D700.
Hard to distinguish from the other images I shot with the D810.
It's not just about the megapixels.

Archiefamous Loc: Manhattan

I love the smell and solitude of the darkroom with the only sound being the exhaust fan and the water running in the sink. My darkroom is sitting in a storage facility. Perhaps romantic nostalgia. If I ever retire perhaps I’ll use it again. I’m 65

BartHx

I have recently been getting the itch to get my darkroom out of storage and I, again, have a place to set it up. I have a good digital setup, but would like to get back into film, too. I recently took a dslr, a Mamiya 645, a Hasselblad, and a Manfrotto tripod and spent a day in the mountains shooting to get a comparative feel (I left the 4 x 5 home because of its bulk). I am in my early 70s and shoot strictly for my own enjoyment. What I found is as follows:
1) I loved the mounting plate system of the tripod and the ease it provided in switching among cameras.
2) As someone else mentioned, I don't tend to compose in a square format, so the Hasselblad did not get used much. It would probably be a different story if I were shooting something where the difference between the focal plane shutter and leaf shutter was of significance. I used to use a square format in medium format before I got the 645 and always ended up doing a lot of cropping in the darkroom.
3) Since my shots were primarily scenics, I found the slower pace with the 645 to be relaxing and enjoyable.
4) I used the dslr primarily to confirm my previsualization before shooting the film as well as to have something to play with immediately when I got home.
My conclusion was that I will continue to use both digital and film as appropriate to the situation and will probably continue using digital to check my intended image before releasing the shutter on film. I can't see giving up either.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I am assuming he is referring to DIGITAL .....

..

Ricsavid

Hi: First time I ever wrote something in a photography forum. But I was compelled to answer.
First, medium format is wonderful. It will slow you down and help you to conceptualize, which will improve your 35mm shooting.
Second, you will still be using roll film so little to worry about regarding pre-shooting dust on negatives as in large format where you load your own sheet film (I work totally in the darkroom, and clear spots on a negative can be tough to deal with.)
Regarding medium format, have shot with the Mamiya 7, Bronica and Hasselblad. I prefer the square format Hasselblad. The lenses are great, and there are reliable repair people still out there.
Soon, you will want to try large format, which is great too - though the learning curve is slower.

Good luck,
Ric Savid

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

And that was my point. No need to go medium format with camera and lens expense when we can do it now with a good DSLR.

Archiefamous Loc: Manhattan

Love the sound my hasselblad makes

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Yes, I quite agree. For me, it was like listening to the ocean at night, soothing.

Archiefamous Loc: Manhattan

The first click was disarming for portraits

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Leitz Loc: Solms

The OP explained it way back on the first page.

adm

Another good options is the Mamiya C330 twin lens reflex. Bodies and lenses are very inexpensive. Optical quality is very good. The cameras and leaf shutter lenses are all mechanical and very reliable and trouble free. Another plus is virtually silent operation. I have two C330 bodies and five lenses and greatly enjoy them.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I still have my Film Mamiya 645 and also 4x5. Yes it does slow you down. It takes me no less than 20 minutes to shoot one 4x5 image. You won't be shooting much sports or wildlife with them. Yes you can tell the difference easily between MF and 35mm. Just like the difference between FF and APS-C. If it weren't for the high price I would look into the Fujifilm MF cameras. But... if you don't plan on blowing things up past 8x10, you won't see much difference at 3 feet viewing. Is home baked bread better than Roman Meal Bread..... It's all personal choice.