Medium format (Page 2): In the film days, my favorite medium format was the Pentax 6 by 7. It was a real tank and very heavy to carry. Several years ago I bought the digital Pentax 645...

bedouin Loc: Big Bend area, Texas

In the film days, my favorite medium format was the Pentax 6 by 7. It was a real tank and very heavy to carry. Several years ago I bought the digital Pentax 645 Z. I used it exclusively for landscape work, and it out performed my several dslrs by quite a bit in terms of detail and sharpness. But again it's wait was simply more than I could tolerate since I move about quite a bit

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

dougbev3 wrote:

I have several Nikon cameras and lenses. I have been looking at getting a medium format camera just to see if I would like it better. My question is …. For those who have, would you do it again? Is it that much better?

IF, your talking digital, the Nikon 850 and the Canon 5D mark 1V or both like medium format in that you end up with a large file. I would compare my old Hasselbalds and the 850 as being equal in a 20X30 print. But, that's just me. So NO, no advantage to Medium format FOR ME.

kdogg Loc: Gallipolis Ferry WV

Still use both Mamiya and Bronica systems on occasion. Both still in excellent condition. I mostly shoot B&W and mostly landscapes.

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

dougbev3 wrote:

I have several Nikon cameras and lenses. I have been looking at getting a medium format camera just to see if I would like it better. My question is …. For those who have, would you do it again? Is it that much better?

Yes, film MF makes amazing images. I have two Bronica bodies and 50mm, 75mm and 150mm lenses.

Festus Loc: North Dakota

dougbev3 wrote:

I have several Nikon cameras and lenses. I have been looking at getting a medium format camera just to see if I would like it better. My question is …. For those who have, would you do it again? Is it that much better?

I was also thinking of getting a medium format camera. (digital) However, after crunching the numbers, I found that the only benefit I would get is if I were going to start printing at least at poster size or larger. Not going to happen with me.

Festus Loc: North Dakota

dougbev3 wrote:

I have several Nikon cameras and lenses. I have been looking at getting a medium format camera just to see if I would like it better. My question is …. For those who have, would you do it again? Is it that much better?

Unless you plan on printing at poster size or larger, medium format is of no use with current MP levels of today’s DSLRs.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If sharpness is your main concern go for the medium format camera. You will NEVER look back.

pendennis

Right now, if it's film, I can shoot it; whether 35mm, medium or large format. I have several "systems" - including Mamiya RZ67, 645 Pro TL, and C330s. Bronica SQ-A. Hasselblad 500 C/M. Cambo, Super Graphic, and Sears Tower.

They all get used at one time or another, and they all are far more capable than I in producing beautiful images. The 35mm cameras are Nikon Canon, Pentax, and Olympus; and they're all fun to use.

A decent Yashica TLR, a light meter, and 120 film would be a great deal for trying larger formats.

Quinn 4

I had Yashica, Hasselbled, Zeiss medium film cameras. For what I take pictures of, a 35mm film camera is just as good. Sold off all my medium cameras.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

dougbev3 wrote:

I have several Nikon cameras and lenses. I have been looking at getting a medium format camera just to see if I would like it better. My question is …. For those who have, would you do it again? Is it that much better?

Digital Medium Format is too much $$$ for me. I don't even have a FF Digital Camera, only four APS-C ones. For film I currently have several 35mm cameras and two 4x5" cameras - a studio view camera and a folding wooden field camera. In the past I owned a Pentax 6x7 film camera (6x7cm 120 film). I've also used a Rolleiflex 6x6 cm(2 1/4 inch) camera, and a 8x10" B&J View Camera!

I'd love a FF digital or MF digital, but as stated, too pricey for me. Also as I'm aging and have arthritic hands I'm thinking or going to a Fuji digital rangefinder type of camera. I don't shoot BIF and mainly use shorter lenses; 19mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm primes, and zooms between 16mm and 300mm.

sroter Loc: Montreal,Quebec. Canada

Archiefamous, I am 68. I had a darkroom for many years. I`ve used closets as DRs, and full `bedroom size` . I miss the smell, very nostalgic . Although at this age, I dont think`my lungs would appreciate it anymore. Just a consideration.

Archiefamous wrote:

I bought a hasselblad 500c the year I graduated from high school. Traveled through Europe with it an 80mm and 250 mm. Best images I ever made. Darkroom is now in storage but I’m thinking of starting it again at age 65

throughrhettseyes Loc: Rowlett, TX

Save your money and shoot 4x4 panoramas instead . That's 16 shots in a 4x4 box then stitched together in a 4x4 format. Wala...simulated medium format.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

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)
35mm is great for sports, news and any other fast-reaction type of photography.
Depends on what your subject matter is.

alfeng Loc: Out where the West commences ...

dougbev3 wrote:

I have several Nikon cameras and lenses. I have been looking at getting a medium format camera just to see if I would like it better. My question is …. For those who have, would you do it again? Is it that much better?

If you are talking about film, then while many people did not use a tripod when shooting with the various cameras available by using an auxiliary hand-grip, using a tripod should probably be included as a factor in your decision ...

... Of course, there have always been cameras like the 6x6 Zeiss Ikonta (and, 6x9 cameras before that) which were designed for "tourists" ...

The size of your enlargements should probably be a factor, too.

Portability may be a factor.

Obviously, the cost of lenses may be a factor.

Digital medium format? That probably depends mostly on how deep your pockets are!

lsupremo Loc: Palm Desert, CA

rmalarz wrote:

I have and still enjoy shooting medium format, as well as large format. The latter being my preference. Like yourself, I also have a Nikon F and couple of Nikkormats and one Nikomat. My medium format cameras are Hasselblad and Bronica, two models of the latter. I also use an Koni Omega Rapid.

For me it's not a would I do it again, it's a matter of continuing on using them.
--Bob

Now your making me jealous!! I wish I still have my old stuff and my old darkroom.🙁🙁