Medium format
Oct 17, 2018 00:35:21 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
Film medium format...
Limited shots per roll.... 120 film is still available in limited choices.... Longer 220 rolls are pretty much discontinued.
Depending upon the camera format, you get between 10 and 15 shots on a 120 roll.
The next challenge is going to be getting the film developed. Unless you plan to shoot B&W and develop yourself, you will probably need to send it off for processing.
Do you have a darkroom? If not, what are you going to do with the images? Are you planning to scan them so you can work them digitally? While it's possible to use a high quality flat bed scanner with MF film, it's sort of a waste. Better to get a dedicated MF film scanner... much higher resolution... but those are EXPENSIVE. Scanning is a relatively slow, one image at a time process.
If you want to scan B&W, I recommend using a chromogenic film which can be processed C-41, same as most color negative film. It scans better than silver halide B&W films. AFAIK, there is only one chromogenic B&W film still being offered in 120 format (maybe 35mm, too)... Ilford XP2 (400 ISO). Prints will seem lower contrast, but since it uses dyes instead of silver particulates, it scans nicely and contrast can be controlled.
Color scanning can be done from either color slide or color neg film. It's a little more challenging with color neg because of the "orange mask"... but quality software such as Silverfast AI can deal with that well.
Traditional darkroom work with color neg or color slide film is possible, but a lot trickier than B&W. Both color film development and color print making have to be done in total darkness and temperatures during processing have to be much more rigidly controlled. The darkroom chemicals for color film and prints are also a bit more obnoxious.
Hope this helps with your decision.
Not sayin' "don't do it"... just talking about the realities of it here. Used MF film cameras and lenses can be pretty affordable these days.
Limited shots per roll.... 120 film is still available in limited choices.... Longer 220 rolls are pretty much discontinued.
Depending upon the camera format, you get between 10 and 15 shots on a 120 roll.
The next challenge is going to be getting the film developed. Unless you plan to shoot B&W and develop yourself, you will probably need to send it off for processing.
Do you have a darkroom? If not, what are you going to do with the images? Are you planning to scan them so you can work them digitally? While it's possible to use a high quality flat bed scanner with MF film, it's sort of a waste. Better to get a dedicated MF film scanner... much higher resolution... but those are EXPENSIVE. Scanning is a relatively slow, one image at a time process.
If you want to scan B&W, I recommend using a chromogenic film which can be processed C-41, same as most color negative film. It scans better than silver halide B&W films. AFAIK, there is only one chromogenic B&W film still being offered in 120 format (maybe 35mm, too)... Ilford XP2 (400 ISO). Prints will seem lower contrast, but since it uses dyes instead of silver particulates, it scans nicely and contrast can be controlled.
Color scanning can be done from either color slide or color neg film. It's a little more challenging with color neg because of the "orange mask"... but quality software such as Silverfast AI can deal with that well.
Traditional darkroom work with color neg or color slide film is possible, but a lot trickier than B&W. Both color film development and color print making have to be done in total darkness and temperatures during processing have to be much more rigidly controlled. The darkroom chemicals for color film and prints are also a bit more obnoxious.
Hope this helps with your decision.
Not sayin' "don't do it"... just talking about the realities of it here. Used MF film cameras and lenses can be pretty affordable these days.
Oct 17, 2018 00:41:03 #
Oct 17, 2018 08:11:52 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
ORpilot wrote:
I still have my Film Mamiya 645 and also 4x5. Yes ... (show quote)
Interesting, my experience with the D850 tells me I see no difference even in a 20X30 print. And I have owned a 4X5 and a Hasselblad. Yes, today' digital camera's are that good. No need any more for a Medium format unless you really really need one for your photography business.
Oct 17, 2018 16:18:28 #
A general reply to many comments in this thread "there is no need for film cameras anymore, we have digital". It is all about the experience you desire and the depth of your bank account. If you want to try it, try it. If you want to plunge into it, save until you can do it but don't go into debt for it as it will probably not pay itself off.
Oct 17, 2018 22:04:37 #
[quote=Unclehoss]A general reply to many comments in this thread "there is no need for film cameras anymore, we have digital". It is all about the experience you desire...”
The arrogance of some digital shooters is astounding. They forget there are some photographers that enjoy shooting film for both the aesthetics and nuisance only film can provide. Not to mention the value of equal quality prints done in silver is more than that of its digital counterpart.
The arrogance of some digital shooters is astounding. They forget there are some photographers that enjoy shooting film for both the aesthetics and nuisance only film can provide. Not to mention the value of equal quality prints done in silver is more than that of its digital counterpart.
Oct 18, 2018 07:47:40 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
[quote=GAS496]
I believe most members who mentioned digital were telling the OP that he/she did not have to get medium format to get a quality enlargement. I meant no disrespect to large format folks. I used to be one myself. Many of us old medium format people have found modern DSLR'S like the D850 capable of producing quality enlargements equaling medium format images. Again, no disrespect toward the larger format folks.
Unclehoss wrote:
A general reply to many comments in this thread "there is no need for film cameras anymore, we have digital". It is all about the experience you desire...”
The arrogance of some digital shooters is astounding. They forget there are some photographers that enjoy shooting film for both the aesthetics and nuisance only film can provide. Not to mention the value of equal quality prints done in silver is more than that of its digital counterpart.
The arrogance of some digital shooters is astounding. They forget there are some photographers that enjoy shooting film for both the aesthetics and nuisance only film can provide. Not to mention the value of equal quality prints done in silver is more than that of its digital counterpart.
I believe most members who mentioned digital were telling the OP that he/she did not have to get medium format to get a quality enlargement. I meant no disrespect to large format folks. I used to be one myself. Many of us old medium format people have found modern DSLR'S like the D850 capable of producing quality enlargements equaling medium format images. Again, no disrespect toward the larger format folks.
Oct 18, 2018 09:53:00 #
To both GAS496 and billnikon, I should have specified more that my statement was as well tongue in cheek and a bit sarcastic, my dry sense of humor gets me in trouble from time to time. But I remember the sell of of film equipment and darkrooms when digital really started making its presence known and an attitude of 'film is dead, we have digital now' that spread through the photographic world. Now after a time, there is a dedicated film following because of the differences that exist between film photography and digital. I have recently been able to jump into FF digital, still have all my film gear and will get into MF when finances and time allow. There is a time and place for all of these aspects of photography for all different personalities of photographers and picture takers. I am a bigger proponent of doing what your finances allow you to do instead of going into debt just because you want,want,want than I am of any single medium of photography. Learn what you can with what you can afford and when you can move up, then you can you move up. Moving up meaning purchasing more expensive equipment. And agree with both of your statements. I got to use my uncle's medium and large format cameras when he was still alive and got hooked, then kids and life have gotten in the way of purchasing my own but soon, I will be back to it.
Oct 20, 2018 08:40:42 #
throughrhettseyes wrote:
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.
Yes, I've done that. Well, not actually 4x4, but camera portrait 2x8. Using a 50mm prime lens gives fantastically sharp stitched panos. I saw a guy at photo school shoot crazy 4x8 or 3x12 exposure stitched "grid" panorama! He then had it printed to some huge 30x40" poster!
Oct 20, 2018 23:59:50 #
Most of the threads that turn into "film vs. digital" have become ugly. This one did not. Thanks everyone for your civility.
Oct 23, 2018 03:57:49 #
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?
In a word, yes. I started with a Hasselblad H4d-50 but found the menu system too cumbersome and slow, so I switched to a Fuji GFX-50s and it's surface controls, and I am thrilled with it. The files are nothing short of stunning. Remember though, it is just like shooting film medium format cameras, they are bigger and heavier and a bit slower to operate, so it depends a little on your type of shooting and your needs.
Oct 23, 2018 06:01:07 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
Just to clarify, are you talking film or digital?
That was my first question. Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I've seen (not personally experienced) in digital and my own experience in film medium and 35mm format there is a huge difference between 35mm film and medium format film with the medium having the advantage. However with digital the difference is not so noticeable particularly when comparing with the high end FF DSLR's.
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