MF - Which camera for beginner?

[Benji77]

I've been toying with the idea of starting MF. The only problem is the cost.
But I can save for that...hahaha

I shall start asking questions to fuel my lust for MF -

a) How much should I set aside for a portraiture set up?
b) Can I plan for 1 camera body + 1 lens + required accessories with less than $800?

Comments welcomed!

[F5user]

Maybe not as flexible as a MF SLR, but the Fuji line of rangefinders are gems. (+ they have meters inbuilt!)

Try the Fuji GS645 (Man focus) or the Fuji GA645.

=)

[Benji77]

With this, you mean that MF cams are sub-divided into Rangefinders as well? Oh my, I have lots to learn!

Okay, what if I just want MF just to shoot portraits? Questions questions -

a) What focal length is required for full body shots
b) Do all MF cams need batteries or do they have fully mechanical ones
c) Are the lens interchangable? Meaning a Rollei can use Pentax lens etc? Or are there 3rd party lens for them as well?

[lazylagoon]

since you mentioned portraits and your budget.. you might want to consider TLRs? the yashicas or rolleicords sounds like they can fit under your budget with a lot of room to spare for film etc. it feels slightly easier to engage your subject shooting with a waist level finder because your eye does not need to be stuck to an eyepiece..for street portraits this feels slightly less threatening too for the subject because you might not seem to be pointing the camera to him/her. for full body shots, maybe 50mm? or 80mm but u gotta stand a bit further.. 80mm works well for half body shots. however, TLRs usually come with an 80mm lens that is not interchangeable unless its the mamiya c33s or similar?
as to whether the lenses are interchangeable between systems.. i think not usually..3rd party lenses are usually teleconverters and the like..the TLRs mentioned mostly are fully mechanical..

[o00001]

Originally Posted by Benji77 With this, you mean that MF cams are sub-divided into Rangefinders as well? Oh my, I have lots to learn! Okay, what if I just want MF just to shoot portraits? Questions questions - a) What focal length is required for full body shots b) Do all MF cams need batteries or do they have fully mechanical ones c) Are the lens interchangable? Meaning a Rollei can use Pentax lens etc? Or are there 3rd party lens for them as well?

a)not sure, multiply the focal length of the lens used in 35mm by 2 and you will gt a mf equivilent.
b)there are fully mechanical ones like the rb67 and the TLRs (if i am nt wrong, batteries are required only for the meter in them...)
c)Not sure about this but i nvr seen or heard of any yet

[Benji77]

a) What is main difference between a TLR and a MF? They are a different category altogether right?

b) Do ALL MF cameras have their built in lightmeter?

c) So when we say a 50mm lens in a regular SLR, in MF terms it would mean a 100mm lens? So in this case, a MF lens is wider than a 35mm format camera?

[lazylagoon]

a) a TLR is a twin lens reflex, that are built to use MF (medium format) film and are also MF' (manual focus) in another sense.. there are various types of MF (medium format) cameras - rangefinders, as F5user mentioned, SLRs, TLRs, etc

b) not all MF (medium format) cameras have built in meters, some do, for example the rangefinder fujis have, or the mamiya 645, with a meter prism attachment.

[one important thing to consider for medium format is also the ratio of the picture, TLRs are natively 6x6 , while the rangefinders and the mamiya mentioned above are 6x4.5]

c) hmm that is true in a sense, BUT it depends on the medium format's frame ratio also, for 6x6 square, 80mm is about 52.1mm, read here to get a clearer picture.. u can see that different ratios bring different equivalents.. http://photo.net/equipment/medium-fo...gth-conversion

what are your concerns now..? do you feel comfortable with manual focus? manual metering and everything? or would it be more comfortable to have a camera with metering or other functions?

[gooseberry]

Originally Posted by F5user Maybe not as flexible as a MF SLR, but the Fuji line of rangefinders are gems. (+ they have meters inbuilt!) Try the Fuji GS645 (Man focus) or the Fuji GA645. =)

I agree with the above (and not because I am selling one of my wide-angle versions the GA645Wi - http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=331799 ) but they do provide a relatively lower cost, lightweight and very convenient option in MF that produces fantastic results (arguably on par with the best in MF)

In terms of focal lengths for portraiture - if you take a look at the 'typical' 35mm (film) focal lengths for portraits of 85mm and 105mm, the roughly equivalent focal lengths in MF are generally 150mm and 180mm respectively.

[enivre]

For $800 you can probably get a 2nd hand Mamiya RB67 with a standard lens, either the 90mm or the 127mm, both are suitable for portraits.

Mind you though, RBs are big. Go to the 2nd hand shops at peninsular, you'll see plenty.

[zekai]

buy a hasselblad 500cm with an 80 lens. good to handhold. 100% mechanical

[Galdor]

Hi bro Benji,

sorry to ride on your thread. I'm toying with the idea of getting a TLR too. I would like to ask the seniors here a question. Saw some TLRs at The Adelphi, is it a good place to get a TLR there or are there better places in SG where I can get one?

I've read up a bit about TLRs and still sceptical on the function, as in ease in using it. Is it as easy as using a SLR? Sorry for my newbie question as I have not touched a TLR before.

What would be a good and reliable brand and model and roughly how much it'll cost?

[boochap]

Originally Posted by zekai buy a hasselblad 500cm with an 80 lens. good to handhold. 100% mechanical

hasselblad

500cm with an 80 lens 2nd hand should cost about 1200-1500$.

[Benji77]

[quote=Galdor;3606112]Hi bro Benji,

sorry to ride on your thread. QUOTE]

Not a problem.

[Benji77]

Originally Posted by boochap hasselblad 500cm with an 80 lens 2nd hand should cost about 1200-1500$.

Wah, you guys make it sound so delicious....
temptation temptation....

To fully utilise the advantages of MF as compared to 35mm, would i be right to say that we should print them much bigger than we would at 35mm?

by this i am trying to justify to myself that if i were to get MF, it has to be for a special reason. coz if i dont print my 35mm larger than 8R or bigger, it would be a waste to get MF would it not?

all comments welcomed...good or bad.

[singscott]

Sure MF will allow you to make better big print. But big print is not only why one go to MF.

MFs' pictures is very different from large or small format in term of look and feel. For example DOF for medium format is very different let say small format or DSLR, just because of COC (circle of confusion). f4 on the standard lenes from small format and MF will give you a total different pictures due to this in different DOF.

Then also because of the different in film sizes, MFs' picture seen to be sharper and have more resolution. Which make the process of doing pictures in MF much more fun

[boochap]

When u started to do your framing in medium format 6x6 or 645, u will experience a whole different world... your view finder is no longer a compressed miniature world, but a full 6cm by 6cm screen!!

When u compose or shoot, u look down and have your eyes away from the camera... who knows when u r shooting?

[Benji77]

Originally Posted by singscott Sure MF will allow you to make better big print. But big print is not only why one go to MF. MFs' pictures is very different from large or small format in term of look and feel. For example DOF for medium format is very different let say small format or DSLR, just because of COC (circle of confusion). f4 on the standard lenes from small format and MF will give you a total different pictures due to this in different DOF. Then also because of the different in film sizes, MFs' picture seen to be sharper and have more resolution. Which make the process of doing pictures in MF much more fun

Ah, I see a new advantage of MF here.
Would the above mean that MF's DOF is less shallow than 35mm?

What would be the average running cost of developing a 16 shot with contact print (6 by 4.5) roll of film? After which an 8R or larger for 1 favourite shot?

[Benji77]

Originally Posted by enivre For $800 you can probably get a 2nd hand Mamiya RB67 with a standard lens, either the 90mm or the 127mm, both are suitable for portraits. Mind you though, RBs are big. Go to the 2nd hand shops at peninsular, you'll see plenty.

whoa. the RB67 looks fabulous. Mechanical too!

[boochap]

Originally Posted by Benji77 whoa. the RB67 looks fabulous. Mechanical too!

yayaah. veru mechnical. wait u start carrying it around then u know how mechanical it is.. hahaq

[Benji77]

Originally Posted by boochap yayaah. veru mechnical. wait u start carrying it around then u know how mechanical it is.. hahaq

hahaha! i dont really mind though...coz i love mechanical stuff.
Does the RB67 have a built in meter?