Experimentation with Medium Format

rgy1993 · 4 Weeks Ago

Hi all!

Right, I know there is a similar topic from not long ago about a person wanting to get into MF photography, however I think we're coming from two different standpoints since I've been photographing with SlR's both film and digital for quite a while already...

Anyway, simply put, I'm in my final year of highschool and I'm doing Visual Art as one of my subjects... The main part of that year in art is the creation of a large "body of work". I've had a look at a few past works, and have simply fell in love with the crisp look and simple detail that some medium format camera's have produced... and thus now I'd really like to start experimenting with Medium Format and its possibilties, just have a few questions to ask before I go camera hunting..

I know about film as such, started off with a film SLR and I also own a cute little rangefinder but I'm just wondering what is the availablity of MF film here and where to get it, since the usual photo shops normally only sell 35mm...

Secondly, what starting off cameras can I look at? Obviously the big Mamiya's, Leaf's and Hasselblads reserved for the pros are completely out of my budget but I'm told slightly older TLR cameras can go for fairly cheap nowadays as the majority of people head towards "l00k at me with my c00l 1000D" instead of the old tech of film. Just wondering if there are any particular brands and models to look at for a guy starting off in MF? I've only had a brief look at some older Yashica's, Hassy's and Seagull but this is just browsing, I don't have much idea what exactly I'm looking at...

And lastly is metering... I'm not exactly sure if these older TLR cameras have built in meters or simply require you to remember sunny 16, but how do you meter with these?

Any other info and advice would be greatly appreciated..
cheers!

Varex2b · 4 Weeks Ago

Hi there,

as mentioned, I wrote quite a bit on the other thread on commie cameras.

For film availability the two usual "suspects" are found in Peninsula Plaza - Konota (Fuji) and Ruby in Excelsior (Fuji, Kodak, Ilford...). The cost of film is usually 7..8 SGD per roll. Keep in mind that you get less frames on 120er film (12 for 6 x 6). Processing is the same speed as 135er film (prints will take them longer).

120er film is a little easier to scan in my opinion. So you could get a flatbed scanner to get good results for making your own digital prints. Once you have something that you like to print bigger size you could go back to the lab and let them print it for you. 50 x 50 cm (and probably larger) prints come out beautifully with 6 x 6 and will typically done within a week.

If you're going TLR, it's probably a good idea to get a hand exposure meter. I do not recommend "sunny 16" for colour photography, but opinions here will vary.

I personally believe that an older Mamiya 645 is the best for you, if you're used to SLR flexibility and reliability. The Eastern European stuff can be quite quirky to say the least.

Hope this helps, Sean.

rgy1993 · 4 Weeks Ago

cheers for the advice...

Just had a quick look at the Mamiya 645, looks expensive haha... how much are they worth nowadays? I'm honestly not looking to spend more then $300 on a camera.
I've only played with a TLR once but I would say that they are fairly usable... any idea on which of these types to look at?

Varex2b · 4 Weeks Ago

300 SGD is probably a bit tight for a 645 1000S. Probably you need more like 500 for that.

I have a Seagull 4A-103 myself since the 1990s and it's actually quite a fun camera (has one quirk though). But they're relatively crude things.

A Rolleicord would probably a good choice. Just test the long shutter speeds. Select 1S and say "einundzwanzig" in German. If the shutter closes, when you're done saying that, you're good.

Hand exposure meter will be a bit pricey too. You could try chiif for a CV meter (attaches to hotshoe).

Cheers, Sean.

pipo999 · 4 Weeks Ago

In addition to the above info here, try to get your hands on a Yashica Mat 124G. It is very affordable, has a nice Yashinon lens and a reliable built-in light meter and not unimportant, likely fits your budget.

In and around Peninsula Plaza you will find some shops that likely sell them. I have used and traded multiple copies of this fine gem.

pipo999 · 4 Weeks Ago

Originally Posted by Varex2b

A Rolleicord would probably a good choice. Just test the long shutter speeds. Select 1S and say "einundzwanzig" in German. If the shutter closes, when you're done saying that, you're good.
.

You could try and say 'eenentwintig' in Dutch since if you pronounce the German a bit off you are saying something not so gentle ..

(Trust me, I speak both fluent)

rgy1993 · 4 Weeks Ago

cool cool,

I have been looking around on this site that sells 2nd hand film cameras...
Seem to be a few yashica Mat's around?
those any good?

I've owned both a yashica SLR and rangefinder and so far both have been pretty reliable in terms of equipment..

pipo999 · 4 Weeks Ago

Wow! this guys has them! But try to get you hands on the 124G model as it is the latest and the best AND still affordable! Good catch this website .. !

4 Weeks Ago	#1
rgy1993 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 666	Experimentation with Medium Format Hi all! Right, I know there is a similar topic from not long ago about a person wanting to get into MF photography, however I think we're coming from two different standpoints since I've been photographing with SlR's both film and digital for quite a while already... Anyway, simply put, I'm in my final year of highschool and I'm doing Visual Art as one of my subjects... The main part of that year in art is the creation of a large "body of work". I've had a look at a few past works, and have simply fell in love with the crisp look and simple detail that some medium format camera's have produced... and thus now I'd really like to start experimenting with Medium Format and its possibilties, just have a few questions to ask before I go camera hunting.. I know about film as such, started off with a film SLR and I also own a cute little rangefinder but I'm just wondering what is the availablity of MF film here and where to get it, since the usual photo shops normally only sell 35mm... Secondly, what starting off cameras can I look at? Obviously the big Mamiya's, Leaf's and Hasselblads reserved for the pros are completely out of my budget but I'm told slightly older TLR cameras can go for fairly cheap nowadays as the majority of people head towards "l00k at me with my c00l 1000D" instead of the old tech of film. Just wondering if there are any particular brands and models to look at for a guy starting off in MF? I've only had a brief look at some older Yashica's, Hassy's and Seagull but this is just browsing, I don't have much idea what exactly I'm looking at... And lastly is metering... I'm not exactly sure if these older TLR cameras have built in meters or simply require you to remember sunny 16, but how do you meter with these? Any other info and advice would be greatly appreciated.. cheers! __________________ no one cares what gear you use. its the final product that matters.

4 Weeks Ago	#2
Varex2b Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 122	Re: Experimentation with Medium Format Hi there, as mentioned, I wrote quite a bit on the other thread on commie cameras. For film availability the two usual "suspects" are found in Peninsula Plaza - Konota (Fuji) and Ruby in Excelsior (Fuji, Kodak, Ilford...). The cost of film is usually 7..8 SGD per roll. Keep in mind that you get less frames on 120er film (12 for 6 x 6). Processing is the same speed as 135er film (prints will take them longer). 120er film is a little easier to scan in my opinion. So you could get a flatbed scanner to get good results for making your own digital prints. Once you have something that you like to print bigger size you could go back to the lab and let them print it for you. 50 x 50 cm (and probably larger) prints come out beautifully with 6 x 6 and will typically done within a week. If you're going TLR, it's probably a good idea to get a hand exposure meter. I do not recommend "sunny 16" for colour photography, but opinions here will vary. I personally believe that an older Mamiya 645 is the best for you, if you're used to SLR flexibility and reliability. The Eastern European stuff can be quite quirky to say the least. Hope this helps, Sean.

4 Weeks Ago	#3
rgy1993 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 666	Re: Experimentation with Medium Format cheers for the advice... Just had a quick look at the Mamiya 645, looks expensive haha... how much are they worth nowadays? I'm honestly not looking to spend more then $300 on a camera. I've only played with a TLR once but I would say that they are fairly usable... any idea on which of these types to look at? __________________ no one cares what gear you use. its the final product that matters.

4 Weeks Ago	#4
Varex2b Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 122	Re: Experimentation with Medium Format 300 SGD is probably a bit tight for a 645 1000S. Probably you need more like 500 for that. I have a Seagull 4A-103 myself since the 1990s and it's actually quite a fun camera (has one quirk though). But they're relatively crude things. A Rolleicord would probably a good choice. Just test the long shutter speeds. Select 1S and say "einundzwanzig" in German. If the shutter closes, when you're done saying that, you're good. Hand exposure meter will be a bit pricey too. You could try chiif for a CV meter (attaches to hotshoe). Cheers, Sean.

4 Weeks Ago	#5
pipo999 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 369	Re: Experimentation with Medium Format In addition to the above info here, try to get your hands on a Yashica Mat 124G. It is very affordable, has a nice Yashinon lens and a reliable built-in light meter and not unimportant, likely fits your budget. In and around Peninsula Plaza you will find some shops that likely sell them. I have used and traded multiple copies of this fine gem.