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Dump Your 35mm For Medium Format
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- Опубліковано 18 лют 2024
- Do you want better quality black and white photos, then it's time to dump your 35mm system and move up to Medium Format film. I've used 12 medium format systems over the past 45 years. Studios I worked at used one system, then the next studio used a completely different system, plus I've owned a number of these myself.
Mistakes, I can talk about mistakes I've made all day, so let's, reveiw the systems I've owned, what worked and what was a nightmare! The reason I kept switching systems was technology changed, up-grades were made, and my needs as a freelance evolved.
I don't cover every Medium Format system, just the dozen I've worked with professionally.
Rob Skeoch is a career photographer, working for five newspapers and wire services before joining the team at Major League Baseball for 17 seasons and the NFL for 14 seasons. Then he was a national manager for the camera group at Sony North America before going back to shooting.
Now he shoots for gallery shows around the world, mostly street work and portraits made with a Rollei twin lens. For 35mm shooting he uses a Nikon F3 and a couple M-mount Leica cameras and shoots mostly Ilford film.
Tips for shooting black and white film,
HP5 FP4Pan F Ilford Zeiss ZM Distagon Summaron Biogon Leica Leica R6.2 R6.2 R6 Nikon Nikon F3 Nikon F3T Nikon FM3A Pentax Pentax LX Pentax MX Canon Canon F1 Canon New F1Minolta Minolta X-700 Olympus Olympus OM4 Olympus OM3 Olympus OM4T Olympus OM3T Contax Kodak Fiilmprocessing darkroom black and white b&w developing film at home developing black and white filmdeveloping 35mm filmdeveloping roll film loading film developing reels loading 35mm film on reel loading 35mm film loading 35mm into development tank #blackandwhitephotography, #filmphotography, #blackandwhite, #filmprocessing, #film, #bw, #ilfordhp5, #filmisnotdead, #blackandwhitephoto, #filmcamera, #35mmfilm, #leica, #nikon, #darkroom, #darkrooms, #film, #filmcamera, , #leica, #leicasociety, #ilford, #120film, #rolleiflex #rollei, #gitzo #kodak, #kodakfilm35mm #kodaktmax400 #streetphotography,, photo, photography, picture, 135mm lens, 35mm film, black and white, rollei, ilford, portrait, #nikon, #canon, #pentax, #zeiss #distagon #18mm #zeisslens #leicaphotography #leica_world #leicaimages #leicalens, #leica_camera #leicam6 #nikonf3 #nikonfm2 #canon_official #minolta #olympus #Leicam6 #Leicam #hp5 #ilfordhp5 #slr #slrcamera #slrcanon #hasselblad #hasselblad_camera #pentax67 #pentax645 #fuji #rolleiflex
Rob, this video of incredible reminiscences is excellent. I enjoyed every minute of it. Strobes for rent high in the stadium? I had no idea.
I admire all the different types of work you did - all the while producing great photos.
15 years ago, you were running your own business selling Zeiss ZM lenses and I bought a Sonnar 50/1.5 from you. That was for my DS Leica M3 (restored by Gerry Smith). I was in Kingston, ON then.
Circa 2007, I had TWO Rolleicord Vb, and a 1936 Art Deco Rolleicord. All restored by Harry Fleenor and with Maxwell focusing screens.
The Art Deco R’cord is the one camera I wish I’d kept. Its f/4.5 Triotar lens (a Cooke Triplet) worked a charm. I loved the incredibly simple film advance, the shutter to 1/300 s., the utter simplicity of all of it.
After that (sold everything) and (2014) bought a couple of “Texas Leicas” as you mentioned. The Fujica G690BL with rangefinder and interchangeable 100mm f/3.5 lens.
Those were difficult to have serviced. There was a guy in the Carolinas who worked on them.
Leaf shutter in the lens - rather quiet, contrary to what you said. The RF mechanism went off-kilter on mine and I retired my good one and (by then) two parts cameras.
Now I’m using a 1954-55 Rolleicord IV. It’s in great shape and is a delight to use. It has a Rick Oleson “BrightScreen”. I’m very keen on the simpler cameras with few “features” or conveniences to fail.
Lately, curiosity overcame me and I bought a Mamiya C220 w/ 55mm f/4.5 lens. That’s “31mm equivalent” to full frame (although comparing square format to 2:3 format doesn’t make 100% sense. It (like a Rolleicord) requires cocking the shutter independently of the film advance. Simplicity MAN!
Thanks a million for this video. It’s like catnip for me. I’m now in Victoria, BC.
98% of my work is in b&w, developing at home. And: soon printing at home again. I learned split-grade printing with Bob Carney, Steve Sherman and Tim Jones.
Good luck, MAN!!!!
Thanks. Great to hear from you again. I'm not the only one who has toured the MF circuit. Enjoy the printing when you get it set up.
It's wonderful to listen to all these gear and photography stories and all the experiences you put on your videos. It's very entertaining and, at least to me, it's full of knowledge. I'm mostly a 35mm shooter, but the truth is that each time I pick my humble and lovely Yashica 124 or my Wester Autorol, I feel a special and extra pleasure. Something about the feeling of the loading procedure and the handling, I'm not even talking about the printing results. So yes, medium format is in a superior level. In my case, photography is a hobby, not a professional matter, so medium format cost per picture is an issue to consider, that's why I mostly shoot 35mm.
The key is that we're out shooting film and having fun along the way!!
Excellent information. I have used a few of these systems.
Glad you enjoyed the show
Great video. Amazing stories.
Glad you like them!
I have the folding GS645 that my dad purchased new. It did have light leaks in the bellows, but I found a new set of bellows made in china that I was able to buy. My local camera repair shop has a strict "We don't work on bellows" policy, so I did it myself. I won't say it was easy but I believe anyone who's determined enough could do the same repair. The modern bellows material is also very durable. It's one of my favorite travel cameras by far and takes fanatastic pictures with a sharp lens that squeezes everything it can out of a 645 negative. Highly recommend that camera!!!
I will say I did have to have the advance lever fixed which was a little pricey, but worth it to me to keep that camera in service
Thanks for the up-date, glad it's still working.
Love your series! I primarily shoot medium format and have shot with a broad cross section of cameras: Mamiyas 330, 645, RB 67.. Hasselblad 500c and others. Wanted to comment on the Fuji GS 645, that's the folding model. I bought it when it first came out over 35 years ago! Per your video, the original bellows was some sort of synthetic plastic which wore out after about 10 years. I had a new bellows professionally installed and had it cla'd and it's been working perfectly ever since. I will say that the lens (Fuji 75mm 3.4) is one of the best I've used in medium format. Extremely sharp and contrasty. A good all around lens. The camera body itself is pretty sturdy, providing you don't abuse it. For example never close the camera without cocking the shutter; that will wreck the shutter linkeage. If you can find one that's been taken care of, it's a good catch.
Thanks for the up-date on the Fuji.
Thanks for the great information. I am a long time Rollei (2.8F, 2.8GX, 6008AF) and Hasselblad shooter. I’ve long wanted to pick up the Rollei FT you recommend. They are beautiful cameras.
I do love it. The most money I've ever paid for a non-digital camera.
Interesting journey! I enjoyed hearing about the medium format sports photography experience. I had no idea arenas had strobes you could rent!
My Dad used an RB67 at work, and he brought it home a couple of times for me to use for school report photos. That was my introduction to interchangeable backs, and I gloried in trying a shot with Polaroid, then taking the same shot in B&W and color! I have one now and trot it out occasionally for old time's sake. While the original Mamiya 645 is a bit suspect, I really like the 645 Super system. It was a dream camera for me when it came out, and I eventually bought one used for a tenth the new cost.
Interesting about the Rollei 6006. I've always wondered about that system - it looks intriguing anyway! I have my late father-in-law's Rollei T, and I remember taking portraits of my wife (then girlfriend) with it, and being absolutely astounded by how good they were! Apparently, they're unserviceable, though.
Thanks for the comments. I didn't know there was no service on the T. I guess all these cameras will be hard to repair down the road.
Very interesting och inspiraring! When I shot film today I shot with my Rolleiflex T3 White Face and Hasselblad 500 CM. Kind regards from Sweden
Thank for watching!!
I have a hypothesis about UA-cam film photography videos. I think that the amount of useful information in the video is directly proportional with the age of the UA-camr. Meaning that the older the the UA-camr is the more useful info you are going to get and the younger they are the more useless fluff you are going to get. This is a fine example, this was an excellent video.
Glad you liked it, even if you called me old. I shot film as a pro from 1980 till about 2000. I shot digital from about 2000 to 2020. Now I'm back to film. Photographers younger than me, didn't shoot film long enough and it was likely colour... it takes a while to get bw nailed down. Photographers older than me, shot more film than I did, but they aren't UA-camrs for the most part.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite sorry I didn't mean to offend! Keep up the good work, I am enjoying your videos.
Oh, no offence taken. lol. I know where I fit into the timeline of photographers.
I schoot everything from disposable camera, to instant film, to 35mm, to Medium format. I really love film. It is my favorite four letter word.
That's fun. As it should be.
Thank you for sharing your video and knowledge! This video is worth a lot! Many people including myself have went down the rabbit hole with medium format. I have been shooting film since the early 1990’s. I have used Rolleiflex, YashicaMat 124G, Mamiya C330’s, Mamiya RB67, Fuji GW690. But I can say the best of the medium format that I have ever used is the Bronica SQ system or the Hasselblad 500 series, they are the workhorses! If one can budget go straight for the Hasselblad, I did and love it, it does it all, you can shoot square or crop, the difference is not that noticeable unless one is printing massive. My kit includes the 50mm, 80mm, 150mm and 180mm, I had the 250mm and sold it as I thought it was just too big. I really would like to add the 120mm.
I had the 120mm, it was great. I would also get the 180 next time... if there is a next time.
Wonderful walk down the history of MF and wonderful stories !
Shooting weddings can be stressful !
My personal fave - the Mamiya 7
A number of people mention the 7... seems like a fun system.
Great story ! Thank you so much for sharing. I am using a Yashica 124G and a Mamiya C220. The Mamiya is a little on the heavy side but has interchangeable lenses. They are not so expensive than Hasselblad's, initially and maintenance. I had a 500CM, 503CX, 501CM and 503CW, and several lenses. Awesome camera's for sure, if you can afford it.;) Again, thanks and keep up the great work.
See, people are laughing at me but you owned a number of cameras as well. lol
Looks like you’re making videos on every counterpoint to each style and format. Just a week ago you were telling us to ditch our Leicas and get a 35mm SLR
Oh it will get worse yet. lol
Another wonderful story. Superb history with great cameras and sad selling regrets. Next episode “ dump your rangefinders / 35mm / Medium format …… ah ha …. Digital cameras “ ! Look forward to the next episode.
you might be right about that!!
Really liked listening to you, its very interesting to get to know about how (news) photography worked back in the analog days
Thanks.
A great video Rob! I have a 2.8F with Mutars and rollinars and still have lust for a Rollei tele. Have you ever shot or seen the Rollei SL66?
I have not used the SL66. Haven't seen many around over the years in my part of the woods.
I have a Fuji 645 GS folder. It's a really nice camera, but as you mentioned, they did not age particularly well. I need to replace the bellows on mine, and the shutter needs some serious CLA as well. For 6x4.5cm I actually prefer my Konica Pearl IV. A much older, but also much more reliable camera, with probably the best viewfinder I've ever seen on a rangefinder camera. I never had or worked with a 6x4.5cm SLR and I would not try to do that either, because to me they are much to big, heavy and clunky compared to the folders of that format.
I stayed away from Hasselblad after I've worked with that system during my apprenticeship at a portrait and industry/factory photographer. Out of the 3 or 4 500 C/M EL/M, a dozen lenses and all the accessories the studio had, around a third of all that equipment was never available to us, because it was away for repair. Everything was unreliable. Hasselblad, no thank you.
I have a Rolleiflex T, but for a TLR I actually prefer the Voigtländer Brillant S (the version with the Heliar lens and the Compur Rapid shutter). It has the most stunning viewfinder I've seen on any camera and very characterful lens. But I concede, the Voigtländer is very cumbersome to use and in a professional setting I definitely would prefer the Rolleiflex T - if I wouldn't have a Koniflex and a Olympusflex. Both are better in nearly each and every aspect than the Rolleiflex T. My 6X6 workhorses are my cheap, lightweight and comparatively small Pentacon Six TL SLRs with their fantastic lenses, though. If you know what to do and what not to do when using them, they are very capable and reliable cameras.
My most favored medium format camera however is more than 100 years old: the Kodak 3-A Autograph Special in the version with the coupled (!) rangefinder and a Tessar lens. These cameras were made for the long time obsolete 122 film, but can quite easily be converted to accept 120 film and than produce 6x14cm negatives. Phenomenal cameras for architecture, landscape and in particular full body portraits. I have three of them now, and I wouldn't want to miss any of them.
Thanks for the up-date, great info.
My biggest regret was selling my Hasselblad 501CM when I went all in on digital several years ago. It was a great camera with lovely lenses.
If only we had known!!
Real nice review!
Thanks.
I added MF to my M6, getting a Bronica GS-1 with 100 & 65 mm lenses, WL finder. Could not be happier with this set-up. Affordable, great feature set, easy to get razor sharp images (tripod & MLU). Very underrated MF system. Shhhh, don't tell everyone. LOL
Look how much fun we're having. lol
I 'm a huge fan of the Tele-Rolleiflex. Best portrait camera ever for me at least. I too used motorized Hasselblads a lot for work in the film days but to me at least the Rollei TLR's are tops. I also use the 3.5F Planar Rolleiflex's a lot and love them as well. I'd like to get a Rollei-wide but they're just too pricey for me unfortunately. I really like your channel BTW!
Glad you're enjoying things. The Rollei's are nice but I find them slow to load while shooting a portrait.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite I agree. And if you rush you could drop the camera. My actual move on portraits is that I use the tele and a 3.5f Planar -- both with Rolleinars (I have the older tele) and more often than not I get my portrait in those 24 exposures so no need to reload. That said, I do miss to some extent just switching out film backs.
See we're never happy. lol. But the tele does take a nice photo.
Fantastic history lesson. Thank you!
More of a lesson in mistakes. lol
Hey there! love your vids. I have the Fujifilm GS645. It's been overhauled, so the bellows are new. Got the camera a year ago and they still look good! The only problem is that the camera suffers from a lot of shutter blur. Can't really shoot it 1/60th or lower without a tripod. The lens is okay. Doesn't resolve much detail. Fuji's ga645 line has much better lenses in my opinion. But hey it's great for travel!
Great to know, thanks.
I have owned almost all of the cameras you mentioned and still use Rollei TLR and a Hasselblad. The one camera that didnt quite work for me was the Pentax 67. I photograph only landscape and the Pentax was fabulous to use, great viewfinder, mirror lock up and big chunky controls that were operable wearing gloves. However, the massive horizontally travelling shutter induced shutter torque, at all the speeds I commonly used (1/15 to 1 second) which blurred the pictures. This was a real shame as otherwise it was very good other than the weight. Today I own all formats from 35mm to 5x4 along with digital and enjoy and use them all.
Yeah, that's great. Were they even blurred with mirror lock up? Sounds like it because it's the shutter.
I think MF is the hardest format. It's squeezed in-bewteen easy to carry 35mm and LF, and LF lenses can be tiny by comparison. MF lenses are all honking big unless you get one of those old folders. I had some. I've had Bronicas, Rollei TLR's, Rollieflex 6008 (agree that was one heckuva disaster movie..... kind of like the earthquake in LA movie), and I've resisted the Hassy's based on their rep as needing constant care and feeding. Clearly as a 6000 series owner I'd been there done that. The backs to the Rollei's were a nightmare on steroids. I even agree with your comments on the Pentax 645N which I have and enjoy. Then there's the Mamiya RB67 Pro SD which is my pick for manual everything. This camera forces a one lens carry for those of us without assistants.... or the promise that you'll be within 10 steps of the car. But as they say, the latter will come in handy for self-defense at the Zombie Apocalypse, but it is a great system and not all that expensive. I really thought of it as "everything as close to a 4X5 as you can get" as a way to creep back towards my 4X5's.... but now I"m also thinking of getting rid of the 4X5's even though I finally have the perfect 4X5 developing reel (made by Bournet and his "B's processor" that inspired me to de-Jobo my developing).
The problem is, once you sell things, they're gone.
I have two medium format Yashica TLRs from the 50s-70s. But I'm not entirely sure if they still work (and I would need both to work as they are set up in a 3D configuration), I wouldn't know how to use them, and to be honest I'm not sure I could give up the conveniences of digital cameras. It's a shame because these things made great 3D slides.
That's very interesting. Didn't know they existed.
I keep coming back to Hasselblad. I've had a few of them, sold them off and then decided to get back into the system (about 4 times now)🤣 If you can find a late model 500CM, that's the camera I'd recommend to start with, followed by the 501CM. The reason I say that is you can still get them CLA'd and repaired if needed. For lenses I have the 50MM, 120MM and 180MM all CFi versions. I'd like to get a 903 SWC someday.
Did you find any advantage to the CFi version of the lenses over the less costly earlier models. Of course they are newer but anything else. I'm going to get a 903 one day as well.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite I think the only thing the new lenses have is a more modern coating to them. Same overall sharpness imho.
Thanks.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite I've watched a few of your videos on the Leica M6, that would be the only camera I'd trade or sell my Hasselblad for at this point. However trying to get proper trade value or cash value for my kit has been nearly impossible. One day I will have a M6 though :)
The value's change so much. I guess they're worth what people are willing to pay. You can always eBay it.
What a crazy series! I can't buy and dump all these formats at this rate.
Just kidding.
As you suspected, the GS645 is not holding up. I have one and have spent more time repairing it than shooting with it. If you get one, the bellows will need replacement. If somebody tells you the original bellows are fine, they are lying or don't know what they are talking about. They just flake off into nothingness. Also many crucial parts of the camera are plastic. There is one part in the shutter mechanism that is plastic, it's a clutch wheel in the self timer. If the clutch wheel goes, it stops the entire shutter from working. How do I know? The clutch wheel is on its last legs on mine. I debated removing the self timer mechanism entirely, but with cleaning I got it good enough now that the shutter actually fires (until somebody tries to use the self timer, it will stick). The folding mechanism doesn't always unfold completely straight, causing the focusing plane to be off the film. It's just worn over the years. I am very suspicious of this camera even after a full overhaul. Biggest surprise is that the light meter is still accurate despite all this.
That's for sharing your experience.
Currently shooting 35mm however interested in medium format. I’ve looked at those fujifilm gs645 before compact and small. Those I believe have an analog shutter counter on them.
Yes I think they do.
They are great cameras and yes, they are all analog. If you are looking at the Fuji, 1) Read the manual online 2) buy one which has had the original bellows replaced.
Thanks for the great tips.
I was fascinated to hear how you shot basketball with multiple cameras mounted in different positions. How did you manage to get around and change films when the rolls ran out? Did you use 220 film or was there even a high-capacity back?
I used 120 in the regular A12 back. You would change them between quarters. That was the easy part.
If you used cameras with interchangeable backs (Hasselblad, Bronica, Mamiya Super, etc) you can switch out the pre-loaded backs pretty quickly.
Yes, that's the trick. You have to hide a ladder behind the seating area to get up to the basket.
6x9 Ektachrome is a thing of beauty. It's a bigger resolution than IMAX.
Back in the day I shot a couple rolls of kodachrome 64 120 in a 6x17 camera. Very cool.
Actually, a funny thing, my first photos, at about 14 years old, were shot on a Ricohflex TLR, my mother's, from her work in 1948...
That's fun. There are so many great cameras out there, it's impossible to try them all.
Your bitten by the TLR Bug ; I like the TLR too , I have a Wide Rollei 55mm f4 Distagon , and the MX EVS Tessar 75mm 3.5 my Tessar has 10 aperture blades too , sweet.
Hey, that's great.
You might also consider the Mamiya C220 or C330 TLR's. Great range of optics, relatively inexpensive and built like tanks.
Yes, a lot of people sure liked them and an inexpensive way to get started.
For those wanting to try MF for the first time I would recommend the Yashica Mat-124 G - best bang for the buck in my opinion, and quite robust! And comparatively light weight. A bit like the Rolleiflex T. Just make sure that the battery holder is still okay; I bought a Yashica where contacts were rotten away (battery not removed and not used for years). For me it is 6x6 - quadratic images - that makes MF that interesting. And the waist-level finder. While old (really old) folding cameras are more compact (and offer larger negatives, like 6x9), the bellows and the mechanics in general are a problem. If money is no problem, anything goes (but personally I still would go TLR, a Rolleiflex 2.8, whatever model, in good condition, and some accessories - because of weight).
Those are good points, and yes the Mat-124 is a great starting point.
Any opinions on the bronics gs1/etrs/ sqa systems?
No opinion only because I never, ever shot with one.
Don't dump your 35mm. Save it. Use 6x6 as well? Absolutely. My Leica will yield 11×14 enlargements, although these demand great care and perfect technique. My Zeiss and Voigtlaender folders, each worth a few hundred dollars, will produce fine 16x20 prints with ease. The Pentax 6x7? A super instrument, but it requires a wheelbarrow to lug it around.
The Pentax is about as heavy as my Z9 and 70-200. No wheelbarrow needed. Cameras have weight, it’s just part of life. ;)
And even the 11x14 enlargments of the 6x7 will be far superior in sharpness, tonality and amount of grain 😅 or to say it differently: The quality of 35mm is in my opinion pretty bad.
Yes, you likely need more that one camera!!
I still have the Contax645 with the very good lenses. Fantastic system but the film era is behind me un less one day...
I heard the Contax was very good but have never seen one.
come along having a coffee, you'll see one😀😀@@stillshootinginblackandwhite
Sure, where are you?
Oh next door: Brussels, Belgium 😎😎@@stillshootinginblackandwhite
Just down the road. lol.
🇦🇺😎🐈⬛
As long as we're having fun.
Full frame 35mm is so good now that I dont use my digital medium format cameras very much theses days ...🦘
Oh digital 35mm is great, but if you're shooting film, the MF is always nice.
Agreed! That is why I shoot color 35mm equivalent on digital full frame. I still shoot black and white 35mm but the majority of my black and white film is shot on medium format film. I just think the medium format film has the edge.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite I miss using my medium format bodies - I have digital backs for some but not all ..🦘
It's hard to keep up with all the digital backs, that's for sure.