medium-format film...

[cryssi]

Hi everyone,

I know that pretty much no one shoots film anymore, but we found an old Rolliflex at DH's grandpa's house. I have a medium format camera I got off eBay when I was in school, and shot a lot of B&W with that and my Holga.

I recently picked up a roll of color to test out the rolli. I suppose I should take the pics first before posting a thread, huh? It's just that I don't want to waste the film (something so wonderful about digital).

Just wondering if anyone here shoots this stuff anymore? I think it's a basic fascination with square pics myself...

 

[brack]

While I haven't shot film in awhile I still dream of using a view camera and shooting like Ansel Adams on 8x10 inch film. If I had a medium format film camera I think I would still use it for B&W.

 

[cryssi]

yeah, I like b&w too, but I no longer have access to a darkroom for developing film and prints.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Just sold my Bronica med format a couple years ago. It's just not practical and too costly to use

 

[blackjackdelta]

I have a 500EL that I have been using for years and will continue to do so. I have a 30D now that I hope I will get the hang of.

Jack

 

[WillCAD]

My friend Frank is a wedding photographer (he's the one who's been slowly teaching me the basics, like which way the lens is supposed to point). He has a complete Hassleblad medium format rig that he uses to shoot some weddings; the darn thing cost more than my truck and weighs almost as much, but the shots are like looking through a window.

He shoots color film at weddings, of course; I think he uses Kodak Portra. When he wants a black and white image, he converts it in Photoshop, and sometimes he does that selective coloring thing, too, if the client wants one.

 

[PaulD]

I met a guy who shoots 8x10 for an engineering group. He takes photos of the Golden Gate bridge for them so they can examine the structure without having to do too much climbing. He showed me the negatives and some of his prints. They are astounding! The amount of detail is mind boggling. He took a few photos of me for fun and sent them to me after he got them developed. Just amazing. Digital can't touch it. But then again it took him like 30 minutes to set up his rig to take those photos so I guess there's a tradeoff... But still, WOW!

 

[chris78cpr]

I still shoot on medium format film. I regurly use my hasselblad and my rollei for shooting portraits and travel imagery. I get a huge kick out of seeing large 6x6 trannies on the light box. There is something that this gives you that digital does not.

I will always shoot medium format, it's something that is just different and always will look different to digital. I definately reccomend at least trying it and seeing what you think. It wont cost much to shoot a roll of film, will it?

I will always keep my canon digital kit as my primary photo gear as it is more versatile and can make me more moeny than my medium or large format kit can. But i still love getting the hassy out and shooting some trannies at sunset or some BW portraits.

Chris

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Have you tried the Hassy H2 39MP back? Is it good or just a gimmick?

 

[chris78cpr]

Have you tried the Hassy H2 39MP back? Is it good or just a gimmick?

I have tried it yes, Hasselblad loaned me the H2-39 for a portrait shoot i did. I have to say that the camera is fantastic, it is more camera than i will ever use which is why i will not purchase one. The quality is outstanding and the files just hold this amazing detail. The camera is a joy to use and the pictures are just fantastic!

It is very good and it is no gimmick. I would only reccomend buying one if you are seriously into photography and intend to make money from it. With a shelf life of around 2 years it needs to be making a very healthy return to be a viable purchase.

Chris

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Yikes! Getting that investment back in 2 years? Even Revenue Canada (Canadian equivalent to IRS) will question that logic!

(Not that I don't understand your logic, but you know government types, they will think we are evading taxes by putting so high of a tax write-off)

 

[Laur*Tink*85]

i have a rollei and ive been dying to get it working! its just a whole other feel that digital and you're either into it or you're not. i am! i am a photo student as the university of arts in philadelphia so i guess the look and capabilities of film satisfies me aesthetically more than digital does. although i love digital too. i love all photography!

 

[chris78cpr]

i have a rollei and ive been dying to get it working! its just a whole other feel that digital and you're either into it or you're not. i am! i am a photo student as the university of arts in philadelphia so i guess the look and capabilities of film satisfies me aesthetically more than digital does. although i love digital too. i love all photography!

Hey tink,

Ahhh you have the same feelings i do! I'm also a photo student here in the UK, i just love all aspects of photography! It's just so special! I totally agree about how the film look really differs from digital, you can go a certain way to making digital look like film but only to a point! I also love photography too!

Chris