MF Novice
satbunny
645 since they are now so cheap on ebay. I think they are both 6x4.5
format, am I better going for 6x6 since I intend to do portraiture
mostly?
Is there a good novice guide online? or even a book to recommend?
I am particularly keen to be able to recognise the different Mamiya
lenses and to have some idea if they are camera specific or in some way
interchangeable between models.
I also would like to be sure as the to orientation of the frame on the
645, is it portrait or landscape, is using it portrait too tricky?
rafe bustin
croz...@gmail.com
somewhat experienced with 35mm. My theory about medium format has
always been that if you're going to take that route you're better off
making it interesting, go with the 6x6. I'm sure you can agree that
there is something magical and intriguing about a square photograph,
especially if you're going to be shooting people. Good luck.
Stacey
>
> I am particularly keen to be able to recognise the different Mamiya
> lenses and to have some idea if they are camera specific or in some way
> interchangeable between models.
The AF lenses don't work on the manual bodies but they are the expencive
ones so that probably wouldn't be what you buy anyway.
>
> I also would like to be sure as the to orientation of the frame on the
> 645, is it portrait or landscape, is using it portrait too tricky?
It's landscape when the camera is held level. Make sure you get a prism
finder and portraits are no problem.
--
Stacey
dadiOH
> I am a MF novice and am thinking of buying a Bronica ETRS or a Mamiya
> 645 since they are now so cheap on ebay. I think they are both 6x4.5
> format, am I better going for 6x6 since I intend to do portraiture
> mostly?
For that purpose it is pretty much six of one and half a dozen of
another if you are doing it professionally because most customers are
locked into the 8x10 print mindset which means that a 6x6 neg would have
to be cropped to about 6x4.5 anyway.
--
dadiOH
____________________________
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Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
Nicholas O. Lindan
> > I am a MF novice and am thinking of buying a ... 6x4.5
> > format, am I better going for 6x6 since I intend to do portraiture
> > mostly?
>
> For that purpose it is pretty much six of one and half a dozen of
> another if you are doing it professionally because most customers are
> locked into the 8x10 print mindset which means that a 6x6 neg would have
> to be cropped to about 6x4.5 anyway.
Problem with 6x4.5 slrs is they work in landscape mode: 6cm wide,
4.5cm high. For 8x10 portraits you would be cropping to 3.6 x 4.5cm,
a bit less than twice a 35mm frame. Or you could use the camera
sideways ...
The 6x4.5 Fuji and other rangefinders take pics in portrait mode.
There is no reason for needing an slr for portraiture. Traditionally
the portraitist stands next to his 8x10 Century stand camera and
doesn't look through a viewfinder at all.
--
Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio
Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics.
To reply, remove spaces: n o lindan at ix . netcom . com
psst.. want to buy an f-stop timer? nolindan.com/da/fstop/
dadiOH
> "dadiOH" <dad...@xmail.net> wrote
>
>>> I am a MF novice and am thinking of buying a ... 6x4.5
>>> format, am I better going for 6x6 since I intend to do portraiture
>>> mostly?
>>
>> For that purpose it is pretty much six of one and half a dozen of
>> another if you are doing it professionally because most customers are
>> locked into the 8x10 print mindset which means that a 6x6 neg would
>> have to be cropped to about 6x4.5 anyway.
>
> Problem with 6x4.5 slrs is they work in landscape mode: 6cm wide,
> 4.5cm high. For 8x10 portraits you would be cropping to 3.6 x 4.5cm,
> a bit less than twice a 35mm frame.
>Or you could use the camera
> sideways ...
Uhhhh...yeah :)
_______________
> The 6x4.5 Fuji and other rangefinders take pics in portrait mode.
> There is no reason for needing an slr for portraiture.
Unless you want to quickly view stuff like focus, depth of field,
framing, vignetter effects...
_____________
> Traditionally
> the portraitist stands next to his 8x10 Century stand camera and
> doesn't look through a viewfinder at all.
When was the last time you saw a modern portrait photographer using an
8x10 camera? Or even 4x5. Scarce as hen's teeth...
David J. Littleboy
"Nicholas O. Lindan" <s...@sig.com> wrote:
> "dadiOH" <dad...@xmail.net> wrote
>
> > > I am a MF novice and am thinking of buying a ... 6x4.5
> > > format, am I better going for 6x6 since I intend to do portraiture
> > > mostly?
> >
> > For that purpose it is pretty much six of one and half a dozen of
> > another if you are doing it professionally because most customers are
> > locked into the 8x10 print mindset which means that a 6x6 neg would have
> > to be cropped to about 6x4.5 anyway.
>
> Problem with 6x4.5 slrs is they work in landscape mode: 6cm wide,
> 4.5cm high.
The Mamiya 645 Pro (without a grip or motor but with a prism) sits on your
left hand in either landscape or portrait mode with no difference
whatsoever. It's much easier to use in portrait mode than a 35mm SLR or
Mamiya 7. (Although some 35mm SLRs have a portrtait grip that helps at the
cost of added weight and bulk.)
> The 6x4.5 Fuji and other rangefinders take pics in portrait mode.
But don't have a lens appropriate for portraits. The Mamiya 645 gives you a
choice of 110/2.8, 150/3.5, 150/2.8.
Also, the Mamiya 645 lenses have gorgeous bokeh while the Fuji lenses are
quite harsh and have ugly pentagonal highlights.
David J. Littleboy
Tokyo, Japan
johnboy
> Problem with 6x4.5 slrs is they work in landscape mode: 6cm wide,
> 4.5cm high.
How do they do that? It would seem that the film transport would have to be
vertical.
OP! Why shoot half-frame? You can crop the square anywhere.
Karl
I have an old Mamiya 645J and i love using it, the focusing screen is great
and i prefer to use it without the prism. I find it easy enough to use the
camera in portrait (on its side) without the prism so long as it is on a
tripod and you dont have young children to photograph who wont sit still
(this is one time when autofocus would be a blessing). Are you in the UK,
if so my local shop T4 Cameras, in Witney have a Bronica outfit second hand,
and at a very good price too. One thing about the old 645J is that you cant
change films part way through, if you see a need for this go for one of the
newer ones with seperate film magazines.
General question now for the group - Do any of the 645 cameras on the market
allow the film to be turned from landscape to portrait in relation to the
body, i would have thought this would have been possible with interchangable
magazines.
Thanks
Karl
"satbunny" <tom.z...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1116778410.1...@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Gregory Blank
"Karl" <k.thom...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> Hello,
> I have an old Mamiya 645J and i love using it, the focusing screen is great
> and i prefer to use it without the prism. I find it easy enough to use the
> camera in portrait (on its side) without the prism so long as it is on a
> tripod and you dont have young children to photograph who wont sit still
> (this is one time when autofocus would be a blessing). Are you in the UK,
> if so my local shop T4 Cameras, in Witney have a Bronica outfit second hand,
> and at a very good price too. One thing about the old 645J is that you cant
> change films part way through, if you see a need for this go for one of the
> newer ones with seperate film magazines.
>
> General question now for the group - Do any of the 645 cameras on the market
> allow the film to be turned from landscape to portrait in relation to the
> body, i would have thought this would have been possible with interchangable
> magazines.
To what advantage? Most tripods allow you to turn the camera vertical
and if hand held you can either turn the camera, or get a bracket that
flips the camera into vertical. I seem to recall that at least one MF 67
camera has a rotating back device,...but I could be mistaken.
--
LF Website @ http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918
rafe bustin
<bugst...@gregblankphoto.com> wrote:
>In article <M2ike.11578$X86....@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net>,
> "Karl" <k.thom...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>> General question now for the group - Do any of the 645 cameras on the market
>> allow the film to be turned from landscape to portrait in relation to the
>> body, i would have thought this would have been possible with interchangable
>> magazines.
>
>To what advantage? Most tripods allow you to turn the camera vertical
>and if hand held you can either turn the camera, or get a bracket that
>flips the camera into vertical. I seem to recall that at least one MF 67
>camera has a rotating back device,...but I could be mistaken.
My Mamiya 645E is somewhat of a pain
to shoot in portrait mode. Less so
on the Pentax, because of the grip.
rafe b.
http://www.terrapinphoto.com
David J. Littleboy
"rafe bustin" <rafe b at speakeasy dot net> wrote:
> On Mon, 23 May 2005 11:23:28 GMT, Gregory Blank
>
> >> General question now for the group - Do any of the 645 cameras on the
market
> >> allow the film to be turned from landscape to portrait in relation to
the
> >> body, i would have thought this would have been possible with
interchangable
> >> magazines.
> >
> >To what advantage? Most tripods allow you to turn the camera vertical
> >and if hand held you can either turn the camera, or get a bracket that
> >flips the camera into vertical. I seem to recall that at least one MF 67
> >camera has a rotating back device,...but I could be mistaken.
>
> My Mamiya 645E is somewhat of a pain
> to shoot in portrait mode. Less so
> on the Pentax, because of the grip.
I find the Mamiya 645 Pro extremely easy (without the grip) to use for
either orientation: in either orientation it just sits on the left hand;
focus and fire with the right. Much easier than either the 300D or Mamiya 7
for portrait orientation.
dadiOH
You also might want to consider the RB Mamiya. The revolving back is
easy to use and you get a 6x7 neg...a size that is actually large enough
to retouch on H&S shots. You can also use 6x4.5 magazines if desired.
Good camera for portraits, the 180mm lens is most useful followed by the
127mm. Needs the prism too. IMO.
On the negative side, it is heavy - not a "hand holder" - but for
portraits you are most likely to be using a tripod anyway.
The neg size isn't quite proportional to a 4:5 ratio but that can be
fixed by taking a sharp knife/file to each end of the opening in the
film magazine.
satbunny
becuase it was cheap (sterling 225 with a WLF and 80mm and 220 back)
but also becuase I decided 6x6 would suit me better if I was going to
do portraits. Now, any recommendations for good studio lighting books?
(Oh and a good excuse for the wife).
Gordon Moat
> . . . . . . . .
>
> General question now for the group - Do any of the 645 cameras on the market
> allow the film to be turned from landscape to portrait in relation to the
> body, i would have thought this would have been possible with interchangable
> magazines.
>
> Thanks
> Karl
Hello Karl,
The Rollei 6000 series has a newer back for 645 that allows changing from
landscape to portrait orientation without changing the back. This newer back
will work on the 6001, 6003, and various 6008 models. These models are now at
low used prices, so might be another brand for you to investigate. While these
are heavier than the Mamiya and Bronica cameras you are looking into, the
models with the handle grip are actually easy to use hand held (6003 and 6008).
Plus, you can also shoot 6x6 square format.
Ciao!
Gordon Moat
A G Studio
<http://www.allgstudio.com>
Karl
ISBN 0 7153 1651 6 that has a bit on studio work in it but also check out
this link http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/144181/0
Hope that helps
Karl
"satbunny" <tom.z...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1116867461.1...@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
John Fryatt
> "Nicholas O. Lindan" <s...@sig.com> wrote
>
>
>>Problem with 6x4.5 slrs is they work in landscape mode: 6cm wide,
>>4.5cm high.
>
>
> How do they do that? It would seem that the film transport would have to be
> vertical.
Correct.
John Fryatt
<snip>
>
> General question now for the group - Do any of the 645 cameras on the market
> allow the film to be turned from landscape to portrait in relation to the
> body, i would have thought this would have been possible with interchangable
> magazines.
That would rquire the body to be taller, and it would end up the same
size as a 6x6 camera. I think one of the main points of a 645 camera is
that it is quite compact, and this would destroy that advantage.
I seem to remember that there are (or were) two 645 backs available for
Hasselblad V series, one vertical and one horizontal layout.
John
John Fryatt
> I seem to recall that at least one MF 67
> camera has a rotating back device,...but I could be mistaken.
You are correct... the Mamiya RB67 and RZ67 do this.
raoul
<jr...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
Yes. However, there is no practical advantage in the vertical back.
It still gets the same 12 exposures of the 6x6 back. Cropping can give
the same result. The horizontal format back gets 16 exposures.
>
> John
johnboy
> I seem to remember that there are (or were) two 645 backs available for
> Hasselblad V series, one vertical and one horizontal layout.
Yes, and the portrait (vertical) version is very hard to find. Most people
consider it a huge gaff on the part of Hasselblad to have ever made it.
John Fryatt
Yes, good point. As the film goes top to bottom you couldn't make it do
16-on in this format.
I suppose, technically-speaking, the film could have wound side-to-side,
but making the mech. match up with the gears etc. in the body would, I
imagine, have been a nightmare.
David Starr
"It was on sale".
Works for them, should work for us (it doesn't).
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Retired Shop Rat: 14,647 days in a GM plant.
Now I can do what I enjoy: Large Format Photography
www.destarr.com
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Q.G. de Bakker
> Yes, and the portrait (vertical) version is very hard to find. Most people
> consider it a huge gaff on the part of Hasselblad to have ever made it.
Well... Most people (that is, of those who know about it) have applauded it
as yet another choice the Hasselblad system offered Hasselblad
photographers, and then decided not to need it.
Great to have a choice, right? ;-)
Bandicoot
news:1116867461.1...@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
I like 6x6 too, although I also shoot rectangular formats some of the time.
The square image can be very effective for some subjects, so don't think of
it only as something out of which always to crop a rectangle.
The best lighting book I know is "Light Science and Magic: an introduction
to photographic lighting" by Hunter and Fuqua, Focal Press. This isn't book
specifically about portraits, though they are used as some of the examples:
rather it teaches you how to control light in general, and is, I think, the
best starting place from which to become truly familiar with how light
behaves and how to get the effects you want. You could get a portrait
specific book as well later on if you want to.
Elinchrom has produced a couple of videos that are, of course, very heavy on
their own products, but which might also give you some ideas to help see how
the techniques in Hunter & Fuqua can be applied to portraits. These come up
used on *Bay quite often. There's also a portarit leaflet they've done that
I think is free or can be downloaded from their web-site. I expect other
manufacturers of studio flash have done the same (I just know Elinchrom best
because that's what I use.)
As for excuses, sorry, can't help there!
Peter