I've really learned a lot from watching your videos. You're very knowledgeable, well spoken, and concise. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos and share your thoughts. I'm sure I'm not the only "raised on digital" photographer who's using your videos to help take the plunge into film camera's. Thanks again for passing on your experience.
@andrewqpdx Thanks so much for taking the time to make this comment. I enjoy doing these, and it's really great to get positive feedback from people who find them useful. Let me know how your film journey goes. Thanks again!
@daveschoie Well, the whole point of using that camera was the auto focus, so it would focus on the cameras I was showing. The AF just makes a lot of noise. I've started using an external microphone, which fixes that problem. See my video on "Contax G Shutter Sounds and focusing hints".
i have a question: for the hasselblad 500 cm, does the shutter have to be cocked all the time to take the film magazine and lens on and off? i never thought of that and i just saw it in another video.
@photodyl The shutter has to be cocked to unmount/remount the lens. Not so for the back, but it can be confusing if you don't do so, esp. with a body that doesn't have a status window (500c, 501c, etc.). I basically *always* keep mine wound, and am constantly checking that they are wound, in use.
@photodyl You are correct -- the camera interfaces to the lens in order to charge the shutter mechanism and to release it. It does that through a mechanism much like a screwdriver and screw ("driver" in the body, "screw" in the lens). Thus, the two sides must be aligned in the correct orientation in order for the lens to be mounted or unmounted.
@muzglimy I shoot medium format more, by far. Once you get used to the quality and "look" of medium format it's hard to shoot anything else. I also don't enjoy processing and scanning 35mm film -- it's smaller and harder to handle. But obviously 35mm cameras are much more convenient to carry and use, so it's a trade-off.
Glad you have enjoyed the reviews. Thanks for your comment/question :-).
@mathomas1962 i totally agree man. ive used medium format for most of my work, the square just works lol, and the detail is amazing. im trying out 35mm again, just ordered an m3, pretty excited.
btw, have u ever tried getting some negatives scanned from a drum scanner? expensive, but ten times better than a flatbed
@muzglimy I have had one 6x9cm B&W negative (from my Fuji 690) drum scanned professionally. They gave me the resulting file on a CD-ROM. It was 200MB! I also had this lab make a 16x24" carbon print from the scan. Simply amazing. Too bad it cost well over $100 for the scan and print!
@ehtkhr I don't think so. When in *AF* movie mode, the A55 shoots wide open or pretty close to it. It adjusts for differing light levels using the shutter speed and ISO sensitivity. I've shot video outdoors and always get shallow DoF even in bright light.
Do a Google search on 'sony a55 movie aperture' and you'll see. It's one of the trade-offs of this camera's design.
Great video about medium format. Also a good idea with the black and whites you had here. How did you get the 3D effect? Espesially the photo with the ducks felt like 3D.
I've have now bought a GA645Zi from eBay - Japan :-) Since I live i Sweden I'm for sure getting a Hasselblad also since they aren't to expensive now.
@GW690II Hi, and thanks for your comment. The 3D look comes from using a large aperture and nailing focus, esp. on the geese shot. The geese and the tree are within the DoF of the lens at that distance and aperture, so they almost look like cutouts in front of the background. The extreme detail of medium format, combined with the smooth out of focus area really "pops" it. I, too, like the otherworldly look of that effect in the photo.
@GW690II You'll really enjoy the GA645Zi, I think. It's such a convenient camera. There are a couple of trade-offs (pretty dark lens, doesn't focus very close, kind of noisy), but my results have been really great, IMO. I have several images from that camera framed. The negs are good for 11x14", or even 13x19" enlargements.
@LikeStig Heh. That kind of defeats the purpose of having AF on a video camera :-). This was an experiment using my Sony A55 for the video. Normally I use a Leica DLUX4, which does lock focus, but I thought it would be nice to wave cameras around and have them in focus. I didn't count on the focus noise being so incredibly loud, though (all my other shooting had been outdoors and it wasn't as obvious).
I'm back to the DLUX4, which, due to its tiny sensor, gives me deeper DoF and no noise!
I had no idea there were P&S 120 cameras out there. The automatic Fuji image orientation sounds like a Bencini camera, Koroll 2 (120) or the Comet S (127).
@simozonelayer Thanks for your comment. Yes, Fuji has a few "point-n-shoot" 645 cameras. Re the portrait format, most, if not all, non-SLR 645 cameras are portrait because they transport the film horizontally. I find it a nice change from the usual. Try one, you'll like it :-)
P.S. Your MF photos in this vid r very good (especially first). I`m not Pro, savvy dig Nikon shooter, who wants fresh air in film field leaning to Mamiya 7II which everyone seems to get rid off . Thank U! Would appreciate your answers !
@111nuthead Thanks! Video is really not the best way to look at photos :-D. I just included them for entertainment. If you want to see them correctly, go to flickr. Do a "people search" for mathomas. That's me. Tons of photos there with many cameras, film and digital.
@mathomas1962 Thank U very much for been kind to take time and answering very comprehensively! The only Mamiya 7 vids on tube r by people selling it, not a single one by someone who is going to keep it. On flickrdotcom people search for " mathomas" didn`t return anything: message says: " mathomas_100 doesn`t have anything available to you" Just so u know. Once again Thank You!
@111nuthead Sorry about the flickr thing. Search for "mike thomas". I'm about the 3rd/4th match down. Tons of photos. Rest assured, the Mamiya 7II is a very sought-after camera with a dedicated following. Sorry I don't have one to demonstrate for you.
@mathomas1962 Thanks! This time i found You, enjoyed your photos (especially HBlad colour ) and great sketches. Many thanks for kind response and valuable infor !! Cheers !
Thanks! Great vid & vid quality. If i may, 2 questions:1) i`m on fence btw Mamiya 7II & Zeiss 35mm rf. Did my research- 99.99% film shooters get rid from Medformat cams & shoot 35mm whatever film , as if 35mm were 4.3 times larger negative sq.a & far superior IQ at same time claiming the opposite. BTW, in utube vids dig photos as a rule look better than film. Your take on this ? 2) What is Your opinion, if any of Mamiya 7II, compare to Mamiya RB RZ67? Thanks a lot in advance ! Savvy Dig shooter
@111nuthead Wow, tricky questions! I imagine that people that use 35mm rather than MF do so for convenience. The gear is smaller, and you get more shots per roll. There is NO QUESTION that MF negatives provide better quality than 35mm negatives, all else being equal. I much prefer MF for my own "art" shooting.
As for why digital look better in youtube videos compared to film, I have no idea. They're all digital by the time you're viewing them on youtube :-).
It is very difficult to compare the Mamiya 7II to the RZ67. It kind of comes down to hand-holding vs. mostly tripod use. Do you like to work slowly, on a tripod? If so, the RZ67 can give great results. The 7II can do both. You can put it on a tripod and shoot slow and careful, or shoot hand-held. The trade off is the 7II is a rangefinder, with approximate framing. Conversely, the RZ is an SLR.
The 7II can't focus very closely, and has slower lenses than what you can get for the RZ. The RZ has a bellows, and thus can focus close. It has a wider range of lenses, and you can mount a digital back, if you like.
Like I said -- very difficult to compare them!
The Zeiss 35mm RF is a very fine camera, and depending on what film you use, you can get some fantastic results. It is lighter and more compact, and can mount very fast lenses.
Hey Mat, I was revisiting this video because I'm getting a Hasselblad too :D. Do you think you could do a video on processing of the film? It is going to be an A24 back, do you recommend I get an A12 too? Thanks!
@antoningu I probably won't be doing any videos on processing. There are quite a few already out there, and I don't have much to add. I will say that I find 120 much easier to handle than 135 in the darkroom, so you have that to look forward to :-)
Regarding backs. I have an A24 back and a couple of A12s. From what I have read, with 120 film you may only get 11 frames out of the A24 back sometimes, due to frame spacing issues. I haven't actually run a roll through my A24 yet though.
@mathomas1962 Yes, that's what I thought. Sounds like an A12 back is more practical. I would love to get a polaroid back too, since The Impossible Project is slowly reviving it again. This is my first film camera so I'm excited to delve into the world of film. at the same time though, I've got no idea what I'm doing! haha.
@antoningu Well, it's definitely different than digital. The "rules" are a bit different. For example, most film can handle significant overexposure, whereas digital sensors generally overload and clip on the overexposure side. Matter of fact, I've taken to exposing my 400 speed film at 200 and shortening development a little. Give nice detailed shadows, and the highlights still don't blow out.
Shooting film with old cameras is also much slower and meditative. I like that, mostly.
Enjoyed your video. I recently purchased a 500 C/M with the 80 lens. It is quite an experience. As I also enjoy shooting with my yashica electro 35 as a street camera and was thinking of getting a better rangefinder, I am examining the fuji medium format offerings, along with the contax and voigtlander 35mm options. Leica is too expensive at present. Would be great to hear your thoughts; specifically on the fuji cameras as street gear.
@faiztajuddin I suppose you can shoot any camera for street. However, 35mm is where it's at for street, IMO, at least if you're talking people shots and quick reactions (the decisive moment kind of thing). Medium format needs a bit more of a steady hand to get crisp shots, and that's just not compatible with quick shooting, IMO. On the other hand, for just shooting city and streetscapes, the bit Fuji rangefinders are great.
If you want a Leica, don't forget about older models, like the M2.
@antoningu Glad you liked the vid. I'm not that happy with it, but I spent over 3 hours on it, and ain't doing it again :-). I may sometime do individual segments on these cameras, though. Thanks for commenting!
I've really learned a lot from watching your videos. You're very knowledgeable, well spoken, and concise. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos and share your thoughts. I'm sure I'm not the only "raised on digital" photographer who's using your videos to help take the plunge into film camera's. Thanks again for passing on your experience.
andrewqpdx 1 week ago
@andrewqpdx Thanks so much for taking the time to make this comment. I enjoy doing these, and it's really great to get positive feedback from people who find them useful. Let me know how your film journey goes. Thanks again!
mathomas1962 1 week ago
What, no Holga? ;-)
qq9sx58u 1 week ago
@qq9sx58u Hehe. Nah, I shoot medium format for quality. But I do get light leaks in my 2000FCW. Does that count?
mathomas1962 1 week ago
can you take auto focus off on the video camera, because you are staying still, it is confused by your moving hands I guess.
daveschoie 2 weeks ago
@daveschoie Well, the whole point of using that camera was the auto focus, so it would focus on the cameras I was showing. The AF just makes a lot of noise. I've started using an external microphone, which fixes that problem. See my video on "Contax G Shutter Sounds and focusing hints".
mathomas1962 2 weeks ago
i have a question: for the hasselblad 500 cm, does the shutter have to be cocked all the time to take the film magazine and lens on and off? i never thought of that and i just saw it in another video.
photodyl 3 weeks ago
@photodyl The shutter has to be cocked to unmount/remount the lens. Not so for the back, but it can be confusing if you don't do so, esp. with a body that doesn't have a status window (500c, 501c, etc.). I basically *always* keep mine wound, and am constantly checking that they are wound, in use.
mathomas1962 3 weeks ago
@mathomas1962 thank you! just realized that it makes sense because the shutter mechanisms are in the lens.
photodyl 2 weeks ago
@photodyl You are correct -- the camera interfaces to the lens in order to charge the shutter mechanism and to release it. It does that through a mechanism much like a screwdriver and screw ("driver" in the body, "screw" in the lens). Thus, the two sides must be aligned in the correct orientation in order for the lens to be mounted or unmounted.
mathomas1962 2 weeks ago
Very cool. My question is which one of these accepts a 77mm filters? :) Man I have a bunch of 77mm filters from my DSLR photography.
appacana 4 weeks ago
@appacana None of these cameras has a filter size that big. The Fuji gets closest, at 67mm.
mathomas1962 3 weeks ago
I have the Fuji GA645 - super camera. I reckon the lens may be sharper and faster than the zoom version
ibbz 1 month ago in playlist Photography and Cameras
@ibbz You're probably right about it being sharper. Certainly faster. The zoom is amazing quality for a zoom, though.
mathomas1962 1 month ago
great reviews man. just wondering, do you shoot your leicas more or medium format cameras such as the Hassy
muzglimy 1 month ago
@muzglimy I shoot medium format more, by far. Once you get used to the quality and "look" of medium format it's hard to shoot anything else. I also don't enjoy processing and scanning 35mm film -- it's smaller and harder to handle. But obviously 35mm cameras are much more convenient to carry and use, so it's a trade-off.
Glad you have enjoyed the reviews. Thanks for your comment/question :-).
mathomas1962 1 month ago
@mathomas1962 i totally agree man. ive used medium format for most of my work, the square just works lol, and the detail is amazing. im trying out 35mm again, just ordered an m3, pretty excited.
btw, have u ever tried getting some negatives scanned from a drum scanner? expensive, but ten times better than a flatbed
muzglimy 1 month ago
@muzglimy I have had one 6x9cm B&W negative (from my Fuji 690) drum scanned professionally. They gave me the resulting file on a CD-ROM. It was 200MB! I also had this lab make a 16x24" carbon print from the scan. Simply amazing. Too bad it cost well over $100 for the scan and print!
mathomas1962 1 month ago
If you had used more light the camera would have used a different aperture and you wouldnt have had the focus problems
ehtkhr 1 month ago
@ehtkhr I don't think so. When in *AF* movie mode, the A55 shoots wide open or pretty close to it. It adjusts for differing light levels using the shutter speed and ISO sensitivity. I've shot video outdoors and always get shallow DoF even in bright light.
Do a Google search on 'sony a55 movie aperture' and you'll see. It's one of the trade-offs of this camera's design.
mathomas1962 1 month ago
Great video about medium format. Also a good idea with the black and whites you had here. How did you get the 3D effect? Espesially the photo with the ducks felt like 3D.
I've have now bought a GA645Zi from eBay - Japan :-) Since I live i Sweden I'm for sure getting a Hasselblad also since they aren't to expensive now.
GW690II 3 months ago
@GW690II Hi, and thanks for your comment. The 3D look comes from using a large aperture and nailing focus, esp. on the geese shot. The geese and the tree are within the DoF of the lens at that distance and aperture, so they almost look like cutouts in front of the background. The extreme detail of medium format, combined with the smooth out of focus area really "pops" it. I, too, like the otherworldly look of that effect in the photo.
mathomas1962 3 months ago
@GW690II You'll really enjoy the GA645Zi, I think. It's such a convenient camera. There are a couple of trade-offs (pretty dark lens, doesn't focus very close, kind of noisy), but my results have been really great, IMO. I have several images from that camera framed. The negs are good for 11x14", or even 13x19" enlargements.
mathomas1962 3 months ago
I liked your video but the AF noise was so distracting!!!
esaloops 3 months ago
@esaloops I know. I haven't used that camera for videos again. The auto-focus it nice, but way too loud in quiet settings.
mathomas1962 3 months ago
Lock your AF on your video camera! Thanks for the info.
LikeStig 3 months ago 2
@LikeStig Heh. That kind of defeats the purpose of having AF on a video camera :-). This was an experiment using my Sony A55 for the video. Normally I use a Leica DLUX4, which does lock focus, but I thought it would be nice to wave cameras around and have them in focus. I didn't count on the focus noise being so incredibly loud, though (all my other shooting had been outdoors and it wasn't as obvious).
I'm back to the DLUX4, which, due to its tiny sensor, gives me deeper DoF and no noise!
mathomas1962 3 months ago
@LikeStig Glad you found the video useful, though. Thanks for your comment!
mathomas1962 3 months ago
I had no idea there were P&S 120 cameras out there. The automatic Fuji image orientation sounds like a Bencini camera, Koroll 2 (120) or the Comet S (127).
Nice cameras.
simozonelayer 3 months ago
@simozonelayer Thanks for your comment. Yes, Fuji has a few "point-n-shoot" 645 cameras. Re the portrait format, most, if not all, non-SLR 645 cameras are portrait because they transport the film horizontally. I find it a nice change from the usual. Try one, you'll like it :-)
mathomas1962 3 months ago
Who the heck is filming you? His breathing is screwing up the focus haha.
firemusic82 5 months ago
@firemusic82 Hehe. It's Darth Vader, and the force is all up in my camera focus.
mathomas1962 5 months ago 2
P.S. Your MF photos in this vid r very good (especially first). I`m not Pro, savvy dig Nikon shooter, who wants fresh air in film field leaning to Mamiya 7II which everyone seems to get rid off . Thank U! Would appreciate your answers !
111nuthead 6 months ago
@111nuthead Thanks! Video is really not the best way to look at photos :-D. I just included them for entertainment. If you want to see them correctly, go to flickr. Do a "people search" for mathomas. That's me. Tons of photos there with many cameras, film and digital.
Later...
mathomas1962 6 months ago
@mathomas1962 Thank U very much for been kind to take time and answering very comprehensively! The only Mamiya 7 vids on tube r by people selling it, not a single one by someone who is going to keep it. On flickrdotcom people search for " mathomas" didn`t return anything: message says: " mathomas_100 doesn`t have anything available to you" Just so u know. Once again Thank You!
111nuthead 6 months ago
@111nuthead Sorry about the flickr thing. Search for "mike thomas". I'm about the 3rd/4th match down. Tons of photos. Rest assured, the Mamiya 7II is a very sought-after camera with a dedicated following. Sorry I don't have one to demonstrate for you.
mathomas1962 6 months ago
@mathomas1962 Thanks! This time i found You, enjoyed your photos (especially HBlad colour ) and great sketches. Many thanks for kind response and valuable infor !! Cheers !
111nuthead 6 months ago
Thanks! Great vid & vid quality. If i may, 2 questions:1) i`m on fence btw Mamiya 7II & Zeiss 35mm rf. Did my research- 99.99% film shooters get rid from Medformat cams & shoot 35mm whatever film , as if 35mm were 4.3 times larger negative sq.a & far superior IQ at same time claiming the opposite. BTW, in utube vids dig photos as a rule look better than film. Your take on this ? 2) What is Your opinion, if any of Mamiya 7II, compare to Mamiya RB RZ67? Thanks a lot in advance ! Savvy Dig shooter
111nuthead 6 months ago
@111nuthead Wow, tricky questions! I imagine that people that use 35mm rather than MF do so for convenience. The gear is smaller, and you get more shots per roll. There is NO QUESTION that MF negatives provide better quality than 35mm negatives, all else being equal. I much prefer MF for my own "art" shooting.
As for why digital look better in youtube videos compared to film, I have no idea. They're all digital by the time you're viewing them on youtube :-).
mathomas1962 6 months ago
@111nuthead ... continuing...
It is very difficult to compare the Mamiya 7II to the RZ67. It kind of comes down to hand-holding vs. mostly tripod use. Do you like to work slowly, on a tripod? If so, the RZ67 can give great results. The 7II can do both. You can put it on a tripod and shoot slow and careful, or shoot hand-held. The trade off is the 7II is a rangefinder, with approximate framing. Conversely, the RZ is an SLR.
mathomas1962 6 months ago
@111nuthead ... continuing ...
The 7II can't focus very closely, and has slower lenses than what you can get for the RZ. The RZ has a bellows, and thus can focus close. It has a wider range of lenses, and you can mount a digital back, if you like.
Like I said -- very difficult to compare them!
The Zeiss 35mm RF is a very fine camera, and depending on what film you use, you can get some fantastic results. It is lighter and more compact, and can mount very fast lenses.
Good luck...
mathomas1962 6 months ago
Hey Mat, I was revisiting this video because I'm getting a Hasselblad too :D. Do you think you could do a video on processing of the film? It is going to be an A24 back, do you recommend I get an A12 too? Thanks!
antoningu 7 months ago
@antoningu I probably won't be doing any videos on processing. There are quite a few already out there, and I don't have much to add. I will say that I find 120 much easier to handle than 135 in the darkroom, so you have that to look forward to :-)
Regarding backs. I have an A24 back and a couple of A12s. From what I have read, with 120 film you may only get 11 frames out of the A24 back sometimes, due to frame spacing issues. I haven't actually run a roll through my A24 yet though.
mathomas1962 7 months ago
@mathomas1962 Yes, that's what I thought. Sounds like an A12 back is more practical. I would love to get a polaroid back too, since The Impossible Project is slowly reviving it again. This is my first film camera so I'm excited to delve into the world of film. at the same time though, I've got no idea what I'm doing! haha.
antoningu 7 months ago
@antoningu Well, it's definitely different than digital. The "rules" are a bit different. For example, most film can handle significant overexposure, whereas digital sensors generally overload and clip on the overexposure side. Matter of fact, I've taken to exposing my 400 speed film at 200 and shortening development a little. Give nice detailed shadows, and the highlights still don't blow out.
Shooting film with old cameras is also much slower and meditative. I like that, mostly.
mathomas1962 7 months ago
Enjoyed your video. I recently purchased a 500 C/M with the 80 lens. It is quite an experience. As I also enjoy shooting with my yashica electro 35 as a street camera and was thinking of getting a better rangefinder, I am examining the fuji medium format offerings, along with the contax and voigtlander 35mm options. Leica is too expensive at present. Would be great to hear your thoughts; specifically on the fuji cameras as street gear.
faiztajuddin 8 months ago
@faiztajuddin I suppose you can shoot any camera for street. However, 35mm is where it's at for street, IMO, at least if you're talking people shots and quick reactions (the decisive moment kind of thing). Medium format needs a bit more of a steady hand to get crisp shots, and that's just not compatible with quick shooting, IMO. On the other hand, for just shooting city and streetscapes, the bit Fuji rangefinders are great.
If you want a Leica, don't forget about older models, like the M2.
mathomas1962 8 months ago
@faiztajuddin Oh, and enjoy your Hassy! I know I am. Thanks for your comment/question.
mathomas1962 8 months ago
Does Polaroid make the Hasselblad? And long does the instant film take to develop?
macferron 8 months ago
Great video! I would love to get a Hasselblad down the track.
antoningu 8 months ago
@antoningu Glad you liked the vid. I'm not that happy with it, but I spent over 3 hours on it, and ain't doing it again :-). I may sometime do individual segments on these cameras, though. Thanks for commenting!
mathomas1962 8 months ago