Landscape Photography- Medium/Large Format

[Evilscotsman1238]

Cool T shirt dude, you should do more vids about film cameras.

[Suhan64]

Film provides a different, oftentimes more desirable aesthetic to photographs and a vastly different workflow, however, the quality difference is vastly exaggerated in the video. A modern medium format digital back provides quality similar to 4x5" film and the D3x is at least as good as medium format film.

[rpmasse01]

Man, this is not ONLY for landscape photography. This just makes everything looks great on printed photos, especially portraits.

[Duskydriver]

Nice tutorial. Looking at the RB67 and/or the 645 Pro.

You are absolutely correct. By the time you buy a full frame DSLR, computer and necessary software, high quality photo printer you have spent a CHUNK of money. I can buy a MF with a few lenses, build and supply a darkroom for a fraction of the cost. That leaves me enough money for a week in Yellowstone, and then some.

Looked at your website. you sir have the eye! Some of the most remarkable pictures I have ever seen.

[andreshidalgo]

"Mamaya"??? dude at least get the name right, its a "MAMIYA"

[QQQQcon]

@gopedguy i scan at camera shops using very high res scans or drum scanning

[gopedguy]

@QQQQcon How much does that cost you?

[QQQQcon]

@gopedguy it can be from about 2 to 10 dollars per picture so it is alot

[iPig]

I love my RB.

P.S. you are Ferris Bueller.

[MarcoZ1ITA1]

Lovin' your Pink Floyd T-Shirt.

[av8orguy]

Hasselblad H4D-60

[Graynven]

Actually 35mm digital competes favourably with medium format and digital backs are almost as sharp as 4x5 large format.

Digital outresolves by a large amount similarly sized film. But digital is hampered by filters, bayer and aa which reduce fine detail resolution.

Finally the main advantages of format are not resolution but an increase in the capture of microcontrast.

[Graynven]

For proof go to luminous landscape and use the sidebar search for :

'4x5" Drum Scanned Film vs. 39 Megapixel Digital'

and

'The Ultimate Shoot-Out'

[goinghomesomeday1]

Great video and information. Tanks.

I have moved from MF to LF (having started with 35mm). I still shoot with my Fuji 6x9 (GW690III). However using my Graflex or my Calumet both 4x5inch is worth the effort of transporting them and all the bits on yer back and later spending time in the darkroom, pure pleasure.

It is sad to think that in another few years you might have "photographers" who will have never handled a film or will not know what a roll of 120 looks like.

Viva Le Film

[tadasc]

you can buy MF digital camera, so please dont say that there's no anything like your camera in digital world. You can also atach a digital back to your camera

[QQQQcon]

@tadasc there is not, there is no mf digital body that has a 6 x 7 sensor, mf digital cameras are only as large as the smallest of medium format films 6 x 4.5 and many are smaller and only high end digital models can compete with a 6 x 7, my medium format camera can make images larger than 50 megapixels, have fun paying tens of thousands of dollar for a digital camera similar, large format cameras can scan at 100 mega pixels and there is no digital camera to compete with that.

[gopedguy]

@QQQQcon

Conner, how do you go about scanning your photos so that they have the resolution of 50+ Megapixels? Or do you just have them as negative and dont blow them up?

[ts0ngk0]

hi there quick question. i need help i have 90mm sekor lens. I mean say for example F8 next printed is F11 i am assuming for each click stop corresponds to CLICK STOP on a DIGITAL F value? or its diferrent?im not sure if you get what i mean.i mean sample i'd like to set it at F9 or F10 but its not printed on the lens only F8 & F11 i am assuming for each click stop corresponds to DIGITAL F value as well? or its different? new to MF here i apologize.

[michaelh6]

great vid although you did repeat the same thing several times :P It's cool though. I really want to get into MF for landscapes. Beats spending thousands on full frame digital, and higher quality as well. (although I eventually need full frame too...)

[ts0ngk0]

thanks! i thought i have to open the film holder and rolled it up all the way to the end in a dark room. so i can open the film after the last roll was shot.

Sir do you have any light metering device advice? most of them are expensive i dont want to invest another $500 just for a light metering. any suggestions you know that is pocket friendly?

thanks again!

[QQQQcon]

@ts0ngk0 I have an old light meter from the 50s but I dont know anything about newer light meters, sorry

[ts0ngk0]

thanks! i thought i have to open the film holder and rolled it up all the way to the end in a dark room. so i can open the film after the last roll was shot.

Sir do you have any light metering device advice? most of them are expensive i dont want to invest another $500 just for a light metering. any suggestions you know that is pocket friendly?

thanks again!

[ts0ngk0]

Hi there. im new to MF i recently bought a good condition RB67. i have been seeing videos how to load a 120 film but really never saw tuturials with how to unload 120 film when last roll of the film have been shot. will you post something how to UNLOAD the 120 film on RB 67? thanks a lot. and also will you recommend any light exposure metering device that is accurate and not so much hurting to my pocket?

I really appreciate if you can help me out with my new attempt to use MF with my RB67. TY

[QQQQcon]

@ts0ngk0 you just open the film holder and take out the film. It will already be rolled up and you dont have to do anything.

[Brooksk818]

Great video, very informative. Thank you!

[Normanskie]

No metering, heavyweight, costly, time consuming, boy if that does not make you want to make every shot count and stop being snap happy and become a better photographer then nowt will.

[bugraaaaaaaa]

digitals cant match fith films FOR NOW

[wxb200]

Great video, but make sure your pronounce Mamiya correctly (mah-MEE-yah)...

[RedBull314]

Very nice video. I've been wanting to get a RB67 and am saving up for one over the summer. Do you know of any other decent medium format cameras that are a bit more portable for about the same price?

[QQQQcon]

@RedBull314 not really

[Crustalshift]

@RedBull314 Try the 'vintage' market.

A cleaned and serviced old 'folder', will give excellent images in the medium format. They're very cheap, look cool, and will fit in your pocket.

[tom23pl]

@RedBull314 Not same format but much more portable is Mamiya 645 pro, and i think it is bit cheaper. TLR is the most portable mid format camera, look for rolleiflex or mamiya. Hasselblad is much more expensive but Kiev 88 look same and cost much less but it's bit shitty. And finally, camera with same format but cheaper and lighter, Pentax 67.

[ohmycanvas]

I LOVE LOVE LOVED my rb and wish after all those years I never sold it. I owned a hassy and I swear my images were sharper from the RB. I now shoot a 4x5 crown graphic and it is much lighter then the RB. Of coarse the film is what takes up the most room. Hello quickloads!!!!! I can't wait to scan some large format and print to canvas. Great tutorial. You remind me of me a little, ha ha ha.

[chezruss]

Great video!! i ve got a nikon d40 that does pretty much all i need, tho there are times i feel i need more quality and ive a friend whose selling pentax 645 and 3 lenses pretty cheap - will i notice much difference in quality? i imagine type of film will have a big bearing as well? thx

[QQQQcon]

@chezruss between a d40, you will see a huge difference.

[chezruss]

@QQQQcon

thanks i ve bit the bullet and bought the kit even if it s devaluing as we speak and the films pretty expensive. what color transparency film do you suggest, now that kodachromes sadly demised?

[QQQQcon]

@chezruss I use velvia 50 for my landscapes.

[speakingvague]

@chezruss hahah. which one are you getting? 645n or 645nII?

[chezruss]

@speakingvague

got it now - its about 20yrs old - just says 645 on it. came with 3 lenses and 2 backs - so it should keep me busy and out of mischief this summer. i used to have a darkroom but dont have the space, so now i ll send films off and scan them on return.

[miyatacn]

see point as mine, I just got one RZ67, a little heavier and younger

[tigres162003]

outstanding video

may be one day you could show how to use the mamiya RB67 or show more video with the mamiya RB 67 Because there not many videos of this camera like how to connect a flash with this camera or how to put film and so on.

Could you bring more videos of this camera? please

thanks

A++++++++++

[billy2319]

What lens do you have on that thing/?? I'm looking for one of these now, any recomendations?

[billy2319]

What lens do you have on that thing/?? I'm looking for one of these now, any recomendations?

[QQQQcon]

@billy2319 its the standard 90mm.

[mantazasLT]

Nikon, not Naikon.

[onemorelick]

another great review...thanks

[taos52]

Just wanted to let you know your videos have inspired me to work on my landscapes. I recently posted a video on You Tube at "Arizona Journey 2010". Your tips helped.  I'm shooting a Nikon D80. Thanks

[kliveo]

I've had quite the opposite experience with my Nikon D-slr. After being a diehard medium format film user for years I'm finding my Nikon out performing my medium format mamiya after examining my prints. I've also been using high resolution Nikon lenses to get the most out of the chip.

[russvien08]

hey did u say $200-$300 ??

omg so cheap..

[Darkbohamit]

would you recommend landscape photography as a starting point for beginner? if not what photography field would you recommend?

enjoyed the video it was very informative keep up the good work :D

[QQQQcon]

landscape is a good place to begin because you have alot of time to take a picture. In other words your subjects hold still. However it is still very difficult because you have to worry about light and you cant control nature. It requires patients. Portrait photography is the easiest thing to start with because you have control over pretty much everything.

[LukesJellybeans]

I can't concentrate...you are too good looking.

Just going to clear that up.

[BustedShutter]

hey connor,

what process do you use for getting the medium format film into digital files?..do you scan yourself or have someone else do it?..what's a good affordable solution for this as i am looking into getting a MF film camera

[QQQQcon]

I bring them to a lab and have them scanned. All labs charge about the same price. Take a look around your community to see which labs offer the best prices.

[pakuplue]

hey man, just wondering if u plan to have any new videos on the topic of your new d3 which i saw on your flickr.?

ps, i added u as a contact on there:)

[QQQQcon]

I have made a video, I just havent had time to upload or edit it.

[discuschamp]

The Mamiya 6x7 has an issue with the shutter not staying timed for true shutter speeds. This is an issue with the older models. Get it looked at about every 100 rolls of 220 film or 200 rolls of 120 film. Had one for a while and got a M645 with leaf shutter lenses. The problem was solved. Great vid. Go large format tho...pics are worth the extra weight!!!

[HazDoesCovers]

What about hasselblad?

[QQQQcon]

that would work as well, but they are much more expensive.

[carlomac]

possibly buying the rb67 today, main reason, to get wider and get more resolution than my current d200 17-55 2.8 set up.

the mamiya only (apart from the 37 fisheye) goes down to 50mm (approx 25mm equivelent on a 35mm) so it really is narrower than a 17-55.

whats your experience on getting wide landscape shots with this camera mate? i certainly dont wont to be stuck stitching up huge medium format digitized files in photoshop.

id like to go as wide as 14mm in 35mm equivalent.possible?

Thanks!

[QQQQcon]

you cant get that wide with the mamiya. 25mm is as wide as you can get. I can still use that camera in many situation, 25mm is the angle most landscape photographers use.

[carlomac]

Great video mate, very helpful, keep it up!

[jonobonnowonno1]

really detailed review, its just what i needed to hear

[chompychomps]

If you want a fairly-agile 6x7 camera, you should consider any of the 6x7 rangfinders, like the Mamiya 7. I swear by the RZ67 Pro II system. I also use several RB lenses on it.

[QQQQcon]

those are great if you want to spend the money

[HelloNewYorkCity]

2:33 i see the table shake lol

[peteq1972]

I have a olympus OM1n 35mm and want a medium format camera too. I know the quality is better but is it true medium format is equivalent to about 50 megapixel or more?

[QQQQcon]

yes it is. If I scanned my 6 x 7 film at 3000 dpi I would get about 60 mega pixels.

[hugtango]

chucknorris of course 100%, buy a "batch" of expired film and enjoy. Or if you want for color a fujifilm pro 160C or a neopan B&W or ilford.

[chucknorris175]

would 35mm cameras be ok to start photography. I found one in my basement and have no money to buy a newer camera.

[QQQQcon]

sure

[ivanlitovski]

film is so much better than digital

[Narkodas]

@ivanlitovski

Depends on uses imo. Both film and digital are great and both have their pro's and cons.

[shu12300]

oh my gosh

how can you get your used set by $200?

i live in hong kong

and this set was selling about 600-800$ ...

i cant find in ebay T_T

[0Orion]

I need to edit and reproduce large paintings at 60x60 inches. Is a medium or large format camera appropriate to capture such large artwork? What type of scanner is needed to digitalize such images? For example, I'm currently working on a project that will require 18000x18000 pixel file... thanks!

[QQQQcon]

a 6 x 6 medium format camera should do that, for the best resolution a large format camera is the best.

[vancouverdogdowncast]

film far is superior to digital in terms of resolution and detail. however digital is better at higher iso because there is less graining.

[SaxophoneProductions]

Is there a purchasable light metering system for the mamiya you're using?

[martinaee]

I wouldn't say that the image quality surpasses the quality of most higher end digital slrs, but I do agree that medium format film still does have more resolution than most consumer digital slr's.

[donnorden]

WHAT!!!??? You wouldn't say because you don't know what you're talking about. There is no way anything digital comes close to MF of LF chrome film ISO 100 or 50 (Fuji Velia). Something like 5,000 X 4,000 ppi and even greater with speciality films like Kodak's Tech Pan. Not even the high end digital backs for medium format camera's provide that much resolution @ $15,000. Learn to shoot a film properly and then lets hear what you have to say about quality differences between digital and film.

[jun19fan40]

Oh yeah... You already said it. I agree.

[jun19fan40]

Most higher end slrs, like the $30,000? Even those cannot replicate the resolution completely, and I have a hunch you talking about D700 and D3x or 5d mrk II or Mark3s type cameras.

[martinaee]

LOL you can have 120 film developed many places....

I don't shoot film-- Only did some 35mm for a while, but any store like DODD camera should do developing of 120.

On a different note: I've had this thought and am now starting to read articles on this---> In many ways resolution is getting so high on high end DSLRs that some aspects of medium format digital might be in peril. Not many years ago even 20mp was already super high end medium format back territory. Now many dslrs are there.

[MarkGurnicz]

I own both a Pentax 645 and an RB67 for all the reasons you specified: after lugging the 67 and 3 additional lenses up a mountain, I went out and purchased the 645. I even had the pentaprism for the 67 which doubles the weight! There is no substitute for MF. I've had my negatives developed and scanned to CD, which can get a bit expensive. I'm now going to shoot nothing but slides and scan them myself which will cut processing costs by 2/3rds I can then have the best shots printed.

[AnneMarieDiamond]

Really informative and well researched about the different camera types and film formats. However I was expecting to see you use the camera on location and some results from a shoot. There are quite a few misinformed commenters below... Its very easy to get 120 film developed even at commercial labs. Specialist labs will offer a greater range of services but actual processing and often printing is readily available.

[vansito1021]

I feel you!

[vansito1021]

This dude is rich -__-

[QQQQcon]

No, this dude has a job and pays for his own stuff.

[Unzaman]

bhahha "City of God" Film

[turtledream82]

always money... sucks

[Tuxster424]

where were you able to pick up a RB67 for so cheap?

[QQQQcon]

I found it locally on craigslist. The seller wanted 350 for it at first but I offered 200 dollars and he sold it to me.

[Undergroundphoto]

The studio i work at used to use 4 of them before we witched to digital. We sold them all but i dont know how much. But it was cheap.

[laptin217]

Great Vid.!! and nice tips on using a DSLR to meter and take the picture with the medium format.

I was wondering do you ever scan your photos taken when medium to have a digital copy? do you scan the negatives? or the developed photo?

Perhaps you could do a vid on that?

[QQQQcon]

I haven't had the chance to scan or develop any medium format photos yet but I will be soon.

[Undergroundphoto]

Good luck finding a place to develop the 120 film unless you do it your self. Try college campuses to find a camera store. Thats your best bet.

[QQQQcon]

I have about five stores near my home that can develop and scan my 120 film.

[moderick]

Thanks for all the reviews. What type of movie camera make/model are you using to make these?

[QQQQcon]

an old sony

[zoomzoom1988]

i have the same shirt as you...old navy?

[bmxmyway]

awesome man! I have the RZ67 and I use it for fashion photography. I have the waist level view finder as well, Im thinking about getting the prism with the meter, carrying my D300 along is just cumbersome! haha

[pakuplue]

so is there wide angle lenses for the Mamiya RB67. i wasnt able to find any. also would you consider giveing us some sample images?? :)

[libanlibanliban]

hey, when you meter using your d300 and shoot with the mamiya, how do the exposures come out? do you have to tinker around for a while to get a good balance of how accurate it would be? or is it right on usually? Thanks for this. This camera looks very interesting.

[QQQQcon]

I expose a little higher than my d300 says. and it works fine.

[cjosephwu]

Thank you for the excellent tutorial vid. I learn a lot from you. Plus, you have great pictures that are really breath taking.

[butnzy18]

great vid man... hmm but instead of metering with you d300, y dont you just buy a external light meter? it would be easier lol

cheers

mitch

[IamTheSassUhFrass]

200-300 but wouldn't it be more expensive then digital because of the cost of film and printing it? if not please let me know!

[QQQQcon]

Well to get a digital camera capable of taking pics similar in quality to this it would cost you 50000 dollars for the best hasselblad or phase one backs. 120 film allows me to take ten pics, process and scan for about 30 dollars.

[TheSuperProfessional]

Very nice !

[chriselpuma]

Awesome I love your website!!!

[eLLriDe420]

guys i got the most fantastic landscape today, the sky looked amazing, big storm clouds, and right in the middle, 3 seperate rainbows, 3!!, ive never seen that befor it looks so good