A Few Medium Format Film Cameras Compared

An extemporaneous overview of medium format vs 35mm negative size and an overview of a few medium format cameras, with thoughts on each variety.

SORRY FOR THE ^%#@ FOCUSING NOISE THROUGHOUT THE VIDEO. I decided to try my Sony A55 for this video. The Sony A55 apparently has a super-loud focusing mechanism. Guess I need a "big boy" mic for doing video with the A55. Or maybe just go back to my other camera for this sort of video.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• medium
• format
• camera
• film
• hasselblad
• fuji
• rangefinder
• slr
• photography
• opinion
• examples
• review
• thoughts
• manual
• old

[andrewqpdx]

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.

[mathomas1962]

@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!

[qq9sx58u]

What, no Holga? ;-)

[mathomas1962]

@qq9sx58u Hehe. Nah, I shoot medium format for quality. But I do get light leaks in my 2000FCW. Does that count?

[daveschoie]

can you take auto focus off on the video camera, because you are staying still, it is confused by your moving hands I guess.

[mathomas1962]

@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]

@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.

[photodyl]

@mathomas1962 thank you! just realized that it makes sense because the shutter mechanisms are in the lens.

[mathomas1962]

@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]

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.