Medium format film cameras

[Syborg1211]

How many people here have knowledge or experience with medium format film cameras? I've only been into photography for a few years so I missed the whole film era, and I've been wanting to try it out! I think slowing down and having limited shots could really help me grow as a photographer.

So I figured if I get a film camera, I might as well try out medium format simultaneously. What are some things to keep in mind when considering a film camera? My local shop has a used Hasselblad 500C/M. Anyone with experience with this camera? I am debating between this and a Fujifilm GF670.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

if I get a film camera, I might as well try out medium format simultaneously.

I see where you are coming from, but it sure would be a lot cheaper to "try out" a 35mm SLR. You can pick a Nikon FE (CLA'd, with new light seals and a warranty) for about $100. Add a 50mm f/1.8 E-series for about $30 and you're good to go with a really great camera (I actually used my 50mm 1.8 AF-D on my FE before I picked up some dirt-cheap manual focus lenses). Film and development will also be a lot cheaper (per shot) than Medium Format.

That being said, whichever way you go be sure to keep us all updated .

JR

 

[finbarqs]

medium format you'll get about 5-6 shots, depending on the frame you're gonna be using.. 6x7 or 6x6...

 

[CuriousMike]

medium format you'll get about 5-6 shots

Spray and pray, spray and pray, spray and pray !

 

[iGas]

IMHO, it is going to be okay if you are going to do your own B&W prints, but I woulnd't be bother with colour or cibachrome/ilfordchrome, because it is labor intensive, toxic chemicals, rollers, drums, and expensive.

Bellow are number of exposures that you can get with 120, and 220 roll film is roughtly 2X the exposures:
6x4.5 = 15-16, 6x6 = 12, 6x7 = 10, 6x9 = 8.

And, I only have experience with 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, and 4x5.

 

[Syborg1211]

Shot count isn't a huge issue for me. I'd actually like to be limited to force me to make sure every shot counts.

 

[CuriousMike]

You could put a 16MB card in your DSLR to emulate "every shot must count."

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I do not think it should be a question of medium vs. small format when talking about analog photography, but rather being trained and experienced in think of photography as a function of the analog nature.

Understanding how shutter, aperture, ISO and compensation work as a limitation of the physical medium (ahem, film) and how you need to adjust the medium's processing (chemistry development times) leads to a working strip of film.

And expecting the film developer to know how you may have pushed or pulled the film during exposure could lead to negatives or positives that are unusable. Also keep in mind the optical resolution limits of the lenses in these analog systems compared to modern lenses employed on prosumer and professional digital lineups.