forums
new posts
donate
UER Store
events
location db
db map
search
members
faq
terms of service
privacy policy
register
login




UER Forum > Private Boards Index > Medium and Large Format Photography > Getting started... (Viewed 2801 times)
RailGuy88 

This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.


Location: Where you're not...
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 3 likes




 |  | 
Getting started...
< on 10/7/2009 3:46 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Not sure how to ask this, but here goes.

When I browse thru old antique shops, I usually find an old accordion-style camera that closes into itself. They're usually cheap and some are marked as Kodak. Are these worth to buy and use, or just more for collecting and displaying?

Also, if I were to get into stuff like this, does it get expensive to buy the needed film and develope it afterwards?

Thanks!




Going where others can't...
micro 


Gender: Male
Total Likes: 7 likes


Slowly I turned

 |  | 
Re: Getting started...
< Reply # 1 on 10/7/2009 4:14 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
They're called folding cameras and most of them will take medium format film. Just make sure the model you're getting was designed for 120 spools and not 620. I'm sure someone here has some experience using one. I have a couple, but I've only ever used them as decorations.




controleman 


Location: Montreal
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 2 likes




 |  |  | http://www.flickr.com/photos/controle-man/
Re: Getting started...
< Reply # 2 on 10/7/2009 4:18 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
I guess it depends on what type of look you wish to get. I suppose you rather stick to medium format 120 or 220? Twin or single lens? interchangeable backs? Known brand to easily get new parts? (I can't think of any medium format Kodak camera at the moment). 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, 6x9. 6x12, 6x17?

Personally, I'd rather stick with the mostly known brand like Hasselblad, Mamiya, Bronica and the likes. I wouldn't consider buying Kodak, which I've never been a fan, at all.

I do not find this to be much expensive, but it depends who much you're shooting with. a 120 roll is around let's say 5$ and pretty much the same to develop. If you shoot with a 6x6, you'll get 12 shots and let's say you only get 10 good. then you've paid 1$ per shot. Kinda expensive vs digital, but I still rather shoot on film 90% of the time. Actually, I think I haven't used my digital camera since maybe 2 months. Oh yeah, and consider you may wish to scans your shot to post them online. I probably paid my scanner in less than a year.

If it can give you an idea, I own a Mamiya 645Pro, Mamiya C330, Voitlandler Perkeo 2 and a big huge muddafurkin 4x5.

I have no opinion about that brand thought. I just happened to be that one. (Mamiya)

Hope that helps.


*As for folding camera, you'll probably enjoy it at first, then get really tired of it. If you plan on buying a medium format and use it for real don't go for that. They normally are rather cheap for a reason.. I've probably used my Perkeo twice and it's now whatching the back end corner of my room, under a big pile of dust.



[last edit 10/7/2009 4:22 AM by controleman - edited 1 times]

yokes 


Location: Toronto
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 596 likes


I aim to misbehave

 |  |  | AIM Message | 
Re: Getting started...
< Reply # 3 on 10/7/2009 12:52 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Since you're just getting started, I would likely not advise buying a folding camera from an estate sale, since you aren't likely to know how to tell the difference between 120 (commonly available) from 620 (not available generally). Plus, you have to be able to evaluate if the shutter speeds are accurate, and if the bellows are without holes in them. Foldies are fun and look great, but a lot of them don't work.

If you want cheap, look on ebay for a cheap russian knock off twin lens camera. I picked up 2 Lubitel-1's for $20. They are not great by any means, but they will likely be better than a lot of the folding cameras, and will give you a taste of the format.

Do you own a light meter? Many medium format cameras have no built in light meter.

I'd also advise against getting a holga. You'll get frustrated easily with the lack of image quality and the lack of controls.



[last edit 10/7/2009 12:53 PM by yokes - edited 1 times]

"Great architecture has only two natural enemies: water and stupid men." - Richard Nickel
tron_2.0 


Location: Ohio
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 7 likes




 |  |  | AIM Message | 
Re: Getting started...
< Reply # 4 on 10/7/2009 1:06 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Not worth it atmo.




[quote][i]Posted by yokes[/i]
I find your lack of coziness.... disturbing.
[/quote]
RailGuy88 

This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.


Location: Where you're not...
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 3 likes




 |  | 
Re: Getting started...
< Reply # 5 on 10/8/2009 3:41 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Okay, thanks all for the input. Was just curious. I think I'll stick to DSLR's and SLR's at this time until I have a reason to expand my collection.

Thanks!




Going where others can't...
Uncle Goose 


Location: Ghent, Belgium
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 0 likes


The Goose knows best.

 |  |  | UrbanProjects
Re: Getting started...
< Reply # 6 on 10/13/2009 9:18 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
They might work, if the shutter is OK and there are no leaks in the bellows. But the main issue with most of them is that they have poor lenses compared to todays standards, some of those older lenses are single lens element or doublets and in rare occasion triplets. While the triplets might preform decently they often have low contrast and issues with flare because they are not coated in any way. Furthermore old camera's can have fungus in the lens elements and this can etch the glass resulting in an even poorer image. Antique shops also think that many folders are rare and ask idiotic prices for them but most of these camera's have been made in the millions and are quite common on the Ebay and other auction sites.

If you are really want to venture into MF then I advice to save up some money and buy a decent modern kit like A Mamiya, Bronica or even a Hasselblad as they are not that expensive anymore.




A 1000 days of sorrow can disapear in a split second, it takes only one person to make it happen.
tron_2.0 


Location: Ohio
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 7 likes




 |  |  | AIM Message | 
Re: Getting started...
< Reply # 7 on 10/15/2009 11:30 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Yeah, medium format cameras are dirt cheap these days. Right now on KEH there is a Bronica ETRS kit for $177. Includes lens, back, body, prism, and a speed grip. If I had the cash I'd buy it just because its so cheap.




[quote][i]Posted by yokes[/i]
I find your lack of coziness.... disturbing.
[/quote]
Chthonian 


Location: Ottawa, ON
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 0 likes


In search of the city beneath

 |  | 
Re: Getting started...
< Reply # 8 on 10/17/2009 6:02 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by tron_2.0
Yeah, medium format cameras are dirt cheap these days. Right now on KEH there is a Bronica ETRS kit for $177. Includes lens, back, body, prism, and a speed grip. If I had the cash I'd buy it just because its so cheap.


Damn, that's a great deal. I love KEH.




UER Forum > Private Boards Index > Medium and Large Format Photography > Getting started... (Viewed 2801 times)


Add a poll to this thread



This thread is in a public category, and can't be made private.



All content and images copyright © 2002-2024 UER.CA and respective creators. Graphical Design by Crossfire.
To contact webmaster, or click to email with problems or other questions about this site: UER CONTACT
View Terms of Service | View Privacy Policy | Server colocation provided by Beanfield
This page was generated for you in 93 milliseconds. Since June 23, 2002, a total of 737046154 pages have been generated.