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UER Forum > Private Boards Index > Medium and Large Format Photography > Tips for a newbe (Viewed 2838 times)
insainly sound 


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Tips for a newbe
< on 5/1/2008 9:25 PM >
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Hey so I've read every thread on this forum, Ken Rockwell's MF tutorial, and still am a little confused..... I've been thinking about trying to get into MF format photography. Here are my hang ups:

Camera:
I'm thinking of trying to get either a TLR or an SLR, but my research says don't buy off e-bay. I'm a little bit lost where to buy a MF camera... Any tips or recommendations? Bay area local would be great!

Development:
I think I would like to shoot B&W and process the negatives myself, and then scan them. Anyone have recommendations? Tips? I've processed my own 35mm film, and am assuming it would be a similar process.

Thanks!




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argonian 


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Re: Tips for a newbe
< Reply # 1 on 5/2/2008 1:21 AM >
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I have bought several cameras off ebay and never had a problem, in fact I have got great deals. I tend to look for cameras where people claim to be the sole owner, usually wedding photographers who have gone digital. I got a Mamiya C220 in perfect condition, with two lenses and a handle (which I promptly removed) for under $150.00 with delivery. The camera looked brand new, until it made it into my hands.




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RailGuy88 

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Re: Tips for a newbe
< Reply # 2 on 5/2/2008 1:42 AM >
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I know nothing about MF or LF, but definately recommend to go to Keeble & Shuchat in Palo Alto. They have two stores next to each other. One dedicated to photography equipment in general, and the second for specialized equipment like the MF and LF stuff...

Well worth the trip, but they do close right at 5pm. Highly recommended. But yeah, kinda stay away from eBay for the expensive unless they have a high feedback rating. -- Look on Craigslist too, if you decide K&S isn't right for you. You can find some things on there as well...

My two cents...




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seany 


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Re: Tips for a newbe
< Reply # 3 on 5/2/2008 3:06 AM >
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the guys @ K&S have always seemed very arrogant to me but YMMV




insainly sound 


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Re: Tips for a newbe
< Reply # 4 on 5/2/2008 3:38 AM >
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Posted by argonian
I have bought several cameras off ebay and never had a problem, in fact I have got great deals. I tend to look for cameras where people claim to be the sole owner, usually wedding photographers who have gone digital. I got a Mamiya C220 in perfect condition, with two lenses and a handle (which I promptly removed) for under $150.00 with delivery. The camera looked brand new, until it made it into my hands.


How does the Mamiya hold up? How does it look? I'm just asking cause I've read not terribly great things about there TLR models...




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argonian 


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Re: Tips for a newbe
< Reply # 5 on 5/2/2008 4:01 AM >
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Here is what it looks like...



I think it is a great camera for starting out. You can get them cheap and I have never had a problem with it. I haven't really heard anything bad about it. If you have specific questions that might help me criticize.

MF is so cheap now though that you might want to start off with something more fancy, especially if you don't like a mechanical camera.

edit: here are some pictures from mine






[last edit 5/2/2008 4:03 AM by argonian - edited 1 times]

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Uncle Goose 


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Re: Tips for a newbe
< Reply # 6 on 5/4/2008 5:07 PM >
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If you want to go the Mamiya way I should say go for the Mamiya RB, Great camera, gives you a 6x7 negative and is easy to use. Just don't forget that MF gear is a lot heavier then 35mm gear so a decent tripod might come in handy.




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argonian 


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Re: Tips for a newbe
< Reply # 7 on 5/4/2008 5:48 PM >
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I love the rotating back, but when my RB676 was stolen I got the C220 until I could afford another RB67 and haven't looked back. For me it is more about weight and size. I am carrying more than one camera at a time and now that it is gone I really can't imagine carrying it around again.

edit: I should make it clear that I believe the RB67 is a superior camera.



[last edit 5/4/2008 7:33 PM by argonian - edited 1 times]

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Jeff! 


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Re: Tips for a newbe
< Reply # 8 on 5/14/2008 4:22 AM >
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Posted by argonian
I love the rotating back, but when my RB676 was stolen I got the C220 until I could afford another RB67 and haven't looked back. For me it is more about weight and size. I am carrying more than one camera at a time and now that it is gone I really can't imagine carrying it around again.

edit: I should make it clear that I believe the RB67 is a superior camera.


ill sell you an rb67




argonian 


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Re: Tips for a newbe
< Reply # 9 on 5/14/2008 4:28 AM >
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Posted by jeffmc


ill sell you an rb67


I would prefer a rz, if you have one of those laying around, but, still, what do you charge for your rb?




Que pasa, baby?
Air 


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Re: Tips for a newbe
< Reply # 10 on 5/16/2008 1:14 AM >
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Posted by insainly sound
Hey so I've read every thread on this forum, Ken Rockwell's MF tutorial, and still am a little confused..... I've been thinking about trying to get into MF format photography. Here are my hang ups:

Camera:
I'm thinking of trying to get either a TLR or an SLR, but my research says don't buy off e-bay. I'm a little bit lost where to buy a MF camera... Any tips or recommendations? Bay area local would be great!

Development:
I think I would like to shoot B&W and process the negatives myself, and then scan them. Anyone have recommendations? Tips? I've processed my own 35mm film, and am assuming it would be a similar process.

Thanks!


KEH is good to buy from. I had a large format camera I bought on ebay and I got hosed on from the US -- everything worked but the lens was scratched inside so bad I got rid of it altogether.

Someone gave me a rollicord and it works like a charm. I now have several MF cameras I use but the TLR's are good for price and portability. I haven't really gotten used to them tho, and still prefer the SLR system, but its a good 6x6 system for me.

Craigslist is good to for gear, even if you get the odd wackjob to deal with. If your city is listed give that a try.

Edit: buy a light meter.




[last edit 5/16/2008 2:57 PM by Air - edited 3 times]

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micro 


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Slowly I turned

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Re: Tips for a newbe
< Reply # 11 on 5/16/2008 3:14 AM >
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I agree that Keh is a good place to order from and I'd do it more often if I lived in the US because their shipping rates to Canada are a bit on the high side. Their ratings are pretty conservative though and even stuff marked as "bargain" usually comes in pretty good shape so long as you don't mind a few cosmetic blemishes.

As for a camera, I'd just pick up a Rolleicord TLR or something similar to see how well you like working with the format. It's a good starter camera with a decent lens. No point in dumping a grand into an SLR system when $100 gets you (just about) everything you need to begin with. I still use mine now and again when doing street photography because it's a lot easier to carry around than my Hasselblad and because it's an ideal camera for taking candid shots like this:







UER Forum > Private Boards Index > Medium and Large Format Photography > Tips for a newbe (Viewed 2838 times)


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