Aha medium format, here I come...

[hitmanh]

I've decided to have a play with medium format, so I've got my hands on a nice little folder, a Ross Selfix 820, with a 105mm f3.8 lens. In very good condition. I'm really looking forward to putting some film through this

Matt

 

[colyn]

I too have gotten into MF with my new/old Zeiss Super Ikonta.

Gotta go get some film today...

 

[Ash]

The ol' folders are the only cameras I think I haven't handled that I really would like to. I'm happy with TLR's for now tho

Good luck with MF, its massive compared to 35mm!

 

[underachiever]

The Ensign lens, being a 105mm f3.8, must be the Ross Xpres? If so, you'll probably be quite happy with its perfomance. They are excellent!

 

[eric]

I've decided to have a play with medium format, so I've got my hands on a nice little folder, a Ross Selfix 820, with a 105mm f3.8 lens. In very good condition. I'm really looking forward to putting some film through this

Matt

105mm? I'm guessing this is a 6x9 camera?

 

[Toby]

At the moment I think medium format equipment is criminally undervalued, especially when you consider how good film is now and how much of a difference this makes in larger formats. If you look at the price of some second hand Leica lenses, you could pretty much buy a complete hassleblad, pentax 67 or mamiya kit for that price and any of those cameras could beat any 35mm system with any lens hands down, in absolute image quality, if not flexability. For the film enthusiast they represent the bargains of the century.

 

[kenspix]

When do you know to stop turning the film advance?Do they sell any 120 film with the paper back and numbers so i can see the frames in the red window.i'm taking out the ruler

 

[Finder]

All 120 film comes with a paper backing and numbers. 220 only uses paper for the leader and trailer and so you can't use it.

 

[colyn]

When do you know to stop turning the film advance?Do they sell any 120 film with the paper back and numbers so i can see the frames in the red window.i'm taking out the ruler

A lot of older MF 120 cameras don't have a lock. You watch the red window for the frame number on the paper backing. Modern MF cameras do have a lock though.

 

[mdelevie]

more reasons why 220 won't work in that camera...

more reasons why 220 won't work in that camera...

All 120 film comes with a paper backing and numbers. 220 only uses paper for the leader and trailer and so you can't use it.

Just to elaborate on what Finder said, there are three reasons why you can't use 220 film in a camera that has a 120 advance window:

1) the lack of a paper backing means that light coming in the window will ruin the film. This is the real show-stopper.

2) the lack of a paper backing means that the pressure plate will not be tight enough to keep 220 film flat. (it's set up for the combined thickness of 120 film plus the paper backing)

3) the lack of a paper backing means you won't be able to advance the film just by watching for the numbers printed on the paper to show in the window.

Finder is totally correct, I just wanted to elaborate so that the original poster wouldn't try to 'count revolutions' on the winder with 120 film, and then ruin a roll of 220.

Regards,

Mark

 

[smiling gecko]

welcome to the multi-format world 'o medium format. there are a lot of options: 6x6.45, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9, 6x13, 6x17/19(?) and ? you can guess/scale focus, focus via slr or rf or autofocus.

there are so many good deals on (most) medium format equipment these days. it's a great time try it for either the first time or expand on what you already have.

beware the darkslide...i mean the dardside...once you get accustomed to the "look" of medium format results, you may not be satisfied with anything else (except for 4x5, 5x7,8x10...).

experiment and enjoy!!

_____________________________________

breathe, relax, smile, and enjoy
_____________________________________

hasta la vista, voyez-vous plus tard, daskorava,fino al prossimo tempo, auf wiedersehen, la revedere, shalom, zaijian, and ... later y’all

kenneth lockerman
NEVER FORGET BESLAN
www.neverforgetbeslan.com
www.neverforgetbeslan.org (under construction)
kenneth@neverforgetbeslan.com

"...patience and shuffle the cards" miguel cervantes

 

[VictorM.]

Medium format is a slippery slope. Even old, cheap stuff works better than most 35mm. This is an Zeiss 6X4.5 folder with a 3 element uncoated lens and a 3 speed shutter that only gives one speed. The street scene is about 60% of the original neg. The actual b&w print is really sharp with an incredible tonal range. Cost? $5.00 CDN with a nice case.

 

[wlewisiii]

Another fun thing about MF is if you get something like a Miniature Speed Graphic or a Century Graphic. You can use multiple film formats (2x3 (same as 6x9) sheet film and there are 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7 & 6x9 roll film holders readily available) and easily changed lenses - I have 90, 105, & 135 lenses for mine as an example. Very dangerous slippery slope

William

 

[jorisbens]

I hope you know the disadvantage of medium format, it lowers the amount of grain

 

[hitmanh]

105mm? I'm guessing this is a 6x9 camera?

Yup, I think so... seems wider than a 6x6 any way...

welcome to the multi-format world 'o medium format. there are a lot of options: 6x6.45, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9, 6x13, 6x17/19(?) and ? you can guess/scale focus, focus via slr or rf or autofocus.

there are so many good deals on (most) medium format equipment these days. it's a great time try it for either the first time or expand on what you already have.

beware the darkslide...i mean the dardside...once you get accustomed to the "look" of medium format results, you may not be satisfied with anything else (except for 4x5, 5x7,8x10...).

experiment and enjoy!!

Oh dear god... this things weighs a fair amount alreay without lugging round a large format beast!

I've just ordered some ilford 120 film, so I'm going to have some fun with this over christmas

Cheers

Matt

 

[hitmanh]

The Ensign lens, being a 105mm f3.8, must be the Ross Xpres? If so, you'll probably be quite happy with its perfomance. They are excellent!

Yes it's the Xpress I'm really looking forward to putting some film in the thing, it's just totally different from my 35mm stuff...

Matt

 

[bunkawen14]

The value of medium format

The value of medium format

At the moment I think medium format equipment is criminally undervalued, especially when you consider how good film is now and how much of a difference this makes in larger formats. If you look at the price of some second hand Leica lenses, you could pretty much buy a complete hassleblad, pentax 67 or mamiya kit for that price and any of those cameras could beat any 35mm system with any lens hands down, in absolute image quality, if not flexability. For the film enthusiast they represent the bargains of the century.

This is very well put. In fact, I'd add other cameras to the list. Rolleiflexes and 'Cords; Minolta Autocords, Yashica Mats, and we could go on and on, all beat 35mm and its digital cousins hands down in image/file quality, and by that measure are insanely priced.

 

[jpwing8]

Me too !

Me too !

I've just ordered a Fuji GW690 from KEH. Can't wait to get it. I have a few Rolleicords but don't care for the TLR type camera's operation. Great negs though!

I'll be looking into a scanner for 6x9 films. Any recommendations good or bad?

Thanks, Jim

 

[RObert Budding]

I hope you know the disadvantage of medium format, it lowers the amount of grain

I sometimes use Delta 3200 in my Bronica RF645. And I sometimes print large when I want to see that fantastic grain!

 

[Robert]

I have a Mamiya C330f I haven't used for years and was going to start using it again, then the other day I saw and bought a Fuji GW670 MK3 on Ebay so I will order some B&W film and start using this for a change.
I've to get myself a scanner now and hope to have sharp grain free negatives with plenty of detail.