Going Medium Format

[c.poulton]

I'm flying off to Le Marche in Italy on Monday for an 8 day holiday and for the first time I've decided to take just my medium format kit with me and leave the M2 at home.

I've been blown away with the quality that I can achieve with 120 film and decided that as we will be touring around various small hill towns and places of interest (similar to Tuscany, Le Marche is supposed to be one of the hidden gems of Italy), medium format would really shine in this environment.

My kit will include:

Fujifilm GA645zi
Rolleiflex Automat K4A
5 x Ilford Delta 400
15 x Ilford FP4+
5 x Fomapan 200

Although I'm 95% convinced this is the right decision, I still have my doubts as previously I have taken my M2 and a lens or two as either the main or backup camera along with one of the MF cameras.

What to do...?

 

[Rodchenko]

It'll be fine. You'll enjoy it.

I used a GS645S as (almost) my only camera for a while - family snaps and everything. It was great. I'm sure the GA645zi will be fantastic. And the Rolleiflex is lovely.

You won't regret it when you look at the results.

 

[srtiwari]

You do have a backup in carrying 2 MF bodies. Sounds like you're all set ! Whether or not 300 to 400 frames ( 645 to 6x6) will be enough depends on your shooting style.

 

[kchoquette]

The only thing I'd personally adjust is a few roll of color in there. You're in a beautiful place, it'd be a shame not to capture as much range as possible. :]

 

[thegman]

Looks fine to me, the Fuji looks like you could just should it like it was a 35mm camera camera anyway.

 

[pagpow]

The other important thing to do is to sample the porchetta around the region, best made and presented as a whole pig with wild fennel stuffed in side for flavor, with slices taken off the still warm pig as you order it.

Giorgio

 

[c.poulton]

The other important thing to do is to sample the porchetta around the region, best made and presented as a whole pig with wild fennel stuffed in side for flavor, with slices taken off the still warm pig as you order it.

Giorgio

Blimey! 😱 🙂

You do have a backup in carrying 2 MF bodies. Sounds like you're all set ! Whether or not 300 to 400 frames ( 645 to 6x6) will be enough depends on your shooting style.

I tend to me fairly conservative with my shooting rate, however this is a little worrying as I'm not sure that I'll be able to buy more 120 film out there...

The only thing I'd personally adjust is a few roll of color in there. You're in a beautiful place, it'd be a shame not to capture as much range as possible. :]

Funny enough I was thinking about this myself. I might see if I can pick up a few rolls of colour film this weekend...

Looks fine to me, the Fuji looks like you could just should it like it was a 35mm camera camera anyway.

I was amazed at the handling of the GA645zi the first time that I used it - it does indeed handle like a 35mm camera and is one of the reasons that I'm taking it along. I'll use the TLR for when I have more time to set up and shoot...

 

[anjoca76]

The only thing I'd personally adjust is a few roll of color in there. You're in a beautiful place, it'd be a shame not to capture as much range as possible. :]

I absolutely agree!

 

[DougK]

I once took a trip using only a Fuji GA645i. I never felt the lack of a second camera and I got some amazing shots. I like to travel light, so that may or may not work for you. You won't regret shooting MF, though.

Edited to add: oh yes, shoot color. I used Portra 160NC and Fuji 400 Pro H. You can always convert to black and white later.

 

[Dana B.]

You won't regret it. I went to Tuscany a couple of summers ago and took my Fuji MF rangefinder GF670. Shot 50 rolls, mostly B&W, a few chrome (brought all my film from the states). My back-up was a Canon G9 P&S. The combination worked well.