Hawaii & slides - 6x6, 6x4.5, 6x7 or 24x36 ?

[Thomas78]

Hello,

by end of this year I will be on a trip to Hawaii for about two and a half to three weeks. I will be for about half of the time at several island hand half at O'ahu.

I want to take slides with Velvia 50 and I want to work with a high image quality RF camera.

Unfortunately I have no really suitable MF camera for this (only some folders, a Medalist, a few TLR and a Hasselblad, which I don't like for outdoor shooting).

I am not sure which format to take:

- 6x7 would be the biggest image size you could do projection with, but this means a new, quite expensive projector

- 6x6 can be projectes with normal MF projectors (which I already have), but smaller horizontal size compared to 6x7 for landscape, the square seems to be difficult to fill with landscape

- 6x4.5 long side equal to 6x6, more compact camera, but smaller than 6x7 and needs to be rotated for landscape mode

- 24x26 much smaller slides than MF, but I already have a Leica M3 or Bessa R3A with some nice lenses.

So I am not sure which option I should take, but I think that 6x4.5 or 6x6 would be the best compromises between slide size and equipment prices (including the price for a 6x7 projector).

What are your suggestions?

(I am considering a Fuji GS645 right now)

Regards,
Thomas

 

[kmallick]

If you have decided on medium format slides for projection, 6x6 is likely the best choice as you have started figuring out, based on ease of mounting and using conventional MF projector. I have hard time getting hold of 6 x 4.5 slide mounts compared to 6 x 6 ones made by Gepe.

The square format actually works very well for landscapes as long as you plan for it in your shots.

I would love to go to Hawaii to shoot MF slides. Lucky you!

 

[agour]

I love velvia 50, good choice!

Id vote 6x6, but it depends on the camera really!

 

[nikon_sam]

Velvia 50...take a tripod too...!!!

 

[umcelinho]

i'd say take the M3 and R3A with their lenses, if they're the setup you are used to the most they will take care of the job. hawaii is gorgeous, i've been there several times, being last time this january. i shot mainly with a 35mm, using a 15mm for some dramatic landscapes. you might wanna take a longer lens also, it will come in handy.

depending on where you're going and what you'll be doing, taking a lighter setup is better, and I guess the 35mm gear should be the best bet, even if MF slide film would give you a bigger image with more detail. then again a MF folder is not so bulky, and you can take a few rolls if you feel the scene deserves it.

 

[Araakii]

I don't know what your budget is. If you have a lot of budget, the Fuji GF670 is the best option out there.

If your budget is rather limited, then I would say that the GS645 is a good choice since you already have some 6x6 folders to complement it.

 

[furlongphotos]

Hawaii and Velvia mmm heaven ! Get a Mamiya 7ii 43mm, 65mm, and 150mm, you wont be disappointed I have just returned from L.A and got my chromes back today- the detail! the colour! the quality! perfect never lets me down. If you can get hold of one Linhof made a 'Ideal Format' projector stick a 67 velvia slide in that and you will think you are back at the location you shot it at !

 

[furlongphotos]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48805484@N07/

(Some M7ii Images)