philosomatographer
Well-known
I have been using a Technorama 617S (fixed lens, late version, Super Angulon 90mm f/5.6XL) for about 18 months now, and I just wanted to share my joys regarding the resolving power, colour rendering, and sheer image quality of this camera, combined with an Epson V700 scanner.
Scanning with the stupid plastic holders is hit-or-miss, and I can imagine how good a real scanner must be, but I resolve a good 60 megapixels nicely - and sometimes 120. If one shoots panoramics, this means that one needs at least a 120 (or 240) Megapixels Medium Format digital back, together with a lens that somehow magically resolves 5 times as good as the Schneider (over a tiny by comparison 6x4.5 image area) to crop and match an image like this. Or stitching, which just totally takes the fun out of using this camera hand-held and snapping a single image, and moving on.
I have now, at this stage in my life, used a large number of systems and lenses, from Minox to 6x17cm, but wow, there is just "something" about this Schneider lens - it's completely amazing. "Epic" sums it up.
Example landscape:
Provia 100, using the centre filter mounted on the lens. Even in the corners, the resolving power is astounding (and in my case, seriously limited by the scanner):
I am not nearly scanning down to grain level yet: On the slide, in the cropped area, actual detail in the individual flowers and grass blades are visible.
Scanning with the stupid plastic holders is hit-or-miss, and I can imagine how good a real scanner must be, but I resolve a good 60 megapixels nicely - and sometimes 120. If one shoots panoramics, this means that one needs at least a 120 (or 240) Megapixels Medium Format digital back, together with a lens that somehow magically resolves 5 times as good as the Schneider (over a tiny by comparison 6x4.5 image area) to crop and match an image like this. Or stitching, which just totally takes the fun out of using this camera hand-held and snapping a single image, and moving on.
I have now, at this stage in my life, used a large number of systems and lenses, from Minox to 6x17cm, but wow, there is just "something" about this Schneider lens - it's completely amazing. "Epic" sums it up.
Example landscape:
Provia 100, using the centre filter mounted on the lens. Even in the corners, the resolving power is astounding (and in my case, seriously limited by the scanner):
I am not nearly scanning down to grain level yet: On the slide, in the cropped area, actual detail in the individual flowers and grass blades are visible.
FA Limited
missing in action
some nice stuff. maybe time to consider trying some of the fancy film holders
gavinlg
Veteran
Holy craaap. Could you post a 100% view of the pines in the background? Pines tend to lend themselves really well to detail tests. Looks absolute awesome though.
philosomatographer
Well-known
A lasting investment:
A lasting investment:
I can imagine how impressed somebody must be who purchased one of these cameras 20 years ago, as a personal ultra-high-quality, and semi-compact (compared to a view camera) companion. It's still the best
This is true lasting value - the camera is indestructible (except for the vulnerable shutter release cable running to the lens) and it's capabilities still surpass any other camera designed be usable hand-held, although of course it's better on a tripod. I purchased my 1994 model second-hand, and plan to use it for as long as it lasts.
Even though I did find mine for an exceptionally good price, I must admit that, had I paid the almost $10,000 current new price, I would feel content in having made a photographic investment for life.
Nobody needs to hesitate when presented with the opportunity to get one, that is for sure. And I have received better customer service from Linhof (even though I am a "second-hand" customer, and way down here in South Africa) than from any other company. Truly a remarkable company, one that I hope continues to survive these turbulent times.
A lasting investment:
I can imagine how impressed somebody must be who purchased one of these cameras 20 years ago, as a personal ultra-high-quality, and semi-compact (compared to a view camera) companion. It's still the best
This is true lasting value - the camera is indestructible (except for the vulnerable shutter release cable running to the lens) and it's capabilities still surpass any other camera designed be usable hand-held, although of course it's better on a tripod. I purchased my 1994 model second-hand, and plan to use it for as long as it lasts.
Even though I did find mine for an exceptionally good price, I must admit that, had I paid the almost $10,000 current new price, I would feel content in having made a photographic investment for life.
Nobody needs to hesitate when presented with the opportunity to get one, that is for sure. And I have received better customer service from Linhof (even though I am a "second-hand" customer, and way down here in South Africa) than from any other company. Truly a remarkable company, one that I hope continues to survive these turbulent times.
kipkeston
Well-known
that looks great. post more!
monochromejrnl
Well-known
No experience with the Linhof, but I recently had a chance to use a Fuji 617 Pro (asked to repair the bubble level bracket for the owner/seller) and I was very impressed with the Fujinon 105/8 lens.
Shot a roll of 120 (4 images) of Kodak 400NC after sunset from my cousin's 23rd floor apartment.
second image is a 802 x 453 pixel crop from the original scan (1200dpi on a V700 using the stock negative carrier)
Impressive by any standard.
Shot a roll of 120 (4 images) of Kodak 400NC after sunset from my cousin's 23rd floor apartment.
second image is a 802 x 453 pixel crop from the original scan (1200dpi on a V700 using the stock negative carrier)
Impressive by any standard.
philosomatographer
Well-known
Certainly, here is a (sorry for the strong JPEG compression) 100% pixels view of the small area on the top right
http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs51/f/2009/282/4/2/Berlin_Falls_Vista_Crop2_by_philosomatographer.jpg
I believe I can certainly do much better using better film holders, and fiddling with the focus (if you can call adjusting the negative carrier height with little plastic tabs "focus") even more. Assuming a standard screen, you are now really sticking your nose into a print several meters wide with this crop. I also think I can figure out a better sharpening regime which suits the slightly soft V700 output, this is just some default sharpening via Apple Aperture .
peter_n
Veteran
This is the rig that Josef Koudelka used for his pix in the book Chaos.