Mixing formats and media

[martin s]

I plan on doing a larger portrait project, it'll be presented as diptych, square prints. I will crop the digital files to said squares (Leica M8 / Canon 5d mkii) and use the Rolleiflex negatives the way they are. I will use Portra NC 160.

Does anyone have experience with this? Is it possible to have prints similar enough for an experienced photographer not to notice the difference? They won't be large, less than 30x30 cm.

Cheers, Martin

 

[Jamie123]

The best advice I could give is use the different cameras where they have an advantage over the others. For example, use the Rolleiflex in situations with lots of highlights where the digital might blow out. Use the 5DII when you need high ISO and use the M8 when....well, I don't know what the M8 would be good for but I'm sure you know why you want to use it 🙂

If I might ask, is there a special reason why you want to use all three cameras and not stick to a single one? What kind of portrait project will it be? The reason I ask is because people react differently to different cameras. Even if you manage to make all of them look the same they still might have a very different 'vibe'.

 

[martin s]

Hey Jamie,

I prefer using the Rolleiflex but don't really like color film more sensitive than ei 160, so I'd switch to digital in those scenarios. The portraits will be really similar in composition, if I compare previously taken color shots with digital I think I might be able to pull it off. In similar light and a similar situation it might be more apparent though.

I will just give it a test run in the next few days.

martin

 

[Jamie123]

Why no color film faster than 160? I'm hard pressed to see the difference between Portra 160 NC-2 and Portra 400 NC-3 in medium format on a good scan. Even Portra 800 is quite clean when drumscanned.

What I mean with the different vibe is that people, in my experience, people react differently to different cameras when they sit for a portrait. With a camera such as the Rolleiflex they have to sit down and wait for you to meter and set the camera. Then they have to sit still while you focus, compose and expose (often with a slowish shutterspeed due to the slower lenses). This process often gets them into a different mindset which shows in the picture. With a digital AF it's much more spontaneous. It's focus and expose in a couple of seconds. Once the shutter sounds it's hard for people to settle down any further.

Anyways, this is just my experience. I'm not saying this can't be controlled. But you need to make a conscious effort and watch out for the subtle nuances.