so, how long would I use a MF RF?

[andredossantos]

I have an old Fuji G690BL (one of the older models w/ interchangeable lenses). Anyway, I shoot at least 5 rolls of 120 a month, both color and B&W. The thing is enormous but handles just like any other RF.

I love it! If you like RF's, don't mind a larger camera, and get a kick out of large slides on a light table, I think you'll love one too!

 

[MikeL]

Anyway, I shoot at least 5 rolls of 120 a month, both color and B&W. The thing is enormous but handles just like any other RF.

I'm in the same boat as Andre. I have some candids where the folks I'm taking a photo of are cracking up. Cracking up at how ridiculously big the Fuji GW680 is relative to my head!

But when the negatives come back, it makes up for it. I don't fire off a ton of shots, so the limited frames per roll, and frames per tank development relative to 135, aren't a big deal to me.

Ted, when you are in the bay area again you can check out the size/handling of the Fuji.

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Mike

Thanks Mike

I'd like to handle the GW680. Although that aspect ratio is a bit further from the divine ratio than the 690. Do you get an extra frame per roll? I am watching for those used.

I'm in the same boat as Andre. I have some candids where the folks I'm taking a photo of are cracking up. Cracking up at how ridiculously big the Fuji GW680 is relative to my head!

But when the negatives come back, it makes up for it. I don't fire off a ton of shots, so the limited frames per roll, and frames per tank development relative to 135, aren't a big deal to me.

Ted, when you are in the bay area again you can check out the size/handling of the Fuji.

 

[ferider]

The question is really how many big prints you want to make, Ted.

I have a beautiful 6x6 kit, but use it very rarely, since development and scanning is such a pain (compared to 35, where C41 goes to Walgreens, and B+W I do myself). And 35 is good enough for my larger prints (the last ones were 13x18), easier to carry with more and faster lenses, etc.

I have some beautiful 6x6 prints on my wall at home, but we have only so many walls.

Roland.

 

[MikeL]

I'd like to handle the GW680. Although that aspect ratio is a bit further from the divine ratio than the 690. Do you get an extra frame per roll? I am watching for those used.

Ted, if you mention the divine ratio again I will not allow you to handle the Fuji, just on principle.

I get an extra banal image on the 680 over the 690. One more again on a 670. But that is even further from your precious d.r.

Let me know when you are around, I think it is about time for a beer and gear to get rid of, er, to send off Kevin to NY.

 

[ampguy]

Hi Roland

Hi Roland

Probably want to try making some as big as posters (send out). We have one 2' x 3' that was taken with a 7MP p&s camera and looks fine from 18" or more away.

Right now, I'm printing letter size prints regularly - 8.5 x 11" on an Epson 1400, and will be looking for some 13 x 19 paper, and maybe roll paper, so I think 13" wide is my limit on width for home printing.

I'm unlikely to bond with this format, but want to try it, that's why I've passed on a lot of good deals, looking for a good user that I could resell and not lose much on.

The question is really how many big prints you want to make, Ted.

I have a beautiful 6x6 kit, but use it very rarely, since development and scanning is such a pain (compared to 35, where C41 goes to Walgreens, and B+W I do myself). And 35 is good enough for my larger prints (the last ones were 13x18), easier to carry with more and faster lenses, etc.

I have some beautiful 6x6 prints on my wall at home, but we have only so many walls.

Roland.

 

[Hamel]

If you buy a Mamiya 6 or 7 you will probably use it a lot 🙂

This.

I average somewhere around 10-15 rolls a week. With the TLR's I only shot maybe a 5pack a week.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

After I got my Fuji G690BL, I shelved pretty much all my other cameras. I had 3 lenses for it and loved that system. It was fantastic. I was working at a photo lab at the time so processing the film was no problem for me. I think that's what it comes down to, at least it would for me. If I had that kind of access to quick, high quality processing I'd think about giving up my digitals, buying a bunch of film and taking a vacation or two.

For me the medium format RF was just a bigger implementation of the Leica M4 I was used to. It made me slow down a bit so I got more keepers I think. The lenses for all of them are stellar; I don't think there's a dog among them.

Phil Forrest

 

[shadowfox]

I'm not sure whether you are asking about you (Ted) or us (to whom the question was posed).

I (Will) use 6x7 MUP regularly a couple of times this year (a project). It's a hefty camera, excellent lens, and surprisingly fun to use.

As for you (Ted), I have no idea, I thought you are a digital dude 😀

 

[Roger Warren]

this is stupid

 

[fuji645]

Didn't respond to the poll because I shoot way more than a couple of rolls through my GS 645 a year. Just started using it again after it got a new bellows (after 25 years!) and I almost forgot what a pleasure it is to use. It's my primary "walkabout" camera and I love the large, sharp and grainless negatives-- a pleasure to scan. Yes, I have an M3, a Barnack & a Kiev but the Fuji is my fun camera. Just got a 500C which I love but it won't replace this compact folder.🙂

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

One roll, perhaps two (one black and white and one color) and then pass it on.
Currently looking for a Super Ikonta (6x6) to use it once and then pass it on.

 

[atlcruiser]

I average about 15 rolls a month of 120, most in the mamiya 7 followed by the big ass fuji. Since I got the mamiya 7 the leica M6 has gotten very little use.

 

[divewizard]

Of the many film cameras I have the 2 of the 3 I use the most are MF rangefinders.

The one I use the most is my Fujifilm GA645zi. The quality is so much better than any 35mm camera, and it is not much larger than a 35mm SLR. I currently have a roll of 220 Astia in it.

2nd most used is my 35mm Olympus 35SP. Because of the great lens, spot meter, and small size I almost always have this camera of the GA6745zi with me. This camera has a roll of HP5 in it at the moment.

My third most used film camera is my Fujica GW690. The pictures this camera is capable of are just stunning and it is not that heavy for the large negative size. It is easy to shoot handheld. I typically shoot a whole roll at a time since there are only 8 shots on 120.

In the last 6 months I have shot 150 rolls of 120 and 220, and about 15 rolls of 35mm. Part of the reason I shoot medium format is the quality that I can not get with either my 35mm or DLSRs.

Thus for me I use a now use MF rangefinder at least weekly.

 

[djonesii]

its been near on a year .....

its been near on a year .....

My fuji 645zi is sitting all lonely at the bottom of the camera safe ..... its been close to a year! Same for my 4X5. Sold off all my film except the B&W.

Been over on getdpi.com a lot, and succumbed to a MFDB. Not cheap, but in the same range as an M9 and a couple of lenses.

There is something about MF that I just love, but a studio shoot is at least 10 rolls of film and processing that just kills me .... too much of a time sink. I shoot about 4 times a month.

YMMV.

Dave

 

[KenR]

It's the size and the slow lenses that keep me from using MF gear all of the time. The quality of the negs is unbelievably better than 35mm. That said, for street photos where I would like to remain relatively unobtrusive and may need a couple of extra stops, my Bessa 4 comes out. If I'm going on a hiking vacation, I try to use the MF gear, except where the conditions are too extreme (like when we hiked on the Inca trail in Peru where we crossed a 13,600 foot high pass). Lots of trade offs - there are no perfect cameras.