Summer Long Documentary Project

[jaredangle]

This summer I'll be photographing a friend of mine for several months, during my time off from working at the college newspaper due to summer break. It's going to be a very consistent project with only Fuji Neopan films (Acros and Neopan 400, and occasionally the 400 pushed to 1600), printed only on Ilford MGIV Glossy Fiber paper, only 5x7 prints, all photographs inside a filed out carrier for print borders, same frames, etc. I just can't decide the variable that is most important for actually getting the photo in the first place - the camera! Here's the issue...

Contax G1

+ 45mm f/2 is good for most available light I will need, if not, there's ISO 1600 film.
+ light, portable, has a strap (vital as I will be going on a lot of bike rides with this friend and photographing during them)
+ great lens character
- lower print quality than the medium format option (is this an issue at 5x7?)

Mamiya 645

+ very high print quality from large negative
- heavy, bulky, no strap (difficult for bike rides, less spontaneity)
- no Neopan 400 anymore for medium format, so I'd be screwed for available light and only be able to use my supply of Neopan Acros, unless I bought some Delta 3200

Nikon F4

+ 50mm f/1.2 is my available light king, great look to the images too
+ twice the weight of my Contax G1, but still has a strap and not too heavy
- Prism's LCD has gone bad, can't use the meter now, completely forced to use aperture priority or get an external meter

I'm leaning toward the G1. Should I reconsider and look at my other two options?

 

[rphenning]

g1 for sure. Rf'ers are the best and fastest way to be connected with whoever you are photographing.

 

[rphenning]

I'd grab a wider lens like the 28, though. The 45 I think will be limiting.

 

[StefanJozef]

Definitely the G1. I agree about the 45 being limiting. The 28 or 35? I do a lot of cycling and these days it's always the G1 with the 21 or 28 in my back pockets.