Testing the MF Waters

[Sirius Glass]

There are some cameras that stuck in my mind, bronicas, mamiyas and hasselblads.. the latter I can never afford unless I buy it piece by piece in a span of one or two years.. but just in case, I think i like the hassy 501cm.

This is a good approach for acquiring Hasselblad equipment, but it applies will to other cameras. After one has used one lens for a while, the choice of the next lens may have changed based on experience and your personal usage. I bought Hasselblad lenses in this order 250mm, 80mm, 50mm, 150mm and the SWC 38mm partially based on when good lenses were available. Looking back with the experience that I have now I would instead gotten the 38mm, 50mm, 100mm and 250mm lens. So even spreading out the purchases of many, many months, the use later on dictates a different purchase pattern.

Steve

[Rick A]

For printing ratio, 6x7 negs can print full frame on 8x10, but crop on 5x7. I love square format 6x6, and trim my paper to suit my needs. I also shoot 4x5, so enlarging to 8x10 full frame, no trimming. My 35mm (when I print any) enlarges to around 6.5x10 full frame, and I trim the paper. Decide which format you really want, not byconvenience of paper sizes, but by what fits your desires and vision.
Pentax 67's are monsters, and aren't really hand-holdable. 6x6 TLR's are hand-holdable, and quiet(no mirror slap) I have hand-held my Kowas, and they are not too awfully heavy or awkward. Methinks the Bronicas would be similar(SQ for 6x6, ETR for 6x4.5)except the GS(?) 6x9 system.

[denmark.yuzon]

So I guess it would be user preference on what ratio I think will work best for me.. I like 6x6 square for the uniqueness when I present my photos as squares..

[mikebarger]

I have an 8x8 speed easel. I use the cut off 2 inch strip for testing.

Rick, do you happen to have the 19mm for your Kowa system?

Mike

[Steve Smith]

For printing ratio, 6x7 negs can print full frame on 8x10

Not quite. 6x7 is 1.17:1, 10x8 is 1.25:1 - Some cropping or wasting of paper is still required.


Steve.

[John Koehrer]

Not quite. 6x7 is 1.17:1, 10x8 is 1.25:1 - Some cropping or wasting of paper is still required.


Steve.

Picky, picky, picky.
Close enough for government work.

[Rick A]

I guess I bought into a lie for all these years, that 6x7 is the "ideal" format for no crop 8x10's. I seems the industry got one by me on that.

[MattKing]

Well if you are going to be picky ....

6x7 is rarely 6x7.

Using the Mamiya RB67 Pro S back as an example, the image area is actually 56mm x 68.4mm, which calculates out as a 1.22 ratio.

[stillsilver]

Another vote for the Bronica SQ. I have a 65mm and a 180mm lens. The next lens would be the 110 macro.

I bought the 180 about 7 months after the body and first lens. That was 4 years ago.

You can spread your purchases out as you need/want/can afford them. With modular SLRs you can also get different formats. 6x6, 6x4.5, 35mm (normal and panoramic). Lots of options.

Mike

[Sirius Glass]

6x6 TLR's are hand-holdable, and quiet(no mirror slap) I have hand-held my Kowas, and they are not too awfully heavy or awkward.

And what is wrong with a load K-THunk every now and then?

Steve