Looking to possibly get into Medium Format

[GrantH]

Hello everyone, I've been shooting digital for a while now and would like to move backwards a bit I guess. I feel like I haven't learned a lot about photography because of it being digital, so I want to get into film. Black and White mainly. I have little to zero knowledge of film, but I do know I don't want a 35mm. I've looked at Mamiya, Hasselblad, and a couple others.

I guess this is just a general post hoping for detailed help (I know, won't happen) but I guess I mainly am just looking for sources on learning film in general.

 

[JAC526]

If you want in cheap a Yashica MAT 124-G isn't a bad option.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Hello everyone, I've been shooting digital for a while now and would like to move backwards a bit I guess. I feel like I haven't learned a lot about photography because of it being digital, so I want to get into film. Black and White mainly. I have little to zero knowledge of film, but I do know I don't want a 35mm. I've looked at Mamiya, Hasselblad, and a couple others.

I guess this is just a general post hoping for detailed help (I know, won't happen) but I guess I mainly am just looking for sources on learning film in general.

I like film, but just curious how digital has held you back in regards to learning

 

[GrantH]

I like film, but just curious how digital has held you back in regards to learning

I can get it wrong, change something, and get it right. For free. I don't "take my time" I guess you could say. I understand how it all works...but I rely on taking far too many pictures.

 

[JAC526]

Take it from someone who thought the same in the beginning. It is MUCH MUCH harder to learn on film then digital.

If you want to really learn on film get ready to spend a lot of time and money figuring it out. You have to take meticulous notes of what you did and then compare those notes after you get the film developed.

If you don't develop the film yourself its really hard to figure out why a shot turned out the way it did. Was it how you exposed it? or was it a function of the development?

I'm not trying to dissuade you but rather trying to give you a clear picture of my experience trying to learn with film.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

I like film, but just curious how digital has held you back in regards to learning

I can get it wrong, change something, and get it right. For free. I don't "take my time" I guess you could say. I understand how it all works...but I rely on taking far too many pictures.

ohhhh Thanks. I can understand if you're developing a spray and pray habit film may help. But also investing in a light meter and lighting, mixing ambient with studio lights and such will also help you learn. Even spray and pray will require knowledge of the meter and the magic triangle of shutter/ISO/aperture. But again I'm all about film too and I suspect you'll have fun.

I don't shoot big film but i certainly enjoy using my old cams and a light meter

 

[usayit]

Take it from someone who thought the same in the beginning. It is MUCH MUCH harder to learn on film then digital.

Its fun though... Yes.. take notes.

Shoot B&W and develop at home. Its pretty simple. For the first few years of my "transition" to digital, I went from 100% wet darkroom to a combo of developing negatives and scanning (Epson V700). It was fun but still miss the darkroom. I also signed up for photography 101 at the local community college (for no grade) 4 years in a row... I did it mainly for access to their darkroom; tuition was cheap enough that I found it better than maintaining my own darkroom at home.




My MF of choice was a Pentax 645 and an older 6x7. Still have them and I may (if I win the lottery) get a Pentax 645D just to use those lenses again.

 

[gsgary]

I have gone back to film big time 35 and 120 probably shooting 4 rolls most weeks its so much more rewarding and i am thinking about giving up on digital until i can afford the new leica M it would work great with my M4, if my son goes in the Army his room will be my darkroom

 

[usayit]

I have gone back to film big time 35 and 120 probably shooting 4 rolls most weeks its so much more rewarding and i am thinking about giving up on digital until i can afford the new leica M it would work great with my M4

There should be a few M9's for sale now.....

 

[gsgary]

There should be a few M9's for sale now.....

Yes M9's are going for £2900 probably better because i want nothing to do with video,but new M has been made to use with studio lighting

 

[JAC526]

I shoot film for the pure fun of it.

I really still suck at it though. So it is fun to wait and see what you get.

 

[timor]

I shoot film for the pure fun of it. So it is fun to wait and see what you get.

Don't get me wrong, but I think the fun of film photography lies somewhere else. With digital you can duct tape the back screen to not to be tempted and have the same experience of waiting. I think the magic of film photography actually lies with the photographer, with his personal skill and knowledge on every step of the process, which is very much different from digital. But I agree, that even computer aided photography requires learning and skills and at the end of the process there is an image. Doesn't matter it is a silver gelatine print or representation of an image on the computer screen, the rules of composition applies equally. So I have the same question, why digital should hold someone back.
Grant, as far as camera is concerned and you have the budget go for the best you can get. In this department Hassy is the king and the second hand market is full of it (for a price). Check the KEH page:
Medium Format Cameras, Lenses & Accessories - Buy & Sell New & Used Cameras - KEH.com

 

[Mike_E]

I hate to tell you this but you aren't going to be happy with 6X6, or 6X7.

You might as well go ahead and get a Speed Graphic with an Ektar 135mm, a heavy duty tripod and some developing tanks. If you want to feel your photography, LF is where you need to be.

 

[timor]

Anything ! Just not a Speed Graphic...

 

[Mike_E]

Anything ! Just not a Speed Graphic...

Eh, they work pretty well, you can carry them around (beats the sticks out of carrying a monorail) and if you get it CLA'd then the rangefinder works pretty well too.

There are roll film backs in 6x7 and 6x9 (maybe 645?) and they're pretty cheap as far as LF goes.

All in all a pretty good starter camera for LF.