medium format

[cameron665]

I'm about to move from 35mm into medium format photography. Does anyone have any advice on 6 x 4.5 versus 6 x 6 or 6 x 7? Majority of use will be a mix of portrait and landscape photography. And, will 120 film be around for a while?

[mtbbrian]

I like the square format over the others, it's a preferance thing, I think though it's the most versatile as far as space goes.
I feel that film in all of the popular format, medium format included will be around for a good long time.
Good Luck and let us know what you decide to do.
Brian

[another view]

Some people find it hard to compose with a square format, especially if the end result will be standard rectangular print sizes (11x14, 16x20, etc). Personally I'd either go for square or 6x7; if it's important enough to shoot on MF you might as well have a big negative. 6x7 is almost twice as big as 645 so you'll have more options for cropping later. Personally, I do like square prints. I think 120 will be around for quite a while, although just like with 35mm there may not be as many choices down the road.

[Xia_Ke]

Like the others said, which format you choose comes down to personal choice. I love 6x6 myself. There's just something about the square format that does it for me. Then for those shots where square formats won't work, I have plenty of room to crop. If you're not a fan of square crops, I would go with either 645 or 6x7. I agree with a_v that if you are going to go with a rectangular crop that you might as well go for the bigger negative of 6x7 but, if you're worried about the number of shots per roll, than go with 645. Are there any particular cameras you were leaning towards?

[photophorous]

I agree with the others, but I just wanted to add that there is a big size difference between a 6x4.5 and a 6x7 camera. If you can get your hands on a few different models to compare them, that would definitely help you decide.

For 6x7 cameras, if you want one with interchangeable backs, you will be limited to a few models which are quite large. I would personally rather carry a 4x5 field camera on a long trek than a Mamiya RB67. But, a Pentax 67 is a good option if you don't need interchangeable backs. They are big, but not as big as the Mamiyas. However, interchangeable backs are needed if you want to alternate between color and B&W or if you want to practice the zone system.

So for me...if I wanted one that I could carry on long hikes, I'd get a 6x6. If I was shooting near the car or in a studio, I'd get a 6x7. If fast response for moving subjects was a priority, or if I wanted to shoot hand-held, I'd get an autofocus 6x4.5.

Paul

[Loupey]

The big advantage with a 6x6 square format is that you never have to tilt it 90-degrees for a portrait format. I can tell you first hand that trying to do that with a 6x4.5 with a waist-level finder is tough!

The 6x6 is versatile in that the focus screens generally have 2 sets of crop lines etched into the ground glass. This helps one visualize how the square image can be later cropped for printing to rectangular formats.

I would highly recommend getting multiple backs as you go through film quickly. It is also nice to be able to change formats on-the-fly (120 to 220 to 35-normal to 35-panoramic).

[mtbbrian]

I would highly recommend getting multiple backs as you go through film quickly. It is also nice to be able to change formats on-the-fly (120 to 220 to 35-normal to 35-panoramic).

I can't remember the models, but Bronica and Mamiya are good options that will have multiple format backs. I am talking about some of their older models though, which you should be able to find used.
Brian

[Xia_Ke]

I can't remember the models, but Bronica and Mamiya are good options that will have multiple format backs. I am talking about some of their older models though, which you should be able to find used.
Brian

While this is true for all Bronicas, except for the C I believe, make sure you check with the Mamiyas. The RB's and RZ's have interchangeable backs as well as the 645 Pro, 645 Super, and 645 AF. However, the older M645 series and 645E have interchangeable inserts, not back interchangeable backs. As far as I know, this means while you can quick load new rolls, you can't swap mid-roll. I'm not 100% on the models I named so make sure you check first.

[mtbbrian]

Even though the Mamiya RB, RZ and the Pentax 67 are great camreas, they are HUGE.
Just so you know.
Brian

[photophorous]

The big advantage with a 6x6 square format is that you never have to tilt it 90-degrees for a portrait format. I can tell you first hand that trying to do that with a 6x4.5 with a waist-level finder is tough!

I'm not sure about 6 x 4.5 cameras, but I think some (maybe all) of the 6x7 backs will rotate so you don't need to move the camera to switch between landscape and portrait orientation. The ground glass has lines for both, so you just rotate the back.

If I was shooting 6x4.5, I would definitely want a prism finder.

[another view]

Even though the Mamiya RB, RZ and the Pentax 67 are great camreas, they are HUGE.

I had only seen them in pictures for a while before I saw those cameras in person, and they were twice as big as I thought! Twice as heavy, too. I had a few Bronica SQ cameras for awhile, which are like Hasselblad copies. The SQ-A is probably the one to get (if not the newer SQ-Ai) but all the reasons for it seem to have slipped my mind... SQ-B was the "newer" all mechanical camera sort of like the original SQ, and SQ-AM had a motor drive (slow and very loud, but again a lot like the Hasselblad version of it). Good lenses for these cameras, and they're very cheap.

[mtbbrian]

I had only seen them in pictures for a while before I saw those cameras in person, and they were twice as big as I thought! Twice as heavy, too. .

Several years ago, I shot with an RB, and I always referred to it as an "x-ray machine".

Brian

[cameron665]

Thanks for the advice. At the moment I've narrowed it down to a Mamiya RB67 or a Bronica SQ. These seem to be available secondhand quite readily. Majority of online reviews seem to lean towards the Bronica. However, I'm still digesting all the specifications and pros and cons of each. Thank you for providing such a great forum for film users.

[F-15_Flyer]

Like another view said, I can vouch for the SQ-A.

Also, 120 film isn't going anywhere anytime soon, 35mm film will stop being made before 120.

Good luck!

[cameron665]

Just picked up an RZ67, two 120 backs and one Polaroid back. Can't wait to get shooting. Thanks for all the advice.

[drg]

Stock up quick on the Polaroid film!

What type of lens are you going to use primarily?

[Xia_Ke]

Congrats on the new camera Cameron! Did you pick up a back brace for it yet? Hope it works out well for you. I'm in the market for a new camera myself. I'm undecided between a Bronica S2/S2a, an RB67, or another Rollei. Don't forget to post some pics :thumbsup: