Analog film photography and cameras

I was considering a tlr but I wondered if that was going to give me the best value to be able to expand later on

You should be able to pick up an unmetered one for pennies (use your phone as a light meter)

I'm not sure of your definition of usable but Portra 400 always looks very sharp and smooth IMO. Best 400 I have seen.

Yea, "usable" is a rather loose definition.
Picked up a roll of Portra 800 today and will find out.

I'm thinking about giving medium format a try and was wondering if anyone knows a good way to start.

I was thinking about getting myself a mamiya or something similar like a pentax 645 but was wondering if it was worth saving up a bit longer and going for a hasselblad

Well, depends on what sort of quality you're after / how much money you're going to spend,
and if you want squares like hasselblad, rolleiflex etc. deliver, or 645.

Hasselblad is of course really fucking good, quality wise.

I shot a lot on a Mamiya 645, and totally loved it. Just love to shoot that thing.
It's also already a big jump from 35mm, and some lenses are great too.
They are a lot less expensive used than Hassi.

I would not bother buying even cheaper medium format cameras,
you're going to spend so much on film & developement that it only makes sense shooting it with good equipment (at least proper optics).

Olympus XA, Kodak Ektar 100

Mamiya RB67, Kodak Portra 400

Lots more here:
http://imdabestmayne.tumblr.com

the 1st! is number one for me. cheers, man.

Great light there. Golden hour?

Great light there. Golden hour?

Close to the golden hour, with the strange combo of clear skies lighting the subject and cloudy skies behind them - it's a really fortunate setup as you don't end up with washed out skies when exposing for the subject.

They're really great, but yeah I also like the first particularly.

I bought a roll of Ektar after seeing the last stuff you posted, I'm interested to see how it turns out but it's going to take me forever to finish.

I now want Ektar!

It's a weird film, very weird in fact. Skin tones are mad, reds and oranges are crazy and I've had mixed results in different lighting. Vivid and rich colours with strong contrast.

Can't decide if I like it but I'm happy with my latest results (apart from the majority of one roll which I shot when drunk and is all waste).

There's ektar as a filter preset in latest vsco pack. Know I'm in the wrong thread, but it gives cracking results on some photos

I've bitten the bullet and ordered a Pentax 645, I cannot wait for the next 3-5 working days to pass.

I was looking back at my most recent couple of rolls of 35mm and then got angry at trying to get my digital shots to feel the same.

I know the logic there is a bit wrong, but I don't care I'm going medium format.

35mm:

Attempt at similar look.
Its boobies so I made a link

Just realised who you are on tumblr!

The second one still looks digital to me but it's a good, clean shot (and boobies!).

Also, how much for the 645?

£240 including postage from Japan

I love my Pentax ME so I'm hoping sticking with Pentax is a good move.

I think if I want my digital shots to look the same I'm going to have to invest in a much higher quality lens, or move to a full frame camera. Both of which will cost a lot more than what I've just spent, and probably wouldn't give me the same enjoyment

nefarious, you take truly beautiful photos.
ever sell prints?

Hmm. Been oogling mamiya 645s on t'bay as well. Can be had for basically what you payed for the Pentax including the 80mm 2.8. Will see how I get on with this batch of portra and may well just go for it.

Do most medium format cameras have light meters or is it just the really old ones that don't?

nefarious, you take truly beautiful photos.
ever sell prints?

Cheers,
Never sold any but not adverse to the idea.

Hmm. Been oogling mamiya 645s on t'bay as well. Can be had for basically what you payed for the Pentax including the 80mm 2.8. Will see how I get on with this batch of portra and may well just go for it.

Do most medium format cameras have light meters or is it just the really old ones that don't?

Loads do, loads don't. Some have the option of adding metered prisms, others don't.

Un metered cameras are often (but not always) cheaper but this saving is negated if you need to buy a decent meter.

nefarious do you have a flickr i can drool over?

tumblr: http://imdabestmayne.tumblr.com
flickr: http://flickr.com/photos/Mah_shoes (although I only use it to host images these days, mainly update tumblr)

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=42f2b55cc98e6b5d3e6e06693&id=22cb0cc8bb&e=62ac99e899

not sure if that link works:

Silverprint Open Day
Friday 8 November 2013
11am - 5pm

Come down to the new Silverprint Headquarters:
120 London Road, Elephant&Castle
for a day of demos, special offers and new product launches!

you can sign up here http://eepurl.com/HyqV5

anyone been to their new shop? I loved Valentine Row (street/area as much as anything), might drop into the new one some time soon.

…giving me some Paul Graham/Tillmans vibes in the best way. Very nice moment.

And, I'm interested in buying a print of the wrestling shot I complimented you on a few pages back. PM me if interested.

^ Really like that one too. So clean.

Wish I had tested my Mju II before putting five rolls through....

leaks and the spacing is all fucked, feeling pretty mugged off

anyone have suggestions for where to buy cheap lenses to mess around with - from enlargers or medium/large format cameras, ideally. don't need to be in great condition. any likely markets / second-hand shops / car-boot sales in london?

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Mamiya-M645-1000s-wih-80mm-f%2F2.8-Lens-and-Grip-_81173.html

Sorry to hear about the dodgy mju II. The number of times I've wasted shots due to faulty cameras, and it's always a horrible feeling.

These were taken at the Hay Tor, Tour of Britain stg six finish. It's Fuji Superia 800 in a Mju II. Spot the pube!