Medium format anyone?

Hugh_C

I've been looking at few auctions on eBay for a variety of medium format cameras so that I can indulge myself in film once again. I have a 35mm SLR which I use occasionally, and want to see if medium format it fun. The prices don't seem huge.

Does anyone in here have any experience in medium format, especially details like where to get the neg processed and scanning etc? I'm not going down the darkroom route (yet).

thanks, Hugh

pete4130

Maybe the easiest, cheapest and most fun way into medium format could be a Holga? You can buy B&W 120 film in Gunns fairly cheap, €2.50 a roll or something. They can process it there too. They do coluor print film and can process as well. Unless you've got your own darkroom I'd say colour print film is the handiest option.

DaireQuinlan

Holga shmolga :-) Definately get that Yashica-Mat you're looking at if its in good nick and not too expensive, just saw that comment a couple of minutes ago (no broadband at home. dreadful !). There's a variety of other TLRs you could consider, I did a fair bit of research before I eventually decided to pick up the Yashica (I actually wanted a Minolta Autocord but I settled). TLRs are probably the cheapest way nowadays to get into good quality medium format, plus its a whole new ballgame taking pictures with them. Composing on the ground glass screen is different, as though you're actually seeing the actual PICTURE itself in a 6x6 frame as opposed to seeing the SCENE through a viewfinder.

120 film is pretty easy to get developed, most of the good camera places in town do it for more or less the same price. I develop all my own B&W, its fun and easy, doesn't need a dark room either, just somewhere completely dark to load the film onto the reel. everything else can be done in daylight.

xshayx

I've picked up a Lubitel 166, and an old Voigtlanderlander Brilliant that still works fine, cheaply off ebay..... only ever got the negs developed, never got prints, as never really did too much with them. Got a load of cheap film off 7dayshop

Hugh_C

Didn't get the Yashica but did get a Rolleicord at a good price. It looks pretty clean:

Placebo

i have a lubitel 166b, awkward to operate.

hasselblad all the way, pricey but nicey

Gauge

Don't suppose anyone knows a good place in Cork to get medium format film?

magicbastarder

Placebo wrote: »

hasselblad all the way, pricey but nicey

you should be able to pick one up for about €600; a bronica etrs will set you back about €500.

deRanged

Gauge wrote: »

Don't suppose anyone knows a good place in Cork to get medium format film?

I'd say try online - 7dayshop or mx2.co.uk. Failing that O'Leary's on Oliver plunkett st have it or Macsweeny's (though you will probably have to explain what it is and that they do still sell and process it).

DaireQuinlan

hughchal wrote: »

Didn't get the Yashica but did get a Rolleicord at a good price. It looks pretty clean:

sweet :-)

I get most of my 120 online at http://www.mx2.co.uk or 7dayshop. I just stock up the fridge every now and again. The only reason I do this though is because mx2 is probably the cheapest place I've seen to get Portra 800 in 35mm that actually regularly has it in stock, so I get all the rest of my film in the same order. Ilford 120 stock shouldn't be that expensive around town though.

trishw78

daireQuinlan wrote:

I develop all my own B&W

Slightly off topic. Sorry

Daire
I was wondering do you have to get special reels or can the 35mm reels be adapted. I have 2 35mm reels and I'm not having any luck 'pulling' them apart and I'm afraid if I use too much force I might break 'em

thanks

DaireQuinlan

trishw78 wrote: »

Slightly off topic. Sorry

Daire
I was wondering do you have to get special reels or can the 35mm reels be adapted. I have 2 35mm reels and I'm not having any luck 'pulling' them apart and I'm afraid if I use too much force I might break 'em

thanks

If they don't come apart far enough they're probably just for 35mm. I have one Jobo tank with included reel that will definately only accept 35mm (reels won't come apart far enough for 120) and a no-brand plastic tank thats big enough for two rolls of 35mm or one of 120. The reel that came with that has 3 click positions, the biggest one is for 120. They're cheap though, I think I picked up the tank in the camera exchange on georges street for 15 or 20 euros or something.

trishw78

yeah I was afraid of that. Thanks

Kilree

DaireQuinlan wrote: »

I develop all my own B&W, its fun and easy, doesn't need a dark room either, just somewhere completely dark to load the film onto the reel. everything else can be done in daylight.

Just get a lightproof bag. Then you can load up in any light conditions.

trishw78

you still need to be careful with a lightproof bag. You know the old saying nothings 100%

Placebo

How much is 120 film retailing for these days ?

magicbastarder

if memory serves, gunns do neopan 400 for €2.20 and velvia for €3.65.

Placebo

really? that camera exchange shop is a huge ripoff. thanks.

Kilree

trishw78 wrote: »

you still need to be careful with a lightproof bag. You know the old saying nothings 100%

As long as you're careful to zip it up should be OK. Used one for years and never had a problem.

FinoBlad

hughchal wrote: »

Does anyone in here have any experience in medium format, especially details like where to get the neg processed and scanning etc? I'm not going down the darkroom route (yet).

thanks, Hugh

I usually develop my own but if I'm in a rush I post them to Hettys Darkroom in Kinsale and she posts them back fairly quickly. Quality is superb.

See http://www.hettysdarkroom.com/

Scanning is really done best yourself.

One good place for a MF relatively cheaply is the repair shop beside DML in Portabello. The glass case has a load of MF gems.

If you ever fancy trying the darkroom route, get in touch with me.

Enjoy!

FinoBlad

trishw78 wrote: »

you still need to be careful with a lightproof bag. You know the old saying nothings 100%

agree completely, i got caught badly years ago and lost a few rolls from a holiday :mad:

use them in subdued light and with care.

Gauge

deRanged wrote: »

I'd say try online - 7dayshop or mx2.co.uk. Failing that O'Leary's on Oliver plunkett st have it or Macsweeny's (though you will probably have to explain what it is and that they do still sell and process it).

7dayshop's postage is pretty steep even if the film is cheap, I don't know if I'd be buying enough film to warrant it Any idea how much o'leary's or macsweeney's charge for it?

Guess I'll have to get my Dublin friends to bring some of the b&w film down with them

deRanged

Gauge wrote: »

Any idea how much o'leary's or macsweeney's charge for it?

what are you after? - I'll check next time I'm passing.

trishw78

Kilree wrote: »

As long as you're careful to zip it up should be OK. Used one for years and never had a problem.

FinoBlad wrote: »

agree completely, i got caught badly years ago and lost a few rolls from a holiday :mad:

use them in subdued light and with care.

I've heard horror stories of people forgetting to dbl zip the bag, accidently cut the bag with there scissors. I forgot to put the lid of the tank in the bag once.

I had the film on the reel and in the tank and I was feeling around for the lid only to look across the room and see it sitting on the kitchen sink. Lets just say I don't want to go through that experience again soon. luckly it was a darkish day so I grabbed the lid and jumped into the wardrobe and opened the bag, with out an damage to the films.

Hugh_C

Mrs. C

From the first roll back out of the "new" Rolleicord.

trishw78

That's nice did you add the vinette. Maybe if you had got a bit closer there might not be so much empty space

Hugh_C

That's an in-camera vignette untouched by human hands! Yeah I should get a little closer ...

Hugh_C

Here's a cropped version trish ...

Rojo

Great quality - it's gorgeous! This thread has finally made me get my arse in gear and use my little rollei 35t