Guide to medium format cameras;

If I have to re-select my medium format system, I will first consider the following questions:

What do I mainly shoot with my camera?

If I mainly shoot macro subjects, and I want to have a good definition after enlargement, I will consider using a 4×5 large format camera directly, or at least a 6×7 medium format camera. If I use cameras mainly for some common themes, perhaps the best way is to be familiar with cameras in various formats before choosing them.

Small cameras are usually easy to carry. 6×6 dual lens reflex (TLR) camera and paraxial camera (such as Mamiya 6) can shoot quietly. TLR camera, in particular, is small in size, and its viewfinder is waist-flat, which is suitable for shooting occasions that are not noticed by the subject. The 645 SLR camera is also very suitable for general subjects and easy to use.

Affected by the gradual expansion of the 645 market, the existing 6×6 SLR system has also introduced a variety of optional accessories including automatic exposure, spot metering, motor film-passing device, 645 back and so on. With the introduction of high-speed lens in 6×6 system, 6×6 system can also compete with 645 system in portability and speed. For example, the 645 back introduced by Lulai for its 6000 series makes it compatible with the advantages of 6×6 and 645.

Many users are debating whether to choose 6×6 or 6×7, and the focus of the debate is on the improvement of image quality. However, it seems that no one has compared portability, and 6×6 systems are usually easy to carry and operate. Of course, the 645 system has more advantages in this respect. Users who are familiar with the 35mm system can find similar feelings and enjoy the advantages brought by the medium format.

The following is a brief overview of several systems:

The 6×7 system has the highest image quality and is easy to choose.

The advantage of 6×6 system is modularity, and there are a large number of accessories and lenses to choose from. Compared with the 645 system, the image quality is greatly improved and the system price is the highest.

The 645 system allows you to invest less money on the basis of improving the image quality (compared with the 35mm system), and it is convenient to carry and use.

I came to the above conclusion after really comparing the difference between large format and 35mm. Although 35mm system can't capture large-format oil painting tones, 35mm system can sometimes achieve amazing clarity. To get amazing sharpness, you can try to use the 35mm system, but can you reach this level in every photo? Otherwise, let's consider a large format camera (although consistency is not guaranteed …). Paraxial, double reflection or SLR?

Paraxial cameras are usually small and light, and can shoot quietly and quickly. SLR cameras can achieve accurate exposure and are more robust. At the same time, most SLR cameras can shoot various subjects, use high-speed lenses and motors, measure light in multiple areas, and have a wider range of choices (more difficult). Paraxial camera is similar to SLR camera and has its own specific appearance style. I suggest you try one, rather than wait and see how to choose. The paraxial machine is difficult to master, but it may be the only choice that can achieve the kind of photos you need.

The dual-reflex camera is more like an interesting compromise, which combines the advantages of SLR and paraxial. If money, volume, weight and silence are your main goals, then double opposition is the most suitable choice. Do you need an existing system? If not, can you easily find the accessories and lenses of the system?

According to my experience, the old system can be comparable to the new system in overall performance and quality. Maybe some people will disagree with me. The only thing you can do is to try the old system. Maybe you will be surprised. Hasselblad's old lens is as good as Otawa's new lens, or even better. At least I tried 50/4, 150/4, 250/5.6 (compare C and CF, both are T*). My Yashicamat 124G is also better than Rollei 2.8 Xenotar and Rolleicord V Xenar regardless of aperture (except of course 2.8 aperture). I have seen Graflex XL and Rodenstock Heliogon (I can't remember whether it is 90mm or 100mm) shoot almost the same effect on my Mamiya 7. A photographer I once worked for also took many good photos with Bronca's MC 645(MC 150mm) lens. I tested Bronca's MC 150 mm PE lens and didn't find much better.

It can be said that a good medium format equipment can completely achieve the phase quality you want. Some old systems may have better performance than the latest ones, such as Rollei SL66E, Linhof Technika and Graflex XL.

The selection process may lead you to finally select the updated device. After all, Rolex SL66E and Polaroid of Bronika S2/EC are hard to come by. If you give me time to find a figure like this, it may take a year. How much are you going to spend?

You can buy a Yashicamat for 100 USD or&; 12000 bought a Hasselblad 205FCC. You must spend within your acceptable range. At the same time, if you sell it in the future, you must consider its value. Usually, high-end and low-end systems can keep the best price. Taking a 6×6 frame as an example, a Hasselblad 500cm/80/A 12 with good color can be sold for at least 1 100 dollars, while Bronica S2 or Kowa Super 66 will remain between 350 and 500 dollars.

Another factor to consider is the cost of each photo, especially color photos. The shooting cost of a medium format camera is more than twice that of 35mm. 6×7 is 33% more expensive than 645. Is the high cost worth it? How should my whole system be configured and how long will it take to complete these configurations? You must consider where the system you build starts and when it will be completed. The price of new parts usually increases by 8%~ 14% every year. Can I rent a camera now? If you are going to buy a low-end camera, such as S2 or Kowa 66, you don't have to consider it. Usually you can buy a second-hand Kowa 66 by renting Hasselblad equipment for a few days. What do I expect from the result? Perhaps the most difficult thing is whether the expectation of existing equipment is based on credibility. A $4,000 lens may be considered a good lens, but is there a ten-fold difference in image quality compared with a $400 lens? Sometimes, cheap lenses can achieve high image quality.

The difference between lenses may be like two kinds of batteries, one can last 1 hour and the other can last for 58 minutes. The performance of high-end lens is very subtle, and the choice is entirely personal.

In this respect, you can only listen to the evaluation of a certain lens by someone you trust, or experience it yourself. Only in this way can you get the choice you need.

To put it more simply, don't expect to get a clear picture enlarged by 200×300 inches with a medium format. Do I often like to take snapshots or do I think too much before taking them? Although there is no clear regulation, the paraxial camera is suitable for sneak shots, but it is not suitable for shooting moving objects, especially in low light environment (large aperture must be used).

Most thoughtful photographers like to use a tripod and take their time shooting. Do I need continuous shooting? Although some 6×7 cameras can continuous shooting, relatively speaking, 6×6 or 645 cameras have greater advantages, and some can approach the level of 35mm cameras. When I shoot children with a 6×7 camera, I must pay attention to the scattered light. It is almost unrealistic to use a 6×7 camera in sports photography or telescopic photography. If I need to supplement flash shooting, do I need the camera to automatically set the correct balanced exposure? This is a necessary condition for most wedding photographers. Bronica ETRsi and Pentax 645, as well as Rollei 6000 series, Bronica Sqai/GS 1 and most Hasselblad cameras include this function. Bronica GS 1 is the only 6×7 camera that can automatically expose TTL. Luo Lei 6000 series and Hasselblad 203/205 are the only cameras in medium format that can realize flash mode in 35mm system. Do you want to use indoor photography lights to flash and stand for backup? Pentax's medium format camera needs to be equipped with Polaroid, a very expensive optical fiber material, on the back. Due to the lack of ISO setting in Bronica ETR series, it is necessary to adjust the ISO value of Polaroid back or make appropriate exposure compensation when using automatic exposure prism. To be honest, I haven't used more than three polaroids for automatic metering. What are my chances of shooting with the maximum aperture of the lens? I use the maximum aperture in almost all conditions, and I need a high-speed lens, so I narrowed down my options. Most people don't need high speed. If necessary, you can only choose Lorai 6000 series, Hasselblad F/FE series, Mamiya 645, Pentax 67, Norica 66 and Bronica S2/EC (Pentax 645 can use two high-speed lenses of Pentax 67 through adapters). Only Luo Lai has a high-speed inter-mirror shutter lens. & lt Next & gt What are you most dissatisfied with your existing system? If your existing 35mm system is too noisy, only the TLR camera and Mamiya 6/7 are quieter than the smallest one in the existing 35mm system. All other medium format SLR must be louder than the 35mm system.

If you find that the picture definition of your 35mm system is too low, try the lowest speed lens that can match your camera first. Usually they can provide the clearest photos (and they also spend a lot of money). If that's not enough, try using a tripod. If you still can't meet your requirements, buy a middle frame. Which photographer's work do you admire most? Photographers who follow the trend should use an 8× 10 large format camera if they like Paolo Roversi's works and want to experience the fun of his creation.

Focus on the screen size rather than the camera manufacturing itself. Usually, under the same frame size and camera type, different brands of cameras can get ideal results.

Then there is the type of camera: paraxial, double reflex or SLR, and each type has different usage rules from other types. The waist-level framing of TLR and the eye-level framing of SLR will cause the difference of photos.

Paraxial (RF) cameras usually have a short back focal length, so wide-angle lenses and fisheye lenses can be used. Most RF wide-angle lenses correct linear distortion better than SLR wide-angle lenses. Two kinds of wide-angle lenses will achieve different visual effects.

If you don't know what kind of system your favorite photographer uses, try to compare the differences of photos in each format. After you finish this work, carefully study the difference of results of each system and its applicable subjects; Then study the composition and light consumption of each work, then your attainments in photography may be higher than most professional photographers. If you haven't made up your mind, let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of various camera systems: