Lessons learned ...

[dmr]

Well, I was gonna continue, but I kinda hit "submit" instead of "preview" -- oh well ...

This is a totally different experience. Totally different look and feel from the eye-level SLR or RF or P&S. The left-right reversed focusing screen does take some time to get used to. Composing in the square format kinda reminded me of the Brownie Starflash days.

Lesson 1. Be sure you have a spool to take up the film! This didn't have one! Go back to camera shop and beg one. They gave me 2, like they expect me to break it or lose it. Not to show my real age, but the last time I shot any real roll film, the rolls were metal. These are plastic.

Lesson 2. Wind the { expletive } film after taking each shot! I've always had the luxury of some kind of double-exposure prevention, even on the old Starflash. My first shot was that stupid self-portrait in the mirror and of course I didn't wind and double-exposed the park over it. NBD, I can always re-shoot that one.

Lesson 3. Pay more attention to composing, watch the verticals! I guess this is a learning curve. (I guess I am also gonna have to get bifocals soon too.) With glasses I can get a good focus at waist level, but when I view up close and pop up that magnifier I have to take my glasses off and it's a pain to go back and forth. I *SWEAR* I had the camera vertical, but the frames show otherwise!

Lesson 4. This is an EX$PEN$IVE format! At US$5 and change for the film and US$8 and change for the DO/CD, that's over a dollar a frame! OUCH, very unforgiving too with 12 per roll! I'm used to thinking in terms of 35 to 40 cents per frame.

Oh well, assuming we have nice weather this weekend I'll do the other roll. I'm supposed to go antiquing with some friends on Saturday and that means to a few small towns, so I may bring the TLR along and just see what happens.

My first conclusion is that I definitely like 35mm better, but I do want to give this a fair shot before dismissing it. The dusk scenes do have both a distinct sharpness and a creamy look to them, and that is really the only difference in appearance of the shots. Those in the park could have just as well been done on 35mm except they don't show obvious grain.

Oh well, we will see ...

[jan normandale]

dmr a couple of non technical thoughts..
• I buy film in bulk from eb@y vendors this saves $$ usually patience gets you film at $2 +/- a roll.
• Shoot BW and develop your own and scan it.

I know I’ll sound like a nag… I don’t mean to. Use a tripod, cable release and your Canonet for a light meter.. Your hit ratio will improve appreciably. This is a camera for ‘special purposes’ it’s not a great street shooter

[Rhoyle]

Yep, they can be expensive! But as you continue to use it, you'll find that you become more careful before you trip the shutter, and therefore, won't need to take 6 copies of the same shot the way many of us (yes, myself included) do. I shoot my old Rolleiflex TLR in a very different manner than 35. The MF stuff is much more thought out and I have many more "money" shots on 120 than I do on 35. My 2c.

[MikeL]

Hi dmr,
Try some shots with the aperture open more, and you'll really see a difference between 35mm and medium format.

[reub2000]

Lesson 4. This is an EX$PEN$IVE format! At US$5 and change for the film and US$8 and change for the DO/CD, that's over a dollar a frame! OUCH, very unforgiving too with 12 per roll! I'm used to thinking in terms of 35 to 40 cents per frame.

Not sure where your getting it for a dollar/frame. Medium format certainly isn't that expensive. 4x5 IS $1/frame.

Lesson 2. Wind the { expletive } film after taking each shot! I've always had the luxury of some kind of double-exposure prevention, even on the old Starflash. My first shot was that stupid self-portrait in the mirror and of course I didn't wind and double-exposed the park over it. NBD, I can always re-shoot that one.

Never had this problem with my Yashica 124G.

[RML]

I use Lucky 120 film, ordered from eBay ( http://search.ebay.nl/_W0QQsassZisaac.chenQQhtZ-1 ). At 12 euro per 10 rolls and 6 euro shipping from Taiwan, I pay Eu 1.80 per roll. For new, frsh film. This seller also sells Shanghai film and Era film.

I dev my own B&W film.

In the end, I pay less than 2 euro per roll. I just wish scanning was easier.

[dmr]

Originally Posted by reub2000

Not sure where your getting it for a dollar/frame. Medium format certainly isn't that expensive. 4x5 IS $1/frame.

Here's the story, and first, everybody, I do appreciate all the suggestions about how to get film cheaper and such, but it's like this, this is going to be a special-occasion camera, meaning I'm not going to shoot it all the time and I won't know until it happens when it will happen or what film I'll need. Therefore I'm kinda limited to what I can get locally and I'll have to pay local prices, which is around US$5 per roll, or 40-some cents per frame for the film.

Now add develop and scan to this, no prints. This comes to US$8 and change per roll or about 60-some cents per frame.

That's how I get the US$1 per frame figure.

Developing my own is just not an option. Right now, at least, and I do prefer color, I know we have a lot of hardcore B&W fans here, but that's just my thing.

Never had this problem with my Yashica 124G.

I don't know the difference between the 124 and the D. This one has the winder totally independent from the shutter. It's very easy to get a double exposure, just forget to wind it. Learned the hard way on the very first frame, or rather what was to be the second frame. I just took it and thought "oh {fiddlesticks}" and looked at it and it was still on 1.

But seriously, gang, I do appreciate all of the suggestions and discussion. I'm becoming more aware of what this thing is and what it isn't. I'm thinking of taking some city scenes in the evening toward sunset and dusk, and yes, opening up the lens a bit.

Thanks again.

[mike507]

Funny, I was just thinking how I hate 135, but that's a different thread.

Sorry you are finding medium format frustrating, but it's only been one roll.

Anyway if you must shoot color, may I sugest you try some slide film. Seeing those large chromes may give you some inspiration to stick with it. Best of luck with your next try.