| Photography Forum: Medium Format Photography Forum: |
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Q. Tips for Beginners
Asked by Kevin Dean
(K=438) on 10/29/2003
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As a recent convert to medium format, it would be nice to have a few little pointers, so do any of you have any tips for beginners, such as myself.
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Richard Milner
(K=1653) - Comment Date 10/30/2003
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The skills of composition, exposure and so on that you have developed with 35mm (or digital) are generally applicable to medium format.
There are some differences in operating, due to the nature of the equipment.
1. Depth of Field is generally lower in MF, because the lenses have longer focal length compared to the equivalent in 35mm.
2. MF SLRs have greater mirror slap because of the larger size of the mirror.
3. You can use faster film and get less grain because of the greater area of film available. You can use slow film and get much bigger blow-ups.
4. You need to slow down your shooting rate a bit, because of having fewer frames per roll. Also it is advisable to wind the film a bit slower than you do with 35mm.
5. Take care with loading and unloading film. It is trickier than 35mm.
6. You will not be able to get films processed at high street outlets. Mail order or professional labs is the way to go.
Have fun...
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Chris Lauritzen
(K=14949) - Comment Date 10/30/2003
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I agree with everything that Richard said and I want to add that my photography has greatly improved since I started shooting Medium Format. What I have found is exactly what Richard said it slowed me down, made me think about every shot I did. Because you only have 12 or 16 shots per roll you really need to think about the shot. Look at the subject from every angle, find the best spot. Now all of that has filtered down to my 35mm work.
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Ricardo Villagran
(K=1901) - Comment Date 11/6/2003
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Kevin, I also agree with Richard and Chris, when I started with MF, I got many blurry pictures but that was because I forgot that the mirror generates more vibration so you cannot just going out with ISO 100 at evening and trying to do some 1/30 sec. sharp shots. I use Mamiya 645e and 645Pro and I am very happy with the results! Get a tripod and enjoy your system! Ricardo
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