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01/22/2006 06:29:42 PM · #1 |
I am thinking of adventuring into the medium format. I have found one that I want, is affordable (only $140), and well frankly, is just cool looking... :)
The seagull GC104. //www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=212840&is=USA&addedTroughType=search
I like this particular camera because I am unfamiliar with this format and with the price being so low it's not really that much of an investment if I don't like it, or lose interest, or whatever, that and it looks really cool. I also like the idea of a 6x6 format, but I also would like to be able to change to a more rectangular format at well, and this model allows you to change the format to 6x4.5 as well 6x6, unlike the other models which only allow a 6x6.
Anyways, does anyone have any sage advice, suggestions, warnings, etc...?
~Jen |
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01/22/2006 06:42:30 PM · #2 |
Jen - I don't know a lot about the Seagull camera but I do know that they have been around for a while. I think that camera would be about the equivelant of the Yachica Mat 124 which I own. Medium format can be interesting and fun. Much larger image to work with and the prints are great. I did a lot of playing with MF and also did my own B&W darkroom work.
If you are interested I have a Mamiya C220 for sale with an 80mm lens and a 180mm lens. PM me for details if interested.
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01/22/2006 06:52:03 PM · #3 |
Seagull TLRs are basically Chinese knockoffs of the Yashica.
They can be OK if you get a good copy, and really bad if you don't. Honestly, I think you'd be better off getting a good used MF cam and using that.
Do you have darkroom experience? If not, you might consider a used 35mm SLR first. The film's cheaper and also easier to process.
Do you have a lightmeter? The Seagull doesn't have a built-in meter, so you'll have to get one of those too.
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01/22/2006 06:55:49 PM · #4 |
I don't know much about it...I will say that I saw some 6x9 whatever it was ... on a light table at a local photographer's studio, and used a magnifying glass...the detail was shocking...is that medium format -- 6x9 -- like translucent paper...excuse my ignorance.
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01/22/2006 07:46:55 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by dpaull:
I don't know much about it...I will say that I saw some 6x9 whatever it was ... on a light table at a local photographer's studio, and used a magnifying glass...the detail was shocking...is that medium format -- 6x9 -- like translucent paper...excuse my ignorance. |
It had to to be a slide.
I also have a pentx 67 body, just back from being serviced and a few lenses for sale if anyone is interested. I'm not selling all my pentax stuff, just slimming down a little.
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01/22/2006 09:44:15 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Seagull TLRs are basically Chinese knockoffs of the Yashica.
They can be OK if you get a good copy, and really bad if you don't. Honestly, I think you'd be better off getting a good used MF cam and using that.
Do you have darkroom experience? If not, you might consider a used 35mm SLR first. The film's cheaper and also easier to process.
Do you have a lightmeter? The Seagull doesn't have a built-in meter, so you'll have to get one of those too. |
I don't have any darkroom experience. Can the film not be processed via a local place like Ritz or Wolfe? I already have a nice film Canon Eos SLR, so that's not really the issue.
I saw that it didn't have a light meter, and I don't have one. But I can certaintly get one. I'm sorry, but what is "MF" ;)
Originally posted by dpaull:
I don't know much about it...I will say that I saw some 6x9 whatever it was ... on a light table at a local photographer's studio, and used a magnifying glass...the detail was shocking...is that medium format -- 6x9 -- like translucent paper...excuse my ignorance. |
That is exactly what I am looking for: the stronger details you get with the medium format, like for print media, like postcards. Plus I wanted to try something new. |
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01/22/2006 09:46:31 PM · #7 |
I don't honestly know much about it, but the local photog that I was talking to actually uses his 1dsmkII for most of his stuff now adays...he said there just isn't a need for medium format anymore...
And he does print very very big -- like 3 foot posters hanging up with his work, mostly architecture and so on where quality matters a lot.
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01/22/2006 09:53:37 PM · #8 |
Earlier today a co-member at my local photography club showed me his Lubitel after I mentioned I'm looking to buy a "toy" camera. I have three in mind; Lubitel, Holga and Lomo. I've seen all and handled them, and I think I like the Lubitel, it looks cool and fun to use. The lubitel looks like the Seagull. I think it's fun and I'd like to do 6x6 format as well. Is Seagull in the same rank as Lubitel, i.e. toy camera? Or is it more like a Mamiya?
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01/22/2006 09:54:56 PM · #9 |
My school has a seagull medium format. And i personally think it works great. Its a little hard to roll the film into it but after you get the hang of that its pretty simple. Make sure you use a cable relase though, and that you get a good light meter and tripod. Other than that it seemed to wirk nicely, i havent developed the negatives yet so i cant say how they came out. Definitely good build quality though.
-Dan |
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01/22/2006 10:04:18 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by HRoxas:
Earlier today a co-member at my local photography club showed me his Lubitel after I mentioned I'm looking to buy a "toy" camera. I have three in mind; Lubitel, Holga and Lomo. I've seen all and handled them, and I think I like the Lubitel, it looks cool and fun to use. The lubitel looks like the Seagull. I think it's fun and I'd like to do 6x6 format as well. Is Seagull in the same rank as Lubitel, i.e. toy camera? Or is it more like a Mamiya? |
I am not really sure, but from I have seen so far on the net it seems to run in between. Correct me if I am wrong :)
~Jen |
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01/22/2006 10:17:04 PM · #11 |
I shoot medium format quite often.
Don't get the seagull.
If you want something around that price get the yashicamat 124g like mentioned before. I have one of those and it's pretty sharp, slides from it look nice.
I can't speak for medium format's convenience, as digital is always easier...but when you get a good shot on some medium format slide film, it's just that much more satisfying.
My main medium format camera is a Mamiya 7 which is actually the most convenient medium format cam there is, but it's still harder than digital.
You can just use the meter from your canon EOS, but yeah you'll usually need an external meter. The yashicamat has a meter, it's ok, but not the best. It's ok if you're shooting negative film, but I wouldn't rely on it for slide film. |
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01/22/2006 10:42:42 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by petrakka:
I shoot medium format quite often.
Don't get the seagull.
If you want something around that price get the yashicamat 124g like mentioned before. I have one of those and it's pretty sharp, slides from it look nice.
I can't speak for medium format's convenience, as digital is always easier...but when you get a good shot on some medium format slide film, it's just that much more satisfying.
My main medium format camera is a Mamiya 7 which is actually the most convenient medium format cam there is, but it's still harder than digital.
You can just use the meter from your canon EOS, but yeah you'll usually need an external meter. The yashicamat has a meter, it's ok, but not the best. It's ok if you're shooting negative film, but I wouldn't rely on it for slide film. |
Right, convenience wasn't really an issue. I was just thinking of printability, and my little 2 MP digital probably just won't cut it. So it's sounding more and more from people that the Seagull just isn't very good.
I'm trying to find places that sell the Yashica models, and am having hard a time finding one. :) Anyone have any links?
oh and D'uh...MF = medium format |
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01/23/2006 12:36:23 AM · #13 |
You may even be able to use your 2MP digicam for the light meter. I played with a Bronica system (see my other thread in Hardware forums) and found it to be a breathtaking system. The bronica system that I used had an extra eyepiece that mounted on top that had its own light meter.
Using your 2mp cam to light meter, make sure you have spot metering selected (I think it does that) and set your camera up to do everything for the center spot. Put the camera to Aperture Priority mode and you can choose your aperture.
You should then do a couple of tests to see what your ACTUAL ISO equivalency is at - this is very important with using digital Cameras to meter, especially Canon's, which tend to be a bit more sensitive than they ought to be. Then, once you get a frame of reference, you can get a stable and predictable light metering solution.
Some higher end light meters have special flash modes which won't be doable with your little camera, but you will have a really good platform to work from without having to spend a lot more money.
From what I hear, window light is your friend.
Sounds like you have a fun road ahead. |
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01/23/2006 01:36:31 AM · #14 |
MF slides on a light table, only thing better is LF on the light table. It really is fun to play around with and you'll learn a lot.
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01/23/2006 03:52:35 AM · #15 |
I too have a Yashica Mat 124G and I've been quite happy with it, it gets a regular workout. Composing in 6x6 (square) is interesting, and composing on a ground glass (instead of through a viewfinder) does change things, when I started I found distractions in the frame easier to notice.
The build quality on the Seagulls can be highly variable, as someone else mentioned, but they are in a different class to the "toy" MF cameras (Holga et al). I'd suggest going for a Yashica if you can, they do pop up on eBay regularly even here in Australia, so they should be reasonably common on eBay US and possibly Europe. If possible, get one with the Yashinon lens, it is superior to the Yashikor lens.
The other inexpensive way into MF is with rangefinder cameras. I don't have any experience with them but one of my friends has one and uses it at least occasionally.
As far as D&P is concerned, some of the better minilabs can handle MF film, otherwise they'll send it off to a pro lab. Personally I'm mostly shooting E6 (slide) film, but leaving the rolls uncut/unmounted because MF projectors are hard to find. But 6x6 shots on Provia look very nice on the light box! :)
You could try developing at home - you'd need measuring jugs, thermometer, chemicals, a developing tank (Paterson are good), a changing bag and a couple of buckets at a minimum, again you can get lots of this stuff in decent photographic stores or secondhand on eBay. But I'm not convinced the savings are all that great compared to getting a lab to develop only.
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01/23/2006 01:59:42 PM · #16 |
Considering the wholesale abandoning of the medium format market there is really no need to buy new (especially inexpensive new) when so many are selling their equipment. I bought a Minolta Autocord, which is better constructed than the Seagull albeit with not so modern lens coatings. I paid $35 for it. I’ve even seen Rollis (arguably the best) on eBay for less than $300.
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