Since writing the earlier entry about medium format cameras in the summer, I discovered what captivated me about medium format. It is not the resolution, it is the aspect ratios. I made this discovery shortly after writing the previous article, but it has taken me a few months to finish this new article.
After a while looking through a 3:2 35mm viewfinder or looking at 4:3 monitor images, seeing square or dramatic panoramic images is exciting. So the 6x6 format of Bronica SQAi or Hasselblad intrigues me. So does the 6x12 or even the unaffordable 6x17 of medium format panoramic cameras, see this gallery of panoramic images. The X-pan with its double frame 35mm panoramic ability is interesting too, some reviews, more reviews. The delights of 6x9 or 645 are not appealing as they are too close to the format I use most days. Only the 6x6 is really affordable via a Lomo 120 or posssibly a second hand Bronica SQ. Photo.net has a good overview of Medium format cameras. Robert White in Dorset and Teamwork in London stock a wide range of panoramic cameras. The Xpan, the Bronica SQAi and the Hasselblad 501CM, 503CW kits are available from Jessops, too.
Looking at the different formats, see overlaid and vertical representations of the aspect ratios below, gives an idea of the image size and relative aspect ratios. The normal ratios of 4:3 and 3:2 are very close to another. The panoramic images are closer to widescreen tv displays. The panoramic format and the square medium format stand out in strong contrast to the more common formats.
Panoramic really appeals to me, I am often tempted by wide angle images, to the point of getting a 24mm prime lens for my Canon 35mm SLR, last summer. The ability to represent the world as I see it with both eyes, rather than with one shut, makes it easier to visualise the world. Panoramic offers this ability, but in a manner even more suited to landscapes. Working with a 35mm lens with the 3:2 format, means trying to get foreground interest to make the image work and avoiding acres of sky in your images. I can image that a wider view makes this more natural, as you do not see with only one eye.
Going against this, slightly, is the desire to shoot square. Rectangles invite a vertical and horizontal choice, with a square image then this choice disappears and one can concentrate on composition. This removes some of the cognitive load from creating the picture. A friend a few days ago described photography as the art of representing the 3d as 2d. Square images allow you to concentrate on the spatial relationships and the exposure, not the shape of the frame.
Lastly these mainly medium format cameras have higher cost per picture, so you tend to be more thoughtful, rather than assuming that a ratio of 1 or 2 good from 36 is fine. Getting the same 1 or 2 good shots from the 12 - 18 you get in the cameras above doubles the success rate. There is also a tendancy for using a tripod and an external light meter, so working each image is slowed down, from the almost point and shoot that auto SLRs encourage.
So once the light improves I'm borrowing a medium format camera to experiment, whilst I still can. Medium format is a dying format so it seems, Bronica have stopped making them and the film is getting harder to get outside London, according to AP.
Large format is the way to go. 5x4 or 8x10 inch :)
Though 6x17 is pretty darn sexy as well.
Many film types are becoming difficult to obtain in the high street (including 35mm Kodachrome) so the internet is the solution. 120 film is readily and cheaply available from www.7dayshop.com - their Dlab7 does excellent clean processing, so that problem solved too. I've seen foolish people paying more for out of date film on ebay than can be bought fresh from 7day! Superb medium format cameras are to be found on the ebay. Rolleicord for £90-120. Rollei T's £100-180. Bronica 645 £200, SQ-Ai under £500 etc etc etc. The full range of superb '50's folding cameras for £7-ish for a basic Nettar or Isolette I to £120 for Super Baldax with coupled rangefinder and f2.9 lens. I use my 35mm SLR for accurate metering and focus with folders. Paying for an uncoupled rangefinder is, in my view, pointless if you have an SLR. If you want restored-like-new, then buy from seller certo6 (see www.certo6.com) but there are many other reliable sellers: notably 'beedhams' and 'clicklovely'. Their offerings tend to command high prices, but you don't need to spend a lot: currently as little as £24-30 Franka Solida III with f2.9 Schneider Kreuznach lens, £35-50 with a same-as-Rollei Xenar lens. But 'watch' things for a while before bidding to learn the ropes. Moral is: anyone can afford to get into medium format these days! Oh ..... and for the 6x12 and 6x17 merchants: that's two or three 6x6's merged in Photoshop!