I really don't have much to say about this portrait (which I really, really like) other than to point out how nicely the stuff in the background goes out of focus. A really nice side benefit of shooting with larger format cameras and longer lenses. I'm loving the whole process. Since I only have waist level finders I get to stand up and say, "Hold that!"
It's all so much fun!
This has me thinking...... I know my equivalences in terms of 35mm film down to APS-C/four thirds but what about up to medium format or large format? Presumably 1/60 on a medium format at 80mm is within what is considered safe to hold with a steady hand and good technique (I have neither, BTW)?
ReplyDeleteDid you take more than one shot to guarantee at least one critically sharp exposure?
Hi Jason, It's the same basic formula but the bigger cameras have a much bigger mirror slap so we add on to compensate. The safe handholdable speed for an 80mm is generally 1/125th to 1/250th, depending on the caffeination of the shooter....
ReplyDeletePaul, I usually scan stuff I'll be using on the web at 10 x 10 inches at 300 dpi. You can't use Digital ICE with black and white film so that point is pretty much moot. My 10 x10's are 4 minutes. I have done some really big files (24 by 24 inches at 300 dpi and they are in the 12 minute range. Not unreasonable for a scan that large.... I love the scanner. I still end up having to "spot" black and white scans but that process is much easier in the digital days.
As to quality I've had people swear that the prints at 24 by 24 had to be done on a drum scanner. I think people are mostly silly.
I have the v500's successor (the 4490) and other than being routinely annoyed by the film holders, I'm very happy with the results I get in medium format (35mm is passable). 25MP scans off a 6x6 negative and I'm not even close to resolving what the film can hold!
ReplyDeleteEven big B&W scans are fairly quick, it's when I scan color with digital ICE that things really slow down. I don't have to spot much even without it since I started using one of those rubber bulb air blowers to clean everything right before closing the scanner lid.
I have officially joined the 80mm club with a purchase of a used Hasselblad... I have 3 rolls of 120 Tri-x and 5 rolls of color something. I can't wait to try it out...
ReplyDeletePaul, if your intention is to scan medium format, your might look into the v600 instead of the v500. The v600 has a scanning area of 6x22 cm for MF, vs 6x12 cm for the v500. The v600 isn't too much more.
ReplyDeleteI saw a Mamiya 67 with an 80mm lens in the consignment section of the camera store today and actually gave it a second glance. Fortunately I stayed strong and just walked out with my thunder gray seamless. All this medium format talk and these posts is not healthy. Perhaps I need to get my Pentax ME Super loaded with film and see if that will help this phase I'm going through.
ReplyDeleteGlenn - as a recent convert to the MF world - I can say "come on in, the water's nice!!" :-)
ReplyDeletesit the camera on the table and angle it up?
ReplyDeleteforgot to add: reminds me of the same trip of discovery I made about "shallow normals" when I was using 4/3 and wanting something equivalent to a 50 1.4
ReplyDeletehttp://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2010/01/shallow-normals.html
What? No arguments about the bokeh?
ReplyDeleteThe bokeh, while generally pleasing, is hampered by areas of sharp focus that draw the viewer's attention away from the out-of-focus areas. This is wrong.
ReplyDeleteThanks as always for the inspiration, Kirk!