Going Medium Format!

[Rob MacKillop]

Yes, I've been spending too long on ebay...and listening to Pete - it's all his fault!

Just bought a Mamiya RB67 Pro SD Camera w/ K/L 90mm f 3.5 Lens and 120 Film Back (£285 in excellent condition), plus a light meter (£29) and hand grip (£25). The full Monty for £340.

Also couldn't resist a Holga 120 at £20 for fun multiple exposures...

Don't have any of it yet, but hopefully will have something to show you afore long.

Very excited!

- - - Updated - - -

One question - where should I go to get the films developed?

 

[Hamish Gill]

congrats! I'm sure you will love it!
Put your eye up to that viewfinder and you wont look back

try Joan for processing http://www.realphotographersforum.com/content/260-photo-imaging-north-wales.html

 

[Pete Askew]

Congratulations Rob, I too am sure you'll love it once you figure it out. Once you get going you could always try developing your own; it really isn't that difficult. It might also be worth seeing of any of the local colleges / universities have a photo club / darkroom facilities.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

We have a Stills Gallery in Edinburgh, which has darkrooms for hire - £12 per day, with a one-hour induction. I'll give them a try. Darkrooms Edinburgh | Stills Gallery

Hamish, I might well contact Joan initially. Cheers.

 

[Pete Askew]

Now that sounds like a bargain. I'd be there like a shot!

 

[Brian Moore]

I'm jealous! And the fact that you got an RB67 along with the Holga makes me more jealous!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Glad to hear it

 

[Chris Dodkin]

New toys!

Congrats Rob - listening to Pete can get expensive though, people have been known to bulk-buy square frames from IKEA based on a single word from this man!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

LOL

 

[Rob MacKillop]

The Holga arrived - just ordered it yesterday - with a few rolls of Fuji 120 Pro 400 colour film. I read the instructions (there's a first) and loaded the film. All seemed to go OK, but the frame count in the little window at the back is upside down - that is,the numbers are upside down. Does this mean I've screwed up installing the film? It all seemed to go smoothly up until that point...

 

[Pete Askew]

I don't know Holgas at all and I expect Brian will be able to advise, but if the numbers increase as you wind on then all is well.

- - - Updated - - -

Might help:

http://www.squarefrog.co.uk/basics/loading-film.html

 

[Chris Dodkin]

if the numbers are going from 1 upwards, you're good to go

Just stand on your head when shooting

 

[Hamish Gill]

Yeah, as long as you can wind it through and the numbers go up I can't see it matters which way round they are ...

 

[Brian Moore]

The Holga arrived - just ordered it yesterday - with a few rolls of Fuji 120 Pro 400 colour film. I read the instructions (there's a first) and loaded the film. All seemed to go OK, but the frame count in the little window at the back is upside down - that is,the numbers are upside down. Does this mean I've screwed up installing the film? It all seemed to go smoothly up until that point...

Turn the camera upside down, Rob. Than you'll see the numbers right!

Just kidding. Your fine with the numbers as they are!

 

[Hamish Gill]

Does it load right to left or left to right Brian ... I can't think without looking at mine and Emma has it at the mo!
or does it not matter which way it goes ... From memory I don't suppose it does...?

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Does it load right to left or left to right Brian ... I can't think without looking at mine and Emma has it at the mo!
or does it not matter which way it goes ... From memory I don't suppose it does...?

Upside down images can be flipped in Photoshop Hamish

 

[Hamish Gill]

I don't even know where to start with that comment ...

what I meant, for the less initiated was: does it matter which way you load the film as far as the function of the camera goes ...

- - - Updated - - -

Right ... If te numebers are upside down the the images on the neg will actually be the right way up ... Then they wouldn't need flipping in photoshop ...
you have to be a geek to find this funny don't you ... I'm literally giggling to my self here ...

 

[Chris Dodkin]

I'm thinking it's a grey market Holga that's supposed to be for the Australian market - hence the inverted numbers when viewed in the Northern Hemisphere...

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Well done Rob in at the deep end as I see it. Hopefully now you will be able to part in the near future with good advise from the point of view of a new convert. I am have pondered this one seriously for over a year. Our local camera shop often has these medium format bargains like you have just got. I have been ever so tempted, many a time, drawing back at the last moment having tried to justify the purchase, but not quite convincing myself. ( still have one daughter to get off to Uni) I often arrived at the thought that even if it was used on seldom occasions, the joy of the images would be enough to warrant the purchase. Daft really why I do not get one, but I hope to follow how your experience is with this camera and maybe you can pass on Pete's power of persuasions in my own directions. I truly hope it does inspire you in your enjoyment of photography. Best of luck.

 

[Brian Moore]

I'm thinking it's a grey market Holga that's supposed to be for the Australian market - hence the inverted numbers when viewed in the Northern Hemisphere...

And if you put the pictures down the loo (due to the softness and distortion that you digital shooters are unaccustomed to) you'll notice that the water flushes backward!