Film camera for portraits

PoleStar

Hi guys

I have a dSLR and photoshop etc and am most happy!

However am interested in getting a film camera, maybe non-35mm to play around with.

Will be using for portraits only.

Anyone know any good websites on this topic? Or got any recommendations. Hoping to get something with availability of excellent prime lenses as my primary concern and also at a bargain price!

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Anouilh

I really love my old Pentax MZ50 and here is an example of the results it gives:

[IMG][/img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3440623771_145c53350e.jpghttp://www.flickr.com/photos/anouilh/3440623771/

It is an entry-level camera and you could look at more advanced models which have more features.

There are several Pentax enthusiasts on the Boards.

Also, the choice of film is going to influence the results greatly. I used Portra VC here and there is another example of this high-contrast film on this thread.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=59866344&postcount=1

I would be interested to know what camera you finally choose. Since I have Canon lenses as well, it I finding it tempting to buy a Canon body. However the combination of digital specific lenses with film bodies is still a bit of a mystery to me.

PoleStar

Thanks I will check that one out!

All suggestions appreciated!

Its strange, its so easy to get reviews of the range of digital cameras available, and advice on which to choose depending on what you want and whether amateur, enthusiast, pro etc.

Cant find any such site for film!

Anouilh

Just make Google searches with "film" included and you'll work out a system for finding good sites.

For instance,

film dpreview review pentax film

led me to this:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/article_print.asp?date=0302&article=03021807pentax-ist

(It's not necessary to put the word "film" in twice, but it probably ensures a higher percentage of relevant sites.)

DPreview is excellent for all camera reviews.

Also, when you do pare your searches down to cameras you may actually buy, add "compare" or "V" or some such word and you'll find a lot of sites that give clear reviews with photos using each type of camera.

Looking around World sites where film is more popular also helps. Singapore is good and there is an interesting Australian camera firm that keeps the film flag flying:

http://www.teds.com.au/

Burnt

I can't find a film section on teds site; could you provide a direct link

PoleStar

Are there any medium format options but in an SLR style body, dont want a big beast of a thing!

Anouilh

While looking for film camera links in Ted's Cameras, I found this:

http://www.camerahouse.com.au/products/ProductList.aspx?parent=31&catName=SLR

I don't know where you are, but if you even 'phone Gunn's in Wexford Street, you will get plenty of good advice.

http://www.swpp.co.uk/trade/4334.htm

I'll look further at why Ted's Cameras, which has a very wide range of film equipment has not got more information on that site.

Burnt

There is the Pentax 67 which comes in "SLR style " but it is a huge beast of a thing

Anouilh

From hearsay, Mamiya is one of the best for medium format.

Here's a link to knock us all out.

http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=512633

melekalikimaka

Anouilh wrote: »

From hearsay, Mamiya is one of the best for medium format.

]

good bang for buck

Anouilh

melekalikimaka wrote: »

good bang for buck

If you have any more information on medium format, I would also be interested, melekalikimaka.

I was quoted just under 1200 euro for a Mamiya, second hand, body in a Dublin shop. Since I have been so happy with Pentax, this link caught my interest:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/645nii.shtml

It offers some comparisons which might be useful for OP.

Medium format seems expensive, so perhaps setting up an income from one's work would be necessary. From what I have read, it is necessary to break out of 35mm in order to be taken truly seriously.

Fajitas!

Anouilh wrote: »

Medium format seems expensive, so perhaps setting up an income from one's work would be necessary. From what I have read, it is necessary to break out of 35mm in order to be taken truly seriously.

Not true at all.

Anouilh

This might be of use:

http://photo.net/equipment/medium-format/choosing#other

minikin

have a mamiya 645pro... very similar handling to 35mm when you have the metered prism & motordrive grip... they're cheap as chips these days & the quality is stunning

here's one in mifsuds (uk)
645 Pro TL inc 80 F2.8 N + FE401 Prism + Pro Winder £599

cnocbui

Anouilh wrote: »

I From what I have read, it is necessary to break out of 35mm in order to be taken truly seriously.

Jane Bown was a noted portrait photographer. She used an Olympus OM-1 and just two lenses, 50mm and 80mm. She had no trouble at all in being taken seriously.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Bown

Slav

I would recommend Mamiya 645 as well, mainly because of the very interesting optics they have in M645 line. I found 80/1.9, 110/2.8, 150/2.8 and 140/4 Soft Focus and 150/3.8 with leaf shutter to be very well suited for portraiture. BTW, the first two are among my favorite lenses of all formats.

keh.com and eBay are good places to get all you need.

PoleStar

Ok. Ive checked out all the links posted here and searched a bit more.

I have concluded that a "portable" medium format will be out of my price range. The medium format options which I can afford are too big.

So I think its back to 35mm .

Anyone out there with recommendations for film 35mm?

It seems a Nikon F or FM2 or something like this gets great reviews and there are great lenses available. Seems to me more popular than canon. In general a good rangefinder seems too dear for me (budget around 150 euro max).

melekalikimaka

well i have a f90x, and find it excellent, easy to use, well build and works with nearly all nikon lens, cept dx... but ebven then it does at certain focal lengths. cheap as chips now these days too...the F and fm2s are cool, but over priced , you get alot more features with the newer ones

Anouilh

I don't tend to take many portraits with film, but here are some examples of what the Pentax MZ 50 produces:

http://fiveprime.org/hivemind/Tags/photographedublin,%20pentax

Also, this is an interesting discussion on the differences between medium format and 35mm.

http://photo.net/film-and-processing-forum/00SAzx