hey, Chris here, long-time listener, first-time caller - just wanted to say really nice insights and interesting to see the medium format experiment. As a 35 shooter I'm learning a lot and getting more and more tempted by the format. Also love the positivity of your tone in general, which is one of the reasons I wanted to drop a line. Mega-gloomy here in London, so not a lot of light to go out shooting ahead of the holidays but oh well. Wishing you and everyone here a lovely Christmas and keep it up.
Hi Chris! Gosh, guest comment and such an appreciated one! I feel like we’re very much in the same boat, I am fairly comfortable with 35mm at this point and it’s definitely all new territory here with mf. I’ve already made plenty of mistakes but then I think to some of the mistakes I also made when learning 35mm. A welcomed little learning curve, excited to keep going. Keep bright in the gloom ✨I’m so happy you messaged (:
It’s a fun camera with an excellent lens. Apart from expired film sold online (ebay), the only 220 film in production today is b&w Shanghai afaik. I have a few rolls of Portra in 220 in my freezer bought years ago waiting for a special occasion.
It is an excellent lens! I regret not covering that a little bit more and touching on really how very easy this camera is to use. You would think film companies would expand to 220 with the current film buzz and excitement in the industry. Good for you for a secret stash :) Ty for watching Mike!
@ I mostly shoot b&w, so I contacted Ilford a while ago to ask about the possibility of 220 film returning to production; they claim there still isn’t enough demand, which surprised me.
What a nice camera, seems so fun to use! Sure, it’s noisy, but with so many people into 90s ASMR, maybe some could see it as a pro 😂 Medium format is uncharted territory for me. I feel really tempted to try it every now and then. The size of the cameras puts me off, but at the same time I can’t help wanting to see my pictures on those large negatives. I even bought a 120 reel years ago-still sealed in plastic.
It is such an easy one to use! You’re right, so many people live for the noises, I guess I’m just a little more particular in that area 😂 I feel ya on the uncharted territory, it’s been really exciting to discover and expand the reaches of film … you might get inspired if you’re not careful (:
If you enjoy more of a point and shoot type of camera, but square format, try the Mamiya 6 . But if you truly want to go big and don't value things like saving your money just buy a Hasselblad 501c. Because you can get film backs and a digital back for it.
awesome advice brock! i can't say the point and shoot style is really my thing. I have similar feelings to my leica minilux zoom: they are fun, usually charming and get the job done quickly! I would love a hasselblad someday! Trying the Mamiya 7 currently :)
Thanks for your insights on the 645 medium format, I don't think I'd like the noise, but the image quality is beautiful. Your videos are always cool and fun, have a Happy Holidays! (I did not know you baked the cookies) 🙂
Yeah, the noise was a little jarring. It actually kept me from using the zoom too much! No denying some of the images, I was most impressed with how it handled slide film! Velvia really hit the spot. Happy holidays to you! I did not get to baking yet (:
I have the wide angle version of this camera. There’s is nothing finer than a medium format point and shoot camera. I was thinking of selling it as I am buying a Hasselblad 503 ( don’t know which version yet) in the New Year but I really understand I own a unique piece of equipment. I have just bought a Leica M6 as well so I’m in collection mode at the moment and not selling the iconic cameras I own. I love shooting with my Horseman 5X4 camera as well but while travelling the Fujifilm 645 series is king.
What flash were you using? It’s pretty much a studio camera, isn’t it? Would you print from negatives or digital files? Thanx for an entertaining review.
I was just using the tiny on-camera flash when I needed it - solid! Is it a studio camera? I feel like Fuji made it for every day people, given how easy the point and shoot is but I do not know for sure! The Darkroom prints from digital files I believe - what do you do? appreciate you :)
It must be so much fun watching you in front of a couple "playing" (Sorry for that - I know, wedding photography is very hard work...) with this GA645zi - bzzz-frckkk-click-zzzzrrh thing! But that reminds me of my very first camera - a 6x9 box camera running 120 film. The first black & white prints (not enlarged, a 1:1 copy) are still glued into our family album .... I need to grab one for low - tech style (or should I take the convertible 6x4.5 + 6x6 foldable instead, that is resting in a drawer since years?) .... Questions
Hi Johannes ~ i use the word 'play' often when describing working with my couples, that's what it really is! lol such an accurate response to this camera!! that's awesome you still have some of the prints still, if they were glued you gave yourself very little chance for getting rid of them i suppose! i think i prefer the 6x6, the 6x9 sounds intriguing though!
400D was supposed to come out in 220, but Cinestill, and they can jump off a bridge as far as I'm concerned. Other than that, I think only reflex and shanghai maybe sell it, and I wouldn't touch that crap. Happy Holidays! Grab some lomo 800 in 120. You will love it. It's kind of that nostalgic color plus of the 120 world. Other than that, Gold in 120 is stellar for the price, and if you want pure creamy dreamy, portra 160 is unrivaled if you have the light for it. Shoot it at 100. Any aero color respools are great for the holidays if you are just shooting green and red. Also only shoot at 100. They pop perfectly this time of year. Not so much skin tones.
ha! that made me laugh about cinestill - i got a really impressive set using cinestill on this camera, i had to go back and check the negatives a couple of times bc it looked like velvia! reflex is weird !!! you are sooo knowledge about all of these! i'm really new to lomo but tried some fun 92 earlier this fall ~ happiest holidays mark!!
The Reflx Lab 220 is Kodak Aerial film and is quite good. I shot it a few times. HOWEVER…it would not load properly in one of my GA645zi cameras. The film would just wind all into the take up spool. Bought another GA645zi and it does work in that one. So now I only use 220 in my Mamiya 6 or that one GA645zi.
hey, Chris here, long-time listener, first-time caller - just wanted to say really nice insights and interesting to see the medium format experiment. As a 35 shooter I'm learning a lot and getting more and more tempted by the format. Also love the positivity of your tone in general, which is one of the reasons I wanted to drop a line. Mega-gloomy here in London, so not a lot of light to go out shooting ahead of the holidays but oh well. Wishing you and everyone here a lovely Christmas and keep it up.
Hi Chris! Gosh, guest comment and such an appreciated one! I feel like we’re very much in the same boat, I am fairly comfortable with 35mm at this point and it’s definitely all new territory here with mf. I’ve already made plenty of mistakes but then I think to some of the mistakes I also made when learning 35mm. A welcomed little learning curve, excited to keep going. Keep bright in the gloom ✨I’m so happy you messaged (:
I had one of the manual Fuji 645 camera's in the 90's/00's Fuji made great fixed lens camera in that era. I wish they would make a digital version.
A manual version of this would be interesting, this camera almost felt too easy to use! Digital & cut down on the bulk!
It’s a fun camera with an excellent lens. Apart from expired film sold online (ebay), the only 220 film in production today is b&w Shanghai afaik.
I have a few rolls of Portra in 220 in my freezer bought years ago waiting for a special occasion.
It is an excellent lens! I regret not covering that a little bit more and touching on really how very easy this camera is to use. You would think film companies would expand to 220 with the current film buzz and excitement in the industry. Good for you for a secret stash :) Ty for watching Mike!
@ I mostly shoot b&w, so I contacted Ilford a while ago to ask about the possibility of 220 film returning to production; they claim there still isn’t enough demand, which surprised me.
I forgot to mention; it’s also much faster and easier to load one roll of 220 onto a developing tank reel than 2 rolls of 120.
What a nice camera, seems so fun to use! Sure, it’s noisy, but with so many people into 90s ASMR, maybe some could see it as a pro 😂
Medium format is uncharted territory for me. I feel really tempted to try it every now and then. The size of the cameras puts me off, but at the same time I can’t help wanting to see my pictures on those large negatives. I even bought a 120 reel years ago-still sealed in plastic.
It is such an easy one to use! You’re right, so many people live for the noises, I guess I’m just a little more particular in that area 😂 I feel ya on the uncharted territory, it’s been really exciting to discover and expand the reaches of film … you might get inspired if you’re not careful (:
that shot at 7:28 is awesome
Velvia 50! I didn’t secure the roll when I sent it in and got some gnarly leaks ✨🫶🏻
If you enjoy more of a point and shoot type of camera, but square format, try the Mamiya 6 . But if you truly want to go big and don't value things like saving your money just buy a Hasselblad 501c. Because you can get film backs and a digital back for it.
awesome advice brock! i can't say the point and shoot style is really my thing. I have similar feelings to my leica minilux zoom: they are fun, usually charming and get the job done quickly! I would love a hasselblad someday! Trying the Mamiya 7 currently :)
Thanks for your insights on the 645 medium format, I don't think I'd like the noise, but the image quality is beautiful. Your videos are always cool and fun, have a Happy Holidays! (I did not know you baked the cookies) 🙂
Yeah, the noise was a little jarring. It actually kept me from using the zoom too much! No denying some of the images, I was most impressed with how it handled slide film! Velvia really hit the spot. Happy holidays to you! I did not get to baking yet (:
I have the wide angle version of this camera. There’s is nothing finer than a medium format point and shoot camera. I was thinking of selling it as I am buying a Hasselblad 503 ( don’t know which version yet) in the New Year but I really understand I own a unique piece of equipment. I have just bought a Leica M6 as well so I’m in collection mode at the moment and not selling the iconic cameras I own. I love shooting with my Horseman 5X4 camera as well but while travelling the Fujifilm 645 series is king.
What flash were you using? It’s pretty much a studio camera, isn’t it? Would you print from negatives or digital files? Thanx for an entertaining review.
I was just using the tiny on-camera flash when I needed it - solid! Is it a studio camera? I feel like Fuji made it for every day people, given how easy the point and shoot is but I do not know for sure! The Darkroom prints from digital files I believe - what do you do? appreciate you :)
It must be so much fun watching you in front of a couple "playing" (Sorry for that - I know, wedding photography is very hard work...) with this GA645zi - bzzz-frckkk-click-zzzzrrh thing! But that reminds me of my very first camera - a 6x9 box camera running 120 film. The first black & white prints (not enlarged, a 1:1 copy) are still glued into our family album .... I need to grab one for low - tech style (or should I take the convertible 6x4.5 + 6x6 foldable instead, that is resting in a drawer since years?) .... Questions
Hi Johannes ~ i use the word 'play' often when describing working with my couples, that's what it really is! lol such an accurate response to this camera!! that's awesome you still have some of the prints still, if they were glued you gave yourself very little chance for getting rid of them i suppose! i think i prefer the 6x6, the 6x9 sounds intriguing though!
It’s ok, you can buy them 🍪😂
Hahahaha 🍪🫶🏻
400D was supposed to come out in 220, but Cinestill, and they can jump off a bridge as far as I'm concerned. Other than that, I think only reflex and shanghai maybe sell it, and I wouldn't touch that crap. Happy Holidays! Grab some lomo 800 in 120. You will love it. It's kind of that nostalgic color plus of the 120 world. Other than that, Gold in 120 is stellar for the price, and if you want pure creamy dreamy, portra 160 is unrivaled if you have the light for it. Shoot it at 100. Any aero color respools are great for the holidays if you are just shooting green and red. Also only shoot at 100. They pop perfectly this time of year. Not so much skin tones.
I rather liked 400D as someone who’s shot Porta the last 20 years in both medium and large format.
ha! that made me laugh about cinestill - i got a really impressive set using cinestill on this camera, i had to go back and check the negatives a couple of times bc it looked like velvia! reflex is weird !!! you are sooo knowledge about all of these! i'm really new to lomo but tried some fun 92 earlier this fall ~ happiest holidays mark!!
i'm a big fan of 800t in 35mm - i think the 50d is lame overall great comparison here thedarkroom.com/cinestill-50d-800t-comparison/
The Reflx Lab 220 is Kodak Aerial film and is quite good. I shot it a few times. HOWEVER…it would not load properly in one of my GA645zi cameras. The film would just wind all into the take up spool. Bought another GA645zi and it does work in that one. So now I only use 220 in my Mamiya 6 or that one GA645zi.
❤❤❤❤
Tysm!
Cooookie! 👹
LOL 🍪🍪🍪
cheater !!!
Lol
Never found a good one with the focus patch bright. Mamiya 6, 6 MF or 7 better way to go