Hey Luke, great photography content and channel. I too shoot the Nikon Z6 II camera for my digital work. For my film work I use the Nikon F6 35mm film camera with F-mount lenses, Kodak Portra 160 and 400 film stocks. I love the Nikkor 58mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4 lenses for portrait photography. Thanks so much for the stimulating content Luke.
Luke, the Mamiya 645 is not difficult to use. It's actually a joy--I shot a 645 1000s for years. Speaking of Mamiya, another option is the Mamiya 6 or the Mamiya 7 II--check em out! Finally, best of luck with whatever you choose. And please do let us know. Happy Holidays!
I just recently purchased a 500cm. The camera is amazing and I have had a lot of fun shooting with it so far. I am not a professional though and I don’t have to use the camera to make money yet so my input may be limited. The camera is pretty slow which is both great and bad at the same time. I use the CF lenses because they are newer and I enjoy both the look and build quality of the glass. I shoot mostly portrait work so I use a prism finder with a good focusing screen which makes focusing faster for me. One of the things I love about this system is the removable backs. I load two to three backs at a time and can switch between rolls and film stocks quickly. A reload is as simple as inserting a dark slide. Pushing one button and removing the back, then attaching new back and removing dark slide/remembering to remove dark slide. I love it.
That's great! Thanks for letting me know about your experience! Yeah I'm considering getting that, even if I can't really use it much on a wedding day, but I could always use it for my personal work. Makes me excited!
If you're looking for a lighter medium format camera that has a lot of very sharp lenses and costs about the same as nikon f mount gear then you should definitely look at the soviet pentacon six system. Specifically the Kiev 60. Because the body with a waist level finder, 80mm ziess biometar f2.8 lens and a roll of film only weighs 1.5kg. And for the 4000 CAD you can get 3 bodies with a full set of carl ziess jena lenses and a couple of pro packs of portra. And that gear is built like soviet tanks and is to my knowledge easily repaired as it is all mechanical. Hope you find my comment usefull.
Brother Luke, here is what you do. Buy yourself one or two Pentax 645n or 645n II bodies (they are relatively cheap) then pick up the Pentax 645 lens adapter for Pentax 6x7 lenses..... buy the Pentax 105mm/f2.4 for the 6x7 system and mount it on the Pentax 645 body and you are golden. This lens is great for your type of subject, however, it is a manual focus. This lens produces similar results as the Carl Zeiss 80mm. It is another dream lens. This kit is versatile. You have access to the cheaper Pentax manual lenses made for the prior Pentax 645 system and the auto lenses made for the Pentax 645n and 645n II. You can also use the lenses from the Pentax 6x7. Best of Luck!!!
I feel like this is always something photographers will wrestle with 😂 I have a Pentax 645, love it. When I shoot alongside 35mm the medium format blows it out of the water 90% of the time. The colors and depth are so different. Could be because I’m comparing it to an EOS 3 + 50 1.4 but still no comparison. I recently was gifted a rolleiflex and loooove what I’ve gotten from that with personal work. But the practical side of me loves my gfx. I got a 50s and it’s slow but is so perfect for replacing film for me. No more cost each photo and no more waiting weeks for the scans. Plus paying for shipping the film out too… I wish medium format gave you more than 12 or 16 shots because swapping rolls is a pain to me. I think having some sort of film during the day is important to help edit the digital files, but I’m relying on film less due to the cost and extra hassle.
I’m super interested in this! The Carl Zeiss lens is truly magical, but I would love to see you do a side by side comparison. I’ve tried to find one like that on RUclips but none of them are wedding photographers. Also it would be cool to know the difference that each camera body has on the same lens Stock. Like does the mamiya make portra 800 look different than a Contax 645? I’ve always been curious about this.
I wrote an article on the N1 system about two years ago. I had two bodies and 8 out of the 9 lenses. I'd stay away from the CONTAX N1. It's just too unreliable. Out of the 8 lenses, 3 failed within a year of mild use. Even here in Japan. I could find no one to repair them. Google, Contax's Last Hurrah for the review. I should write a follow-up. I sold all of it. I still love Zeiss glass but I picked up a CONTAX RX and S2b and several C/Y mount lenses.
Hey Luke, I was thinking that the Nikon F6 film camera and the Nikkor 58mm and 85mm f/1.4 lenses might provide a smaller more compact solution for your film photography. In addition you'll have almost endless Nikkor F-mount lens options.
Hey Luke. I like your channel, I just subscribed. I have been a tog for a while now and I bought two Contax 645 kits back in 2003, for use with Leaf digital backs in studio. I sold off one kit over the years, but I hung onto one kit with the 80mm just for the 'GAS' that I suffer from. I had a real love/hate relationship with the Contax 645. It was great in studio with the digital back, but man those std 120 film inserts struggled to keep the film flat on the focal plane, at wide open apertures! Yes, I know of the vacuum back, I had that too, but that increased battery consumption on an already power-munching beast. I also found a lot of the smaller switches on the C645 to be fiddly and stiff. Also over time, the rollers on the back inserts deteriorate, and little pieces of plastic end up in places you don't want them to be! For my street photography, I bought a minty Pentax 645NII and paired it with an adapted 6x7 SMC 105mm 2.4. Total manual focus with a crystal clear viewfinder! If you want to stay with film, try the Pentax. It will surprise you. Ditch the Contax 645 before you end up being that guy left holding the baby!👍
It's funny enough you "young people" who grew up with digital cameras think it's absolutely fantastic to shoot analogue. Many of us who grew up with analogue cameras could never think of going back (there are certainly some who returned to analogue, but probably for nostalgia's sake). But it's something I've noticed among several young and older photographers, and I've never met anyone who has returned to analogue if they've grown up with analogue cameras and now shoot digitally.
Kind of understandable, though. The “old people” didn’t grow up with the digital IT-age technologies, so they haven’t realised just how damaging that is. And they probably never will, because they, in a generalised sense, don’t use the new technologies to the same extent. For them it is still “Oh! Ah! Cooll!”, whereas the young people who grew up with it, and for whom it is now an inseparable part of life, they are now starting to burn out.
This is just my opinion, gear doesn't matter that much, yes it's important, but focusing too much on very excellent lens that are probably overpriced, especially when shooting film some times can be unnecessary. If you want still use the 645 format because gives you 15 or 16 shots per roll, you can consider other cameras, for example, Mamiya 645, Pentax 645, Zenza Bronica ETR/ETRS/ETRSi or maybe an Hasselblad using a A16 645 film back. If you want still shoot medium format film, you have some options left that are not Contax 🙂
interesting. Your Contax and lens will probably last a long time, as long as any other medium format film combo. Remember it only broke because you dropped it. Any other old film setupo will have the same issue of not being able to be repaired or replaced. I don't see the advantage of changing medium format gear unless; You want a bigger negative and choose a 6x7 option. A Mamiya 7 or 6 does not have mirror flap to worry about (and is smaller and lighter) or Fuji's fixed lens G 690's If a Hassy has sentimental value then beware - you're looking at it through rose colored glasses. Its just as big and heavy as your current setup But if you're happy with 35mm film, because its film, get a Nikon F6. There will be repairs and parts forever as its a new camera until 2 years ago. If the Nikon 50mm f 1.2 makes your current medium format setup redundant that will apply to any other medium format setup as well unless maybe you go 6x7.
I would HIGHLY recommend the Nikon FM3A with Voigtlander lenses. The FM3A with the Voigt 55mm f1.2 is my go to film setup on a wedding day.
Hey Luke, great photography content and channel. I too shoot the Nikon Z6 II camera for my digital work. For my film work I use the Nikon F6 35mm film camera with F-mount lenses, Kodak Portra 160 and 400 film stocks. I love the Nikkor 58mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4 lenses for portrait photography. Thanks so much for the stimulating content Luke.
That’s a great kit you have!! Thanks for the words, and glad you enjoy the videos!
Try Hasselblad H1?
Luke, the Mamiya 645 is not difficult to use. It's actually a joy--I shot a 645 1000s for years. Speaking of Mamiya, another option is the Mamiya 6 or the Mamiya 7 II--check em out! Finally, best of luck with whatever you choose. And please do let us know. Happy Holidays!
I can't wait to see what camera you land on.
I just recently purchased a 500cm. The camera is amazing and I have had a lot of fun shooting with it so far. I am not a professional though and I don’t have to use the camera to make money yet so my input may be limited.
The camera is pretty slow which is both great and bad at the same time. I use the CF lenses because they are newer and I enjoy both the look and build quality of the glass. I shoot mostly portrait work so I use a prism finder with a good focusing screen which makes focusing faster for me.
One of the things I love about this system is the removable backs. I load two to three backs at a time and can switch between rolls and film stocks quickly. A reload is as simple as inserting a dark slide. Pushing one button and removing the back, then attaching new back and removing dark slide/remembering to remove dark slide. I love it.
That's great! Thanks for letting me know about your experience! Yeah I'm considering getting that, even if I can't really use it much on a wedding day, but I could always use it for my personal work. Makes me excited!
If you're looking for a lighter medium format camera that has a lot of very sharp lenses and costs about the same as nikon f mount gear then you should definitely look at the soviet pentacon six system. Specifically the Kiev 60. Because the body with a waist level finder, 80mm ziess biometar f2.8 lens and a roll of film only weighs 1.5kg. And for the 4000 CAD you can get 3 bodies with a full set of carl ziess jena lenses and a couple of pro packs of portra. And that gear is built like soviet tanks and is to my knowledge easily repaired as it is all mechanical. Hope you find my comment usefull.
Brother Luke, here is what you do. Buy yourself one or two Pentax 645n or 645n II bodies (they are relatively cheap) then pick up the Pentax 645 lens adapter for Pentax 6x7 lenses..... buy the Pentax 105mm/f2.4 for the 6x7 system and mount it on the Pentax 645 body and you are golden. This lens is great for your type of subject, however, it is a manual focus. This lens produces similar results as the Carl Zeiss 80mm. It is another dream lens.
This kit is versatile. You have access to the cheaper Pentax manual lenses made for the prior Pentax 645 system and the auto lenses made for the Pentax 645n and 645n II. You can also use the lenses from the Pentax 6x7.
Best of Luck!!!
You had to start somewhere and it helped. Great camera, great lens, and its YOU that makes the difference.
So true!
I feel like this is always something photographers will wrestle with 😂 I have a Pentax 645, love it. When I shoot alongside 35mm the medium format blows it out of the water 90% of the time. The colors and depth are so different. Could be because I’m comparing it to an EOS 3 + 50 1.4 but still no comparison. I recently was gifted a rolleiflex and loooove what I’ve gotten from that with personal work. But the practical side of me loves my gfx. I got a 50s and it’s slow but is so perfect for replacing film for me. No more cost each photo and no more waiting weeks for the scans. Plus paying for shipping the film out too… I wish medium format gave you more than 12 or 16 shots because swapping rolls is a pain to me. I think having some sort of film during the day is important to help edit the digital files, but I’m relying on film less due to the cost and extra hassle.
I've just bought a pentax 645n - it's way more affordable than the contax 645 and has autofocus :) Going to start taking it to weddings next year.
Oh nice! Let me know how it goes!
I’m super interested in this! The Carl Zeiss lens is truly magical, but I would love to see you do a side by side comparison. I’ve tried to find one like that on RUclips but none of them are wedding photographers.
Also it would be cool to know the difference that each camera body has on the same lens Stock. Like does the mamiya make portra 800 look different than a Contax 645? I’ve always been curious about this.
Pentax 67ii would be dope, but I also have an obsession with the Contax N1 for 35mm as a wildcard haha
I wrote an article on the N1 system about two years ago. I had two bodies and 8 out of the 9 lenses. I'd stay away from the CONTAX N1. It's just too unreliable. Out of the 8 lenses, 3 failed within a year of mild use. Even here in Japan. I could find no one to repair them. Google, Contax's Last Hurrah for the review. I should write a follow-up.
I sold all of it. I still love Zeiss glass but I picked up a CONTAX RX and S2b and several C/Y mount lenses.
If you’re thinking 35 mm definitely an F6! Hard conundrum
Love the Hassey
Pentax 67?
Hey Luke, I was thinking that the Nikon F6 film camera and the Nikkor 58mm and 85mm f/1.4 lenses might provide a smaller more compact solution for your film photography. In addition you'll have almost endless Nikkor F-mount lens options.
Great points, yes I’m taking a hard look at the Nikon 35mm bodies first sure
Price skyrocketing 🚀
Hey Luke. I like your channel, I just subscribed.
I have been a tog for a while now and I bought two Contax 645 kits back in 2003, for use with Leaf digital backs in studio.
I sold off one kit over the years, but I hung onto one kit with the 80mm just for the 'GAS' that I suffer from. I had a real love/hate relationship with the Contax 645. It was great in studio with the digital back, but man those std 120 film inserts struggled to keep the film flat on the focal plane, at wide open apertures! Yes, I know of the vacuum back, I had that too, but that increased battery consumption on an already power-munching beast.
I also found a lot of the smaller switches on the C645 to be fiddly and stiff. Also over time, the rollers on the back inserts deteriorate, and little pieces of plastic end up in places you don't want them to be!
For my street photography, I bought a minty Pentax 645NII and paired it with an adapted 6x7 SMC 105mm 2.4. Total manual focus with a crystal clear viewfinder! If you want to stay with film, try the Pentax. It will surprise you. Ditch the Contax 645 before you end up being that guy left holding the baby!👍
One thing to give some thought: Can the Contax 645 80mm f/2.0 be adapted to mirrorless? Hmmm.
@@adamwestphotothis is my plan. I think. Uh it’s so hard to think about letting it go, but possibly mounting to my mirrorless seems ideal!
It's funny enough you "young people" who grew up with digital cameras think it's absolutely fantastic to shoot analogue. Many of us who grew up with analogue cameras could never think of going back (there are certainly some who returned to analogue, but probably for nostalgia's sake). But it's something I've noticed among several young and older photographers, and I've never met anyone who has returned to analogue if they've grown up with analogue cameras and now shoot digitally.
Kind of understandable, though. The “old people” didn’t grow up with the digital IT-age technologies, so they haven’t realised just how damaging that is. And they probably never will, because they, in a generalised sense, don’t use the new technologies to the same extent. For them it is still “Oh! Ah! Cooll!”, whereas the young people who grew up with it, and for whom it is now an inseparable part of life, they are now starting to burn out.
Sounds like a hard break-up..
please post the last frame your contax took before your lens broke!
I may just!
Have you considered simply buying a 140mm F2.8 lens for the Contax 645 it is a lot cheaper, and was the portrait lens for the Contax 645.
I haven't, simply because I find that focal length is a bit too long for me.
This is just my opinion, gear doesn't matter that much, yes it's important, but focusing too much on very excellent lens that are probably overpriced, especially when shooting film some times can be unnecessary. If you want still use the 645 format because gives you 15 or 16 shots per roll, you can consider other cameras, for example, Mamiya 645, Pentax 645, Zenza Bronica ETR/ETRS/ETRSi or maybe an Hasselblad using a A16 645 film back. If you want still shoot medium format film, you have some options left that are not Contax 🙂
It matters, its just not the only thing that does.
Yep! I actually listed those alternatives at the end of the video, that I'll be looking to.
interesting. Your Contax and lens will probably last a long time, as long as any other medium format film combo. Remember it only broke because you dropped it. Any other old film setupo will have the same issue of not being able to be repaired or replaced. I don't see the advantage of changing medium format gear unless;
You want a bigger negative and choose a 6x7 option.
A Mamiya 7 or 6 does not have mirror flap to worry about (and is smaller and lighter) or Fuji's fixed lens G 690's
If a Hassy has sentimental value then beware - you're looking at it through rose colored glasses. Its just as big and heavy as your current setup
But if you're happy with 35mm film, because its film, get a Nikon F6. There will be repairs and parts forever as its a new camera until 2 years ago.
If the Nikon 50mm f 1.2 makes your current medium format setup redundant that will apply to any other medium format setup as well unless maybe you go 6x7.
Too much advertizing. YT sucks.
Nikkormat
cant really replace that Zeiss magic '3D pop'
it is magical!