I think the main question is what do you want to shoot. Point and shoot? You dont want to use a 4x5. If you go for 4x5 it will take time to adopt. Getting the movements will take a while to master and you have to be patient to swallow the pride that you are almost starting from scratch again. A lot of people get frustrated on the way. The real deal is when a) once you get an understanding how to benefit from the movements and b) if you go into large prints or if you are actually printing in a darkroom. I take my Linhof almost everywhere except birthday parties. For those you are better of with Mamiya / Rolleiflex / etc. Negative size does matter. I have seen Richard Avedons prints on silver gelatin in size of over 2 meters length. The resolution was jaw dropping. You don´t get that on 6x7. But everything comes with a price . And I am not talking about money.
I've heard that with a larger format film negative you get more dynamic range, but i'm not sure how that makes sense if the film stock is staying the same.
It’s interesting Nico that the look of the Mamiya 7 negatives was too clean for you. Most of the people expect exactly that. I am using Mamiya 6 and I am very happy with the results preferring square format..
I'm looking to get into 4x5...I've been seeing Chamonix, Tachihara and Shen Hao. Which of those 3 would you get? I really like the look of the Tachihara cameras.
Im a big Chamonix fan. Great quality for the price. I actually just made a video about all the LF options out there. The Tachihara looks good but I find them a little loose if a bit used. Shen Hao are a little more industrial and bulky than the other two. But a bit cheaper.
I would recommend Chamonix as well. They aren’t the cheapest cameras out there, but I’ve learned that a cheap camera often ends up costing you more in lost time, lost shots, wasted film etc.
There is one factor which results in a big (and inescapable) difference in the results you get shooting a larger format, and one which I find rarely gets mentioned in these discussions: namely the reduced perspective distortion you get when shooting wide angles due to the increased focal lengths. Shooting anything even moderately wide on 135 format gives those awful stretched corners, and looks anything but natural. Jumping up to 6x6 and 6x7 medium format is a massive improvement in this regard. The jump to large formats again gives an improvement here, albeit not quite as dramatic. So, if you're someone who shoots wide a lot (particularly extreme wide angle) and appreciates a more natural rendering then this is a serious factor to consider.
Just get a new Shen Hao and some Nikkor lenses. It's a new camera, you can get whatever style or format you want, and the Nikkors are common and offer a lot of bang for buck.
4x5 images are amazing; 8x10 even more so, but slugging an 8x10 around anywhere requires a golf caddy. As for the Mamiya 7.........Hm. I bought one years ago with 2 lenses because the outfit was better suited to street photography than my Hasselblad. BUT: IMHO the Mamiya lenses just did NOT impress me with the overall rending; I much prefer the Zeiss "3D look"! And it really is true: there's just something about the Zeiss look that can't be replicated. Too bad Zeiss no longer makes lenses for 4x5.
I shoot a Hasselblad and a Chamonix f1 4x5. The Hasselblad is great for travel and if the weather looks iffy. The 4X5 is when I know exactly where and what I am shooting. I have already scouted the location and timed the tides and light etc hopefully for the perfect shot.
In terms of 3D rendition, I don't agree that a mamiya 7 picture can hold his own against 4x5. I sold mine because although the sharpness was great, it lacked that 3D pop. if you compared a mamiya RZ67 versus a 4x5, that's another story...
Exactly. Don't think it's necessarily due to the focal length. Mamiya 6-7 lens are just very clinical without much 3D pop. The Pentax 67 is another great example (even more then the RZ67) of a system that could be closer to 4x5 in terms of rendering. @@NicosPhotographyShow
This video became a bit unlikeable because I would have shown the two cameras and showed them. You assume people know those two camera types. The prop would have helped.
I understand the prop would help. But i have long sold my Mamiyas and still wanted to do a video talking about both. My guess is seeing it would have not become the most crucial point in the video but it would have been nice.
Your mustache is looking glorious my man. And I will say some good points were brought up here, that mamiya glass is tack sharp
I think the main question is what do you want to shoot. Point and shoot? You dont want to use a 4x5. If you go for 4x5 it will take time to adopt. Getting the movements will take a while to master and you have to be patient to swallow the pride that you are almost starting from scratch again. A lot of people get frustrated on the way. The real deal is when
a) once you get an understanding how to benefit from the movements
and
b) if you go into large prints or if you are actually printing in a darkroom.
I take my Linhof almost everywhere except birthday parties. For those you are better of with Mamiya / Rolleiflex / etc.
Negative size does matter. I have seen Richard Avedons prints on silver gelatin in size of over 2 meters length. The resolution was jaw dropping. You don´t get that on 6x7. But everything comes with a price . And I am not talking about money.
what about 4x5 linhof tehnika IV vs mamiya rb67?
I've heard that with a larger format film negative you get more dynamic range, but i'm not sure how that makes sense if the film stock is staying the same.
Its not 100% per same film size. But as you have a bigger picture you enlarge less and then have more details and gradients.
It’s interesting Nico that the look of the Mamiya 7 negatives was too clean for you. Most of the people expect exactly that. I am using Mamiya 6 and I am very happy with the results preferring square format..
I'm looking to get into 4x5...I've been seeing Chamonix, Tachihara and Shen Hao. Which of those 3 would you get? I really like the look of the Tachihara cameras.
Im a big Chamonix fan. Great quality for the price. I actually just made a video about all the LF options out there. The Tachihara looks good but I find them a little loose if a bit used. Shen Hao are a little more industrial and bulky than the other two. But a bit cheaper.
@@NicosPhotographyShow thanks so much, I'll check out the video now. when you say loose, what do you mean? they sure do look pretty haha
The video will be out in the following days. I mean when used they tend to get quite wiggly.
I would recommend Chamonix as well. They aren’t the cheapest cameras out there, but I’ve learned that a cheap camera often ends up costing you more in lost time, lost shots, wasted film etc.
There is one factor which results in a big (and inescapable) difference in the results you get shooting a larger format, and one which I find rarely gets mentioned in these discussions: namely the reduced perspective distortion you get when shooting wide angles due to the increased focal lengths. Shooting anything even moderately wide on 135 format gives those awful stretched corners, and looks anything but natural. Jumping up to 6x6 and 6x7 medium format is a massive improvement in this regard. The jump to large formats again gives an improvement here, albeit not quite as dramatic. So, if you're someone who shoots wide a lot (particularly extreme wide angle) and appreciates a more natural rendering then this is a serious factor to consider.
Just get a new Shen Hao and some Nikkor lenses. It's a new camera, you can get whatever style or format you want, and the Nikkors are common and offer a lot of bang for buck.
I have a Shen-Hao and a Nikkor-W 135mm, and I love that combination, portable and light weight, and image quality it really awesome
I bought a Chamonix F1 and three Nikkors. A 65mm a 90mm a day 210mm.
Nico, which store would you recommend using to get good 4x5 lenses / shutters?
4x5 images are amazing; 8x10 even more so, but slugging an 8x10 around anywhere requires a golf caddy. As for the Mamiya 7.........Hm. I bought one years ago with 2 lenses because the outfit was better suited to street photography than my Hasselblad. BUT: IMHO the Mamiya lenses just did NOT impress me with the overall rending; I much prefer the Zeiss "3D look"! And it really is true: there's just something about the Zeiss look that can't be replicated. Too bad Zeiss no longer makes lenses for 4x5.
@@jacovanlith5082 Rude, silly comment!
What do you think about Mamiya RB 6X7 lenses, are they as good as mamiya 7ii?
@@jacovanlith5082 Thanks.
Mamiya 7ii， it's range finder lens
Yeah it’s all about perspective/focus control, verticals etc etc for 4x5
I feel like you made this video because of me!
Yeah. This one was for you. Hope it helped.
@@NicosPhotographyShow Thank you very much for this Nico!
Happy to help.
‘Shenhao is a great field camera.
They are great.
I shoot a Hasselblad and a Chamonix f1 4x5. The Hasselblad is great for travel and if the weather looks iffy. The 4X5 is when I know exactly where and what I am shooting. I have already scouted the location and timed the tides and light etc hopefully for the perfect shot.
Its just the same with me. I take the bigger camera only when I know it will be a good time. No scouting on large format!
@@jacovanlith5082 The real question is what is the price of Tea in China ?
Im interested in 4x5 but I’m also interested in keeping my marriage. So no 4x5 for me 😂
In terms of 3D rendition, I don't agree that a mamiya 7 picture can hold his own against 4x5. I sold mine because although the sharpness was great, it lacked that 3D pop. if you compared a mamiya RZ67 versus a 4x5, that's another story...
what's the other story? - just curious..
My guess is the RZ67 does offer a f2.8 in a longer lens (110mm vs 80mm) and it has more separation alas 3D effect.
Honestly, as I cant recal exact pictures I just might as well go ahead and do a side by side just for fun. Maybe even add the RZ67. ;)
brilliant idea, Nico! I'd grab the popcorn for that @@NicosPhotographyShow
Exactly. Don't think it's necessarily due to the focal length. Mamiya 6-7 lens are just very clinical without much 3D pop. The Pentax 67 is another great example (even more then the RZ67) of a system that could be closer to 4x5 in terms of rendering. @@NicosPhotographyShow
This video became a bit unlikeable because I would have shown the two cameras and showed them. You assume people know those two camera types. The prop would have helped.
I understand the prop would help. But i have long sold my Mamiyas and still wanted to do a video talking about both. My guess is seeing it would have not become the most crucial point in the video but it would have been nice.