After a reasonably long string of photographic successes (and happy clients) I tend to let my imagination wander a bit. I have been thinking about what I could do next, how I could expand my skills and repertoire, where I could go with photography. Should I do a series (I almost never do series) of something? Should I visit a new location (or type of location)? Should I try a drastically new focal length (e.g. shoot birds or something)?
I have a few ideas about what to try. The biggest one is to get back into medium format photography. I’ve been wanting a better wide-angle solution than my Canon 30D/10-22mm combo. I love the 30D and the super-wide angle lens, but I’m just not satisfied with the tonality, dynamic range, or resolution. And when I shoot landscapes I want to have the ability to make large prints if the photos warrant it (or I do a show). I can make 12x16 prints from my 30D, and the resolution and dynamic range all come out OK, but the tonality is just not as smooth as I’d like.
Also attractive about medium format is that it seems to be a clearer upgrade path in the long term because of how modular the systems are. In other words, instead of the usual body + lens, you now have a body, lens, back, viewfinder, winder, ground-glass, and probably other gadgets I don’t even know about. Medium format digital cameras and backs seem to be increasing in presence in the marketplace these days. “Full-frame” — meaning the sensor is the same size as a 35mm film frame — is the new rage in the DSLR world now, so there seems to be a clear trend towards larger sensors. Of course, I can’t afford a $10,000 digital back (not to mention the additional computing power to handle post-processing and storage), but in a few years maybe they’ll be reasonable for people like me.
My first film camera was actually a medium format camera: the Yashica LM (circa 1956). I found this little gem at the flea market for $45. It’s a twin-lens reflex with two fixed 80mm lenses built into it. Looking through the giant viewfinder was addictive. That is until I discovered I did not know how to use this 80mm focal length very well (i.e. equivalent to about 50mm lens in terms of a 35mm negative). This is not a good focal length for most landscape situations. But it works great for full-body or semi-wide portraits. So, I have decided I’m going to take this little guy out shooting again, this time for portraits. We’ll see what happens.
But back to the landscape idea: I’m seriously considering getting a Mamiya RZ67 which is a huge beast of a camera. My main hesitations with the idea are the following:
Surprisingly, this has been pre-approved by the wife. Maybe because the body is only about $160 right now on ebay. We’ll see what happens as I let this soak over the next few days.
