I love the dynamic range that medium format film provides.
This is one of my favorites from a roll of 120 up at Windy Gap last October.
Film Friday #08: Dad at the Lake
It's been a long time since I did a "Film Friday" post, but it's back with a portriat of my father.
Some of my best memories from growing up are from being at the lake with my Family, and it was nice to go there for Independence day last year. I had one photo left on a 120 roll from a previous trip, and I was trying to figure out a good shot to end it with. I saw my dad reading on the porch and grabbed the portrait you see below.
If you've been to the lake with us over the past fourteen years, you'll recognize the hat.
Mamiya 645 Pro-TL, 80mm f/1.9 @ f/4, Portra 400
Sweetwater Brewery
Back in April I visited the Sweetwater Brewery in Atlanta, Georgia with a group of friends and I made sure to bring my Mamiya 645 Pro-TL. I ended up shooting two rolls of 120 with Portra 400 and Ektar 100. I shipped it off to Richard Photo lab, just like every other person with a medium format camera does now, and I was very pleased with the results. The negatives I scan with my Epson V600 just don't cut it compared to what I got back from this particular lab.
It was interesting to see how different Portra and Ektar looked. The Portra looks a bit flat and warm, while the Ektar is more neutral and punchy. The only editing I did was a slight bump in exposure for the Portra, and I left the Ektar alone.
Like I said, I was very pleased with the results, and now I just have to come up with a good reason to send the negatives out to California every time I shoot.
These are my favorite shots from the two rolls. Let's start with the Portra 400.
Hint: Click on a picture and use the arrow keys to navigate.
Welcome to SweetWater
On Tap
Cheers!
This guy was the subject of Film Friday #06
"Can I touch your beard?"
And now for the Ektar 100.
Film Friday #06: Sweetwater Dog
A few weeks ago I went to the Sweetwater Brewery in Atlanta for a tour and I saw this guy hanging out with one of the servers! I think he may have had a little beer himself.
Mamiya 645 Pro-TL, 80mm, f/2.8, Portra 400
Film Friday #05: Josh Norris
I recently hung out with Josh and had the Mamiya 645 Pro-TL that day. Here's a couple of shots I got with it. I was a little frustrated with Epson Scan on this roll, but I think they turned out good!
Mamiya 645 Pro-TL, 80mm, f/2.8, Portra 400
Mamiya 645 Pro-TL, 80mm, f/1.9, Portra 400
Film Friday #03: Mitchell’s 2002
This beautiful BMW 2002 belongs to one of my old interns. Here it is parked in front of Central's town clock, which marks the exact halfway point of Charlotte and Atlanta by railroad. Did I mention that I love shooting with the Mamiya?
Mamiya 645 Pro-TL, 55mm, f/2.8, Ektar 100
Film Friday #02: Emily
A couple of weeks ago I got an 80mm f/1.9 lens for my Mamiya 645 Pro-TL. Last week I went though five rolls of 120 with most of the shots taken wide open, f/1.9, or at f/2.8, to test my ability to focus with it and see just how buttery the bokeh is. (It's pretty buttery.)
My sister came down from NYC for Easter and she was the subject of a lot of photos, but she's just supporting the subject in this one. We enjoyed a couple of glass-bottled cokes after brunch to keep from falling asleep and before I drank mine I thought of this shot to see how ridiculous the depth of field is on the 80mm. I'll be posting images from the most recent rolls over the next few weeks. Have a good weekend!
Mamiya 645 Pro-TL, 80mm, f/1.9, Portra 400
My First Shot at Medium Format
I've been keeping my eye out for a good yet inexpensive medium format camera for a few months. At the beginning of the year, I ran across a great deal for a Mamiya 645 Pro TL with a 55mm (35mm full frame equivalent) f/2.8 lens!
I ordered a prism finder, some Portra 160, and all I needed was a good subject. I wasted no time asking our intern Mitchell to let me take a few photos of his 1972 BMW 2002.
I knew I'd like medium format, but I am really impressed with it after seeing these first few frames. It certainly has an unmistakable depth and look to it that you just won't find with a 35mm frame.
Not long after taking the BMW pictures, a train came to a stop across the street from the office.
I snapped this picture of my gorgeous fiance on my lunch break.
These are from the old mill that's in the background of the BMW pictures.
I was really anxious to finish this roll to see how it would turn out, so I got our other intern outside for a few shots.
I jokingly told her to see if she could have a serious look for one frame since she's always smiling. This is the only time I've seen her like this...
As I was leaving the office, the sun had just set, but I wanted to get one more shot. I took this picture of one of the guys at Pancho's and fortunately I missed focus because it was a little dark. Oh well.
This last one was taken the next morning before dropping the roll off at the lab for processing.
These were taken back in January, but between getting a V600 to scan with and a halfway decent 120 film holder, it took a while to get around to scanning them.
The Mamiya turned out to be a great purchase. I just finished a roll of Ektar 100 and I'm currently using some TMax 400. Now all I need now is the infamous 80mm f/1.9...