I'm thinking about borrowing a mamiya 7 rangefinder on a camera swap. But i have only shot 35mm film, and not extensively. but it would mean me being without my dslr for a time. is it worth the new experience? the only lens would be an 80mm f4. how ever i could rent more.

also i'm not clued up onto what the best type of film i would need to buy.

so i need some help and advice.

Here. I use a mamiya at work.

best type of film to purchase. 120 or 220 and brand? i understand that 220 doesnt have paper backing - don't know how that will effect me - i think not mush with the modern camera?

on this frame i take it 80mm will be wider do you have any idea on 35mm equivalents?

is the camera easy to use?

Also theres panorama adaptors for use with 35mm film but i'm baffled any simple explanation?

This post was edited by SUPACALIFRAGILISTICEXPALIDOCIOUS on Mar 21 2011 04:29pm

mmm I'll ask, since i'm not too familiar with the film we use.

boss is out to lunch

This post was edited by onepagememory on Mar 21 2011 04:50pm

ok thanks im also looking at processing these images. some negative scanners have low dpi - what kind of figure would produce a larger sharp print? Also its expensive to get them done at photo shops

Get 120, easier to find, cheaper and more emulsions are available.

80mm is 50mm equivalent, I believe.

It's a rangefinder, rather than a TLR or SLR, and I've never used it, but I imagine it's pretty simple to use.

Panorama means shooting a very wide 35mm shot. Basically just a wider than normal shot on 35mm film.


PS, Mamiya 7 is medium format, not large.

I knew it was medium not sure where my topic title sprang from.
i would need a continuous 35mm film rather than commercial one? - i'm really newb with film

ideal focal range for portraits would be around 150mm then?

As far as emulsions on film do you have any advice on where i can do some extra reading to learn about these?

edit:

thanks for help guys i'm excited about this :/

This post was edited by SUPACALIFRAGILISTICEXPALIDOCIOUS on Mar 21 2011 05:00pm

I'm not understanding your second question there. Are you meaning you'd need bulk film rather than canister film? Either way, I'm not entirely sure, I've never shot 35mm panorama, without a specially made camera for it, and that used standard 35mm canister film.

yup, 150 or 180, but remember that the lens would be harder to use the longer it is. One of the downsides of rangefinders...

Flickr film groups are a good place to read about characteristics of certain films, it depends what you're interested in shooting though. I'd stick with C41 for now, as it's easy to develop, and it's got a good wide range of emulsions available.

yes i was referring to canister or bulk film- as i don't even know what is on the market for this. the adaptor is made by mamiya for this camera. its not 3rd party.