Medium Format Cameras

This week we offer an introduction to medium format cameras. Medium format cameras are often viewed as a big step up from 35mm format cameras. They are certainly the domain of the serious photographer, whether professional, aspiring professional or experienced amateur.

Price is often the most significant factor that stops people stepping up to this format, with fully featured, automatic cameras regularly coming in at well over £2000. Before you are put off for life though, at the other end of the market, for around £200, you can find an entry level camera. Obviously cameras in this price range will not be overloaded with all the latest state of the art features, but you will be able to explore the medium format world. For many former aspiring professionals the step up to this format has led to increases in income quickly offsetting the initial expenditure.

Benefits

If you wish to sell your photographs in the commercial world then you should seriously consider a medium format camera. Your chances of success are considerably higher when you are able to present to art directors and picture editors the larger slides and negatives produced by these cameras. It is easy to understand why when you consider the fact that the negative size is typically 350% larger that a 35mm negative. Not only do the images look more impressive, but because of the level of details that can be captured in a Medium Format image, enlargements are of a far greater quality. If you are a picture editor this is exactly the level of quality that you demand.

Components

Medium Format cameras have four major components. All components are interchangeable. Although it should be noted that components are not always compatible across different manufactures. There has been a move towards lighter components making Medium Format cameras easier to use for work out in the field. A number of the features now available also provide these cameras with some of the functionality you have come to expect from an SLR.

The Body

The body is the control centre and forms the hub of the camera. Once the components are fitted to the body you are ready to start shooting. The body has a maximum format size that it is capable of producing, so when you see a camera quoted as a 6x6, then the camera can produce images up to 6 by 6cm. A 6x6cm image is 350% larger than a 35mm image, so you can begin to see the power of this type of camera and why they are the choice of professional photographers. The actual picture area is a shade under the format size, for example a 6x7cm format can give a 56x69.5mm picture.

The Back

The camera back holds the film. Different format sizes and film types can be used, with the interchangeable backs allowing for mid roll change. If you are using a camera body with a maximum format capability of 6x7cm, then you will normally be able to use backs with film sizes 35mm, 35mm panoramic, 6x4.5cm, 6x6cm, up to 6x7cm.

A popular additional back is the Polaroid instant film back. This back allows you to take a test picture and see an instant print. If you are satisfied with the instant print then you can reselect the back and shoot your image confident of the end result. There is also an increasing range of digital backs available. These allow you to maximise your investment in medium format equipment by adding digital capabilities. The first medium format cameras built for digital photography are now becoming available. Some cameras also offer a revolving film back making it possible to change from portrait to landscape shots without moving the camera.

The Lens

As with any camera the lens is a vital piece of equipment. A lens of inferior quality will lead to poor quality final results. The choice of available lenses is wide and varied, including fixed and zoom. Lenses can commonly be found in the range of 40mm to 500mm. At the lower end of the range tend to be a series of wide angle lenses, with the upper end providing telephoto effects. Also included in the range are a number of special application lenses, fish eye, macro and soft focus, being among those available.

Bookmark with:

• Delicious
• Digg
• reddit
• StumbleUpon

Don’t know what this is?

Read the 50connect Guide To Social Bookmarking.