Fujifilm GFX 100 vs Intrepid 4x5 View Camera, Episode 2: Maiden Voyage

Рет қаралды 15,762

3 жыл бұрын

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Welcome back to episode 2 of my exploration of Fujifilm's GFX 100 and Intrepid Camera's 4x5 Mark IV large format film camera. Today, I share with you my maiden voyage of shooting 4x5.
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Пікірлер: 124

@brucehumphrey7446 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Hugh, this is Bruce Colin Hugh Humphrey from South Africa. I have loved your videos for some years now, but never commented - until this one which riveted me. You see, I am a retired professional photographer in my mid 70's and did all of my work as a professional on medium and especially large format, using a Horseman camera and Schneider lenses (the 150mm f5.6 being a favourite). I also had a full color darkroom and did all my own film developing and printing. I did an MA degree, and used to be asked to demonstrate to students a few times a year. I had developed the ability to pre-visualize my images in my mind and work out exactly what movements I would need to set up a shot - to the point where the Professor would often have to ask me to slow down because, in his words, watching me work with a view camera was like watching sleight of hand because I was so practised and fast. So I chuckled at you getting used to large format. Since I retired I have gone completely digital using - you probably guessed it - a Fujifilm X-Pro 2 and three prime lenses, and wish I could afford a Leica! But have always felt that digital was still a long way from competing with 6x7 medium format and 4x5 inch large format in terms of image quality and prints. So you have left me in suspense for your further episodes on how they really compare, can't wait. I still find myself occasionally nostalgic for my old Horseman and all the craft and magic of large format film shooting. All the best, Bruce

@charlieb.4273 3 жыл бұрын

There is no question in my mind that digital is superior in just about every aspect. Resolution, color, speed of process, editing and printing. That being said, I never use it. I am not trying to make a living by photography, I don’t enter contests, hardly ever show people my work. What I am doing is creating works of art, with full control of every step in the process. Exposure, processing, contact sheet, printing. Every step critical to making a print satisfying to my exacting standards. The skills maybe archaic but they are mine. The print is my ultimate goal, not a scan or a iPhone jpg. To these ends, my Hasselblad 500 c/m and modest darkroom are a complete image factory and yield what I want from my photography. Creative Satisfaction. To paraphrase our eloquent host, your means to that end may differ. Thanks for another insightful video. Charlie in Virginia

@dimitrisadamopoulos 3 жыл бұрын

Amen! 🙌🤝🤝

@phillipmurray8848 3 жыл бұрын

We all know this was never about comparisons. Glad you are still enjoying the experience. Waiting for the next thrilling episode.

@briansavage932 3 жыл бұрын

Comparing the two mediums, to me, is silly. It's not about image quality necessarily. It's about the process. I'd you're shooting large format you need to have your own darkroom for enlarging, or at the very least a changing bag set up for developing and a scanning rig capable of capturing a high resolution scan of the negative for digital post processing and printing. Outsourcing film for developing and scanning is just too slow and you lose all ability to control the entire back end of the process. I find that most people who grew up working with film now overwhelmingly prefer digital, while people of my generation who came of age when in the transition period of film to digital, and those younger than me, are very open to the idea of a slower, more methodical workflow. It's a way to take a break from our technology-infested lives. It's a meditation of sorts. The journey is just as important as the destination. So, the answer to all this "vs" talks is "what is more compelling to you as an artist?"

@lensman5762 3 жыл бұрын

Well said sir. TBH, I as a photographer who used both mediums, am sick of seeing Y.T videos or articles with titles such as Pentax 67 V Digital and so on. What is the point? When I have had enough of the crazy fast on demand world that live in, I shoot film. It slows me down. It makes me think. It relaxes me. It is a craft requiring skill, know how and vision. There is no LCD for pixel peeping.

@valenciosmall1683 3 жыл бұрын

My two week old 100S has looked up on me numerous times but I will say I was expecting it from my experience with a 100S I rented for 7 days prior to the delivery of my camera that I waited a month and a half to get, the rental would just lock up after attempting to press the shutter, the screen would go black and eventually come back to life showing a under exposed image, it happened so often that to not show my frustration in the presence of my clients that I divided a workaround by releasing the battery the second the camera locked up and that would get me right back to shooting, I spoke to Fuji and was told that there is a known issue with the ribbon cable that runs to the LCD and that it would be a quick fix and was told to send the camera in for service. If the image quality was not so amazing and the colors so spot on I would be reconsidering this camera after spending almost $30,000 on two bodies and lenses

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing. This IS a disappointment if this is indeed the issue.

@johnwheat1542 3 жыл бұрын

Hugh, This second installment was definitely worth the wait! While you are not ready to “jump to conclusions” yet, your commentary definitely got me thinking further about all that is really involved here. Plus, I had never thought of using a mirrorless to plan and set up your shot with the large format camera, but that’s a great idea. Also, as I have mentioned on previous videos, I sincerely appreciate your conducting these tests from the perspective of specific use cases. To me, that makes all the difference in virtually any camera analysis. To be honest, I don’t think I could ever have the patience for setting up the large format capture or working in a dark room again, but - hey - I’m not going to write it all off until I see your final results. I’m still awe-struck by the huge print of the cityscape shot through a window using a GFX 100s that you panned across in an earlier video. If you can eclipse those kinds of results with the large format film camera, I might be persuaded to jump through a lot of hoops. :-) Thanks so much for this series. Best, John W

@russclayton1853 3 жыл бұрын

Loving this comparison series. Great presentation as usual.

@QuentinBargate 3 жыл бұрын

I shot with 4x5 and occasionally 8x10 film, and working in London, I could get the transparencies (usually Provia or Velvia) back the same day using one of the pro labs near my office. I'd then scan them using a Howtek D4500 drum scanner (a dinosaur I know). The results could be great but to get the most from such a complex process involved an insane amount of work and time disproportionate to the supposed benefits, and that's assuming the transparency was good to begin with. Moreover, speaking with the late Michael Reichmann of the Luminous Landscape, we both came to the conclusion that roughly 80mp matched or bettered well shot fine grained 4x5 large format film. There is room for argument about this, of course, but that was my and his *subjective* conclusion. Scans can contain so much "junk" data its easy to be misled about the supposed benefits of film, in my view, and then there is the cost of it all...

@figjoy 3 жыл бұрын

Nice! I'm glad to know you're doing this... I can't wait to see more!

@poniatowski3547 3 жыл бұрын

You are right Hugh about having your own darkroom. I got into film after starting my photography journey with digital first. I built my own darkroom and find the whole film process makes my enjoyment of photography so much more. I still also shoot digital, but all my favs are b&w film in medium format. Great video.

@anthonymiller8979 3 жыл бұрын

Agree! Got back into photography in November with a canon digital after a 25 year hiatus from photography. By January the Canon had been sold, an F5 was purchased and I was turning my 25 year unused darkroom space back into a darkroom. First I just developed and scanned, now I have an enlarger and just started contact printing 4x5. Nothing as satisfying to me as film.

@gpappas4332 3 жыл бұрын

Hugh, great series and excellent channel! Agree with your first full image making session and assessment. The view of the image, upside down and large, is the counterpoint to habitual seeing. once you get the mechanics down, as you are doing, you can focus (no pun intended) on the essentials. I have been a 4x5/5x7 photographer since early 90's...digital was awesome but a tsunami of shuffling in how I went about my work. I still use the 5x7 and develop/print/scan my negs..agree with you that it is important if you want to use a view camera for control and turnaround. I find the "seeing" part of using the view camera helps how I photograph with everything else, including a phone....there is still something totally awesome about using View Camera movements to "get it all" during shooting that cannot be recreated as well with shift lenses or post-processing. A worthy addition to ones repertoire for the right reasons..look forward to the next episodes.

@ShaiYammanee 3 жыл бұрын

An interesting start to the project. I'm looking forward to seeing your thoughts when comparing the images when printed

@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy Жыл бұрын

I used to shoot a Crown Graphic 4x5 camera with a Schneider 135mm lens. I got the camera with a bunch of film holders for $100. This is before the digital camera era, and one thing I liked about it, is that either nobody, or nearly nobody in my local market even used one. Back when everybody wasn't a photographer. The $15 a click once you take into account film, and developing cost, kept anyone who wasn't serious out of the pool, so to speak. That was the sharpest, most detailed camera I had ever used at the time. I got View Camera magazine, and was obsessed with the increasingly larger formats, with the giant Polaroid camera being the creme de la creme of the lot giving full size 1:1 prints straight out of the camera. I got into photography because of Ansel Adams, and all the amazing shots he got with an 8x10 camera. I saw his original prints in person in a traveling show once, and they pop off the page the image quality is so good. Technology has moved on though, and I have to think that if he were alive today, he'd have a GFX100S. I have a GFX 50S II at the moment, but way exchange it for the 100S, I'm not sure. The tonal range, sharpness and detail is exceptional. I got the 50S II because I think there's some now bodies coming, and I want to try and limit my loses when it comes time to upgrade but have a GFX camera to build a system on in the meantime. As sharp as the 50S II sensor is, I bet the enhanced res lightroom modes will make it look very close to a GFX 100S. Some people say the color is even better on the 50S as well. Who really knows? It's hard to find direct comparisons at this level, because there are so fewer users of medium format digital. I do wish the sensor was more like 6x6 or 6x7, but we can't have everything. Hard drive space isn't free.

@3BMEP Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing a bit of your photographic journey!

@rscottadams7082 3 жыл бұрын

IBIS is “good” but if you want your comparison to mean anything much, you should be shooting the digital cameras on a tripod.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

That IS part of the plan, multishot included. 😊. But I reject the notion that tripod based shooting is the only valid parameter for comparison. 🖖🏻😎

@rscottadams7082 3 жыл бұрын

@@3BMEP I agree completely! One of the compelling things about my GFX 100 is the amazing IBIS / OIS. So, shoot the GFX hand held with IBIS, and then shoot the 4x5 hand held for comparison? ;-) By the way, I really enjoy and appreciate your channel.

@richholoch8230 2 ай бұрын

I also grew up with film and built my own darkroom - 35mm, medium and large format. Today, I have a GFX-50s with the Fuji adapter on the back of a Cambo 45N - and am in heaven. The workflow is still much slower and more deliberate than say using my Fuji X-T5 or Lumix LX-100ii hand held. Since I only use the Cambo in the studio (portraits and small product), its a tool in my toolbox.

@3BMEP 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

@hawg427 3 жыл бұрын

We had to use a 4x5 view camera when attending our formal 2 year photography school in Daytona Beach. remember when I attended Daytona there were only Two other Big name schools around, Brooks Institute in Ca. and Kodak in New York, We took an entire Semester (6mo) to study and get the entire Zone System down pat. No highlight indicators on those bad boys. LOL There was nothing hotter than trying too focus and compose under that Black hood during the HOT Fl. summers. A towel was a must.

@savagefrieze4675 3 жыл бұрын

Good argument for “using the right tool for the job” when comparing the three different cameras ever so briefly. Looking forward to further videos. I probably would have chosen a Hasselblad, mamyia or Rollie, or other medium format 120/220 film camera. But comparing to the intrepid is really cool.

@geogi_bodies 3 жыл бұрын

Stumbled upon this while looking for a video of adapting GFX 100 on view camera......So glad that I did because it reinforced my love for large format. And the point about printing is exactly what I have in mind. I only started learning photography about 1.5 years ago. Started on 35mm film, but I made the jump to 6x6 and now 4x5 in less than a year. At one point I realized 36 frames per roll is still too many for me (can't imagine myself with digital, though I am thinking of getting a Sigma sd Quattro). In an effort to make every shot count, I told myself "I will only take photos that I want to print eventually", and it works. I only shoot for fun, not money (I'm glad I don't have to). And the whole process from planning a trip to darkroom printing is great fun! (I do enjoy the hybrid workflow on editing scans) Planning to build a (makeshift) darkroom in the coming few months. Hope to build one big enough for blowing prints up to 20x24.

@ChuckAbles 3 жыл бұрын

Well done. Love this episode. And I think you're brilliant sharing a 4X5 film with Fuji and explaining your thoughts. I know for me, giving I am not a pro, I love both digital and film. It's almost a 'Catch 22' deciding my favorite. So more often than not, I will pack a digital and film camera. What the heck right? So my next serious venture will be July 3rd in Prescott, AZ, for the 4th of July parade with a Leica M2 w/Voightlander 28mm and CL w/18--56mm. I love sharing my thoughts, especially shooting film, with both young and old who approach me curious.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Sharing is part of the joy, yes!

@henkjanpomstra1395 3 жыл бұрын

Shooting both a Hasselblad X1D and a Linhof Technika 4x5 and developing and scanning my own film, I find that the perceived sharpness on a screen is far higher in digital, even if I scan a larger file and use an Apo Schneider lens. Grain is just different than a pixel. But the smoothness of the film image at "normal" print sizes is very different on film. A "look" is very subjective though, I guess I like both the look of film and the process of crafting your image until it is on paper. Better or just different, interesting question. I am looking forward to the next episode of your journey.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. I’m finding the same thing. Stay tuned!

@brian_larwood 3 жыл бұрын

As someone who grew up using polaroid cameras and simple second-hand 35mm film cameras then graduating to a Mamiya Universal Press 6x7 medium format camera, I must say that I love film . On the flip side I think digital is definitely the way to go but I cannot afford to buy a Sony a7s iii, or any other type of high quality digital camera. So I've decided to go back to film. I have come full circle I started with film I have gone into digital and now going back to film. In the short term film is cheaper and I'm even considering setting up my own darkroom again. So for me medium format and 35mm film will be what I use until I win the lottery!!

@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy Жыл бұрын

Another benefit of digital is the no-loss process. There's no negative, then the optical spreading and flaws of enlargement going through another lens to make the print. Props to anybody who's making that attempt though, it's a labor of love and now since it's nearly gone, it's art. A note about scans though. The Heidelberg Tango drum scans were the best. If they've got a flatbed scanner, look elsewhere IMO.

@stuartbaines2843 3 жыл бұрын

No error messages with LF 😂 Pure photography is a pleasure unto itself 👌

@JJ-ew9lq 3 жыл бұрын

It has taken me 3 months to realize that I need to, and to figure out how, to manually deal with the shutter and aperture from a lens manufactured in 1986 and use it on a modern digital camera. Turns out I have to "futz" with a screw and a stop down lever. That's as far old school as I want to go. But gosh the futzing with an old lens is fascinatingly fun, I have to admit!

@amereinterlude 3 жыл бұрын

Large format photography was always a slower and more deliberate way of working, but the disappearance of fast-turnaround film labs has taken the slow photography thing to a completely new artisan hipsterish level. In the eighties we would shoot our colour tests on 5x4 first thing, walk them round the corner to the lab and by the time we’d swallowed a coffee and a biscuit in the caff next door, the films were ready. Then full on for the rest of the day. Later, I used to dish-process 12x10 B&W cut film right there next to the studio and we even had our own E-6 processing machine, though that WAS a pain. Is it worth it now? Not if you’re a professional with tetchy clients, clearly, but as a photography lover, maybe. There still is something special about the negative-positive process and we do know that film negatives and paper prints have a very long archival life if they are stored well. I always found the idea of a photograph subsisting as nothing more than a row of zeros and ones rather unnerving, like it doesn’t really exist at all. It’s nice to have a negative.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Actually… would you not agree, Simon, that at one point I’m the evolution of photography, large format was about a faster and more portable way of shooting? 😎🖖🏻

@amereinterlude 3 жыл бұрын

@@3BMEP Yes, I suppose that’s true if you factor in the huge impact to news photography of large format being adapted to hand-held Graflex cameras such as the Speed and Crown Graphic. We tend to forget now that press photographers all used these in 30s and 40s. The “Speed” in the name referred to its 1/000 sec shutter speed, though, rather than its handling. Is this what you were thinking of when you referred to “faster and more portable” - or am I barking up the wrong tree here……🧐

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

@@amereinterlude I was thinking of the revolutionary portability Mathew Brady's field camera represented over camera obscura of earlier centuries. :)

@amereinterlude 3 жыл бұрын

@@3BMEP Ah yes…Mr Lincoln’s Cameraman….and all the other greats who pioneered the use of the field camera. Wonderful period in the history of photography.

@phiswe 3 жыл бұрын

9:12 This applies not only to large format but to any situation where a tripod is in use. There are apps for pre-visualizing and composing the scene at different aspect ratios and focal lengths. Still, I think a director's viewfinder is probably the fastest way to determine a camera position without first setting up the tripod.

@andrewthompson5609 3 жыл бұрын

Check out Color house in Soho. They will scan 4x5 on an Imacon. I also have an Imacon and could scan a frame or two for you to show you what 4x5 is really capable of .

@asyukr 3 жыл бұрын

Now every photograpger is looking for something to be unique in the crowded market. And, film photography, and in particular large format photography s one of such ways to become unique now. Regardless any quality cafeterias, any viewer can easely differentiate even small print made from the film camera (optical print) by far rich tonality gradation and large format by its incredible atmospheric bokeh. Your sample in the studio will not demonstrate fully an advantage of large format camera because the scene is flat, no background is present. There is no possibility to demonstrate how large format camera can separate the subject, isolate it from the rest of world. Another advantage of a large format camera is in its slow workflow. This will change your approach how you are taking photos, selecting your composition, thinking about the result, how it should looks like on a printed image. I'm shooting with both, digital 46Mpix camera and the medium format film camera, and I have several freends who is using large format camera. I love both digital and analog worlds of photography. P.S. developing B&W film or film sheets at home its really easy. You don't need a darkroom for this. But, developing proces will add a new degree of freedom to your creativity.

@zouhairbenazzouz2536 3 жыл бұрын

I never say this, but "First" ! Super video, I know that one day I will go dig into the traditional photography

@chuckmoser9662 3 жыл бұрын

Instead f scanning, use the Fuji to take a photo of the negative. Whenever I feel ambitious I copy a batch of my old 35mm negatives using my A7Riii. I get pretty good results.

@JMichaelThurman 3 жыл бұрын

I missed the smell and feel of the darkroom...so I did build a modest one. Also solved the problem of needing time away from a computer screen, as I drive one all day during the business week. Film, pen and paper for an analog break from the digital flood.

@CalumetVideo 2 жыл бұрын

While I still shoot film. I will say you raised great points. The advantages of film is slow down and lower cost for equipment and that “film” experience. However, I think digital really shines in that the cost per image is far lower than the cost of a frame of film. The simplicity of shooting to a card and the ability to edit and download to devices while bypassing the time and expense of using a darkroom is a joy in itself. I may have shot 5 impressive images on digital while struggling with focusing and changing film on a large format. I don’t mind the darkroom developing as much as Scanning negatives is a pain, it’s time consuming and tedious.

@3BMEP 2 жыл бұрын

Different strokes… Thanks for sharing! 😊🖖🏻

@4sapphireb Жыл бұрын

I use a high resolution camera (Sony a7riv) to scan my 4x5 film negatives using multiple exposures and then stitch them. It’s the best of both worlds

@michaelschneider9710 3 жыл бұрын

Have you thought of adding a contact print from the negative to the mix? There is something to be said for staying "analog" rather than going through digital. I used to shot 4x5 and 8x10 the contact prints were something that I have not been able to duplicate on digital. If you were comparing vinyl to digital music, would you digitize the music from the album and compare the digitized output, or plug the record player into an nice amp and pre amp and compare the soundstage?

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Will consider it!

@calvinchann1996 3 жыл бұрын

Aw. Thought we were going to get Hugh in a corset 🤣

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

😜

@oudviola 3 жыл бұрын

🤣

@ASchallau 3 жыл бұрын

Hugh, regarding the error message on the GFX 100, I have seen this behavior when shooting with the GF 32-64mm f4 lens at either extreme of the focal length range and stopped down beyond f/8. In my experience with three copies of the lens and having used it on the GFX 100, 50S, and two copies of the 50R, I have only experienced this issue when using the lens with the zoom ring turned to a hard-stop at 32mm or 64mm. I have found that if I turn the zoom ring ever so slightly and set the lens to 33mm or 63mm or anywhere in between those values then I do not experience the camera "bricking".

@3BMEP 2 жыл бұрын

GREAT input Adam, THANK YOU!

@thomaseriksson6256 3 жыл бұрын

I will wait with getting the Fuji GFX 100S but after updating my Nikon F-system with a D850 and Zeiss Milvus 25mmF1.4, Nikon 70-200F2.8 E VR and maybe a 500mmF5.6 E VR so it will last 12 more year so I can use my PC lenses. I will slowly get a GFX camera and 2-3 lenses. I'm concern about the bottom plate and short screws on the GFX100S and the lack of PC lenses. I mostly into Fine art woodland and infra structure photography. I currently use a Nikon D700 and Fuji X-Pro1, X-T1. I have only 35mm, 18-55mm and just ordered a 55-200mm for the Fuji cameras. I use analogue MF cameras as Fuji 690 III and HB 503CW sparsely. I will sell my Mamiya 7II. My Nikon equipment: Zeiss 18mmF3.5, Zeiss 35mmF2.0, Zeiss 50mmF1.4, Zeiss 100mmF2.0 Macro. Nikon 24mmF3.5 PC, 45mmF2.8 PC, AFS 60mmF2.8 Macro, 85mmF2.8 PC, AF85mmF1.8D, AFS200F2.0 and AF300mmF2.8.

@henrymaddocks984 3 жыл бұрын

I miss my darkroom. You can’t beat the process and watching your images slowly appear in the tray but not sure I could be bothered anymore. Old age?

@jjlad5037 3 жыл бұрын

That was both entertaining and instructive. I find myself at a crossroads having recently sold my 4x5 Ebony. I'm now deciding what to replace it with. Move up to 8x10, perhaps a fixed focal 4x5 for street photog....or heaven forbid, move to medium format digital?

@3BMEP 2 жыл бұрын

Digital is compelling for many reasons - but if you LOVE LOVE LOVE the workflow and nuances of large format negatives, you know your answer...

@davidsutton7439 3 жыл бұрын

If I may add a single point to your discussion… the pure madness of digital photography today. Every year camera companies release iterative changes to marketed hype products. Then shaming us into buying the latest and greatest for a feature or two which should have been there from the beginning (Fuji, Sony). Or adding features only to cripple the camera in other areas as not to encroach on other product lines ( Looking at you Canon). Then there are the lenses. With the voluminous released lenses of the last 5 years, no wonder photographers are bouncing from system to system. As for me I got out of the rat race of digital. Got back to my roots in film. Slowed down to consider the fundamentals. Even delving into of all things, wet-plate ( yes the Intrepid camera does wet-plate). And bought my self a 4x5 Intrepid, Rodenstock 150mm f/5.5 lens, and all the trimmings. Yes image quality and pixel peeping are still important, even with film. But so is slowing down and working out a composition. Thinking, or should I say critical thinking has been lost with modern photography. High time we start that road back, and produce quality photographs so we can deserve the digital cameras. For me, that road back to critical thinking to produce quality photographs, is large format film. I hope to see you on this road we’re traveling!!! Blessings to you and Claudia.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

😊🖖🏻

@TimofejNenarokov 3 жыл бұрын

that sigma 45mm is just a wonder lens.

@MartinCHorowitz 3 жыл бұрын

I have a large format printer and large screen High quality monitor for end to end digital work flow, A lot easier than a dark room.

@rupunzel6299 3 жыл бұрын

If film is exposed-developed per box or film data sheet spec, expect loss in shadow detail due to assumptions baked into how the ISO film speed was determined. This makes a direct comparison between B&W film to Digital come up with a dis-advantage for B&W film.

@tplyons5459 Жыл бұрын

Exactly what ere the dimensions of that huge print you got from the Fuji? I have the 100S and nobody can tell me just how big I can go before pixelation?

@3BMEP Жыл бұрын

X-T2? 27x40” R5? 60” on the long side. I could go bigger with both.

@tplyons5459 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for that. I also have a Pentax 52mp 645Z and I was doing prints half the size of a door and no way near pushing it and just wondered about my 100S@@3BMEP

@3BMEP Жыл бұрын

@@tplyons5459 I should be able to share details about that in a bit - hold that thought - although I’m betting an entire wall is within reach, quite possibly beyond.

@krishnansrinivasan830 3 жыл бұрын

Sir , Pixel shift .. does that help ?! Nice video , Thanks :)

@sorenmelchior 3 жыл бұрын

Do yourself a favor ... try a nice geared head for that tripod for your 4x5. I use a Photoclam Multiflex (essentially a copy of an Arca Swiss C1 "Cube" for 2/3's the cost). A ball head is awkward at best for composing with a 4x5 field camera, you will likely thank me after trying a geared head for composing. It makes that much of a difference, especially if you are OCD like I am. Also pick up a few different lenses when you can (or rent them). Something like a 75mm or 90mm for wide, and a 210mm or 240mm for a more compressed look. Since you are comparing Fuji and the 4x5, you might consider trying Fuji FILM (Neopan, Velvia, etc...), and then compare the Fuji film results with the Film modes in the GFX. Oh.. and one more suggestion, when you start working with tilt and shift, you might try and rent a Cambo Actus so you can use similar movements on the GFX. And above all.... relax and enjoy the journey.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the recces!

@slaidaniel628 3 жыл бұрын

Interesting material......

@PeterFrostSussex 3 жыл бұрын

Great video Hugh. Have you checked out the story of photographer Harry Burton, the most famous photographer that many have never heard of? The Man Who Shot Tutankhamen. Easily found on KZfaq and a fascinating insight into Burtons work where he shoots and develops large format photographs in the Egyptian desert. Puts all the photographic troubles we could ever encounter into perspective.

@jaredgotcher 3 жыл бұрын

I grew up shooting digital, and still shoot digital for most of my paid work. I am incredibly burned out on staring at screens, so film appeals to me, at the very least, for the absence of these. I was also classically trained in design, using paints and chalks and giant canvases; to me, working with my hands on a physical piece of art has always been most satisfying, however comparatively impractical and inefficient it is to digital workflow.

@garrytopp1327 3 жыл бұрын

Surprising video. Given Hugh’s love of photographic heritage and ( I thought ) an intuitive sense of the relationship between subject, device and the photographer, I would have thought Hugh would know that pixel peeping between large format film and digital is a complete waste of time. Large format is about the process, the interaction with the subject and the device and the absolutely unique perspective and depth of field. This “comparison” with digital achieves nothing. As others have said, large format film is about intent and the interaction with the subject. The boy”s got a lot to learn.

@GillesQuennevilleGQ 3 жыл бұрын

Bravo. Can’t wait to see the next.

@tallaganda83 3 жыл бұрын

I stopped shooting film because of the lack of reasonably priced good quality scanners. Digital is just so much easier with probably better quality anyway. Film does have a certain look though and movements can be fun.

@carltanner9065 3 жыл бұрын

About that problem with the Fuji, apparently, quite a few other people have had the same problem with the system. Having it clam up on them right when they needed to have the camera work. I don't know if they've found a workaround for it, yet. Might come in a firmware update, I'd imagine. Back to film, I like that film gets you away from the computer screen. One of my bugbears with digital is the post processing of the damn files. Not that it's hard to do...using the software is no problem. It's just the time you have to spend in front of a damned computer to get the results you want out of the pics. When your work and other hobbies require time in front of a computer, you don't want to have to do more. It's no good for your health, either. In any case, I started out if film and I like the way film makes me think about what I'm doing when taking photos. Slows me down and gets me to consider everything that I put into making an image. Digital, maybe convenient and faster, yes, but it lacks soul. Plus, it's far more vulnerable a medium than film. Less permanent, storage wise (unless you use one of those gold plated archival DVD's) and easy to corrupt. Now, don't get me wrong, I use both film and digital. And, for astrophotography, digital is the way to go. Using film for that endeavour is something I won't miss. However, for me, film is something I would prefer over digital for my own work. And, if someone doesn't mind me using film for a job, then I'll use it for that, too. Though, for large volume and general professional work, I do think that digital has rightly replaced film. Time is money in work life and film can't compete on that front. For, the most part.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Well considered - thanks for sharing!

@pablovi77 3 жыл бұрын

Weeks? Are you telling me there’s no lab in NYC who can develop in one day? Here in Mexico City, you’ll get your develop and contact sheet in a day, two at the most. Scanning does take a few days.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

I need to find a different lab.

@GrandadsReviews 3 жыл бұрын

That error message usually indicates poor contact between lens and body normally caused by dirty or corroded contacts either in the lens or body,

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@Crispy_Bee 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah large format scans are something "special". Most companies only use a photo flatbed scanner for anything above medium format (some even use them for medium format) and those are mostly limited to something like 1.800 dpi (at best) even if the manufacturers claim ridiculous numbers like 4.800 dpi. So that's about 9000x7200 pixels - but only if the negative is perfectly flat and perfectly aligned with the scanning area. If it's slightly higher or lower than it should be it'll be out of focus and you can pretty much only get half the expected resolution. Drum scans are the only "real" option but very expensive, very slow and only few people actually perform them.

@oudviola 3 жыл бұрын

I typically scan at 3200 ppi to get the confirmed optical resolution of 2400 ppi on my Epson v800. 2400 ppi gives a 115 megapixel file, and that's probably still not at the film's actual resolution. Probably not perfectly focused though. With a drum scan I imagine 4x5 film has far more than 100 megapixels of information. Plus the relationship of image size on the "sensor" to lens focal length is completely different than with smaller "sensors".

@rscottadams7082 3 жыл бұрын

Lock up probably due to the SD card you were using. Fuji’s are very fussy about SD card - even ones that are “in spec.”

@johnhealey425 3 жыл бұрын

I’m holding my thoughts until the comparison is complete. But if I may, the lack of control when it comes to developing and scanning the 4x5 is a problem for this series.

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

Not a problem so much as a reality likely for many considering a move to the format, no?

@johnhealey425 3 жыл бұрын

@@3BMEP unless you trust/know the development lab and the scanning workflow - details not always shared - you will be guessing at the results. This is nothing new to the large format photographer. To overcome these challenges many will establish a relationship with a lab and work out the details, similar to finding a reputable printer to print digital files. This is not an impossible task, it just takes time. If you’re considering any format you’ll need an understanding of the workflow and limitations/benefits of the process. Thoughts released…

@gchristopherklug 3 жыл бұрын

Do you have an SL2 or an SL2-S?

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

SL2, Chris.

@gchristopherklug 3 жыл бұрын

Most excellent, sir. If you ever need anything developed, I offer my services. I really applaud your project here… although I have to give some thought to your goal of comparing prints. I 100% agree that the ultimate test is a print held in your hand. No question. But don’t you have to control for inkjet vs. silver gelatin and the material differences? I mean only insofar as trying to determine the differences inherent in the recording medium? And, so many of your comments about the fussy nature of shooting large format. And you were doing it in the studio, right? Those people who haul an 8x10 around in the Southwest to shoot landscape… yikes. All my best as we all come out of our caves… I haven’t thought about photography since March of ‘20.

@ewtriplett 3 жыл бұрын

Just load the Peterson holder in a dark bag.

@chevy2die 2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like someone needs a Paterson tank and an Epson V850 😂

@tomniblick7365 3 жыл бұрын

Comparing scanned film to digital is a waste of time. You are either in one camp or the other. A true test would be to mount a BetterLight or PhaseOne scanback to the 4x5. Now you are talking digital files with comparable resolutions and dynamic range. I made my living for decades shooting art with both film and large format scanbacks and would never return to film. There is just too much control gained with a digital workflow. I do agree with two points: working with a view camera is an incredibly enjoyable experience and, now that I'm retired, my go to cameras are Leica M10 and SL. They simply make my life more fulfilling.

@gentrygarage 3 жыл бұрын

Oh... this is going to be interesting :)

@chiranjeevmisra1 3 жыл бұрын

Hold that thought...

@3BMEP 3 жыл бұрын

😉

@gchristopherklug 3 жыл бұрын

You are shooting film? The heck you say!

@christopherward5065 3 жыл бұрын

The film workflow is often about previsualisation for me. Decisions about what I want to make, determining film-stock, and exposure to suit the conditions. Development chemistry to get the feel in the image on a printable negative, paper stock choices, chemistry choices. Differential dodging burning, adjusting contrast filters, toning… Cameras in the middle of all of that were about lenses, lens movements, apertures and filters, placing the camera to get the composition and capturing the image. Digital is very much about the camera and the post-production. I can see what I captured immediately and post-visualisation is everything. The two methods have diverged into different universes but the image maker is central in each. The workflow in digital is superior, the technical mastery of all aspects in film is compelling. Great film photography is artisanal and fragile. Great digital is robust and lives through imaginative post-production.

@hetschipVeronica 3 жыл бұрын

Nice one! I worked on film for some 40 years before going digital, but still work a lot on bw film. Not very interesting for anyone but me, but... In my view you have to do your own developing and scanning. I have not found a lab that can get the results I can myself, with 40 years behind me. And if you do that, film is superior in tonality and dynamic range, especially in the highlights. For me, that is. The combination of exposure and development is key to film work, especially bw. Just my 2 cents. Oh, and by the way, my digital prints of silver negatives are far better then any silver print I ever made. success !

@bfs5113 3 жыл бұрын

I have a 40 year photography journey too, and did my own processing & printing in B&W and color. However, I also have the same number of years as an IT pro, hence digital and film is no different in my mind. As a bonus, I played with broadcast TV production too, but mostly as a director and control room person. Just as I remembered Kodak Shirley, Kodachrome and color analyzer with film, I also remembered the early days of setting up a 'digital darkroom' with a custom build, dual processor PC, stack of 10,000 RPM SCSI drives and CRT & printer color management, early software, etc. However, what I dislike the most in having plenty of these good old days stories to talk about. 🙂

@MartinCHorowitz 3 жыл бұрын

Still waiting for the Video Mode Comparison.....

@urbanimage 3 жыл бұрын

8-)

@thomaspopple2291 3 жыл бұрын

We don't shoot LF because it is easy or fast. HP5? If you want the resolution a 4x5 can offer you need to shoot slower film. Tmax 100 is much superior to HP5. Almost any 100 speed film or less will give you better results than HP5.

@AmitTiwari-zq6yq 3 жыл бұрын

Color me surprised ! Hugh has approached this from the perspective of a gear head. I didn’t expect that. I don’t know where he wants to go but as the phrase says “ I wouldn’t start from here”. Pixel peeping of different formats completely misses the point. Hugh - go and talk to large format film photographers. Get some insite into why and how they do it. This road you are on is going nowhere IMO. There is a reason why large format film has its hardcore of aficionados. You need to understand why that is. There is a vast canon of the photography world to learn about. Nick Carver, Ben Horne and Bryan Birkes have decent KZfaq channels. Start there. Peace 🙂

@marknachmias423 3 жыл бұрын

Keywords: Schlep, Futz

@hypnotoads 3 жыл бұрын

Once again, you’re making us think Hugh. The inexorable march of technological progress will banish film photography to a quaint niche undertaking, rather like the difference between taking a car on a 300 mile journey rather than a horse. However, this very day my Xpro2 crashed and will not restart. I fear it is a logic board issue, something horses rarely suffer from!

@clemfandango9534 3 жыл бұрын

Sorry, Hugh, but no no no no no ... You've got this all wrong IMO. Starting off from the premise of "comparing image quality" and pixel peeping is not the point here. If you want to understand large format film, this is absolutely not the place where you start. Your mindset is fundamentally in the wrong place. I am not sure you understand what large format film is really about in the modern world. The whole point of large format film is INTENT, your relationship with the subject and the process itself. When you shoot a large format film image, everything is different and that includes the attitude of your subject, and YOUR attitude toward the subject. Shoot a large format film image and you interact with your subject in a completely different way and , if your subject is a person, they react to you in a different way than if you are shooting digital. THIS is why large format film has a "look" and it is why you are going ( respectfully and in my humble opinion ) in completely the wrong direction. I suggest a rethink.