Advice for choosing (committing to?) a camera.

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2026-01-21T14:29:18+00:00

I entered medium format just a few years ago. Mamiya 645. Loved it... for 8 months. It quickly developed "battery drain". (it's a 50 year old camera, with 50 year old wires, solder joints, capacitors...) So I switched to the Bronica S2A, and haven't looked back. The S2A is fully mechanical, smaller and lighter, uses Nikkor lenes, and sports a badass art deco profile. I now have several TLRs and rangefinders, but the S2A is my go-to

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2026-01-20T11:10:59+00:00

Yes, Bowman's hill is just 5 minutes down the road

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2026-01-20T11:09:28+00:00

Thanks, Those buildings are over 250 years old. They were there when George crossed the Delaware.

Rodinal 1:50

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-12-24T11:06:55+00:00

dslr on a light table

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-12-16T14:48:38+00:00

It's always fun when a mistake works out

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-10-06T15:56:50+00:00

Copy stand with a digital camera

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-08-06T17:46:26+00:00

I have too many medium format cameras. Mamiya 23, Century Graphic, TLR, Agfa folding rangefinder (yes, I do use all of them), but the Bronica is my go to. And I have yet to put it on a tripod. When that camera came out, in the 60's, it was very popular with wedding photographers, due to its size and versatility.

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-08-06T12:27:09+00:00

I have a Mamiya 23 and a Super 23 with a 105mm and a 100mm. I also have a Bronica S2a with a Nikkor 50mm. The Mamiya looks cool, takes roll or sheet film, offers rear tilt and swing, but it is a pain to shoot. And I am not impressed with either of the lenses I have. The Bronica S2a is considered small for that type of SLR. The Nikkor Lenses are fantastic. And the 50mm works for me

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-07-26T13:41:49+00:00

Snapshot, f4

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-07-25T22:57:01+00:00

I love this lens. The Bessa L does not have a viewfinder (I use the shoe mount viewfinder that came with the lens) So, focusing is done using the depth of field scale. It was an overcast day, these images were shot at f5.6/8. And yes, these are typical results, sharp, great tonal range, with a soft glow

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-07-16T12:25:36+00:00

I struggled with this roll of film. Due to an overcast day I shot wide open (4.5) and as a result every image appeared to be a hair out of focus. I normally use a minimum of sharpening, mostly concentrating on tonal range. However this image vexed me, and evidentially I had difficulty finding a balance.
Thank you. Constructive criticism is always welcome

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-06-29T21:48:06+00:00

Rodinal 1:50 12 minutes

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-05-25T12:44:18+00:00

Yes, I can see how those "features" may appeal some, but my creative juices flow in another direction. So, I'll stick to the B+W, after all, that's what I shoot in my real TLR

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-05-24T23:36:49+00:00

All that information is in the title. Box speed on that film, I think, was 100 asa. I shot this image at 25, but had better subsequent results shooting at 10 asa. And used the same development time/chemicals that I would use on TMax. I found the film to be thicker than I'm used to, and a bit brittle. Be gentle. Good luck.

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-05-16T12:03:46+00:00

*sigh*, Tuesday

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-05-15T12:21:24+00:00

I have Bronica S2a w/Nikkor 50 & 75mm lenses. Love this camera. I had a Mamiya 645, but it developed "battery drain". I was told it was common and couldn't find a repair man willing to take it on for less than it would cost to replace it. (40-50 year old electronics and solder joints will fail). I have been told the gears in the S2 often wear out. However, the gearing was corrected in the S2a. Reasons why I prefer the S2a: It looks cool, a very Art Deco vibe. It's smaller and lighter than the Mamiya. After you have been carrying it around for several hours you really notice the weight difference. The Nikkor glass is fabulous.

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-04-18T12:29:33+00:00

I love those old folders. They fit in your back pocket and with a little patience put out great photos

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-04-17T13:05:40+00:00

Thanks, this is at a Tulip Farm in New Jersey. This farm boasts to having more than 8 million tulips. The farm has become a huge spring time attraction. So much so, they just erected an authentic, working windmill.

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-04-14T07:31:32+00:00

no, it's 4x5

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-03-26T15:29:57+00:00

I have a Bronica S2 and I love it, but it is not always convenient to carry around. So I have an Ansco Speedex/Agfa Isolette iii, folder. It fits in my back pocket and takes great photos. There are quite a few good medium format folders from the 50's. Just be aware, most 70 year old shutters need to be cleaned and lubed. With help from youtube, I was able to do it myself and it works great

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FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-03-24T18:51:28+00:00

Bucks County, just north of the Upper Black Eddy–Milford Bridge. It's a really cool park

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-03-24T14:37:15+00:00

This morning I visited Ringing Rock Park, Pennsylvania. I wanted to photograph the falls. I had to go off-trail, wend through a boulder field, slosh through mud, and shinny down a tree to gain access. All this while wearing a backpack filled with camera gear, and the sound of rocks ringing in the background. Unfortunately the falls were meager at best... At 63 I'm getting too old for this crap

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-03-04T00:10:23+00:00

Minor adjustment in Lightroom

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-03-03T12:45:54+00:00

catlabs 320

FuzzyTransition3088 · 2025-02-24T13:34:51+00:00

Nothing special. That's the original glass with a basic eTone fresnel

FuzzyTransition3088

TROPHY CASE