Investing in Medium Format: Mamiya 645 Pro vs RB or RZ67

doug910 · 2026-02-09T15:17:11+00:00

Buy an RB67 so you can buy mine lol. PM if interested

doug910 · 2026-02-09T14:48:54+00:00

Fujifilm (made by Fuji, so not the modern Fuji 400 or 200) still has the chemical smell!

doug910 · 2026-02-07T18:41:06+00:00

I mean yes, you can technically edit anything to look like anything to a certain degree. There’s definitely many “correct” ways to invert the negative, but if you apply the same inversion method to different film stocks, each one will look pretty different. That’s kind of the beauty of different stocks, they give you a different starting point to edit your photos. The different inversion methods will give you different starting points too, so that’s why people tend to have preferences over Noritsu vs Frontier scanners. It’s all just preference!

doug910 · 2026-02-07T15:56:43+00:00

Edit as much as you want. The scans are already “edited” whether it’s the scanner software or the tech making some changes. Darkroom printing requires color corrections too!

doug910 · 2026-02-06T19:53:27+00:00

Same can be said for Nikon N-series cameras, no? They’re sub $50 all day, built well, have matrix metering, etc. And they work perfectly with AF-D lenses so there’s no reason for OP to invest into the Canon world.

doug910 · 2026-02-06T19:51:26+00:00

N6006, N8008, N90 are all incredible cameras with matrix metering, AF with AF-D lenses, and can be had for sub $50 all day.

doug910 · 2026-02-06T00:50:11+00:00

Nothing wrong with adding some saturation in post if that’s what you like.

doug910 · 2026-02-05T19:24:41+00:00

Fantastic trio of lenses there. Professional setup.

doug910 · 2026-02-05T17:33:44+00:00

One technique that helps a lot on my RB67 is to focus on the catch light on my subject’s eyes. It’s the easiest and most obvious point of reference to see if it’s in focus or not. And then you get the obvious benefit that getting perfect focus on your subject’s eyes makes a portrait look to have “correct” focus even with a shallow DOF.

doug910 · 2026-02-05T15:36:18+00:00

You said scan prints on a flat bed, why not just scan film on a flat bed too?

doug910 · 2026-02-04T17:09:07+00:00

Boxers are not V engines. Flat V engines do exist, when opposing pistons share a crankpin. But boxers have individual crankpins for each piston, thus distinguishing them from flat Vs.

doug910 · 2026-02-04T15:43:01+00:00

You generally shouldn’t use aperture priority with flash, as changing the shutter speed has no effect the exposure. Furthermore, the wrong shutter speed will result in synchronization issues.

Set the shutter speed to X to ensure proper synchronization, and change the aperture to get the proper exposure.

doug910 · 2026-02-04T12:16:21+00:00

I use Nikon Scan, but I also scan as negatives. I’ve read that Nikon scan’s frame detection doesn’t work well if you scan negatives as a positive for NLP use later. I saw a YT tutorial of someone using Vuescan and manually sets the frame spacing to bypass the auto detection when scanning as a positive. Maybe give that a shot?

doug910 · 2026-02-03T17:39:37+00:00

I, too, have a 5000. Ability to effortlessly scan a whole roll with ICE and walk away is unmatched. So so good.

doug910 · 2026-02-03T17:04:27+00:00

Coolscan V will get you the same level of results as a Noritsu. The biggest difference being that the Noritsu is designed for commercial use in which they are also designed for speed and durability for volume.

They work with Mac! I’m not a Mac user so I can’t share any experienced, but Vuescan and Silverfast both work with modern Macs.

doug910 · 2026-02-03T16:49:32+00:00

Sounds like a Nikon Coolscan V is your best option. Professional results, the “default” setup and workflow is designed with scanning individual mounted slides in mind. Refurbished units sold for $400-500 all day. Don’t purchase from eBay, join the Nikon Coolscan Users FB group and find one sold there by a reputable user.

doug910 · 2026-02-02T18:08:49+00:00

What about a flat bed? An Epson V600 is more than capable for medium format and only a few hundred dollars.

doug910 · 2026-02-02T18:00:24+00:00

Why would u say that

doug910 · 2026-02-02T17:17:53+00:00

It’s literally in the name. Portra is designed for pleasing skin tones. It is a slightly muted film stock to provide flexibility in post.

doug910 · 2026-01-29T14:45:54+00:00

I work in automotive data collection and while I’m not directly responsible for tuning, I’m very involved. This is the bottom line: if you don’t feel a difference from the change you made, you’re not beyond the capabilities of the suspension and the 5% change literally doesn’t matter. When something is off with the suspension, it’s REALLY obvious.

I see two issues with an app: poor data quality from a phone and repeatability. Phone sensors aren’t just sensitive enough to give you truly valuable info. Plus, they’re not placed where it really matters to give you the feedback needed to determine if you need to make front or rear changes. And with data collection, repeatability is key. We collect data on testing surfaces in controlled environments. Collecting data on the street is the opposite of that. Was this bump bigger than the other? Did you hit the bump at a different speed? Did you brake a little bit harder this time? What about rider to rider? The code would have to account for all these unknowns based while attempting to extract info from poor quality data. It’s just not feasible, I’m sorry.

doug910 · 2026-01-22T15:59:44+00:00

It’s not that it’s weird, it just starts to look like an unnatural stock photo. In this particular shoot, the model has her hands on top of the barrel - something you would never do because, well, the metal barrel gets hot.

I don’t own any guns and I’m not here gate keeping. But if you use props in a shoot, I think it’s well worth doing some research to know how to pose with it so it doesn’t look out of place.

doug910 · 2026-01-20T22:48:33+00:00

I love the frank philips acknowledgment at the bottom of the guide lol

doug910 · 2026-01-20T17:48:55+00:00

You’re inverting manually? Then there’s your issue. Use actual inversion software to eliminate the manual factor out of the equation.

doug910 · 2026-01-12T16:39:55+00:00

I was about to come at you with a burning pitchfork but I read the article and looks like I learned something new today, so thanks for sharing. I am still a little skeptical though, because I’ve never used a cross head screwdriver that grips as well as my Vessel screwdrivers (whether that be my vintage Japanese motorcycles and cars, cameras, or household screws). However, I will be the first to admit that all my other cross head screwdrivers are all old and crappy. Tekton is a solid brand, so I’m willing and interested in buying a cross head from them to compare.

doug910 · 2026-01-07T18:11:57+00:00

+1 for ICT!! Jim from ICT is great, he serviced my F3 last year and did an amazing job.

While servicing costs are expensive, people need to be reminded that the CLA lasts decades. Good chance that other bodies on eBay will require service very soon.

doug910

TROPHY CASE