Back to using cameras with actual glass stuck on the front for a change. Recently acquired two MF cameras that needed putting through their paces. The mighty Pentacon SIX and a Mamiya M645 1000s. Both of which I find I like. The Mamiya’s main issue is that is not 6×6 😉
We are experiencing an early, and possible false start to, spring. The lowlands are bereft of snow, but in the mountains there is more than enough.
Week 10, the P6 with Volna 3. Portra 400 (the new version). First off a focusing test that turned out quite nicely in its own right. Then a couple of the Oslo local office branch of the Statoil (Norwegian oil) company. A favourite haunt of mine, located next door to where I work.
Week 11, Also the P6 and the Volna 3 (I was thinking of getting a Biometar, but may just not – the lowly Russian lens is not at all bad). Kodak TMX in HC-110 dilution-H. A dreary day out in Drammen, a town not far from where I live. Trying to avoid too much bleak and featureless sky, this is what I got. A Freemasons lodge, trees in sympathy with a statue of a former deputy Mayor, a selfie mirrored in a 10ft tall spherical loudspeaker (see if you can spot me), and some padlocks on a bridge (evidently not that many have been to Paris as yet, or maybe not that many are in love).
Week 12. The Mamiya and the standard 80mm lens. Ilford PanF+ also souped in HC-110. The slightly underexposed frames exhibited a very strange clumping of the darker areas. So, not that many came out as expected. Next time around PanF will get the Rodinal treatment. What did come out were these two with sunny skies, lots of snow, in the mountains of Hemsedal, Norway.
52 rolls 
Loving the muted, subtle colours in the Statoil building photographs – if this was in Malmo or Copenhagen it would look like a scene from The Bridge / Broen.
I hope you get some good shots of the new opera house at some point – I was there last year on a brilliantly bright and hot day and it was stunning.
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Thank you. I will see if I get round to the Opera house some time this year. In the mean time here are a few shots I have taken in the past (on film of course): http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Opera%20&m=tags&w=49868927@N06
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It’s funny, I actually prefer the 6×4.5 format to 6×7. But I am a sucker for 6×6.
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I cant seem to use my mamiya 645 without tripping one of the shutter buttons when winding the film; so frustrating. How is the Pentacon? I am wanting some sort of MF with interchangeable lenses, but no money for a Hasselblad.
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Funny you should mention that Graham, I have done the same on a number of occasions. I often lock the shutter release when advancing
The P6? Not quite as well made as the Mamiya. But not at all bad, much better than the naysayers would have you believe. All actions on mine are smooth and definite. The shutter is probably more silent than the Mamiya too, but the mirror does not auto return. Screen not quite as bright as the 645, but can easily be swapped. TTL metering prisms can be had, but are uncoupled. Film loading is a sensitive affair, but not difficult. Just need to keep film tight when spooling onto take up reel, or you may get incorrect spacing. Never had a problem myself. Stopping down of lenses for DoF preview is done one the lens itself. All in all an honest, no nonsense camera. And the lenses available are as cheap if not cheaper than those for Mamiya, and more plentiful. The list of accessories is also longer than your arm.
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Very jealous of the Pentacon. What a great camera
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Great shots Eirik. Currently my P6 is my most used camera. It’s a very versatile setup with 80mm Biometar, 50mm Flektogon, extension tubes, WLF, and metered prism. Oh and loads of Fuji Velvia 50 :). One day I’ll also get around to scanning all my rolls.
And the Mamiya 645 line seems to be nice, too. If I ever make it and get rid of all my 35mm cameras (maybe even this year?) I’ll get one of those (or a Bronica ETR(Si)) as my “point & shoot” camera.
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Thank you Urban. I need to do something about my collection of lenses. The Volna has is missing a few parts, so has lost it’s auto stop down function, The Vega 12B needs help to open up the aperture properly. The Flektogon is bust, a spring and an arm in the auto-stop down mechanism are broken, meaning it can’t be stopped down at all. But having said that, I prefer the P6 to the Mamiya.
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Reblogged this on It´s Just Film.
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