BetterPhoto Q&A
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Adam J. Lucas		Better lenses or Medium format? I’m 23 years of age & I would like to make a living out of photography, but if I am to sell my work then I should seriously think about adding to my current gear. I am the proud owner of a Minolta Dynax 7 + 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 lens. As I see it I can either upgrade my lens to Minolta’s APO G lenses, e.g a 28-70 f2.8 APO G and an 80-200 f2.8 APO G, which I hear are first rate. Or I move into medium format. I do landscape, still life and hopefully more portrait work once I have a studio kit. I am in a position to be able to get the two APO G lenses for £800 together second hand through a reputable dealer. A good 6x7 medium format camera & a suitable lens could set me back over 3 times that much new, plus in inconvenience in film processing etc. I shoot colour slide and B&W print film. I don’t want to feel limited by 35mm enlargements, but will medium format be significantly better for me? Help?!? Many thanks, Mr Adam Lucas. To love this question, log in above February 08, 2004

John Papandreou		Hi Adam, A few hints: The lens you have is fine you don't need a APO what ever lens it won't be that much better. If you decide to do landscape work a 17-24mm lens would be a better way to spend the $$$. what you have is fine. I would not go medium format Until your clients are requesting prints bigger than 8x12 at about 11x14 is where you can tell the difference. Medium format why go 6x7? unless you have a client that will only use slides this size. You could save the $$$ and buy a 6x4.5 or 6x6 camera, I use a Bronica ETRS for alot of my work, it is small, light, and lenes ect are avaliable on the used market at the right price. You will find also that you 15 frames per 120 roll and this factor can make you Money because you have 3-5 more photos you can sell !!!. Are the photos sharp, yes very very sharp. What about a used blad I hear everyone ask, It would be fine untill you go to buy a new lens $$$$ ouch or a back $$$ ouch, you can buy a whole set of used Bronica lenses for the price of a New 150mm blad lens. If you need 6x6 also buy a bronica, that is a nice camera too and still a better buy than a 6x7. If you have 800 quid to spend you should be able to get a 17-24mm Sigma NEW/Used and a Used ETRS basic kit. Body,75mm lens finder and 120 back. That would be $$$ better spent. You can also buy alot of film and processing for 800 quid !!! Regards John Papandreou Studio 23 To love this comment, log in above February 09, 2004

Adam J. Lucas		John, Thanks for your response. As it happens I did have a chance to test the Minolta APO G lens and it wasn't massively different in sharpness and colour compared to my other Minolta lens. I have since looked more deeply into the Bronica ETRSi as you advised, and have found it to be a VERY good system. It has has an extremely modular design and the Zenzanon lenses ARE SHARP. I can see now that the larger 6x4.5 negative will be infinitely better than a professional lens for my 35mm gear. I especially like the relatively compact design, the winder grip will definately improve the handling for portrait work, and the AE prism finder provides aperture priority, brilliant! The best thing about it is that it's VERY affordable second hand through the camera shop that I work for. Thanks again. To love this comment, log in above February 20, 2004

John Papandreou		Glad To be of help, I enjoy using the bronica ETRS two things to look for are a 150mm PE lens it is a Very nice and sharp lens, also try out a 250mm with a E-14 spacer this will give you a tight Head and sholders shot and the background will wipe giving you a very nice result. A Old Pro photographer told me about this trick. Regards John Papandreou Studio 23 To love this comment, log in above February 20, 2004

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