Got a Medium Format Digital Camera - Some Photos of Rocky Mountain National Park

[Colorado CJ]

Well, I finally bit the bullet and moved up to digital Medium Format! I ended up buying a used Pentax 645D in pristine shape (3700 shutter actuations) for $2350.00.

Yesterday, I woke up at 4:30 to ride up to Rocky Mountain National Park. The road through the canyon is closed for flood repair, so I had to go the long way around.

Here are a few photos. These web sized photos with the web color palate don't do medium format images justice. You just can't see the detail or colors that I see on my calibrated screen. It also wasn't the ideal day for photography as the skies were not interesting at all. Its much better to have clouds or an almost overcast sky to get more interesting photos.

Anyway, here they are.


645D Test 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


RMNP 645D 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


RMNP 645D 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


RMNP 645D 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


RMNP 645D 4 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


RMNP 645D 5 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


RMNP 645D 6 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


RMNP 645D 7 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


RMNP 645D 8 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


RMNP 645D 9 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

 

[Ben Egbert]

Nice set, especially like 2, 4 & 6

I have been put off medium format mostly because of the aspect ratio. I suppse you can crop, but I tend to prefer 16x9 so I am croping even my 2x3 aspect ratio images.

 

[AlanLichty]

I can certainly see a difference and I like the level of detail this camera captures. I love the whole set but in particular #1,2, and 6. Can't wait to see more of what you can do with this.

 

[Colorado CJ]

Nice set, especially like 2, 4 & 6

I have been put off medium format mostly because of the aspect ratio. I suppse you can crop, but I tend to prefer 16x9 so I am croping even my 2x3 aspect ratio images.

The ratio is definitely not for everyone.

I prefer the 4:3 aspect ratio though. It is closer to the 5:4 aspect ratio that I am used to since I shoot large format film cameras. The 4:3 ratio is also much nicer for portraits compared to the normal 3:2 aspect ratio. It is also easier to find frames for the more square ratio of medium format cameras.

 

[JimFox]

Congrats on the new camera purchase, and it doesn't sound like it really cost all that much compared to what I recall medium format digital prices being, I paid $1000 more for my D850.

#2,4 and 7 are my favorites. Most of them are all nice shots, and format reminds me back in the day when we shot for 8x10 prints even with 35mm film cameras. I would compose knowing that I would be losing a bit off each side in the print, so I always mentally composed with that in mind.

What do you have for lens?

How long is the road through the canyon supposed to be closed for road work? When I was there in January I had to take the long way around also to get to RMNP. It wasn't bad but it added about 30 mins to the drive.

 

[Alisa]

Beautiful images! I love the first one and second one!

 

[Kyle Jones]

I continue to be tempted by MF. Looks like you got a great deal. Looking forward to seeing more!

 

[Zeph]

The second gets my vote, with that big rock and the two trees, grounds the shot nicely. Throw in the cloud and the farewell kiss, tops it off.

 

[Colorado CJ]

I can certainly see a difference and I like the level of detail this camera captures. I love the whole set but in particular #1,2, and 6. Can't wait to see more of what you can do with this.

The difference is noticeable here, but much more so at larger sizes. I am happy with the purchase to say the least!

Congrats on the new camera purchase, and it doesn't sound like it really cost all that much compared to what I recall medium format digital prices being, I paid $1000 more for my D850.

#2,4 and 7 are my favorites. Most of them are all nice shots, and format reminds me back in the day when we shot for 8x10 prints even with 35mm film cameras. I would compose knowing that I would be losing a bit off each side in the print, so I always mentally composed with that in mind.

What do you have for lens?

How long is the road through the canyon supposed to be closed for road work? When I was there in January I had to take the long way around also to get to RMNP. It wasn't bad but it added about 30 mins to the drive.

Yeah, I was debating on getting a newer model full frame. I already have a D600 though and have always wanted a medium format digital camera. The bonus was finding a hardly used model for a good price.

I am using a Pentax FA 45-85mm f4.5 lens right now. I have an A 120mm F4 Macro lens coming as well.

The road is going to be closed until sometime next year. They are actually rerouting some portion of it so they are dynamiting rock.

Beautiful images! I love the first one and second one!

Thank you.

I continue to be tempted by MF. Looks like you got a great deal. Looking forward to seeing more!

I shoot both large and medium format film. This camera is getting digital much closer to the look you get with LF and MF film, which was my hope.

The second gets my vote, with that big rock and the two trees, grounds the shot nicely. Throw in the cloud and the farewell kiss, tops it off.

Thanks!

 

[paul hayward]

The delicate colors in #1 take my vote.