I've always wanted to try to shoot with a medium format film camera. At first, I've wanted to purchase an Hasselblad 500 series but the price is too expensive for me. The camera itself will cost me more than RM5k and that is NOT including the film and development expenses - which I think is very unreasonable for me to spend that much for an hobby.
After a while searching through the web, I've decided to purchase an almost a mint condition Minolta Autocord with a very reasonable price. Minolta Autocord is a Japanese TLR camera that's competes directly with Rolleiflex which manufactured Franke & Heidecke (and later Rollei GmbH), in Germany.
After a while searching through the web, I've decided to purchase an almost a mint condition Minolta Autocord with a very reasonable price. Minolta Autocord is a Japanese TLR camera that's competes directly with Rolleiflex which manufactured Franke & Heidecke (and later Rollei GmbH), in Germany.
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Yup, that is my new baby. Paired with newly purchase Kodak Portra 160 and Kodak Extar 100.
My Experience
To be honest, this is my first experience of using a 6x6 medium format camera. Technically, the shutter speed starts from 1 second up to 1/400 second and the aperture covers from f3.5 up to f22. The hardest part of using this type of camera is the focusing and composing - which will take most of your time during the shooting. So if you are thinking to shoot a fast paced action, look elsewhere.
For me photography is about creativity and experiencing the moment, that's why I bought this camera. It slows you down and make you think every time before you press the shutter - mainly because you only have 12 frames to shoot and you must make sure that every single frame is perfect before the shutter is pressed. And another thing, you'll need an external light meter because this camera doesn't have one.
Out of 12 frames, I've manage to get 4 pictures that I love the most. Please take note that the images below is shot with Kodak Ektar 100 film only. I haven't use the Kodak Portra 160 as of yet, and once I do, I'll share it on my Flickr page and Instagram later.
For me photography is about creativity and experiencing the moment, that's why I bought this camera. It slows you down and make you think every time before you press the shutter - mainly because you only have 12 frames to shoot and you must make sure that every single frame is perfect before the shutter is pressed. And another thing, you'll need an external light meter because this camera doesn't have one.
Out of 12 frames, I've manage to get 4 pictures that I love the most. Please take note that the images below is shot with Kodak Ektar 100 film only. I haven't use the Kodak Portra 160 as of yet, and once I do, I'll share it on my Flickr page and Instagram later.
Minolta Autocord with Kodak Ektar 100
Minolta Autocord with Kodak Ektar 100
Minolta Autocord with Kodak Ektar 100
Minolta Autocord with Kodak Ektar 100
If you would like to purchase a high quality film camera, get it from The Shutter. And don't forget to sent your film to Darkroom8 for film development and scanning service. I'm highly recommends both of them!
Thanks again to Jeff (The Shutter) for the lovely camera and Darkroom 8 for film development and scanning service.
Thanks again to Jeff (The Shutter) for the lovely camera and Darkroom 8 for film development and scanning service.
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