RZ 67 + Phase back as a landscape camera

[Steven Draper]

Hello

I'm looking seriously at a MF addition to my photography, especially landscapes and long exposures. Having reviewed many photographs there seems a clear difference to me in the IQ even on the web of many MF images. I've pushed a lot of my D2x files pretty hard, but even so that "creaminess" seems elusive. I also seem to becoming more "fussy" about the viewfinder in landscape situations.

For a variety of reasons I'm unable to "hike" too far with any equipment at the moment so I'm not worried about hauling heavy gear for miles.

I know that the 645 would seem the logical choice but am actually  thinking about an RZ IID with either a Phase 30+ or even a 45+ I see the prices are coming down fairly fast for reasonable used back, lens are available and I'll probably be taking no more than 1500 exposures per year.

Anyone use a better-light scanning back on one?

The other option may be the sinar set up but I'm not sure what the benefits will be.

Many thanks in advance for any help.

Steven

[Graham Mitchell]

If you want to shoot wide you are probably looking at the wrong system. The widest lens for the RZ is around 50mm, but perhaps someone else can confirm. 50mm on a P30 isn't very wide at all.

What was your reason for considering the RZ? For pure landscape I'd take a serious look at a compact view camera with tilt/shift and a digital back. This gives you the best image quality and the widest lens as well (24mm).

[Kumar]

I use a Betterlight on a Sinar F2 and a Cambo WDS. When there's a reasonable amount of light and relatively less wind, or if you're shooting distant landscapes, it's a great system. At low light levels and/or in windy conditions, it's not really a good idea. But given the right conditions, there's magic in the Betterlight files. It's like looking at an 8x10 transparency, only larger.  The ViewFinder software is among the best written. Color balancing, exposure previews, focus confirmation, all these are fast and intuitive - even on a PC  And Betterlight's support is legendary.

Cheers,
Kumar

[revaaron]

from wiki
   * 3 wide-angle lenses:

    37 mm f/4.5 Fisheye, the widest RZ lens ever produced, 18 mm equivalent in 135-format

[revaaron]

I talked with someone this weekend that shoots 4x5 for things like this.
Hood over the head and all.

[revaaron]

phase one 30+ = 1.3x crop factor
so that 18mm equiv would be 24mm equiv

[Graham Mitchell]

from wiki
    * 3 wide-angle lenses:

    37 mm f/4.5 Fisheye, the widest RZ lens ever produced, 18 mm equivalent in 135-format
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I deliberately ignored the fisheye, as most people are just interested in rectilinear

[klane]

phase one 30+ = 1.3x crop factor
so that 18mm equiv would be 24mm equiv
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No its more like a 29mm on a p30 if we are talking 35 fov equiv.

[revaaron]

I honestly don't know how to convert from MF to 35mm yet. Not one of my skills.

oh and I totally missed the word "fish-eye" there. I bet you could run an action in PS that would de-fish it. I shot in a basement a few years ago with a 10.5 nikon (must have been on a D2H) and defished it. let's just say the people weren't going to win a beauty contest BEFORE the defishing.





same room not defished

[jimgolden]

uh, they wont after either...

[NBP]

For a variety of reasons I'm unable to "hike" too far with any equipment at the moment so I'm not worried about hauling heavy gear for miles.

I know that the 645 would seem the logical choice but am actually  thinking about an RZ IID with either a Phase 30+ or even a 45+

Hi Steven,

I use an RZ for landscape with a Leaf back. The cons are obviously size & weight, but you've mentioned this is not of issue to you.
I have tried out the AFD's but have not been happy with the shooting style I find myself adopting - It just becomes a bit to 35mm if you know what I mean.
I find the RZ dictates that you slow down - it's not a shoot from the hip sort of cam at all - and as a result I believe I get a much more considered image.
The lenses are generally excellent & I primarily use a 65mm & a 110mm, (although I must confess to finding the 65mm a touch soft sometimes on very distant detail)
Also the nature of the RZ's rotation back makes panoramic’s composed of vertical frames a breeze.
I do think though, if I was purely doing landscape in the way you describe, I would definitely have a serious look at some compact view camera options (I've taken the Cambo wide out a few times and it's portability is fantastic.)

Good luck!

[Rick_Allen]

Also the nature of the RZ's rotation back makes panoramic’s composed of vertical frames a breeze.

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How are you doing this? Do you have the back mount off set?

[NBP]

How are you doing this? Do you have the back mount off set?

Hi Rick,

Not 100% sure what you mean by this, tbh.
But the answer is probably no! - I must confess to not approaching pano's in the most scientific manner I'm afraid  

I generally only do single line compositions using the back on portrait. I use the tripod head degree markings & a small spirit level as my guides.
Works well for what I do generally.

[Rick_Allen]

Ok... great pic... I thought maybe you had managed to do a shift on the rare of the camera.

[Steven Draper]

Many thanks for all your thoughts and ideas. It's such an exciting time for me and I value what you have to say, especially looking through the web-sites.

I guess it would be true to say that I'm probably more inclined to want to create images that are more about ambience than pure "visual" records. Landscape wise I often work at narrow angles of view and also small Depth of Field. I'm not really a wide vista man! although there are times.... I generally spend a lot of time processing, but part of that is to try and de-dSLR the look of images!

I therefore had the thought that a 6x7 with a P30+ or P45+ would be similar to getting the reach on a dx format dSLR and using the sweeter spot of the lens. I'm sure a Psomething will arrive oneday that is 6x7 full frame too!

I had a play around with a twin lens reflex and loved looking into the ground glass, even if it was all back to front! I find the idea of putting a big black cloth over myself very appealing as I hate losing myself within a scene to be brought back to the world by being interrupted by someone!  I generally operate my D2x (in the field) on a tripod, heavy weight, MLU, bracket for blending etc,  but I find the composition and interface experience with the world a bit key hole peeperish!

I would also would like the ability to improve my outdoor portraits, now if that meant adding a 645 latter then that would be fine, provided the back could go between the too.

However after having a look at the new sinar, Foto-Z should that be in my options?

I may end up large format someday, but feel that this is the next step for certain aspects of my photography.

I'll end up spending a couple of days in the dealers and probably rent some options although very aware that making decisions without the benefit of experience in use could be foolish too!


Thanks Steven

[revaaron]

wow, the dr on that photo is intense.

[clawery]

I have to agree with NBP that the RZ will make you slow down a bit because of the size and weight of the camera.  I would also agree with him that you might want to take a look at the Cambo Wide DS or RS.  They are small, portable and have great lenses.

Chris Lawery
Sales Manager
chris@captureintegration.com
Capture Integration, Phase One Dealer of the Year

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