OK, sorry i went off on you- but look, I answered this question for josh further up the thread- These cameras come with 80 mil lenses and these lenses are too short for portraiture. If a person is serious about larger negs (MF) in a studio he or she needs at least a 180. You cannot get a large image with good compression with anything less. I ruled out S2s and Kowas because you cant find polaroid backs (or other parts) for them and when you do they are exorbitant. Kiev was not an option because I have enough junk already. I'm sorry but you're not going to put together even a Bronica or Kowa system with P- back and long lens, if you can find them, for $400.(posted 8425 days ago)The image shown takes up a nice 2x3 space on the polaroid negative. The distance the 14' LF lens provides, (aprox 70mm in 35 terms) plus physically backing up a bit more to scale the image down on the Ground glass to fit roll film, puts me at a distance where perspective compresses features. It's only about eight or ten feet. We dont have sunken eyes, protruding noses, we have a really nice looking guy. Take your speed graphic, stand 10 feet away from a subject, and see what you get- probably a full length shot on the 4" plane. Again, for the space the head takes up on the neg, you might as well be using 35 mm.
I have agonized over the MF puzzle- and I can't see spending $1500- 2000 for a used RB67 with backs and lenses, my closest real option. I believe strongly that all you need is 35mm, if thats all you have.... but i'd like to see what I can do with better tools. You've got to draw the line in cheaping out on gear, like spending 300 bucks on a Kiev- who has the time to repair them?
This endeavor has already seemed less like an expensive hobby and more like a blood sacrifice- but something takes me by the arm and says- you have to make these pictures-