I was inspired and intrigued by the work of my good friend Chris over at http://patternsoflightndark.com/wordpress/
More specifically his medium format work with the Mamiya 645.
Now being the retrograde Scotsman that I am, the idea of paying for film, paying for developing, paying for printing frankly scares me. But I love the look of it.
I had called a couple of camera stores, looked on ebay and checked keh.com and apart from deciding that I can’t afford a Fuji medium format kit pretty much struck out.
I was searching on Craigslist for some new staff when I thought of searching in the camera section. I lucked out and found a set of 2 bodies, one 645 Super 
and one 645 1000s. 
as well as a 45mm wide angle lens, an 80mm normal lens (it’s like a 50mm on a 35mm camera) and a semi-tele 210mm lens.
I’ve run my first test of film. I actually thought I was going to mess up loading it but I think I managed to do it without ruining my first roll.
I had been testing the shutter mechanism and had left in “Multi Mode”. strike the first 3 dog pictures.
Let me see I didn’t know about the “Dark Slide”, strike the next 3 dog pictures. (It’s a metal strip that goes between the film back and the light-box so you can change backs mid-roll)
Dog not happy at this point, but perked up with a treat.
Next 3 dog pictures, OK framing is going to be an interesting set of challenges using the waist finder.
Dog gave up on me.
Put some stuff in my light tent. (The 645 1000s, it just looks so cool, and some Sandman figures) 6 pictures of various apertures and shutter speeds…. Hmm now I understand why some recommend a journal to write down the settings used. Need to sort that out.
Don’t think using the D700 as a light meter is such a wonderful idea, need to invest in a proper one I fear.
So far, so much fun.
Can’t wait to get my first rolls developed .. I’ve found a local processing lab to try http://www.yelp.com/biz/foto-express-san-jose
I promise to update when I do.
Thanks Chris for inspiring me and educating me !
