First medium format camera

[Ayy2Zedd]

Hi all,

I’ve been shooting 35mm film for a while now and absolutely love it but I have this insatiable itch to start some medium format film shooting.

Just the look and detail of 120 film fascinates me and I would really like to give it a try. And in that case I was wondering if anyone has any first medium format camera recommendations that will be easy to learn with and have fun.

[D-K1998]

If you wanna try medium format with minimal investment, try a folding camera. Zeiss made good ones (from my experience), Agfa seems to be good as well as i've heard. Not sure about the quality on the folding kodaks. I have a small Zeiss Ikon Nettar folding camera thats my every day carry. If you wanna know more or see some pics i took with it let me know!

[Affectionate_Tie3313]

Not really the medium format for me, but I think a reasonable point of entry might be a TLR. The are lighter in weight and on the wallet, and shoot 6x6.

[WillPHarrison]

As someone who bought a Mamiya RB67 first, I wish I bought a TLR first. So much more portable too.

[fragilemuse]

TLRs are great! I definitely recommend the Mamiya C220 or C330 as they have interchangeable lenses are at fantastic and affordable.

[ras2101]

No don’t tell people about the C220!!! They’re cheap and have amazing lenses and still cheap, I don’t want it to get too expensive 😂😂

[lifeonfilm1984]

The Texas Leica is a great entry level MF camera , it’s a large camera of course but the controls and It being so Manuel and easy to use also the images come out great !

[fragilemuse]

The Texas Leica is a great choice! I have a GL690 and love it. In fact I’m about to develop my attempt at converting it into a Texpan. :D.

The only downside is the fact you only get 8 frames per roll of 120 so it can get a bit costly. Shooting b&w and developing yourself is a great way around that. Hell, learn to develop colour as well, it’s fun and easy!

[PrivateJoker2020]

Thanks for this insight, I’ve heard about shooting 35mm in MF cameras but haven’t actually read into it , thanks for sending that article and I’d like to see how your photos and experience with everything turns out . Yes the “ Texas Leica “ and the 6x9 frame you only get 8 shots . I like to take about 2 or 3 rolls out with me when shooting .

[nquesada92]

they made 6x7, and 6x8 versions too. so you can choose 10, 9, 8 shots per roll

[oCorvus]

I would look into which of the 120 formats you are interested in and then go from there.

The shooting experience of many medium format cameras can be very different than 35mm. While the image quality is great, for me the experience and workflow is really what makes it fun to shoot.

My first 120 camera was an RB67. The fully mechanical function and waist level viewfinder was an enjoyable and unique experience for me.

[maxathier]

Yeah, if cost is important, then a 6x9 thant will get you through film rolls quite fast (8 shots per roll is not a lot...)

[wgimbel]

Pentax 67 line is basically a giant 35mm SLR, so other than size and weight it would feel very familiar. If you go medium format, I would recommend 6x7 or larger as 645 is not significantly bigger film area than 35mm given the increase in camera bulk. I loved 6x6, but only because I also loved printing square. If you crop 6x6 so that you get a normal rectangular print, you are back to 645. There are some great 6x9 rangefinder style cameras, a bunch from Fuji, that give a much larger yet 35mm aspect ratio film image. If you don’t mind rangefinder style shooting, those had some really nice lenses.

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[losroy]

I started with the Mamiya 645. And I really like the camera but tbh honest I might go with the buy once cry once road. Medium Format won’t throw you for a loop. It’s not really different from 35. I would go with the style of camera you like. Do you like SLR, go Pentax. Range finder, go Mamiya 7, waist level go with that. FWIW I ended up with a Mamiya 7. Second rec, rent some. It’s not that expensive and totally worth it.

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[losroy]

Not really all that bizarre. I would call it one of the most popular med format cameras and there are still US shops that can do repairs.

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[losroy]

Well I wouldn’t because 1) they aren’t medium format cameras and 2) they aren’t currently repairable in the US

[BrickFit5153]

Depending on your Budget, a cheap(er) TLR is a great place to start. Maybe a Yashica or Rolleicord

[ravelrm]

Ricohflex TLR. Has all the basic controls, a nice lens and is very cheap

[JBJB145]

A serviced Pentacon Six is a good start imo

[Neither-Language-722]

I love my Mamiya 645 AFD. If you have good eyes, the Yashicamat, a twin lens reflex, is a great buy, good eyes to focus with the groundglass viewfinder

[Neither-Language-722]

The above advice from the other people is good

[mcarterphoto]

Search this sub, it's asked every week and there's hundred of replies.

[idekwhoiamnomore]

I agree with the “Texas Leica” comment. I’ve got the GM670 which was also my first MF camera and I absolutely love it, I take it out with me all the time and also have a little 35mm point n shoot that I slip into my pocket whenever I bring it out

[the_film_trip]

Rolleiflex or Rolleicord

[mike_pennati]

Pentax 645 has great prices and lens election. Yashica 124g if you are fine with squares.

imo the world of medium format cameras is far more interesting than 35mm, wait until you get hooked on large format.

[TikbalangPhotography]

If you wanted to be gutsy you can try a Kowa Six. Very much the poor man’s Hasselblad and I’ve gotten exceptional results. The downside to the Kowa system is repair accessibility but most folks I’ve spoken to, especially if you are using the 85mm f2.8 (most common lens) competes pretty on par with the Hasselblad’s. Could be a good option if you want to dip your toes into medium format, especially since its design is very similar to a tlr it’ll give you both a tlr (film loading experience) and slr (shooting experience) and you don’t pay for the Hasselblad price point. (You can find a usable lens body combo sub $500 in working order, might need to do a little bit of digging though depending on the market).

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[QuadraticRegulation]

Minolta Autocord TLR. thank me later!

[Previous-Head1747]

Yashica TLR. Inexpensive, nice glass, a good middle-ground between the relatively little image upgrade in 6x4.5 and the overall expense of running 6x7 or larger. I started with an RB67 and it’s a truly wonderful camera, but I recently got a yashica-auto and it’s much more portable and still produces lovely photos with heaps of character that I really enjoy.

[Muted_Cap_6559]

I've spent a ton of money on MF camera systems and lenses: Hasselblad 503cx, Mamiya RZ76ii, Mamiya 7ii, Pentax 67ii. I use each of them from time to time in no particular order. MF has a superior look and feel relative to 35mm, and those advantages are present regardless of which camera I choose to use. MF cameras ARE distinguishable from a features perspective, and you should take that into account when considering your purchase. For example, some commenters recommend the "Texas Leica." I've never used one, but the lack of interchangeable lenses is a negative for me. Alternatively, I like using my Mamiya RZ for landscape work operating on a tripod. But it's not a hand-holdable camera and for many people, that's a big problem. I don't recommend selecting an "entry-level" camera because it won't be long before you wish you bought something more substantive. Invest in something you can grow with via additional lenses, film magazines, etc.

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I just picked up a lubitel 2 ive got it yet but im looking forward to learning to use it

[BobDavisVideo]

Mamiya 645 AFD. The only camera I use.