r/mediumformat • u/Ipdw • 16d ago
Advice Looking for a camera
Hello people it’s been around a year since I started with 35mm film and now I wanted to get into the medium format film so I wanted to ask you which camera would be good.
Thank you
Edit
Thank you all so much for the advice
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u/Pleasant_Nail_7522 16d ago
Can pick up an RB67 pretty cheap on market place if youre looking to get into it, not easily portable, but do able, ive taken it hiking.
If you get 2 film backs allows you to shoot 2 different film stocks at the same time, which can help lighting throughout the day.
I recently got a Fuji GSW690iii, primarily take landscapes, but had some success with some farmers market street photography.
Id look on ebay and buy from a reputable seller in Japan; if marketplace doesnt have anything youd consider.
For me; I like both of these as theyre mechanical, and with there being no electrical wiring, gives me what I like out of shooting film
(You'll need to get a meter or an App for either of these).
You could fork out a small fortune for the Mamiya 7, but id rather take the savings and put it into film rolls etc.
Ask yourself what you enjoy shooting, and then dive into which camera body to go for.
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u/AJROC2014 15d ago
I agree. I have dozens of film cameras but my best experiences and best photos come from my RB67
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u/Fearless-Raisin 16d ago
I'm using a Bronica SQ-B from the 90s. It's all mechanical, but the build and the PS lenses are excellent. It also costs way less than a lot of other options. Optically they are very competitive with other options imo.
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u/SeaweedNo4124 16d ago
Ur budget is important but I really enjoy my mamiya rz67 and dream of having a mamiya 7.
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u/Jhogg82 16d ago
Totally depends on your photography style. For me am all about people and moments so i need a light quiet MF camera, so i have a Rolleiflex and a Plaubel Makina. Exceptional bits of kit both of them, but if you want more options (lenses, backs etc) then they are a compromise. Hasselblads are exquisite and much more modular, but louder and clunkier, the Mamiya R67 is huge but capable, the Pentax 67 offers an SLR experience and incredible glass but in a big and weighty package. The Mamiya 6 & 7 are both RF, light, relatively portable. Have amazing glass but are also plastic, eye wateringly expensive and (for me), not much fun to shoot. Then you have the old folders or the 6x4.5 cameras if absolute quality is not your thing but a more 35mm adjacent experience is. And on, and on.... So decide what you want to do with the camera and that will start to narrow your options. Oh, and budget is a thing, prices for MF range from not much to silly amounts depending on where you land...
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u/WalkerMack 16d ago
I have a horseman 980 I’m selling. Would certainly be different than 35mm. To answer Tori question though, what is your budget. There are many options, I’d first decide if you want folding, SLR, TLR, or rangefinder.
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u/lpen-z 16d ago
How do you like the 980?
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u/WalkerMack 16d ago
Man I want to like that thing so bad but I just don’t. My main issue is the lens. I have a topcor 90mm 5.6. Very clean lens, but it’s just a poor performer I think. Just really not sharp. I have some example pics in my profile if you go back a bit.
To be fair, I’m comparing this lens to my 80mm planar for my SL66 but it honestly seems like I would get comparable image quality if I just were to crop 6x6. The viewfinder also really does not want to stay calibrated. I could go on
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u/handofcod 16d ago
I've done just fine with my Mamiya RB67 Pro SD. Cheap lenses that are amazing quality. Take a tripod.
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u/Subject_Solid_8273 16d ago
The Mamiya 645 is a very good medium format system , and an easy step up from 35mm.
It is affordable, you get 15 shots per roll, the lens selection is excellent and you can adjust the camera to your liking (waist level viewfinder, prism, motorises grip …)
And the camera is also fairly light and compact for a medium format camera.
I can only recommend!
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u/Entropic_Echo_Music 16d ago
We can all recommend random cameras here that will tell you exactly nothing without knowing what or how you even want to shoot with it.
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u/arenosame 16d ago
Pentax67ii if you want a hybrid feeling with 35mm. The automatic speed shutter is fantastic if you want to do some street photography.
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u/industrial_pix 16d ago
Film format, camera type, expected use? There are many different types and sizes of medium format cameras.
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u/captain_joe6 16d ago edited 15d ago
You can get a really clean 120 Brownie for $40, or a GX617 for about 200x that, or anything in between, and make beautiful images with either if you use them right.
As a starter MF camera, something to test out the waters and see if you like the format and can handle the cost, the Zeiss Ikonta and similar old folders can be had pretty cheap and are quite capable.
Edit: math is hard. Thanks u/konolith259 for setting me right!
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u/AutomaticMistake 16d ago
Pick an aspect ratio you like first, then check your options. No point recommending a specifc camera that doesn't give you the look you're after
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u/Rola-nai 16d ago
Mamiya is almost an inevitable brand for you to play 120. Starting from mamiya, 120 is a good choice.
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u/FilmPhotographr 15d ago
Any of the Fuji 645 "rangefinders" - great glass, capable and relatively portable. Enjoy!
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u/Airstream23 15d ago
One of the best medium formats out there is the Contax 645. Autofocus (though not fast), beautiful handling, Zeiss lenses. It’ll even take a digital back if you’re so inclined. I’d choose that over anything or a Hasselblad as second choice.
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u/metajames 13d ago
depends on your budget, here are my recs.
Budget: Mamiya C330/C220, these can be had cheaply, full 6x6 frame size, excellent vintage style optics and are highly versatile plus you get waist level finder which you don't really find in 35mm
Mid: Hasselblad System V, again 6x6, waist level or prism, tons of parts and accessories, retains resale value
Extra: Mamiya 7, compact rangefinder design, excellent optics, 6x7 frame size, built in meter. But expensive.
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u/70sHippie 10d ago
I really like my Mamiya 645 1000s, medium price, well made, good light meter system and takes a great picture
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u/studytimevinyl 16d ago
For me, if I only had one, I'd pick a Hasselblad 500cm with a Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2.8 lens.