Diving into Medium format. I need help.

[ColdEye]

I want to start MF, and I am at a budget (due to previous film buying sprees ) As far as I know, the cheapest there is is a Holga. I don't mind using that, but it will be my last choice. What I am looking into are folders like Koni Omega. Tho I don't see them for sale here in the forums. What would be a nice folder to look out for? 6x4.5 up to 6x7 is good for me. And could I get one for $100?

 

[2F/2F]

Maybe an old folding Mamiya 6? They may blow your budget by a bit, though. I am not sure what they are selling for. But it seems there was one in the APUG classifieds earlier this year for about $100.

 

[MattKing]

The Koni Omegas are large rangefinders - not folders.

Here is a page on the Koni Omega:

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/KoniOmegaRapidM.html

For $100.00, you will most likely have to get lucky on something like a Zeiss folder (watch out for seized lubricants and holes in bellows) or one of the basic TLRs.

 

[polyglot]

If you want cheap and good quality, the usual answer is a Yashica TLR. Maybe a 124, not the G because the meter means they're overpriced. Under $100 is definitely possible and it's 100x better than a f**king Holga. There are also some cheaper older folders (Zeiss Ikon, for a couple tens of $$ but will probably need a $100 CLA) though personally I wouldn't bother trying to save too much on the camera since you'll spend way more on film and processing anyway, especially if you like colour.

Best way to save money is to do your own B&W processing, not skimp on the camera.

Edit: $200 will get you a really basic RB67 (120 6x7, 90/3.8, WLF) setup from KEH. Probably do it even cheaper on eBay. Quality will be better than any of the other options posted here and it's very upgradable.

 

[zsas]

At your price point you might want to look into the Russian Federation cameras (Kiev)? I have never owned one but they have their fans and have seen some at your price point. But I believe they are bit heavy and large.

 

[dxqcanada]

Seagull TLR ?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Seagull-4B-120-TLR-Medium-Format-camera-Chinese-/300558847491?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item45fab40e03

 

[ColdEye]

What are the Russian cameras, and what to look for In the Zeiss folders? BTW, I am not really a fan of TLRs. I tried it once and The WLF is really not for me.

 

[brofkand]

I'd really recommend saving up and buying a Mamiya m645 system. Once you have a body and a lens, you can add power winders, backs, lenses, prisms, screens, etc. It's very versatile.

You can get a body and a lens for around $200, so you don't have much farther to go.

 

[zsas]

Re Russian - there is a Kiev 60 which is a huge SLR

Then there is a Kiev 88 which looks like a Hasselblad

If you are patient, both show up on the auction site/craigslist at your budget, take a look see on both

If you can get a return policy or are able to run a roll of film thru it ( in the case of Craigslist) before buying, you might be able to stay in your budget

But having never owned one, I can't vouch for actual use but have often dreamed of getting a Kiev 88 or 60 since they look affordable

 

[eddie]

A nice, inexpensive, way to get into MF is with an Agfa/Ansco Speedex. Nice little folders which won't break the bank. I picked up a B2 Speedex JR. for around $20.00, a few years ago. Check ebay. There are a few listed.

 

[Hikari]

Agfa Isolette would be a fun camera. You may even get those light leaks that make a Holga so special.

 

[Dshambli]

+1 on the Agfa Isolette. I just picked one up for under 20 dollars. You might have to unglue the focusing ring, but it's worth it.

 

[P C Headland]

There are quite a few folder options available that would meet your budget - something like a Zeiss Mess-Ikonta 524/12 with Novar lens, and which comes with an uncoupled rangefinder. You could also look out for the 6x9 variant, the 524/2.

If you want something more of a system camera, and you are a little patient, you might get a CLA'ed Pentacon 6TL, maybe even with an 80mm lens. If you go the Kiev route, the safest option is to stick to the Kiev 60, rather than the more complex 88. Sometimes the older 645 Mamiya and Bronica cameras pop up at a reasonable price too.

Then there are all the TLRs....

Good luck in the hunt.

 

[Rick A]

The most inexpensive medium formats are usually folders from the 40's and 50's era. The next up are Japanese TLR's, mainly Yashicas. These are 6x6cm format and outstanding quality, do not look at "baby" TLR's(4x4/127 film), film is scarce and expensive. Pass on the Yashicas with meters as they are usually overpriced and meters mostly don't work properly, if at all. I usually recommend beginners pick up a 6x6 TLR and inexpensive hand held incident meter for their first rig, you can get more expensive stuff, but use the savings for film. I also like to recommend them for the format, no turning the camera on its side for vertical shots, its square. These cameras are light weight and won't drag you down packing it around, so you will be more liable to use it.

 

[nosmok]

Most any old folder will get you started. Zeiss Nettars are cheap (40-80 bucks), the bellows last wonderfully, and the images will knock your socks off. If they don't have coated lenses, don't point them anywhere near the sun.

--nosmok

"real men scale focus"

 

[ColdEye]

Ok, so my target first choice is a folder. I will do some intensive research on them first. The Koni Omega looks really nice, but I will also take a look at the isolette and nettars.

 

[Klainmeister]

Folders are the way to go. I got a Iskra 6x6 for roughly $75 and it has a Heliar style lens. The thing is probably one of the better cameras I have ever owned....

 

[Greg Campbell]

Unless you like the 'plastic look,' I'd not waste my efforts on a Holga. Even if the camera is dirt cheap, you'll still be spending $ for film and development, as well as 'wasting' your time. IMO, of course.

As others have suggested, an old folding camera in good shape will make an excellent 'budget' camera.
Check this chap's offerings http://stores.ebay.com/certo6

 

[Mark Fisher]

A TLR like a Yashica or Mamiya C2/C3 should barely fit your budget. If you want something cheap, and Agfa Click (6x6) or Clack (massive large negative at 6x9) are pretty fun.

 

[BrandonJ]

And someone has to go against the grain here...

Take $20 and get on eBay and grab a gakkenflex. Yes these are toys and yes you have to put it together but honestly I think having that understanding of the simple functioning of your camera is always key. I have a RZ67 (not a $100 starter camera) but I still would not trade in a second with my toy cameras even the Duaflexs and the Anscoflex cameras make great starters. Have fun, play around. Trust me a $20 camera, some black and white film and your own developing kit is a better way to spend $100 than is dropping it all on a camera out the gate.

Medium format photography is like a woman, you don't shell out the big bucks on the first date. You get to know her then down the road you shell out the $$$ when you know she is the one.

Just my 2 cents,
BrandonJ

 

[ColdEye]

@Greg Campbell I saw the link, those are very attractive prices! Thanks for the link. Have you bought from him?

I actually do develop my own BW film (tho I just started a few days ago ). So I dont have to set aside money for they chemicals and other stuff.

 

[wblynch]

I got a 1951 Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Flash for 99 cents and it's 1,000 times better than a Holga! It even has a glass lens and an all-metal shutter.

On the other hand I got a beautiful 1958 Minolta Autocord TLR that just needed a little dusting-off and relube of the focusing helical. This is a pro-grade camera that cost $85.

Buying a Holga is fun and convenient because you can walk into Urban Outfitters and walk out with a shiny new box but the box is the best part. Not a good value and will not satisfy you for very long.

 

[Tel]

ColdEye,
I've got a Salyut C (predecessor to the Kiev 88 and in my experience better quality) that you can have for the cost of shipping. It has a 6x6 back and a 4.5x6 back. I have a 250mm Jupiter 36B lens that fits it--you'd need to scare up any other lenses you want on evilbay. Let me know if you want it.

 

[mkillmer]

And someone has to go against the grain here...

Take $20 and get on eBay and grab a gakkenflex. Yes these are toys and yes you have to put it together but honestly I think having that understanding of the simple functioning of your camera is always key. I have a RZ67 (not a $100 starter camera) but I still would not trade in a second with my toy cameras even the Duaflexs and the Anscoflex cameras make great starters. Have fun, play around. Trust me a $20 camera, some black and white film and your own developing kit is a better way to spend $100 than is dropping it all on a camera out the gate.

Medium format photography is like a woman, you don't shell out the big bucks on the first date. You get to know her then down the road you shell out the $$$ when you know she is the one.

Just my 2 cents,
BrandonJ

++1
I would recommend an Agfa Clack - probably my favourite Medium Format camera I have at home. Compared to the cameras mentioned, you might think it is a toy but...
it's:
6x9
Very limited controls, so you are left only thinking about composition
awesome to look at and hold
very very quiet

I don't have awesome skills, but this is a very nice camera now that we have negative scanners - very versitile! Here are a few pics - not my best , but they give an idea of the camera...

 

[ColdEye]

@Tel: I would love to have it.

@mkillmer: I have been looking at ebay for those agfa cameras, and I was amazed that one was just as long as a dollar bill! They are definitely on my list. But whatever I get first, I would practice on that first before buying something new. Thanks for the sample pictures.