Please Recommend a Great Entry Level MF Camera

Mikkornat · Dec 7, 2015

I'm still learning on a 35mm, but I have an eye to the future. What's the best "bang for your buck" entry level MF camera? And what's the best way to go about getting it?

Looking forward to the impressive collective wisdom of the APUG community.

Alan Gales · Dec 7, 2015

Forget "entry level". If you can shoot a 35mm camera on manual mode you can shoot any of them.

What do you want to shoot with it?

Do you want to shoot 645, 6x6, 6x7, or larger?

Do you want a rangefinder, TLR, or SLR?

Do you want interchangeable lenses? SLR's and Mamiya 6 and 7 rangefinders are able to change lenses. Mamiya TLR's can do the same.

Are you happy with changing rolls when the roll is used up or do you need film backs where you can change from color to b&w mid roll for example.

What is your price range?

If you can answer all of these questions then you will narrow the field down quite a bit.

sagai · Dec 7, 2015

I have learnt some patience by got mine. This is actually helpful for MF later too.

I think we are not buying a MF camera these days, it finds us.

Slixtiesix · Dec 7, 2015

My recommendations: Absolute entry: Agfa Isola II, has everything you need for less than 10$. 2 f-stops, 3 shutter speeds. Fun to use. Next step upwards would be some folder from the post war era with a decent, coated lens. Next step would be a TLR. Do you intend to shoot 6x6?

darkosaric · Dec 7, 2015

Rolleiflex Automat X.

MattKrull · Dec 7, 2015

645 SLR

Any of the 645 SLR systems.
I've got a Bronica ETR-Si, I love it. Plenty of people have Mamiya and Pentax systems and love them. All are very capable, all can be found for surprisingly little money.
A TLR may be cheaper, and is certainly good, though with rare exception, a more limited tool (interchangeable backs and lenses are nice to have).
Having gone down the route of a cheap folder first, I'd skip that route. Yes they are cheap, and yes they take fantastic photos, but if it costs less than one of the 645s above, the view finder will be tiny and a pain to use. If it isn't nice/fun to use, you aren't likely to use it, so get something you enjoy using. I like the Bronica/Mamiya systems because I can put a WLF on it and use it in a similar fashion to a TLR, or put a prism on it and use it like an SLR (Pentax and some Mamiyas have fixed prisms forcing an SLR experience all the time).

aRolleiBrujo · Dec 7, 2015

Pentacon Six TL with its fantastic Zeiss lenses, or Mamiya rb67 with a Polaroid back!

cliveh · Dec 7, 2015

Rolleicord Vb

Sirius Glass · Dec 7, 2015

Since everyone is just posting their favorite camera drug, I will toss in Hasselblad. :devil:

02Pilot · Dec 7, 2015

Without knowing your budget, it's hard to assess "bang for the buck" and "entry level". Assuming you want to keep the financial outlay fairly low, you need something that's 1) common, 2) robust, and 3) easy to use. With those criteria in mind, forget about folders and systems. Folders are finicky and can suffer from several sorts of age-related problems. Not something you can rely on to be fully functional without some sort of guarantee or service, both of which tend to be expensive. Systems, SLR or RF, get you into cameras that will do a lot of things you don't need them to do right now, which will just get in the way of the basics.

TLRs are plentiful and cheap. Buy one of the common types, preferably one without a lot of features; red window manual advance, simple direct shutter controls, etc. Look for a triplet lens - it will be just fine stopped down to f/8 or so. Rolleicords, Yashicas, and Lubitels, in descending order of cost, are where I'd start looking.

Sirius Glass · Dec 7, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
Since everyone is just posting their favorite camera drug, I will toss in Hasselblad. :devil:

OK all siriusness aside, what format do you want to use 645, 6x6, 6x7, 6x9, ...? What type of photography do you want to do? wildlife, portraits, sports, landscape, street? Color or black & white? Changeable lenses? Changeable film backs? What is your budget?

trythis · Dec 7, 2015

I suggest a box camera that uses 120 film. That should give 6x9 frames and should be available for $20. Then get a agfa Isollette Ior similar followed by a yashicamat TLR that works or have one Fixed by a good tech. ( if you are well off get a rolleiflex or rolleicord)

Afterward using these you can decide on a format you like. Still using the format after you've gone through the TLR?

Now consider A Range finder or an SLR system to be determined by your budget.

Sent with typotalk

frank · Dec 7, 2015

Narrow it down to what type of medium format camera you want: SLR, TLR, RF, or viewfinder/scale focus.

Narrow it down to which format of medium format: 645, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9, 6x12, 6x17 ...

Narrow it down as to whether you require a built in meter or not, if you need interchangeable lenses and/or film backs.

You have lots of research and thinking to do in order to make an informed choice.

Alan Gales · Dec 7, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
OK all siriusness aside, what format do you want to use 645, 6x6, 6x7, 6x9, ...? What type of photography do you want to do? wildlife, portraits, sports, landscape, street? Color or black & white? Changeable lenses? Changeable film backs? What is your budget?

Echoing my post #2. You are a wise one when you are Sirius!

As you well know, my friend, f the OP can post the answers to our questions the best he/she can then we can really narrow it down to something that would work well for them.

Kirks518 · Dec 7, 2015

I'm going to suggest the Mamiya RB67. Bodies and lenses are dirt cheap, quality is along the lines of the best out there (some will say Mamiya is the best out there), very versatile system, and all sorts of options/accessories are available, allowing you to build the system.

From a 'bang for the buck', I don't think there is anything else that gives as much as the RB67 gives at the same price point.

But, as the others have said, it will all depend on what format you like best, and what type of system you prefer.

I have and use 6x6 TLRs (C330 & 124G), 6x4.5 (Mamiya M645), and 6x7 (RB67). On all three formats I have almost everything available as far as lenses, backs, inserts, finders, winders, etc., and I most frequently use either the M645 or the C330. The RB is for 'special' occasions, as the size of the system can be daunting. The RB with 2-3 backs, and 2-3 lenses can be monstrous in size and weight, but the huge negative makes it worth it. When I'm out just photographing, I'll grab the C330 first, and then the 645. The 124G hasn't seen much use lately. It's a great camera, but I like the option to change lenses with the C330.

Just my 2¢ worth.

Sean Mac · Dec 7, 2015

It's a fun question.

Without narrowing it down you might as well just read the currently 38 page thread on which one is the "coolest"

Mamiyas in TLR or SLR are cheap and perfectly effective but kind of big and heavy.

Hasselblad or Rolleiflex if you only want to spend your money once and have plenty of it.

Good luck whatever you choose....

Steve Bellayr · Dec 7, 2015

Hasselblad 500 (it has inter-changeable lenses) Rolleiflex which is a twin lens (Some have reported that when using this camera people have no idea that they are being photographed.)

Paul Howell · Dec 7, 2015

Not knowing what want spend, what format, or means of focusing, I will recommend inexpensive with a good but not outstanding lens, fixed lens, no meter, Yashica D twin lens reflex, with the better 4 element taking lens and 2.8 viewing lens, if you don't have a meter a working Weston Master IV.

If you have more funds and want to add a few lens a Mamiya C220 with a standard 80mm and a 105 and 55.

chrchr · Dec 7, 2015

I can't even tell you how much I love my Rolleicord.

ManicPixie · Dec 7, 2015

Rolleiflex Automat or Rolleicord Vb.

frank · Dec 7, 2015

ManicPixie said:
Rolleiflex Automat or Rolleicord Vb.

Seconded!

BradleyK · Dec 7, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
Since everyone is just posting their favorite camera drug, I will toss in Hasselblad. :devil:

As will I; but, then, the 500c/m was my entry into the world of medium format. A bit pricey, perhaps, but absolutely no regrets; what a marvelous camera to work with.

Sean Mac · Dec 7, 2015

The Rolleicord that takes a prism is both "Great" and "bang for the buck" value.

Ko.Fe. · Dec 7, 2015

Mikkornat said:
...What's the best "bang for your buck" entry level MF camera? And what's the best way to go about getting it?

...

Brownie with clean lens and viewfinder (120 6x9 format), get them locally on Craigslist, antique malls and so on.
Holga 120 . If you can't find it locally, they are available on-line.

If you wannabe photographer those two might help you to learn to be the one and creative.

removed account4 · Dec 7, 2015

mamiya ( post war ) 6 vi

http://silverbased.org/mamiya6-folder/

Please Recommend a Great Entry Level MF Camera

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