Best sub-$300 6x7, or 6x6 120 metered camera?

S

strangerbeat

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I had a Yashica Mat 124G once but really didnt like all the plastic in it.

My ideal MF would be the Mamiya 7II, but I cant swing that much cash at the moment. What's the closest I can get within that budget?
 
I was going to suggest the camera that you don't like. I thought that it was a good camera at price. I don 't know what the current price might be.
 
Uhm nothing? I can't for the life of me think of anything sub 300 that has a working meter. May be you get really lucky with a Bronica SQ kit or a Pentacon Six?
 
Nothing I can think of... Buy a handheld meter and you'll never have this problem, all kinds of possibilities open up. It works!
 
Hans is polite, but correct.

I would have said you were S.O.L. once you dismissed the Y 124.

Can't think of anything else -$200 range with a meter.

Maybe a used Kiev 6X6 with the metered hood?
 
The closest I can think of:

Koni Omega 6x7 with body, 90mm lens and back for $125-$150.
Add a Gossen Digisix w/shoe adapter for $130
 
I can't think of anything in the price range other than Yashica, or unreliable Kiev's. Light leaks on Kiev 88, and frame spacing issue on 60, and metered prism is quite heavy on both.

I think you'll be happier if you save up a bit more and aim for more reliable cameras "above" Yashica-124G range. I scored Hassy 500cm kit for $500, Mamiya 7 kit for $800. My friend recently scored Rolleiflex 3.5E for $450. Be patient. :)
 
I would tend to agree with the other comments made already about finding a sub 300 metered camera.

But have you thought about a Rolleicord instead. Unlike the Rolleiflex, something like a Rolleicord III can be found for the 200+ range and you can add a meter like a small used Gossen for around 75 or so.
 
FYI -- here is ad for a Rolleicord

Rollei Rolleicord III w/75mm f3.5 Xenar, inst. manual, accys brocure, worn case, in original box! #1180xxx (9)
Item #: SKU168349
Price: $225.00
 
Kiev 60 or 88 has meter and is under 300. My 88 has no light leaks or any other problems. And remember if you have a light leak, it is easily fixed with some black tape (and when you are at it you can tape over the Kiev logo and nobody will notice you, at least until you press the shutter)
 
If you try a Yashicamat 124 (NOT the 124G), you won't find the plastic you disliked in the 124G.
The meter is less likely to work though, the big improvement on the 124G's was better meter connections, but (in the later ones especially) the construction wasn't as good on the body. (Lenses are the same though.)

Aside from that, there's not much w/ a meter out there in that budget. I'll go along w/ some of the other guys, and say a rolleicord or a tessar-lensed rolleiflex and a handheld meter. (or even the mamiya TLRs)

-Brian
 
Au contraire, ye naysayers. All metal, metered 6x6s I have acquired at the auction site under $200: Diacord L, Ricohmatic 225. More reliable than anything FSU at the price, more robust than Yashica, nicer to use than Autocord (and steel rather than easily breakable pot-metal focusing levers). Japanese selenium cells require no batteries, and have been seemingly much longer-lived than various German counterparts. Tessar-type optics are comparable to Autocord or Rolleicord (but so is Yashica if you get a decent one).

P.S. Ricoh TLRs also had the best internal baffling of cameras in this class. Of all the Yashica TLRs, only the 124G had any baffling at all, which is why the Yashicas were even more flare prone than other TLRs.

P.P.S. Here's a link: http://antiquecameras.net/ricohflex.html
 
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I just pulled out my Bronica ETRSi and a couple of lenses, winder, backs and finder.... almost worthless on today's market and the older models even worth less... but 645 format... All of these SLR type cameras.. like the Kowa that I mentioned previously have quite a mirror slap... The TLR don't and neither do the rangefinders, like the old Koni-Omegas. I have been shooting all rangefinders for a while and when I let the Bronica rip last night... I was really put off by the mirror. What I like is the close focus of the 150mm lens. My Yashica was my first medium format camera.. purchased new in the sixties... 1960's not price..loved that camera.

Another camera in the price range..just one example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/MAMIYA-C330-PRO...ViewItemQQptZFilm_Cameras?hash=item19ba57549f
 
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