Good 120 for beginner?

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I've never shot on 120 before, and would like to give it a shot. Is there is a good, solid camera in this category equivalent to, say, the Canonet QL17 GIII in 35mm cameras? An inexpensive metered, aperture-priority rangefinder that takes great photos?

 

[xayraa33]

A TLR maybe.
a Yashica Mat 124 G
good lens, built in meter.

 

[wlewisiii]

One of the basic folders would do though none of them would have metering. Look at Isolette IIIs & Mess Ikontas on Ebay for good relatively inexpensive cameras.

William

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Ditto on the Yashica Mat 124G. Also, be on the look out for a Rolliecord. The Rollei will not have a meter, though.

 

[rich815]

What's inexpensive to you? Metered and aperture priority in a 120 is not going to come cheap. Best bet would be a Fuji GA645 that with patience might be found for $400 USD or so. I love mine. It's like a P&S on steroids.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Aperture priority's not that important. A meter would be great, though. But again, not absolutely necessary.

Under 200 is my hope. I'm watching a Super Ikonta right now actually.

Will check out the Yashica Mat!

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Lots of Mats on eBay...some in very fine shape. Might well go for one!

What about 6x7 though? That's kind of what I was after...I don't have anything in that aspect ratio. And perhaps a faster lens. I realize I just doubled my budget right there...

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

There's a nice little Isolette 11 in Classifieds just now
It's a very basic6x6 ,and the lens is well respected.

I have to admit some bias here though
Brian.

 

[Pherdinand]

6x7 is very expensive.

So is anything with a good reliable meter.

 

[rich815]

Check out this site: www.certo6.com

Some great folders there and a very reputable guy. I bought a couple folders on eBay and all were out of whack and soft. You get what you pay for.

Speaking of which, many people seem to like their Yashica TLRs, personally I think a Rolleicord is a much better what to go.

 

[Paul T.]

Cert06 is a good source. But it might be best if you decide whether you would like a rengefinder, or a TLR. Lots of people here speak very highly of the Iskra (search for threads), but I would personally go for a Rolleicord, Yashica or Minolta TLR. I went for the latter, an Autocord, purely because I saw one for $80, it's probably half way between the Rolleicord and Rolleiflex in quality, with a good, Tessar-style lens. You could probably score one with a meter for $200 or less; but of course a Rollei, if you could get one for a similar price, would doubltess be just as fine.

Edit: for the Rollei, it's worth going for the Xenar lens - the equivalent of the Tessar - rather than the Triotar, which is a 3-element lens with lesser performance. Prewar Rolleis can be very cheap... but of course might have dimmer screens, etc, which is why a newer Minolta or Yashica might be functionally superior.

 

[rich815]

...but of course a Rollei, if you could get one for a similar price, would doubltess be just as fine.

A type II, III or IV Rollicord with a Xenar lens could easily be scored for less than $200. I got one on eBay for $50 once. Ugly but worked great. More price info on those here:

http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/cord.htm

Recently got a Ia Type 4.5 with a Triotar lens for only $50. Definitely more "character" to the lens than the Xenar or Tessar but stopped down a repsectable performer for sure. And what craftsmanship...

 

[Leighgion]

Having just bought a supposedly good working condition Fuji GS645 that's definitely not, I would caution against jumping right into a folder as a beginner to medium format if you never owned a folder before. By nature of their design, folders more vulnerable to issues.

Given that "an inexpensive metered, aperture-priority rangefinder" in medium format is pretty much not happening, I'd give serious consideration to the suggestion of a TLR instead, which go for much less. I've been shopping a long time to find a reasonably-priced medium format rangefinder. They tend to go for very stable, fairly weighty, price tags.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

How about a Mamiya Super 23? I am a big William Eggleston fan...

 

[aizan]

fuji might make a 6x7 folder with metering and aperture-priority. they showed a prototype at pma and hopefully will announce it at photokina.

until then, a tlr or folder would work pretty well.

mamiya press cameras are good, too. why not?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Omega Rapid, that's a very affordable 6x7 RF, right? Anyone here have one of those?

 

[oldgearhead]

I've got a rapid Omega, and its a hoot. However, if you buy one, plan on having the
back rebuilt (100 USD). I'm pretty sure most units you find will require back service. Also I would steer away from the 220 backs, 220 film is getting harder to find. As far as I know the
new Fuji 400x flim is only going to be available in 35 & 120..

 

[skibeerr]

I would go for the fuji gw645 even the folder with a new bellows. I have got a Fuji GW6x7 for sale soon but that one will be around 1000$

 

[Krosya]

Hi,
While I love all the TLRs and folders - owned many and still have some, I don't think it's the best way to go. At least not at first. Modern MF RF are good, but not cheap. I think to get a real and full feel of the MF - it's SLR. Hasselblad can be found at some great prices nowdays. Bronicas and Mamiyas as well. Even a good Kiev 88 is worth looking at. I used one alongside with a Hassy and was hard pressed to see much difference. Key is to find a good one.
TLRs and Folders are cool to use but often require a lot of practice and patience. If you just starting out - may not be the best thing. But on the other hand - some are very good and very portable.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I'm not just starting out taking pictures--only shooting 120!

I am watching a 124G, Super 23, and Rapid on eBay right now...let's see where the prices head to...