Medium Format Camera for Beginner

[citizen99]

Suppressing my 'fanboy -ism' for classic folders 😉, I do like these points :

At 16 years old I would go for something lightweight and easy to use, plus affordable...
The Yashicamats fall in this range...the 6x6 format means she won't have to turn for vertical shots...the leaf shutter is smoother and the Mats are a lot lighter than the 645 SLRs and easier to hold especially with the mirror slap of the SLRs...
With the Yashicamat all you really need is a good strap, maybe a filter (for B&W shooting) and a lens hood.
The 645 format does give you 3 more shots per roll but I'm guessing once she sees the 6x6 negs and prints from them she'll be sold...
Keep it simple, fixed lens, square format, aperture/shutter speed dials...and if she doesn't like medium format you're not out all that much...

Also, a TLR can give an aura of the 'cool' sixties fashion photographer, which might go down well in her environment 🙂.

Oh, an after-thought - the older ones don't have batteries at all, and the later ones will work without them; no mid-session expiration or faffing-around with chargers and spare batteries ...

 

[mgrinnan]

I bought a Yashica 124g not too long ago and have been really happy w it. It's probably my favorite camera. (But I also wanted a two and a quarter camera). If she wants different negative dimensions a used Hasselblad might be worth checking out.

 

[Addy101]

First question: what about budget?
I would stay away from the Pentax 645 series as it is just like a 35mm SLR, just bigger. TLR's are nice, cheap and it is a conversation starter - might be important. Most are quite old by now.
A SLR with a waistlevel finder would be next. Interchangeable lenses is nice and it is something completely different then that Nikon she is used to.
Last option is a rangefinder, that might be the best option - they are not to heavy, there different from a 35mm SLR like that Nikon. And those Fuji's aren't that expensive.

When I started with medium format (not at 16 😉 ) I first got a Fuji GW690 II and then got a Bronica SQ set.

 

[lynnb]

another vote for the Yashica Mat 124G or the Rolleicord (Vb seems the most desirable) - I'd go for the Rolleicord if possible. Simple cameras, great negs, and subjects like being photographed with them due to their retro looks. No other type of camera I've used gets such good responses from people - which results in better portraits.

124G - people I don't know:

 

[Tompas]

Mamiya C220f with the 2.8/80mm lens, and maybe a second lens, and a Sekonic or Gossen light meter.

IMHO way cooler than even a Rolleiflex.

 

[CliveC]

I'm inclined to agree with the Texas Leica suggestions (Fuji GW690 etc.). The later ones (GA645) with more automation could perhaps be more problematic in the long run though.

If you're going Rollei, a Rolleicord is okay (especially the Rolleicord V), but you may as well just skip on up to a Rolleiflex.

 

[JChrome]

I'm inclined to agree with the Texas Leica suggestions (Fuji GW690 etc.). The later ones (GA645) with more automation could perhaps be more problematic in the long run though.

If you're going Rollei, a Rolleicord is okay (especially the Rolleicord V), but you may as well just skip on up to a Rolleiflex.

Usually the way people progress is from smaller to larger formats (or at least that's the way I did it). I went from 35mm to 6x6 to 6x7 to 6x9. Now I settled on 6x9 and 4x5.

The thing is for me though - in my eyes, there is a huge difference between a 6x6 and a 6x9 but not a huge difference in the convenience of shooting them. 6x9 gets you the closest to 4x5 you can get for a very modest sum of money. The image circle of a 6x9 lens is almost double that of the size of a 6x6 lens which really gives you more of that larger format feel.

Not to say that I don't love 6x6 though. If I were to go that route, I'd get the Mamiya C330. Lots of very amazing lenses for very litte 🙂.

 

[harpofreely]

Another vote for Yashica MAT - the older, non-metered ones have great build quality. Get one thats been serviced and she'll be all set with a lightweight, simple camera capable of great results.

 

[mike rosenlof]

huge difference in the user experience between eye level cameras and cameras you hold at waist level. I'd start with that basic question.

Yes, this is key. Second question is the budget. There are lots of good options. And many bargains these days.

 

[RObert Budding]

Super Ricohflex is a really simple camera, and you can pick one up for $50 or less. Add in $75-100 for service (Mark Hansen is good).

http://www.zeissikonrolleirepair.com/page04.html

 

[Bill Clark]

Bronica had a nice medium format rangefinder.

Depends what you're interested in photographing, maybe I missed it. I started, decades ago, with my moms Kodak Brownie.

Mamiya TLR are reasonable but you need a lot of patience when using them.

Rollicord is another.

I have a Mamiya 645E that is easy peasy to use.

Lots to choose from!

 

[lukitas]

Hasselblad, 500C series, planar 80.

Slow, but wonderful. You prepare the next shot while winding the shutter, film and mirror. Makes a royal K'Schlock when you click it. The interlocking aperture and speed rings can be set to EV-values : a primitive program mode, when you turn the ring, the exposure stays the same, but speed and aperture change in opposite directions. You can choose between eye-level or waist-level viewing. At waist level, you focus and compose and then look at your subject to choose the moment.

It is a ponderous beast, heavy, cumbersome and slow, but such a wonderful photographing machine. There are reasons for its popularity with professionals of the seventies and eighties. And it did go to the moon, and it did bring back stupendous pictures.

I'm still in love with a camera I sold ten years ago. Sad, isn't it.

Cheers

 

[oftheherd]

I agree with the Yashica 124 MAT G. I loved my when I had it. Rolleiflexes should have a little better lenses, but not easy to notice the difference imho, and they are a lot heavier. Folders are a good option as well. I have several I enjoy using.

With 6x6 format, one cannot use the whole negative unless one wants to make square prints. Some people do like that. A 645 imho, isn't much bigger than 35mm, but it is bigger nonetheless. Most are also heavier, since most are SLR.

A big problem is all previously mentioned camea are old. Some very old. One has to be careful in selecting those older cameras.

Good luck. If you get any good MF I am sure you daughter will fall in love with all the negative real estate.

 

[btgc]

With 6x6 format, one cannot use the whole negative unless one wants to make square prints.

That's the whole point - bigger than 35mm square negative and square prints. Lab I use readily cuts off empty area (prints mounted on foamboard base).

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

How much do you want to pay.
What does she want to shoot.
What would she be willing to carry.
Does she take care of her gear.

 

[Addy101]

With 6x6 format, one cannot use the whole negative unless one wants to make square prints. Some people do like that.

😀

With 645 format, one cannot use the whole negative unless one wants to make 6x45 prints. Some people do like that.

With 6x9 format, one cannot use the whole negative unless one wants to make 2x3 prints. Some people do like that.

Couldn't help myself..... sorry. :angel:

Kidding aside, there is some true in it. If your daughter (dis)likes a certain format, it makes sense to take that into account. I prefer 2x3 or square, I stay clear of 645 - others love the 645 format.

 

[AlexBG]

I would go for a hasselblad 5xxx. As she is 16 it is the sort of camera that her friends will think is cool which will make her use it more, it seems like the most popular medium format camera for younger people plus if she doesn't like it she can sell it for the same as you paid or if she does like it get a longer/wider lens.

 

[oftheherd]

😀

With 645 format, one cannot use the whole negative unless one wants to make 6x45 prints. Some people do like that.

With 6x9 format, one cannot use the whole negative unless one wants to make 2x3 prints. Some people do like that.

Couldn't help myself..... sorry. :angel:

Kidding aside, there is some true in it. If your daughter (dis)likes a certain format, it makes sense to take that into account. I prefer 2x3 or square, I stay clear of 645 - others love the 645 format.

Well perhaps I didn't express myself clearly enough. There are people who prefer to make square prints, no matter the overall size. I am not one of them, however for those people, the square format is ideal.

 

[Addy101]

Well perhaps I didn't express myself clearly enough. There are people who prefer to make square prints, no matter the overall size. I am not one of them, however for those people, the square format is ideal.

Got that - just made a little fun at your expense. But as I said, it was a good point as the format is important.

Did the people who advice on the Hasselblad V (500-series) take the price into account? For me that was reason to go for the Bronica SQ - similar experience for a fraction of the price.

 

[shimokita]

Since she is a photography student at IPC in NYC, it's sounds like she has enough interest to be serious about her studies. What are the other students and/or instructors using... Take the good suggestions given here and visit a used camera shop to actually hold some different models. Her age is not that important when compared to her interest, and if it's genuine, she deserves a professional camera. A Hassy might be a good choice along with a tripod, and light meter... mainly because of the history... a lot depends on what subject matter, etc, etc.

Great opportunity for the two of you to look at used equipment.

Casey