Recommendation for starter MF?

anandi

anandi

Gotta catch the light.
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So is there a QL17 GIII equivalent for MF? I have shot exactly one roll of 120 film in my life with a Hassy 500 and liked it, but don't know anything about them really. Any recommendations? I'm looking for something inexpensive but that would give good results. For example, there's a Yashicamat for sale in the RFF classifieds - is this a good starter camera?

Thanks in advance
 
I think a would get a 6x4.5 or 6x6 folder with a decent lens, with or without a rangefinder. Shoot pretty fast b&w film so you can stop the lens down to f/8 or 11. You'll need a separate light meter as well. (Or sunny 16 rule...)
 
645 Bronicas, Pentax, Mamiyas can all be found for pennies (relatively) now a days and are excellent cameras. All can be found with metered prisms finders, or you will find that the Pentax is just like a 35mm SLR function wise.
 
TLRs (twin lens reflexes) are actually quite good starter MF cameras. I find them great to use, and composing on a ground glass is quite nice. The Yashicamat is a good example. The Seagull models are also nice if you want new. The used marke t is also quite full of affordable TLRs.

I would get an independent light meter. Most MF cameras don't have a built in meter, unless you get a metered prism, and this is only for Pentax, Hasselblad, or Bronica cameras.

Drew
 
get an old mamiya 6, they are rangefinders, cheap, mine has a Zuiko lens (1955 ish ) which is nice even though the coatings have gone in places, very small for medium format ( folder ), and stacks of soul.
no built in meter.
 
I like the Mamiya 220/330 line of TLRs. They are dirt cheap these days and have pretty good coated lenses, paralax correction (at least the 330 did) and are quite robust. The problem with old folders is that the lens and film may not be parallel if the camera has been mistreated. Film transport, frame spacing can be a little dodgy too in my experience. Go for a Mamiya 330 with a black 80/2.8 lens. Fabulous way to get into MF.

Ben
 
The Mamiya TLRs are a little big and bulky; with the interchangeable lenses, they are definitely not a typical TLR. For that reason, I'd not go in that direction for a first medium format camera.

A medium format folder can be a bit of a roll of the dice, since lens/strut rigidity is crucial and can be a problem. I think I'd dip my toe into MF with a good inexpensive TLR, like that Yashicamat in the classifieds. You do need a handheld meter, of course.
 
Well, different strokes for different folks. A Yaschica Mat will run you $300 max (and often less depending on condition) from KEH and would not let you down. A Mamiya TLR can be had for the same price. It is a little bulkier, as Nick correctly states, but you get the ability to change lenses if an 80 mm lens is not your cup of tea. The 55mm lens (black, not chrome) is a nice MF wide. Not surprisingly (given what I recommended) a Mamiya 330 TLR was my first MF camera and it was just super. You could play around with close-ups because of the built-in bellows, good for environmental portraits, fine lenses, flash synch at all speeds, quiet shutter etc. I eventually traded up for a Pentax 67 and then a Hassleblad. I now use these, plus a Rolleiflex 3.5F about which I can't say enough good things: quieter than a Leica, supurb lens quality, good low-speed handholdability, classy looks.

Another cheap way to go MF would be a Speed Graphic with a roll-film adapter. A mighty headache in some ways, but a total blast in others. Hey, you could adjust the KalArt RF on a Speed Graphic and post on-topic pics right here in River City.

Good luck with your choice.

Ben
 
This is way too broad of a question.

You mention the canonet. That's an RF. Do you want an RF?

If not specifically RF, so you have any preferences? You mention a Hassy, which is a 6x6 SLR. Do you want a square format SLR?

Do you want to try a different format? 645, 6x6., 6x7, 6x8, 6x9? How aout weight?

And, of course, are you looking to just start out or are you excited enough to invest heavily (heavily != a lot of money, but more thought, for sure).

allan
 
Go for a TLR... if you wanna risk a poor experience at a seriously cheap cost then go for a Lubitel, but be warned, focus and build quality is awful. Go for the best you can afford which might be a Rolleicord or even a Rolleiflex. I bought a Rolleicord III as my first MF and it's great. I've got a Lubi 166B which is cheap and nasty but it still takes photo's. Just paid for a rough condition Rolleiflex which might be a bargain or a repair job.

People seem to recommend folders, but make sure the rangefinder is coupled, or you'll be stuck with fast film, and slow film with fine grain is half the fun of medium format :)
 
Thanks for the responses. To be clear, I don't know what I want in terms of format 6x6 645 aside from bigger negatives. I mention the canonet not because it's an RF but because it sort of a benchmark around here for a cheap and cheerful camera that has great optics.

This would be a camera that I could use for a while and grow into without breaking the bank. Something that fits into a small backpack would be good size wise, and no heavier than a late model Nikon F series. I'm sort of leaning towards the Yashicamat TLR type because they seem like a reasonable cost and seem to be available here. I'd rather use RFF gear than from the 'bay all other things being equal.

Cheers.
 
in no particular order:

rolleicord III (xenar lens)
yashicamat
minolta autocord
ricoh diacord

all are great cameras that will get you started in 6x6 very inexpensively, good luck
 
the mamiya tlr's are kinda heavy, so the yashica mat might be your best bet. At about $150 or so with CLA, that's not bad. The autocords go for more than that.

allan
 
All good recommendations by Flyfisher Tom. Each has a fine four-element Tessar-type lens that will give you excellent results, especially stopped down somewhat. (For the Yashicamat, the previous sentence applies only to the later versions with the Yashinon lens.)

You start to get into differences among the cameras' operation, once you get past the lens, and some design features are more convenient than others. For instance, crank film winding and shutter charging (Autocord, Yashicamat); knob focus (Yashicamat, Rolleicord) vs. focusing lever (Autocord, Diacord); teo step knob wind/manual shutter charging (Diacord, Rolleicord); brighter Fresnel focusing screen (Yashicamat, Autocord).

Among the cameras listed, the Rolleicord is the oldest -- over 50 years old at this point, though quite well made. Yashicamats were made up until 1971 or so, so keep that in mind. All are quite repairable still. But do keep in mind any of these is rather long in the tooth, and may need a proper overhaul.
 
KoNikon's last point is critical - $150 is for a _CLA'ed_ Yashica Mat 124. If it hasn't been repaired, then you shouldn't pay more than maybe $40 for it. I bought both of mine for $25 and $30, respectively.

allan
 
personally I am over TLR's, I also sold my 6 X 4.5 SLR kit. only kept the medium format rangefinders. but thats a personal thing....I also think that if you get a cheap one you may be left wanting more in no time ( if your camera addiction is like mine? ). I am cutting down on cameras now but the ones I am kepping are better and better, I find this very rewarding as It is hard to maintain 20 bodies and heaps of lenses, and the love I have for the best ones I have kept is pure.
 
Having used almost all the camera mentioned above (Rolleiflex, Yashicamat, Mamiya C220, Bronica SQA, Speed Graphic, Welti Weltur, Ensign Autorange), I would lean toward the Yashicamat.

The last two I listed are folders and I found that the older rangefinder viewfinders are quite dim. In strong light this isn't an issue but under low contrast conditions (and older eyes), focusing becomes an issue.

As mentioned already, the Mamiya TLRs are heavy and big. The lenses are great and the prices have come down but the size and weight will slow you down (if you want something RF like, this isn't it).

I loved my Rolleiflex and wouldn't mind another one. The Yashicamats are good cameras and they have light meters already builtin (the newer ones). I have a Yashica LM which has a light meter and the Yashinon lens. I believe they are about half the price or less than a Yashicamat 124G. There are other Yashicamats (Yashica 12, etc) that have the Yashinon lens minus the light meter that would just as cheap as the LM. I even had a Yashica D that had the Yashinon lens.

Rolleiflexes and Yashica's are light and easy to carry. I like the waist finder viewer for composing pictures and people don't notice me as much.

Good luck.
 
One more additional note, the Yashica and other TLRs are square formats. I love the square format but it will force a different composition than what I would do with a 6x4.5 or any other rectangular format.

I find that I try to balance the elements in the frame with a square format ultimately creating an image in balance. With a rectangular format, I find myself composing for a more dynamic image with movement. This may just be me though.

Some either love the square or hate it. Also, I don't buy into that I have to waste some of the negative when I print the square image. I routinely print full frame on rectangular paper. With the excess border, I use it for test strips So I end up with a "free" test strip with every sheet of paper and don't have to waste a whole sheet of paper to use for test strips.
 
The TLRs are the safe route, and the Yashicas have a very good price / performance balance.

There are a number of folders around that are quite respectable too. I'd go for something with a coupled RF, like a Super Ikonta III, Balda Super Baldax, or my favourite - an Iskra (do make sure the winding mechanism is working properly).

As with any camera this age, a recent CLA is worthwhile, as is buying from a well known, trusted supplier.
 
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