Thanks for highlighting some ACTUAL budget cameras - really fed up with people suggesting a Mamiya or Bronica as "affordable" ways of getting into medium format. The one thing I have read though is that the Kiev can have some serious reliability issues depending on where/when it was made (like lots of Soviet kit), so its worth buying one from a reputable seller with the option to return it if needs be (or grab a CLA'd one).
I first got into medium format in 1961 when I became a photographer's assistant and darkroom printer at age 16 in the UK. The camera they gave me was a Rolleicord 1V and I loved it. By the age of 18 I went out on my own as a wedding, portrait and press photographer using a second hand Yashicamat. It was all black and white when I started, but, when colour came in I bought a new Yashica Mat. I still have the 1957 Yashica Mat.
Absolutely adore my Kiev 6C, glad to see it recommended here. I would recommend that if you want to spend a bit extra, to have it upgraded by ARAX in Kiev, who are from the original factory that built these cameras. They rebuild and upgrade the mechanisms to increase reliability to reduce frame spacing issues which can sometimes be present. Recently got a Kiev 88 upgraded by them and it's a dream to use!
Wow great to hear!! Does it feel smoother to operate? One complaint with my buddies Kiev60, is that it can feel clunky and can feel like it's not working correctly.
@@metalfingersfilm I don't have an upgraded 6C nor used a 60, but it feels rather smooth in my opinion. My upgraded 88 is also reassuringly solid in use.
I was handed a Kodak Brownie 620 in 1989 and it had a fixed F11 aperture and 1/50 shutter speed but then got to use a Fuji GX680 and Mamiya RB67 in photo class. They totally blew me away. My first medium format camera that I bought with my own money was a Kiev 88 (Hasselblad 1000F copy minus all the perfection) I remember spending $499 in 1993, which was a crapton of money for a college student. The camera was riddled with issues aside from the occasional jam. Interior wasn’t flocked so you got the strangest reflections on your images. The kit came with an 80mm, WLF, 120 back and Polaroid back.
I have been shooting medium format for around 2 years now. I started out with a yashica mat 124g but the shutter was stuck wide open :( This led me to getting a Pentax 67. Recently, I was going on a backpacking trip to Europe and wanted a smaller medium format to bring along without risking the Pentax. I picked up a fujica six and I loved it. a little flimsy as my shutter gets stuck from time to time. Sometimes the exposed film won't wind all the way back up leading to some light leaks, but nevertheless really fun camera to use and shoots 645 and 6x6. Great video
If you want a better quality version of the Kiev, check out Arax. They refurbish these older cameras and make them out of the box new, it’s absolutely worth it.
My first mediumformat camera was the Seagull. And a little bit later I had the opportunity to get a wonderfull Zenza Bronica S2A. I had to repair a focus problem (it's very common), but now the camera works very well. And loud! I heard this one is the loudest medium format camera. And now I found a wonderful Certo Six, a rangefinder folding camera.
The Agfa Isolette series of folding cameras are nice too and aren't usually very expensive. I have an Agfa Isolette II and it is quite a good camera, I even put some Cinestill 800T into it and used it at night, got a few pretty nice photos. The Isolette III even has an uncoupled rangefinder. Ensign's folding cameras are also quite nice, although most are simple. A neat feature most Ensign cameras have is built in hinged masks on the film gate so you can choose from two different sizes of negative. I have an Ensign Selfix 420 which is pretty basic, as well as an Ensign Commando which has a coupled rangefinder and film plane focusing, like the Mamiya 6. The first medium format camera I used was my grandfather's Folding Pocket Brownie No. 2, while very basic it was fun to use and I got some nice photos.
Thank you very much for including my Seagull images! But I have not taken the pictures from minute 5:00 onward, just to let you know, there seems to be a slight mixup in your images.
My medium format collection has currently in it Zeiss Ikon Nettar Holga Bronica SQA Bronica ETRS I do love the quality they produce Looking for Yashica 124g to use last TLR is used was the Mamiya C330 we used for weddings nice review there are some bargains out there
@@metalfingersfilm I love them all all for different reasons it’s like asking me what’s my favourite child if pushed I have to say my Bronnyblads they always get peoples attention and produce beautiful images but for cost my Zeiss was only £10 and the lens is stunning
i own a zeiss super ikonta 534/16 which is like the 521 but with a light meter and a range finder. I paid $50 for it and it is my all time favorite camera
I got a Zeiss Ikon folder for $60 bucks 30 years ago--dummy me, moving and losing my smelly dark room, I sold it. My best portraits, candid-street and posed were with this camera. It had a view finder, but no meter. Since I was equipped by then, no matter. And with 6x6 you can generally compose loosely to avoid an inadvertent unwanted crop. Now, today, scanning into Lightroom, it is easy to straighten the images. I'm back looking to get a good camera and a tank and scanner and B&W friendly printer. I miss my B&W and with pristine daylight processing I think I'll try again.
This is definitely useful for someone's who's thinking about getting into medium format or existing shooters who might be on the hunt for a more budget friendly option. Also, that Lubitel 2 (or 166B) definitely produces great results and I often still shoot with mine. Thanks for sharing 👏
My first MF camera was a YaschicaMat EM. Sold it to buy up to a Kiev 60, then sold that for a Mamiya 645 and a Bronica S2A. Love me some square format, as the Bronica is the MF camera I’ve found myself taking out more often than the Mamiya. I also picked up an old Graflex Century and a roll film back for that as a makeshift 6x9 view camera! Works great and takes some wonderful images with the 103 f/4.5 lens that came with it. That one’s pretty fun for studio work and for landscapes too!
imo the biggest factor of medium format over 35mm for me (apart from resolution) is the perspective distortion with normal to wide angle lenses. My 40mm on 6x6, which is pretty similar in FoV to a 18mm on 35mm, looks so much better for photographing people and anything close than a 18mm on 35mm. You can easily get really shallow DoF and bokeh with 35mm, since there're f1.4, f1.2 and even f0.95 lenses.
I’m a big fan of the Ciro flex cameras, later ones had Graflex branding. Simple, reliable, cheap, and the lenses are quite sharp. Don’t need to spend extra for a Ciroflex F with the Raptar lens, the regular triplet lens on the other models is really good and I can’t tell the difference after shooting several rolls with each. So much better camera then the Lubitel which is truly awful to use. Get the Version with Rapax shutter that goes to 1/400. It’s better quality than the Chinese TLRs. You can find them for $50 or less.
I use a pre-war Voigtländer Bessa, mostly for cityscapes where close focusing isn't really important. Very few things beat 6x9 in such a small form factor. Agfa Clacks, Clicks, etc. are not rare. Paying more than 10 bucks for them is a bit shocking in my opinion. I tend to give them away as gifts to people who want to try something different.
I used Lubitel 188V and its quite cool because the lens is to sharp. Also the construction is very very simple. I just repair it with the one screwdriver pliers and lub Really recommend to buy it in particular, because it is quite cheap (I bought mine for just 11$)
I'm a Mamiya C series guy. I have 3. You MIGHT be able to get a C330 for $140 but I sincerely doubt it'll have a lens. I love these cameras and suggest them to anyone looking for a 6x6. I'm just thinking it's closer to $400 than $140 with a lens or two.
I was thinking the same; however, I noticed there was a couple ones listed between 140-160 while scripting; now they certainly had their flaws, but if only aesthetic issues, then what a good deal for people to be eyeing out. Thanks for commenting, Bill!
@@metalfingersfilm yea! My grandfather was using it and I guess my great-grandfather too! I have some example images in my Insta and can send for comparison as well
In germany the agfa clack is wayyyy cheaper. Agfa also has some affordable folders like the isolettes. Although, to be fair, i dont know about their quality. Same goes for welta and zeiss folders.
I can definitely recommend the Zeiss 521. It is an extremely well built condition and can be found in superb condition for around $50. It is has the Novar lens, its going to be way cheaper. Great for landscape because as mentioned, it lacks accurate focusing. It folds up small.
$80 for an Agfa Clack seems really expensive to me but maybe they weren't as common in the US compared to Europe? I agree that it's a nice camera though.
I have a 95 year old voightlander 6x9 foldable camera and like only 40% of the shots come out focused properly and of those only half have proper exposure (i know that a lot of that is on me, but i try to be a fast shooter so i cant really do much more) but the ones that come out right look stunning
@@metalfingersfilm my favourite lens (in general actually) in the CZJ sonnar 180 f 2.8 (very similar to nikkor 180 f2.8 ED which was inspired by the Carl Zeiss lens, but improved the first glass)
Mamiya C330 = $140? Man, guess I'm not that lucky. But overall, I agree with this video. Shooting medium format doesn't necessarily mean spending lot of cash for Hasselblad, Contax, or Pentax 67 kit. Those Japanese TLRs or German folding cameras are great performers as well, assuming you can live with a limitation: no interchangebale lens. I prefer TLRs because usually those folding cameras are typically not equipped with built-in rangefinder, so gotta put one. Let's say I'm not a big fan of zone focusing. Not a big deal if you are a landscape photographer, though. Just shoot at f/11 or f/16 and done.
Mamiya C330 with lens for less than 200$? dream on...maybe an early Mamiya flex but everything with a C in front (220,3,33,330) will go over the 200$ mark.
attribution error:
5:00-5:03
photos are taken by @caleblebster (first 4) and reddit u/ carbon13579 (last 3)
apologies for the that
Thanks for highlighting some ACTUAL budget cameras - really fed up with people suggesting a Mamiya or Bronica as "affordable" ways of getting into medium format. The one thing I have read though is that the Kiev can have some serious reliability issues depending on where/when it was made (like lots of Soviet kit), so its worth buying one from a reputable seller with the option to return it if needs be (or grab a CLA'd one).
Awesome! Glad I could be helpful!
I first got into medium format in 1961 when I became a photographer's assistant and darkroom printer at age 16 in the UK. The camera they gave me was a Rolleicord 1V and I loved it.
By the age of 18 I went out on my own as a wedding, portrait and press photographer using a second hand Yashicamat.
It was all black and white when I started, but, when colour came in I bought a new Yashica Mat.
I still have the 1957 Yashica Mat.
What has been your favorite camera, Neil? That Yashica mat?
@@metalfingersfilm Yes, the Yashica Mat
the legend
Absolutely adore my Kiev 6C, glad to see it recommended here. I would recommend that if you want to spend a bit extra, to have it upgraded by ARAX in Kiev, who are from the original factory that built these cameras. They rebuild and upgrade the mechanisms to increase reliability to reduce frame spacing issues which can sometimes be present. Recently got a Kiev 88 upgraded by them and it's a dream to use!
Wow great to hear!! Does it feel smoother to operate? One complaint with my buddies Kiev60, is that it can feel clunky and can feel like it's not working correctly.
@@metalfingersfilm I don't have an upgraded 6C nor used a 60, but it feels rather smooth in my opinion. My upgraded 88 is also reassuringly solid in use.
As someone who owns a mamiya C330, I absolutely can also recommend it. Especially the parallax compensation is very neat for doing closeups
Awesome to hear!! Have you shot on many other medium format systems?
Never seen C330 (working) going for that cheap. The lenses alone go for approx 100. I'm looking for the C330 lens
Great video dude! I've always wanted a C330 or the older C33. Just haven't pulled the trigger yet
Let me know if you do and what you think about them!
Did you get one?
@@C4_Corvette_man not yet! I’ve been enjoying my Yashica mat 124 too much haha if I get one, I’ll be posting videos about it for sure
Pentax 67 II was my first but I no longer have it. Looking for a cheap replacement and you helped a ton.
I was handed a Kodak Brownie 620 in 1989 and it had a fixed F11 aperture and 1/50 shutter speed but then got to use a Fuji GX680 and Mamiya RB67 in photo class. They totally blew me away. My first medium format camera that I bought with my own money was a Kiev 88 (Hasselblad 1000F copy minus all the perfection) I remember spending $499 in 1993, which was a crapton of money for a college student. The camera was riddled with issues aside from the occasional jam. Interior wasn’t flocked so you got the strangest reflections on your images. The kit came with an 80mm, WLF, 120 back and Polaroid back.
I have been shooting medium format for around 2 years now. I started out with a yashica mat 124g but the shutter was stuck wide open :( This led me to getting a Pentax 67. Recently, I was going on a backpacking trip to Europe and wanted a smaller medium format to bring along without risking the Pentax. I picked up a fujica six and I loved it. a little flimsy as my shutter gets stuck from time to time. Sometimes the exposed film won't wind all the way back up leading to some light leaks, but nevertheless really fun camera to use and shoots 645 and 6x6. Great video
Good to know, Logan!! Hope you continue to enjoy it! Thanks for watching!
My first medium format was actually the Mamiya C220. I love it. Maybe not as robust feeling as the C330 but way lighter for easier carrying.
Always hear great things about the C systems
If you want a better quality version of the Kiev, check out Arax. They refurbish these older cameras and make them out of the box new, it’s absolutely worth it.
Awesome! Great to know, thanks for watching, Marc!
My first mediumformat camera was the Seagull. And a little bit later I had the opportunity to get a wonderfull Zenza Bronica S2A. I had to repair a focus problem (it's very common), but now the camera works very well. And loud! I heard this one is the loudest medium format camera. And now I found a wonderful Certo Six, a rangefinder folding camera.
The Agfa Isolette series of folding cameras are nice too and aren't usually very expensive. I have an Agfa Isolette II and it is quite a good camera, I even put some Cinestill 800T into it and used it at night, got a few pretty nice photos. The Isolette III even has an uncoupled rangefinder. Ensign's folding cameras are also quite nice, although most are simple. A neat feature most Ensign cameras have is built in hinged masks on the film gate so you can choose from two different sizes of negative. I have an Ensign Selfix 420 which is pretty basic, as well as an Ensign Commando which has a coupled rangefinder and film plane focusing, like the Mamiya 6.
The first medium format camera I used was my grandfather's Folding Pocket Brownie No. 2, while very basic it was fun to use and I got some nice photos.
Thank you very much for including my Seagull images! But I have not taken the pictures from minute 5:00 onward, just to let you know, there seems to be a slight mixup in your images.
Great catch; added a pinned comment with the correct attribution. Sorry about that.
My medium format collection has currently in it
Zeiss Ikon Nettar
Holga
Bronica SQA
Bronica ETRS
I do love the quality they produce
Looking for Yashica 124g to use last TLR is used was the Mamiya C330 we used for weddings nice review there are some bargains out there
Which is your favorite?
@@metalfingersfilm I love them all all for different reasons it’s like asking me what’s my favourite child if pushed I have to say my Bronnyblads they always get peoples attention and produce beautiful images but for cost my Zeiss was only £10 and the lens is stunning
i own a zeiss super ikonta 534/16 which is like the 521 but with a light meter and a range finder. I paid $50 for it and it is my all time favorite camera
I got a Zeiss Ikon folder for $60 bucks 30 years ago--dummy me, moving and losing my smelly dark room, I sold it. My best portraits, candid-street and posed were with this camera. It had a view finder, but no meter. Since I was equipped by then, no matter. And with 6x6 you can generally compose loosely to avoid an inadvertent unwanted crop. Now, today, scanning into Lightroom, it is easy to straighten the images. I'm back looking to get a good camera and a tank and scanner and B&W friendly printer. I miss my B&W and with pristine daylight processing I think I'll try again.
This is definitely useful for someone's who's thinking about getting into medium format or existing shooters who might be on the hunt for a more budget friendly option. Also, that Lubitel 2 (or 166B) definitely produces great results and I often still shoot with mine. Thanks for sharing 👏
Awesome, hopefully it is helpful to many people! Thanks for watching Nuno!
My first MF camera was a YaschicaMat EM. Sold it to buy up to a Kiev 60, then sold that for a Mamiya 645 and a Bronica S2A. Love me some square format, as the Bronica is the MF camera I’ve found myself taking out more often than the Mamiya. I also picked up an old Graflex Century and a roll film back for that as a makeshift 6x9 view camera! Works great and takes some wonderful images with the 103 f/4.5 lens that came with it. That one’s pretty fun for studio work and for landscapes too!
Great to hear!! Nice level ups, with each new camera! Cheers!
imo the biggest factor of medium format over 35mm for me (apart from resolution) is the perspective distortion with normal to wide angle lenses. My 40mm on 6x6, which is pretty similar in FoV to a 18mm on 35mm, looks so much better for photographing people and anything close than a 18mm on 35mm. You can easily get really shallow DoF and bokeh with 35mm, since there're f1.4, f1.2 and even f0.95 lenses.
Very valid point!!
I took this to its most logical end and wound up shooting large format lol
@@grifinx That's definitely the most logical step ;P
If I didn't have to buy a new enlarger additionally to a LF camera I'd be more inclined.
hahaha
@@samgerers to be totally honest its kinda hell. I might just lose my mind and go back to 35mm at some point.
Never heard the bit about Seagull's shutter speed, I've used it without paying attention and never had problems.
Interesting! You have a 4B as well?
@@metalfingersfilm I think it's just 4
I’m a big fan of the Ciro flex cameras, later ones had Graflex branding. Simple, reliable, cheap, and the lenses are quite sharp. Don’t need to spend extra for a Ciroflex F with the Raptar lens, the regular triplet lens on the other models is really good and I can’t tell the difference after shooting several rolls with each. So much better camera then the Lubitel which is truly awful to use. Get the Version with Rapax shutter that goes to 1/400. It’s better quality than the Chinese TLRs. You can find them for $50 or less.
Got my Mat-124 for $150, which I thought was a steal lol. Taking it to my trip to Paris in December!
Hell yeah! I loved going to Paris/France, when I went some years back!
I use a pre-war Voigtländer Bessa, mostly for cityscapes where close focusing isn't really important. Very few things beat 6x9 in such a small form factor.
Agfa Clacks, Clicks, etc. are not rare. Paying more than 10 bucks for them is a bit shocking in my opinion. I tend to give them away as gifts to people who want to try something different.
dont stop these vids your my favorite photographer
Thanks, Jobe, that's kind of you!
I used Lubitel 188V and its quite cool because the lens is to sharp. Also the construction is very very simple. I just repair it with the one screwdriver pliers and lub
Really recommend to buy it in particular, because it is quite cheap (I bought mine for just 11$)
I'm a Mamiya C series guy. I have 3. You MIGHT be able to get a C330 for $140 but I sincerely doubt it'll have a lens. I love these cameras and suggest them to anyone looking for a 6x6. I'm just thinking it's closer to $400 than $140 with a lens or two.
I was thinking the same; however, I noticed there was a couple ones listed between 140-160 while scripting; now they certainly had their flaws, but if only aesthetic issues, then what a good deal for people to be eyeing out. Thanks for commenting, Bill!
I actually use Ikonta 520/16 from 1939. Yes, it is less flexible, but it shoots 6x6 and is awesome. I do encourage.
wow 1939!! That''ll be 100 years old in no time!
@@metalfingersfilm yea! My grandfather was using it and I guess my great-grandfather too! I have some example images in my Insta and can send for comparison as well
@@Klopizza yes! what's your insta? definitely interested in checking out!
Loved the vid! Don't blow it up too much but you need to add the mamiya 6 folder to this list
Thanks for the tip!
Thank you! i’ve been wondering if there were any options for me, i still haven’t shot medium format yet
Maybe these ones will work for you!!
In germany the agfa clack is wayyyy cheaper. Agfa also has some affordable folders like the isolettes. Although, to be fair, i dont know about their quality. Same goes for welta and zeiss folders.
I can definitely recommend the Zeiss 521. It is an extremely well built condition and can be found in superb condition for around $50. It is has the Novar lens, its going to be way cheaper. Great for landscape because as mentioned, it lacks accurate focusing. It folds up small.
honestly shocked at how many, quality Zeiss cameras are out there still
$80 for an Agfa Clack seems really expensive to me but maybe they weren't as common in the US compared to Europe? I agree that it's a nice camera though.
Nice pics! What brand makes that jacket?
If you're referring to the grey one; it was thrifted, many years ago
I have a 95 year old voightlander 6x9 foldable camera and like only 40% of the shots come out focused properly and of those only half have proper exposure (i know that a lot of that is on me, but i try to be a fast shooter so i cant really do much more) but the ones that come out right look stunning
hmm I wonder why such a low success rate?
also, kiev 60, 6c and pentacon six have interchangeable lenses. (so you might user the nice Carl Zeiss Jena's lenses)
which is your favorite lens of those?
@@metalfingersfilm my favourite lens (in general actually) in the CZJ sonnar 180 f 2.8 (very similar to nikkor 180 f2.8 ED which was inspired by the Carl Zeiss lens, but improved the first glass)
I learn medium format with a mamiya rb67 but those camera seems really god to try
Legendary camera!!
Years ago my grandfather gave me the first model Voitlander Bessa (sp?). Regrettably I guess these originals have become expensive collectibles.
Those are quite nice!! Do you still own it?
This video dropped at the right time
Glad I could help, Tarique! :)
Mamiya C330 = $140? Man, guess I'm not that lucky.
But overall, I agree with this video. Shooting medium format doesn't necessarily mean spending lot of cash for Hasselblad, Contax, or Pentax 67 kit. Those Japanese TLRs or German folding cameras are great performers as well, assuming you can live with a limitation: no interchangebale lens.
I prefer TLRs because usually those folding cameras are typically not equipped with built-in rangefinder, so gotta put one. Let's say I'm not a big fan of zone focusing. Not a big deal if you are a landscape photographer, though. Just shoot at f/11 or f/16 and done.
I do think that price point is quite rare, but I've seen some used, cheaper gear out there; just have to be patient.
i got the LC-A 120 and never turned back lol
oh wow, never knew this existed!! How do you like it?
I started on Rolleicord II type III, now I own too many cameras I buy at thrift stores
What's your best thrift store find?
Do not forget Flexaret, Czechoslovakia camera.
Interesting; never heard of this camera!
Just picked one up. I am waiting for delivery. Everything I've seen and heard about it seems top notch!
Mastering 35mm photography?
lets go. Great content
Thanks dog, appreciate you poppin' in and checkin' it out.
Definitely Pentacon Six and Zeiss Ikon Nettar / Moskva-5.
All great cameras!
great video!
Thanks Serraemartins!
man, only bad thing about these videos is watching the price of these cheaper cameras skyrocket like fuck
Hello from Appleton
Mamiya C330 with lens for less than 200$? dream on...maybe an early Mamiya flex but everything with a C in front (220,3,33,330) will go over the 200$ mark.
It seems to be that way; when researching I found a couple that were in decent condition around $150, but that may seem to be an outlier, sadly.
Also if you'd find it cheap - Polaroid SX-70 :P
Ahhh; my arch nemesis lolol
Mamiya c330 is now 700€..
Ironically the c330 is like £500 now lol
good ol zeiss ikon nettar
another old legend
Mean while I have to sell my MAT124 :’( my mamiya 645 hungers for film.
sell to meeeee
Fujifilm gfx 100 its cheapest 💀🔥
🙌 Pᵣₒmₒˢᵐ
first
🏎️💨