Cheap Medium Format Cameras!

Jumping from 35mm to 120 film can be quite intimidating, especially from a gear stand-point. With expensive, legendary cameras out there, it can be difficult to know which one to get in the beginning. From Landscape focused cameras, to Portrait focused cameras, to even some niche, tumblr style toy cameras, I go over my top 6ish cameras that are AFFORDABLE but still give great function and use! Let me know in the comments below if I missed any cameras that you think should have been added! Enjoy!
Keaton:
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Metal Fingers Film:
/ metalfinger...​
Thank you to the wonderful KZbin Film Community for providing great BRoll for cameras that I sadly do not own and cannot film myself. Without my detail orientated peers, this video would have been considerably more boring. Additionally, all photos used were taken from reddit.com/analog. Same thing goes for that community, without the talented photogs posting there, sample photos would have been much more difficult to come across.
#MediumFormat​ #120Film​ #Cheap

[@metalfingersfilm]

I made another video like this!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWe4aZlqYpelndk

[@tplyons5459]

I used the Mamiya Press (Super 23 version) for decades in my business and loved it. I still take it out to play once in a while

[@rpeters330]

Happy to see analog resurgence!!

[@agylub]

I have used all of these. The Mamiya press is incredibly robust with excellent optics. The Agfa Isolette is so compact and with the Solinar lens capable of fantastic results. Lots of fun to be had with them all.

[@VWLivin]

I own a Koni Omega Rapid 100 and love it! It's actually my second and highly recommend them. The lenses are ridiculously sharp.

[@B3D5X]

I've never owned one but I got to hold a Koni Omega Rapid once. In-hand it was probably the most comfortable and ergonomic camera I've ever held. Everything on it is exactly where you need it.

[@bengeeshoots]

great vid man. i picked up an og Mamiya-6 in great condition. such a good intro to medium format, also for a great price.

[@marcinos303]

Polish Start 66(TLR) Kiev 6c/60, Zeiss Ikon Nettar/ Ercona/Ikonette/Ikonta/Box Tengor/Ikonflex(TLR), Agfa Isolette/Isola/Standart/Billy/Billy Clack/Synchro Box/Trolix(backelit box) Voigtlander Bessa/Perkeo/Avus/Brillant(TLR), Velta Reflekta(TLR), Veltaflex(TLR), Altiflex(TLR), Rolleicord(TLR), Lomo Lubitel(TLR), Perfekta, Pouva Start/Druch Synchro(Polish version)/Drug(Russian version), Ami 66, Kodak Vollenda/Brownie/Duoflex(TLR), Nagel(German Kodak), Zeca Plattencamera, Beirax, Bilora Bella/Box, Yashica 80 Baby Greetings from Poland ;)

[@pedromeza2398]

Good video on three of the cameras that I own, my favorite it the 6C Kiev, because I have three lenses that I can easily use.

[@HueNost]

"cheap medium format cameras" Not anymore!

[@yermanoh]

yup prices have gone way up over the last 5 years but thats a sign that more and more people are getting into MF film photography and hopefully that will lead to more film being made and maybe even new film being made

[@charliejones5884]

@@yermanoh (and film prices going down) 🤡

[@bngr_bngr]

@@yermanoh there is a limited supply of working medium format cameras.

[@yermanoh]

@@bngr_bngr true, my only 120 film back for my bronica etrsi broke last week it was in rought condition when i got it 15ish years ago and old age finally killed it, a "new" one is going to cost me 120 to 160 euros inc shipping and import taxes....shit happenes

[@jamesoiler2530]

Agfa Isolette is a sweet ride. So glad you featured it here. The focus scale can take some serious getting used to. For critical focus you need a tape measure in your bag. My favorite photo trip I carried two Isolettes. One B&W one C-41 color. Both fit in a small fanny pack. So much better than carrying a tradition medium format with a couple of swapable backs.

[@christianalbrecht4275]

I absolutely love my super isolete! It got me into medium format and I just love the little thing

[@inkaststudio]

The recommendations were very affordable lol but definitely good starters 😉 BTW, the production’s on point!

[@fosterhart2013]

Many Agfa cameras were also marketed as Ansco ! Ansco was their USA brand . I have an Ansco Speedex which is actually an Agfa Isolette !

[@tomscameras]

Interesting cameras and great video, also something to learn for me as I didn't yet know the Mamiya Press (maybe because it never was popular in Europe)! I'm surprised that Agfa Isolette cameras are so expensive in the U.S. I've got some of these recently, and over here they don't even sell for 10-15 Euros a piece! Not even with original case, original filters, etc. ... literally no-one buys these things unless you just give them away for free! The big problem with almost every Isolette is their plastics bellows unit that is super prone to light leaks, unlike all the contemporary competition from Zeiss, Voigtländer, Adox Hapo etc. The only Isolettes that are expensive do have a rangefinder and the f/3.5 lens which is vastly superior and also much more rare than the common f/4.5 and f/6.3 lenses. If those have had a recent service and a new bellows unit, THEN you might pay more than 400-500 Euros ...

[@SilntObsvr]

Mockba 5 is a great camera. I had one back in 2002-2005 and traded it away. I regretted that move, so I bought another. Tessar type lens, high precision wide baseline rangefinder, robust shutter, and the bellows are usually good (not the case with some other folding cameras). With fast film, the f/3.5 lens isn't much of a limitation. Get one with the format mask if you can. Mamiya Press is a nice system that doesn't get much, well, press. The lenses are excellent, and the interchangeable film backs make it easy to jump between B&W and color, different formats, or different film speeds. Isolettes and the "American" Ansco Speedex (effectively the same camera) are nice, but they're prone to being found with the focus locked up hard by the infamouns "Agfa green grease" -- as well as the Ansco versions being infamous for their leaky bellows. A good one, however, with a Tessar type lens, can serve well as a "coat pocket" camera, same format and lens type as most affordable TLRs but 1/3 the size and less than a third the weight. If you feel the need for a rangefinder, there are uncoupled RF versions for slightly more, or the Super Isolette and Super Speedex with coupled RF -- the latter has been called the best folding camera ever made; much lighter and generally less expensive than a 6x6 Super Ikonta, and all you're giving up is the frame counting system (you have to use the red window instead). The Rapid Omega system is what you'd get if you made a rangefinder version of the RB67: a much lighter and more compact camera, still with excellent glass, slightly quicker to use than the RB as well. Carry a couple film backs preloaded, and the film change at the end of a roll lives up to "Rapid" as well.

[@michaelcase8574]

Wedding photographers in the past used the koni omega rapid 100 and 200 because they were extremely fast to use with interchangeable backs.

[@p.9608]

5:30 Dude, this is an AGFA SUPER Isolette... has a coupled rangefinder, automatic film detection and frame counter, it has the Solinar instead the much simpler Apotar, Synchro Compur shutter 1/500s to 1s MXV with selftimer and so on.., And because this camera was so complicated to made, there are only a few of them out there so this is the reason why they are so expensive.

[@metalfingersfilm]

Wow that's crazy, I had no idea!! Thank you!

[@Butch_1982]

No AFGA! AGFA!

[@KenPepper]

hahahaha AGFAAAAAA

[@figjoy]

Well, I see you don't really like the 6x6 format, but the Late 1950's Mamiya-6 Automat is a really nice cheap folding camera. The focus system is cool because the film plane moves rather than the lens which makes it easy to have it coupled with the range finder.... There is also a mark II version, but it can only be distinguished by the lack of a film counter reset lever and usually a Mamiya lens instead of an Olympus lens.

[@mikeg4691]

I have an oldschool agfa billy 6x9 and it's a beast. I bought it on ebay for less than a hundred, and I feel I can do as much with it than a more modern camera that costs half a grand.

[@ReimannPembroke]

Great video dude! I actually just bought a Pentacon Six TL to use on my channel!

[@richardt1792]

This was a great review of some very capable medium format cameras at budget prices. So many people chasing the Mamiya 7 and paying $4500 and up for a body and standard lens. My favorite on your list is the Mamiya Press, I have most of the lenses. The 50mm with a 6x9 back allows for extremely wide shots. My next favorite is the Koni Omega Rapid, I have all the lenses for this camera, they are amazingly sharp Hexanon lenses. The Mamiya Press and the Rapid are big, heavy, bulky cameras; the lack to aesthetics of Hasselbalds, Rolleiflex, Pentax 67 and Mamiya 7 or RZ. For that reason, these cameras are overlooked. Buying these overlooked medium format cameras will get you great results at a fraction of the price. The prices have remained low throughout the revival of film cameras.

[@metalfingersfilm]

Agreed Richard! Thanks for checking it out!

[@patmcdonnell7784]

nice work man

[@jonathanoldbuck3246]

Please add these two venerable 6x6 folders: the Russian ISKRA and the Mamiya Six Automat. Both real gems with great Tessar type coated lenses. The eBay search for the Agfa Isolette was somewhat misleading in that it had both models, the non-rangefinder as well as the much more desirable Isolette III (also named Ansco Speedex Special R). The Agfa Super Isolette was the last and the most sophisticated. I've owned all these and many Zeiss Ikontas - prefer the Agfa models. In 6x9, my preference is the Agfa Record III with the Solinar lens. Despite being a front-element-focus, its remarkably sharp. Its the lightest 6x9 rangefinder camera I've ever held. The Voigtlander Bessa I and II are no slouches, either. I've owned four Moskva 4 or 5 models, all were defective from abuse. They had either been dropped (although there was no visible damage) or someone tried to force them closed, such that that lens was never parallel to the film again. This is essentially impossible to repair.

[@andrewrothman7805]

Nice video on a very useful subject. I would love to know where you can find the adapter you mentioned, to use the Kiev 60 finder on the Pentacon Six TL. There used to be a guy in Germany who made and sold them, but he is now retired and has none.

[@khanscombe619]

I think the Mamiya press 23 or universal is not only affordable but very usable & hood bright rangefinder & a good amount of accessories. In slightly more but cool, I’d add the Voigtlander Bessa I like it. Rangefinder is linked & decent. Price based on lens. Then the Mamiya C220. An affordable Rollei & fun for 6x6 TLR. Feels modem w/ many accessories

[@AkshaySinghJamwal]

In the 80s, Agfa film was one of the 3 ubiquitous choices (the other two being Kodak and Fuji). They also made a range of cameras (and still do). In the 2020s, everyone calls the company Afga. Sad to see how far it has fallen.

[@612morrison]

Check out the Kodak 66 with 2 different models the model 2 and 3 are 6x6 medium format folding cameras in England in the early 1950's and you can pick up a mint one boxed with manual for under $60 /£40 or less. The model 3 has higher specs with extra shutter speed marks and the 75mm is f4.5 and shutter locking button so you don't accidently don't double expose. The only things that let this great little 6x6 camera is the top plate and the red shutter release button are both made from plastic. And I have 3 of the them one is a model 3 that looks new, even the box and manual are in mint unused condition and I got it on ebay last year for £20 or $30 and you don't have the problem you can get with the Agfa's and the lens because lubrication grease has went solid.

[@spyratekodaks7494]

I also have the kiev 60 and the zeiss lenses that are available are amazing!! I also have the Yashica mat 124g and the camera is portable and fun!!

[@billyhilly030]

the Kiev 60 is a soviet rip off of the German pentacon six. the Zeiss lenses indeed are amazing and still reasonably priced up to this day, at least in Germany (availability).

[@Foxglove963]

metal fingers. You missed the Ensign Autorange camera from the 20's and 50's. Choice of formats 6 X 6 or 6 X 9, by use of baffles, rangefinder, the 50's model was fitted with a superb lens by Ross, one of the best lens makers. The 20's model featured vertical and crosswise lens shift and fast focussing lever.

[@nobody5203]

Would love another series of medium format cameras specifically in 6x9 format! Have been deciding between Fuji GW690, or a Mamiya press. Though hard pressed to find something with as many capabilities as the Mamiya due to interchangeability of lenses.

[@richardt1792]

The Mamiya Press has interchangeable back so you can switch films . The 50mm is great with the 6x9 back.

[@baileyshafer7940]

Nothing like the video being posted as I refresh my sub page 👌

[@arise2945]

I would recommend the Ricohflex TLR series, particularly the Super. Another inexpensive starter camera could be the CiroFlex, but I would get one with the Rapax shutter going to 1/400. Either of these will give you a good introduction to 120 film. A CiroFlex is a great camera to see if you have the patience to work on an old camera, too.

[@randallstewart1224]

The cameras with the best build and lenses on this list are the Mamiya 23 and the Koni-Omega. From a use perspective, the Koni is easier to use because it is well integrated while the Mamiya is a collection of parts you are always having to ranch to avoid screwing up. Also, the Konica lenses are superior to the Mamiya. The Mamiya's advantage is its component design, variable formats and direct focus ability (like a view camera). Koni offered this direct view focus capacity, but the accessories to enable it are beyond rare to find. The Koni could best be considered as a Mamiya 7 plus interchangeable film magazines, much tougher build at the price of much higher weight, at less than a tenth of the price. While 5 lenses were offered over time, the widest, 58mm, was replaced by a better quality 58mm design, so only four focal lengths from 58mm to 180mm. Further the 135mm lens is both rare and expensive. After some five years of sales, Konica sold the rights and production equipment to Mamiya, which continued to make the camera as the Omega Rapid. (There was no Koni Omega Rapid as such, contra the video.) Whether Mamiya made its own lenses for their versions of the camera is questioned, some claiming that Konica continued to manufacture the lenses for Mamiya. Biggest problem in buying a Koni Omega is that their were originally bought only by pros, who used them to death. They are serviceable, but not cheaply so, meaning that you have to shop with care. The Konica lenses are adapted from some of the best ever made. The 58mm copied the Super Angulon; 90mm is a Tessar; 135mm is a Sonnar; and the 180mm is (?) taken from the Tele-Xenar.

[@22fret]

Pentacon six TL user here. Great camera, I love it to bits. And the viewfinder isn't that terrible after all...

[@metalfingersfilm]

Good to know! thanks for watching!

[@SnowmansApartment]

in germany, the agfa get sold for as little as 20€.. i guess thats a great price for a medium format camera =)

[@Mucklegipe]

The Seagull Chinese TLR is quite nice, and inexpensive.

[@samskordi6079]

Tlrs are some of my favourite, many unknown gems are out there for around $100 including the meopta flexarette and yashica mat (excluding the overpriced 124g)

[@Murgoh]

Yes, I have a Flexaret V, a great camera and it cost less than 100€.

[@suryanarayanajagarlapudi8672]

I owned and used an Agfa Isolette.

[@oleyb123]

The more expensive Agfa Isolettes were the "Super" model which have a coupled rangefinder.

[@jonathanramos9345]

Anyone know the name of the camera in the cover of the video? Looks really cool

[@1973sonvis]

Lovely video! 👍🏻 But it is Agfa, not afga.

[@edwardhickey5185]

What is good flash setting on the camera.

[@p.9608]

There sould be a RolleiCORD on the list, too. ;-)

[@riffraffselbow]

even the 'cords are getting up there in price. an older (pre-124g) f/3.5 yashica is a great budget TLR. look for a lumaxar or yashinon lens; these are tessars. yashica put triplet lenses on some of their lower-end models, which are a big step down from a true tessar, IMO. Avoid touching the timed shutter release lever or flash sync lever unless you like jamming your camera and having to get it serviced. Other than that, they're great cameras.

[@caoyang5074]

There is one you can mention: Lubitel

[@jacovanlith5082]

A LADA or a FIAT 1200 ? The Pentacon Six is made by KAMERA WERKE ( Dresden )

[@Adrian-wd4rn]

They are NOT the cheapest medium format cameras....That crown belongs to the beloved Holga.

[@ianbutler1983]

Read the title; he did not say the cheapest.

[@80Hugoc]

voightlander´s could be there, some are cheap and all are good.

[@DeputatKaktus]

Cheap MF cameras? That ship has sailed, I am afraid. At least here in Germany, your best bet at the moment is to try your luck at camera exchanges. That is, if they take place at all with what the Rona and all. And even there you see about 70% junk. So you should be fairly knowledgeable. Forget eBay. That is a total crapshoot. 9 out of 10 people have no idea what condition the cameras are in, let alone how they work. Some have even broken the cameras trying to figure out how they work (Kiev 88...that’s all I’m gonna say).They just somehow learned that analog seems to be en vogue now and charge accordingly. You might get lucky but you can also land yourself with an expensive paperweight. The Mamiya Press ( I am a huge sucker for Mamiya - got a 645 and an RB67) is still on my bucket list but if you can find it at all, they are crazy expensive and any accessories are few and far between and priced pretty ridiculously. I am still looking for some RB67 glass but at least at the moment, there just isn’t any. When I got my 645 a few years back, I paid 250 Euros for it, including a 150mm lens, the prism finder and one additional film insert. Add a 100 bucks for a CLA and new light seals. I picked up a few lenses for it (45, 80, 200mm) along the way, all of them for under 100 bucks each. Now this exact ensemble fetches well north of 1000 bucks. The RB with a 250mm lens was about 150 bucks, including new light seals. Now the body alone is rarely under 300-600 bucks. Just a film magazine will set you back between 80 and 200 bucks now. Got mine for 40 a few years ago. Sure, some ppl got good deals from Japan, but that involves dealing with customs which is a huge pain in the neck (esp. in Germany) and I am not willing to jump through all the hoops. (Edit: typos)

[@tobiasschmidt1662]

Very cool and detailed video that triggers my itch once again... damnit my wallet will hate you for this... Your mentioning of the brand "Afga" made me try to imagine a nockoff brand that try to copy "Agfa" until I noticed it was simply misspronounced :D

[@thebendu33]

all price has gone up

[@marianataliaperalta327]

GREAAT

[@weissbornjr]

I would LOVE to know how you determine if a camera is working. Is there something specific you look for such as condition? In my shopping most eBayer's have no idea if what they have works, if lens have fungus or if there is oil in the inside. Great vid, BTW

[@charliejones5884]

There can be a lot to it or nothing to it, depending on the degree you want to inspect. Normally a shutter speed test, checking the lens, running a couple frames through it and developing them will give you a good indication. Though it really depends on the type of camera as different cameras have different things to keep an eye out for i.e. the Minolta X-500/700 have an electrolytic capacitor that, over time tends to simply die out. This will stop the shutter firing and appear to be fully broken, with a simple bit of solder and a new capacitor it’ll be good as new. Hope this helps

[@DeputatKaktus]

What Charlie said. Also: Study the manual for the camera you are looking for. Some cameras work in ways that seem counterintuitive compared to modern cameras. Some can even sustain damage if operated incorrectly. It is always difficult to judge from a bunch of photos unless they are very detailed. Apart from pics that show signs of exterior wear (worn / chipped paint, cracked or loose leatherette etc), it is always best to actually get to handle the camera. It always depends on what camera you have. A common thing in many old Canon AE1/AE1-P is called „shutter squeak“. Which can be remedied with a little dab of oil in the right place. There are howto videos. Look at whether the frame counter is working. Bear in mind though that on some cameras (eg the Voigtländer Vito) the frame counter only works when there is a film in the camera. In many TLRs, the lube inside the shutter mechanism may have deteriorated and gummed up the works. This results in sluggish shutter action and the times are going to be all over the place, ranging from „not working at all“ to „stays open permanently“ Quick test for TLRs: Set the exposure to the longest time (eg 1 sec) and fire the shutter. If the shutter opens significantly longer, then this might be a sign of trouble. A full disassembly, cleaning and relubrication of the shutter might be required. This is especially the case if the former owner smoked a lot. Tar and nicotine can really do a number on the internal workings of a camera. So even smelling it might also be a good idea (did I mention that handling the camera is best for getting a feel for the condition? 😀) For optics: check if the focus ring goes smoothly. A little resistance is OK but you should not have to really crank it to get movement. Check the aperture ring and whether or not it clicks into every position correctly. Check if any screws are missing or show signs of wear. Those may indicate that someone has opened the camera before. Also, Open the battery compartment if the camera has one. Look for signs of battery leakage. White-ish or greenish residue is usually a sign of corroded contacts, most likely resulting from a battery that has leaked. Battery leakage would be an instant dealbreaker for me unless I can clearly see that the corrosion is strictly limited to the surface and has not affected other parts of the camera.

[@dinein1970]

Mamiya C3 All metal construction with some of the absolute BEST optics Mamiya ever made. While a direct ripoff of the Rollieflex, unlike Rollie, you could SWAP the lenses!

[@mmknipser]

The company is written Rollei, but spoken Rollie.

[@Juan-Blasquez]

Was that the Milwaukee dome?

[@metalfingersfilm]

where?

[@DamienSantosPhoto]

Seagull 4-a is a cheap Chinese TLR

[@okok72277]

I have it and I love it. Lens is quite sharp, the viewfinder is really bright compared to other TLRs, and yeah I'm pretty happy with it

[@adrianelsner4936]

Pentacon six is a legend in central europe.

[@lomoDaniel]

the Horseman VH-R is affordable, technical and sexy

[@MINECRAFTandSEB]

Fuji gw690

[@watrobkasmaczna1]

You can still buy new Kiev's. They are called ARAX.

[@athmaid]

Aren't they just old modded Kievs?

[@BriteFrog]

Agfa, not afga

[@darrylroberts5235]

MOSKVA

[@LeendertCordemans]

Zeiss Ikon Nettar. Working very well and cheap. Also a good quality. No Agfa. They have a plastic folding and Nettar doesn't. They are leather.

[@rfishkin4900]

Koni omega rapid m ya

[@tarteauxframboises]

AGFA - not Afga. Spell check???

[@brankobelfranin8815]

Dislexic it's AGFA

[@jazzyman9959]

Commie Camera ... what a rhyme.

[@metalfingersfilm]

Hahaha

[@sevenlux7093]

Your spelling is remarkable: You write 7 letters "Mosckva" while on the camera there are only 6: "Москва". The name AGFA can be read on the camera that you introduce as AFGA.

[@XJarhead360]

Now that's an oxymoron - cheap medium format cameras. My Wista-type 4x5 and Mamiya 645 with 2 lenses weren't cheap.

[@jeremykeller211]

I am puzzled why you basically ignore the Zeiss Super Ikonta, which is mechanically far superior to the Moskva, with shutter speeds that reach 1/500. My example is equipped with the humble Cooke triplet lens. Stopped down to f8 it can produce superb 11 x 14 enlargements. At $200, I can happily stuff this folder into my backpack and head for the hills. I would NOT do this with my Leica M3.

[@johnz5359]

He very clearly didn't. This video is about "cheap" medium format. He mentioned a camera that is a cheaper clone of the super ikonta, and even mentioned buying the super ikonta.

[@athmaid]

Maybe watch the video before commenting such an essay lol