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Anonymous
What is the most affordable way to get into medium format photography?

Im looking for camera that will shoot 6x6 negatives, is affordable and likely to get through more than few rolls before it falls apart.

Also inb4holga.
>> Warren !!JL+uuUHRNlZ
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Look for older, used Yaschica-Mat cameras if you want cheap 6x6cm. I recently picked up an inoperative one for $10, took it home, opened it up and flushed out the shutter with lighter fluid. Now it works great. Granted, fixing them isn't always that simple, but it can be done. And it's not like all of them need fixing, either - I just happened to go for this one because it was so damned cheap.

What's your budget? What features do you want?

Pic related (from the camera I just fixed)

Camera-Specific Properties:Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 MacintoshImage-Specific Properties:Image Width5598Image Height5598Number of Bits Per Component8Compression SchemeUncompressedPixel CompositionUnknownImage OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2008:05:23 21:15:24Color Space InformationsRGBImage Width1000Image Height1000
>> des
>>189781
MF system cameras have been dumping in price for years. If you're sincerely interested, you might want to look into those.
>> Anonymous
>>189783
My budget is at $200. However id like to go with the cheapest yet working model possible so I have more money left to spend on the film.

As for features I have no other special needs than ability to control aperture and shutter speed. I can do the metering with my other cameras.
>> Serenar !m827jEgWi.
Make a decision between SLRs, TLRs, and folding rangefinders, and then look for the cheapest good example of each type. If you get fabulously lucky you could maybe get a beat up Bronica setup, but otherwise SLRs are probably not a good idea. A good midrange TLR like the Yashicamat mentioned or a folder would be a better choice.
>> linkiE !ei5A1FPDuk
I saw a Rolleiflex TLR in an antique shop the other day for about $175 that was in perfect working condition. You just have to keep your eyes open. Try and snag something for cheap off of Ebay.
>> Anonymous
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Oh, hi.

Just get a used Hasselblad.

Pic related, it's my 503CW.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeHasselblad/ImaconCamera ModelHasselblad CFVCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS2 MacintoshPhotographerMarc WilliamsImage-Specific Properties:Image Width3504Image Height3960Number of Bits Per Component8, 8, 8Compression SchemeUncompressedPixel CompositionRGBImage OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Data ArrangementChunky FormatImage Created2006:05:30 17:48:09Exposure Time1/8 secExposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating200Metering ModeUnknownFlashNo FlashColor Space InformationUncalibratedImage Width511Image Height578
>> Anonymous
>>189836

i bet that didn't cost $175 though
>> Anonymous
>>189837
I Heard you can get one for free. The downside is that youll have to go to moon to get one.
>> Anonymous
>>189859

I will begin construction of my tower tomorrow. I will reach the moon.
>> Anonymous
>>189837

That one cost me 10000$. But, of course, I don't live in the US, so it did not cost me dollars, meaning it was cheaper than that.

Just get a real job and buy a Hasselblad.
>> Anonymous
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i've been using a folding rangefinder, an agfa super isolette 2, with a voigtlander light meter that sits on the hot shoe. its amazingly nice because its soooo small compared to most other medium format outfits.

Camera-Specific Properties:Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution3200 dpiVertical Resolution3200 dpiImage Created2008:05:26 12:14:48Color Space InformationUncalibratedImage Width800Image Height800
>> Anonymous
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>>189781

Camera-Specific Properties:Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution3200 dpiVertical Resolution3200 dpiImage Created2008:05:26 12:15:11Color Space InformationUncalibratedImage Width800Image Height800
>> Anonymous
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>>189781

Camera-Specific Properties:Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution3200 dpiVertical Resolution3200 dpiImage Created2008:05:26 12:16:05Color Space InformationUncalibratedImage Width800Image Height800
>> Anonymous
>>189781
Get a Yashicamat 124. They're less than $100 on ebay.
>> Anonymous
KIDNAPPING THIS THREAD: whats the advantage of medium format? I love me some Dslr, so i dont know!
>> Anonymous
>>189938
The film area is about 6 to 8 times larger than your camera's sensor. If good film on 35mm is equivalent to around 22 megapixels with a good sensor, just think about what equivalent resolution you would get out of a square 8 times bigger than your camera's sensor.

That's one. Another thing is that you need generally lower apertures to get some -sweet- sweet bokeh, since the depth of field is much more shallow in medium format.

Also, you get HUGE viewfinders.

Film is expensive though, and short. 120 format only enables you to take around12 6x6 pictures per roll.
>> Anonymous
>>189942
>If good film on 35mm is equivalent to around 22 megapixels with a good sensor,

Made a mistake there, I meant to say a good LENS
>> Anonymous
>>189938
Bigger film size (6x6cm vs 35mm). It's like having a 5D versus a tiny point-and-shoot.
>> Anonymous
>>189944
Additionally, dynamic range in medium format is larger than you'd get in 35mm, or digital. Next to no need for things like HDR iirc.
>> Anonymous
>>189942

hmm, wonder if they'll ever do a sensor that big.

100 MILLION PIXELS! Jesus, get in the car!
>> Anonymous
>>189949
They already make medium and large format digital backs.
>> Anonymous
>>189942

>around 12

Oh god no! What will I do? How about, uh, I dunno, 220 FILM MOTHERFUCKER?
>> Anonymous
>>189942
12 exposures per roll is enough. Just take few extra rolls and think before the exposure.
>> Anonymous
>>189971
Isn't 220 discontinued?

Also, the complaint about 12-shot rolls is just that well, they're few shots for the same amount of money you'd pay for a 35mm roll with three times as many shots. You have to make them count, which is good on one side.
>> Anonymous
>>189949
>>189956
They do, but they're "just" at around 40 mpx at the moment. You can be sure though that just buying an MF roll is much cheaper than getting one of those cameras, and much more worthwhile for an amateur.
>> Anonymous
>>189836
DIAF

>>189982
120 is cheaper by half than a 135-36 in most cases. Yeah, you only get 12 images, but each one is four times more reso than a 35mm frame.
>> Warren !!JL+uuUHRNlZ
>>189982
220 is alive and well, but isn't worth it for economic reasons, as it ends up costing the same per-exposure as 120. The big advantage is that you just have to change film less often. One BIG disadvantage if you're processing your own film, though, is that 220 is fucking impossible to load onto stainless reels. Seriously, I damn near had a nervous breakdown trying to do it. Ended up buying a plastic tank and plastic reels specifically for 220, but that ended up being subpar because plastic reels often equal uneven development.

So, in short, 120 is where it's at.
>> Anonymous
>>189781

yashica tlr: cheap and easy to use. good results from what ive experienced.

mamiya 645: these can be found relatively cheap and are fantastic cameras.

someone on here picked up a mamiya rb67 from ebay for $400 the other week.
>> Anonymous
>>190856
>120 is cheaper by half than a 135-36 in most cases. Yeah, you only get 12 images, but each one is four times more reso than a 35mm frame.

I know that already but in my case, I can get portra in 120 for 6 bucks and 400H or provia in 135 for 5 bucks. That's nowhere cheaper. No discarding the quality difference though.
>> Anonymous
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Fuji revealed this recently, looks so awesome.
>> des
>>191242
They're older (80s) rangefinders were great. Haven't played with the newer AF or zoom ones, though.
>> angrylittleboy !wrJcGUHncE
I hear Lubitel & Seagull TLRs are ok, as long as you get them from reputable sellers online.