Cheapest medium format body & good films

MindofMel

MindofMel

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Hi all,

Just wondering if you could direct me to cheapo medium format bodies for experimentation. Googling has brought up the Zeiss Ikon Nektar 515, but not sure if I like the look of the folding cameras. However, will go this route if thats whats available to me.

Also, suggestions of B&W film i can develop at home for this format.
 
The Agfa Isolette, though it is another folding camera.

Paul
 
Depends what you want really, cheap tlr would be the lubitel always good fun using one of those! Plus there are various folders that are cheap enough to pick up.
 
Lubitel is your cheapest TLR, then it's probably Yashica 124g, Mamiya/Rollei after that.
If by cheap you mean really cheap then Holga it is.
It'd help if you'd tell us (roughly) your budget & the reason for going to MF (format/quality), if quality then I'd say get a 6x9 folding camera. They're a good bit lighter than most MF cameras, easy to carry about & the negs are almost exactly the same format as 35mm

-J
 
At the budget end it's generally either folding cameras (look for one that can switch between 6x6 and 6x9 between films) and TLRs (I'd add the Yashica D to the list, should be cheaper than the 124G) all the way.
 
MindofMel said:
Budget < £50.00 GBP
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Folding camera or Holga-ish. Most likely zone focus - I can't think of a folding rangefinder under-£50.

There are some oddballs as well (such as the Ensign Ful-Vue, box cameras) that fall within this budget, but these tend to have reduced functionality.
 
You could pick up an Agilux Agifold for about this. It's a non-coupled rangefinder, but has had some good reviews. I've one sitting on the self at home that I cleaned up and checked the shutter speeds on, but have not had a chance to put any film through yet.
 
Not sure on pricing these days, but another shout here for the Yashica TLR - I had great fun using one for a few months last year (a 124G - I really need to get out there with the Yash again soon!)
 
Could pick up one of the older Yashica TLRs for that price definitely - not the 124 or 124G but the original Mat or the EM, which both use the same optics anyway.
 
Get on eBay > photography > film photog. > film cameras > meduim format without searching anything & see what comes up in your price range. That's generally what I do when searching for a new camera
 
Just one thing - older cheap medium format cameras are often cameras that are many decades old and will come with the inherent problems that presents - built up dirt and dust on lots of surfaces, potential mechanical problems, lubrication dried out, shutter curtain problems. Watch out!
 
If you like it, great! If not, sell it off again on the TP Classifieds or eBay. At worst, you'll lose a bit of money on it, but if you have a good set of product pictures and some sample pictures taken to demonstrate that everything is a-ok, you might end up actually gaining from ownership :)
 
freecom2 said:
If you like it, great! If not, sell it off again on the TP Classifieds or eBay. At worst, you'll lose a bit of money on it, but if you have a good set of product pictures and some sample pictures taken to demonstrate that everything is a-ok, you might end up actually gaining from ownership :)
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Ha i like it. I just bought an Afga Isolette on Ebay. Should be here in time for the week 3 theme!
 
MindofMel said:
Ha i like it. I just bought an Afga Isolette on Ebay. Should be here in time for the week 3 theme!
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Cant go wrong, recently finished off a roll through an isolette I started months ago. Nice camera!
 
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