Cheapest medium format camera with focus screen!

MindofMel

MindofMel

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Hi all,

Looking to do a portrait project with a Medium Format camera but the Agfa Isolette I have is really not up to the task. I have set up two shoots now and got mediocre results - its beyond my current capabilities to nail a head and shoulders shot with this camera!

So, what options do i have for a MF camera (small in size as possible) that has a conventional film like focus screen?
 
There were several TLRs suggested in your other thread, or for an SLR you're looking at something like the RB67 with a WLF, back and lens.
 
Not sure about SLRs, they tend to be a bit more pricey than TLRs. I'd recommend a Yashica Mat for cheapness & Mamiya C33 for goodness :)
 
brianwar said:
Mamiya 645J? I got one with lens and WLF for under £100 last year.
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Yep. Likewise. I managed to buy a good example with a WLF and 80mm f/2.8 lens for about £80 delivered about 18 months ago.

One observation: a WLF with 645 doesn't really work if you want to do anything but landscape format shooting and a prism finder of some kind is well worth investing in. I found a nice one recently for £25.

For 'cheap as chips'-ness, you're into Lubitel 166/Seagull territory - they can be had for around £25 if you don't buy a new one. And they are tiny; a lot smaller than my Yashica 124.
 
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Check out the 3x Mamiya TLRs in the for sale section, £140 each I believe :) Perfectly useable for portraiture
 
Musicman said:
Yep. Likewise. I managed to buy a good example with a WLF and 80mm f/2.8 lens for about £80 delivered about 18 months ago.

One observation: a WLF with 645 doesn't really work if you want to do anything but landscape format shooting and a prism finder of some kind is well worth investing in. I found a nice one recently for £25.

For 'cheap as chips'-ness, you're into Lubitel 166/Seagull territory - they can be had for around £25 if you don't buy a new one. And they are tiny; a lot smaller than my Yashica 124.
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Does the lubitel show you focus through the viewfinder like 35mm SLR's? Thats the main thing I need.. 6x6 format will work well for what I'm planning
 
It does. It's not a viewfinder as in an slr but a waist level finder. It's quite easy to use!
 
I might get shot down for saying this - but if you want to do knuckle down and do some serious photography, all of the cameras that you are toying with are going to be a disappointment. For a tight budget, a proper twin lens reflex (at this price range, we are talking a Yashica with a Yashinon taking lens) is going to be your best bet, or failing that one of the cheaper 6x4.5 medium format SLRs - for instance, the M645 1000S.
 
freecom2 said:
I might get shot down for saying this - but if you want to do knuckle down and do some serious photography, all of the cameras that you are toying with are going to be a disappointment. For a tight budget, a proper twin lens reflex (at this price range, we are talking a Yashica with a Yashinon taking lens) is going to be your best bet, or failing that one of the cheaper 6x4.5 medium format SLRs - for instance, the M645 1000S.
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You are probably right... but I am quite happy atm shooting 99% 35mm B&W and then messing around in other areas/formats when I have time. You are probably right with your comments, but right now, while I'm just having a look at MF, the cheaper cameras present a simple and cheap way to play initially with the format.

I did the same thing buying a cheap Nikon F301 to try out film.. I now have two lol but at least before I knew i liked film, the F301 was a non committal venture into it. Just saving up moola for a grays of westminister FM2n at the mo, now that I'm all over 35mm!
 
Got my gf a pretty minty Ricoh Diacord for her Christmas for £10, might be worth looking out for something like that?
 
Liubitel is a good camera with wlf but the problem is that wlf is worst i have ever seen. My offer will be the same a yashica or mamya TLR.
 
Rocky Shilly said:
Liubitel is a good camera with wlf but the problem is that wlf is worst i have ever seen. My offer will be the same a yashica or mamya TLR.
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yup !

I can only agree with everone.
buying supercheap 35mm is ok. medium format - I would rather spend 100+ for a proper brand one, although I'm still keen to test out the Seagull ones.
 
Pretty much any decent medium format camera will work out about the same price as the Lubitel, buying secondhand and selling afterwards. It'll cost you the listing price and postage. What you pay for it will be near enough what you will get for it, if you're a careful shopper.
 
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