Cheap Medium Format Cameras in 2025!

Understanding where to start with medium format, regardless of your familiarity with 35mm film, is a cumbersome one, with many different choices for cameras, pricepoints, confusion on where to buy one, and much more. 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 6 cameras that are AFFORDABLE but still give great function and use in 2024! Let me know in the comments below if I missed any cameras that you think should have been added! Enjoy!

Keaton:

#mediumformat #35mm #filmphotography

[ArthurFellig]

Those Koni-Omega cameras are the highest quality that you can get for the money, in my humble opinion.

[noonan]

bro your cut and stache take me straight back to richmond 2010 hipster era.

[gknegatives]

Penatcon Six with Zeiss lenses is a budget gem. Thanks for the shout out using the footage 🤘

[RickMunday]

The Kievs were a camera that I absolutely fell in love with in the late '90s. I don't know if they're still around, but there were several people (I want to say companies but I don't remember if they were companies or individuals) that were rebuilding them to a tighter spec for maybe $100 more. I loved the 88 the most.

I would love to go back to shooting medium format, but the lack of availability for developing film without an investment, and honestly the lack of high MP digital backs for those that want to shoot both digital and it film is still a pitfall.

I learned photography on a TLR.

This was a great video to stumble across! You brought back a lot of memories. Well done!

[Detoxua]

Bought myself a Kiev 60 for less then a 150 usd last Winter (thanks to this channel for an idea) it was shipped from Ukraine, like new condition. Did a few rolls with standard lens and was quite impressed after 35mm. Happy with it so far.

[JackColbran]

Good video. I''d never heard of the Koni-Omega before, and I thought I knew every camera out there!

[oudviola]

Thanks, some interesting cameras I did not know about. I have a Bronica GS-1 6x7 with lots of lenses, definitely beyond beginner level prices but very competitive versus other 6x7 SLRs. Also a Yashica D, which I use a lot for its portability. I went through several Yashica Mat124s and had problems with the gearing for shutter cock/film advance; the Yashica D has those as two separate actions which makes the gearing less complicated, and also makes shooting multiple exposures even too easy! I did a head-to-head comparison of my Yashica D with a Rolleicord (the less expensive Rollei), did not see any significant difference in image quality but preferred the viewing screen on the Yashica (the Rollei screen was brighter in the center but dimmer at the edges, making focusing easier but framing harder). Cheers from Montreal!

[MrCharlz]

I went stupidly cheap for my first medium format camera. I picked up a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye at a swap meet for $2 just because I liked the art deco style of it and I've since put several rolls through it. I won't argue that it's the perfect camera, having to modify or re-roll 120 to 620 spools is a very notable issue. But it's been a very fun little camera to walk around with. In some ways its a kind of no-thought shooting because there's really only the option of whether or not to take a picture. You as the photographer have to make sure that the shot works for the camera, not the other way around. You'll certainly lose a few frames by mis-judging the light level or moving while pressing the shutter but when it works it's even more rewarding than shooting point-and-shoot on 35mm (at least I think so)

[TheWriterforhire]

Great video! I owned a Kiev 60 and strongly recommend it. Mine was made in 1993 as indicated by the date code on the left of the camera on the back. Flash sync is slow, a 1/30th, if I recall, but I got into old flash bulbs to get around that, lol. May I suggest the Yashica Rookie? It's a Yashica A TLR but has a removable metal mask to shoot 645 as well as 6x6. I've bought many and they are nice. Spare masks can be found cheap in dead 6x6/645 folder cameras if you need one. I have a Ricohflex TLR and I think it is such a great value compared to the always expensive Minolta AutoCords. I love Minoltacords because I can actually afford them and the lens is sharp. So want to shoot a Pentacon SLR and now am curious about those Koni Omegas. One tip that worked for me; if you want to build a pro medium format SLR on a budget buy a Mamiya RB67 body, then a lens, then a film holder, and then the viewfinder of your choice. That is how I built my kit, piece by piece. Good luck!

[theangrymarmot]

You missed probably the best medium format camera for beginners that is still reasonably priced. The Pentax 645. The glass is great, inexpensive - and the cameras are generally bulletproof. I bought my 645 with two lenses for ~350 bucks and it has been reliable and a joy to use. I own a nice Bronica EC with a few lenses / accessories and a Fuji GS645W - and the Pentax is always the one I grab if I want to make sure the pics come out correctly.

[wheatthicks]

An alternative to the Yashica A is the Japan-only Yashica Rookie which is basically the same camera except it adds the ability to shoot 645 (provided you can find or print a mask).

[Palpo_pics]

I bought a Brownie Hawkeye Flash, definitely more toy camera but the results I got shooting Kodak gold 200 far exceeded my expectations, and I got it for $20 with the flash and flash bulbs, and its really clean

[robertwaffel]

I have been sporting a Bronica ETRS (645) and Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 523/16 (6x6) and they are wonderful. Each sees on average 2-3 rolls per month. They are a steal for what they deliver.

[CBortlearts]

I have owned a bunch of MF cameras over the years, and to me, nothing holds a candle to the Agfa Super Isollette. A awesome camera that fits in a pocket. With that said, it is my second choice because I do not like 6x6. I only shoot 2x3 ratio so 6x9 is my only option and the absolute best camera for me is the Voigtlander Bessa II. These are not as cheap as the ones you listed but at around 350-500 for a good one, it is so worth it. It is my endgame camera in MF. Takes stunning photos and it slides in the pocket. Built like a tank. I've shot this camera for years and it has never needed servicing.

[liamtehrd]

A note to anyone considering a Koni-Omega. These cameras can be great, but most were worked very hard by photographers.

The trouble points tend to be stuck shutters, backs that don’t work at all or advance with uneven spacing on frames, and there are more point to get light leaks than other types of cameras.

The backs are pretty difficult to repair, I haven’t been brave enough to try yet but the instructions I’ve seen are intensive.

Try to buy one that’s been tested, or if you are a tinkerer they can be fun to learn how to fix!

When working properly you can get very sharp photos!

[StreakyP]

2 points :-
a) watch for light leaks on the backs of Lubitels
b) buy the best & cry once... with the cost of film & processing spending a bit more on the camera & wasting less film (& having a more enjoyable experience) can be more economic in the long term.

[erikalvner]

I know it doesn't have a lot of resources, but I recently picked up a Suzuki Press Van 120. It's a 1950's rangefinder with bellows (that doesn't really fold) and an insanely bright rangefinger. It's fairly unknown but can be had for around 250-300 dollars. Great camera, really reliable and sturdy.

Also the Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex cameras are pretty great TLR cameras that can be had for well under 100 bucks.

[tvojetetatroubo]

I rarely write comments, but this time I have to...
I really don't understand why most people are so insanely reserved about cameras like the Ljubitel. I understand that there are some requirements on how advanced the mechanics of a device must be to call it a camera, but for me personally, Ljubitel fits this pretty well. And yes I realize that it is a camera that is simply a product of the time and place of its creation.

I found one in a closet about a year ago and just thought, how about giving it a try? After reading forums and watching youtube videos I was very skeptical of the outcome. Luckily what i got was complete opposite.

The quality of the images taken was excellent. And in general, the whole process of getting familiar with the functionality of what many people call a "toy camera" was fun and, thanks to the technological limitations of the camera, also very educational.

I understand that people in the photo community will probably rip my head off, but even a Ljubitel is a very rewarding companion with a little patience and willingness to at least give it a try.

(If I'd belive to all of these skeptical comments, I'd never have started to shooting film, which is why I'm a little annoyed to see this narrative over and over again. )

Video as whole is really good and i like it.
But I felt the need to stand up a little for my favourite piece of soviet history lol😅.

[samue]

The super fujica 6 was my first medium format camera, absolutely no regrets. If I were to do it again, I'd consider a TLR but it's an amazing camera

[TokyoGritandGrain]

Be on the lookout for Yashica D as well. Cheap, quality, basic. Can't go wrong! Great list. Thank you.