Best Cheap Medium Format Cameras 2024!

Understanding where to begin 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

[alejandrolopez]

Medium format will change your life especially if you do your own prints in the darkroom. The amount of detail you see it's mind blowing...

[Robert_Gonzales]

Another camera to mention is the 2x3 crown graphic. You can get one for only $250-300. This medium format rangefinder camera features tilt, shift, and rise capabilties, removeable backs from 645 to 6x9. Camera is pretty small considering it can do 6x7 and 6x9, the only downside is the lens selection.

[brineb]

My first medium format camera was a Yashicamat 124G that I got new in 1978 ... I then taught basic photography at a summer camp in 1979 and ended up with a Diana to use and teach the kids to use. Somewhere in the 1990s I went down the Soviet rabbit hole and got Lubitels, Kiev 60s, Salyuts and Kiev 88s ... in the last decade I got a Mamiya 6, Mamiya C3 and Mamiya RB67 ... not to mention dozens of old folders that take either 120 or 620 ... I tend to cycle through them all and have yet to have a bad experience shooting and processing the film!!!

[spiritwalker]

My first medium format camera was a Mamiya C330 with a 105mm lens that I purchased several years ago. I like it and the images that I can produce with it. You are right about TLR cameras being great conversation starters as they are not something regularly seen these days.

[centurybug]

This is a super useful list! Being a big cheapskate, I have a Konica Pearl II, which is a 6x4.5 folder. The Olympus in this list was a close second choice, but I think the uncoupled rangefinder would've been a big annoyance. My Pearl is already super slow to shoot.

[LaskyLabs]

I'm just waiting to get my impulse bought Pentax 6x7 back from the repair guy. It needed a lotta work done... But in the end I'll be very happy to use it because I'm also getting a brightscreen installed, which will make it very appealing to use.

[chandlerphotos]

I love my RB67! My favorite camera I own by far. The size and weight is so worth it to me cause I genuinely have more fun shooting that camera than any others.

[londoncameraproject]

I wish I could have liked this video twice! Thanks so much for putting these interesting cameras together and giving some interesting points about each one. I've looked at many medium format cameras but could never pick one.

[astrothetic]

Started my medium format journey with Pentax 645 but not too long I found out about the RB67 I got it almost immediately, I've only had the camera for a year but it's my favorite camera out of all my collection

[flowermaze___]

*WHEN* to use medium format, now that’s an interesting point. Curious to hear your take on that and guidance 🎞️

[howardblakley]

I fell in love with my Yashica Mat 124 G. I took it for a spin at 6 Flags years ago. I enjoyed everything about it. It made me use my photographic eye more. I loved the square format so much, I bought a Hasselblad 2000 FCM. Later I purchased another Hasselblad at a trade show. My customers loved the 10x10 and 5x5 prints.

[Witcher__]

Hello! My first and so far the only one medium camera is Lubitel 166, and yes its definitely not the best camera in the world but still love it. By the way cool channel!Greetings from Ukraine.

[photog]

My first was a Mamiya 645 that I bought back in the 80's...still have it, and it still works like new. Added an RZ-67 boat anchor several years ago, and now shoot 6x17 on 120 film with a Shen Hao view camera. Still shoot plenty of digital, but medium format is a cut above since you really can't 'spray and pray'...proper metering is much more critical and satisfying.

[fzq]

so I have mamiya 645 pro (6x4.5) and I must say - an excellent camera! got if for like $700 but is totally worth it.

[ck_arts]

I owned a full service photo studio starting back in 1973. For events I used a Mamiya Press and Mamiya Universal both 6x7 cameras. For studio work my dealer talked me into Hassleblad which spent more time getting serviced than shooting. Traded it in 1975 for the RB67 which I still have and still works like a champ. For field work I also switched to Mamiya 6x4.5 system that I no longer have which I regret. mamiya lenses were special.

[SteyrM]

Got into medium format on the Pentacon Six, massive lens selection from both Carl Zeiss Jena and Arsenal, prices for serviced bodies are pretty reasonable, and you can fit 13 shots on a roll consistently if the frame spacing is properly calibrated.

[everard]

Great video. I have a Bronica ETRs (645) and a Yashica 124G (TLR).
One note if it hasn’t been mentioned: You said “Bronica C220” at 5:46. Shortly after you said it correctly (Mamiya C220) but thought I’d mention it. Great videos. 👍🏽

[andrewwright]

I started with a Bronica s2a... but I have issues with its reliability, and with finding someone to service it. It's currently sitting on a shelf. I was then gifted a Kodak Box Brownie. These are brilliant starters. They're light. They're reliable. They take great photos. This last weekend I just picked up an Ensign 820 from a camera fair. It's a solid folding camera. I've just got my first roll of film in it rn so I can't say anything about the image quality. Probably the worst thing about the Ensign so far is the zone focusing. That's taking a bit to get used to. It has a process a lot closer to a LF camera with the need to cock the shutter on the lens before taking the photo. I think I'm moving towards using my tripod more with this one. Cheers

[davidjenkins]

My first medium format camera, the Pentax 6x7, the perfect camera for anyone moving from 35mm (as I did), the handling is so familiar and the quality is really very top notch, I can compare it with certain Zeiss lens medium format cameras and if anything, many of the lenses in the Pentax system are better. Basically, it is a great camera and it is still reasonably priced when compared to certain others. Film loading is a bit of a pain until you get used to it but no worse and actually better than many medium format cameras. Cannot praise it too highly.

[garlicburger]

I purchased a 150$ Kiev60. It’s funky- built well, zeiss glass, has spacing issues sometimes, but is fun cause I’m not a professional!

Great video🎉🎉🎉