Comments on: These are the Best Medium Format Film Cameras for Beginners

By: Jim Graves

Jim Graves — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 19:22:59 +0000

Another vote for an old Folding Camera here! A dear friend gave me his Grandfathers Agfa Isolette I that his mum had kept in a box with some other keepsakes she kept after his death. My friend found them after his Mum passed away and he asked me if i wanted it. I was looking to get a start in medium format and of course I said yes. That camera has been both challenging and extremely rewarding as I learned to use medium format film. It may be 70 years old, but when I get it right it still produces a banger from time to time. I have since bought an older folder, a Balda Baldax 4.5×6 from 1933. That little thing is a wonderful piece of engineering simplicity. Neither of my folding cameras have any automation or light meter built into them to help me, they are just honest viewfinder cameras where the skills I have learned over the years get fully tested. I also I get to use my Gossen Trisix selenium light meter and Watameter rangefinder. (The purists will probably cast me into the pit of eternal damnation for not using sunny 16 and a measuring stick.)

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 14:35:33 +0000

In terms of TLRs, why not mention the plethora of excellent Yashica TLRs, that are not the overpriced and overhyped Yashica-Mat 124G? These were made for decades, and can be had now with a variety of features, a couple different lens options, and at a variety of price points? Good budget options include the Yashicaflex series, Yashica A, Yashica B and Yashica C. Options with potentially functional light meters include Yashica LM, Yashica-Mat LM, Yashica-Mat EM, and Yashica-Mat 124. Higher-spec options without light meters include Yashica D, Yashica 635, and original Yashica-Mat.

What’s more, many of these Yashica models can be found for $200 or less, sometimes $100 or less, per eBay sold listings. Yet cameras like the Autocord III tend to sell on eBay for double this price. I think the Yashica TLRs represent a much better value, not only because they’re cheaper, but because there are more options to choose from.

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 14:09:30 +0000

In reply to Martino. There are many different replacement focusing screens available for 6x6 TLRs from makers like Rick Oleson, that enhance the brightness of the image the photographer uses for focusing and composing their shot. There is no real reason why anyone has to suffer with dark TLR viewscreens. FYI.

By: Bruce Cooper

Bruce Cooper — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:24:34 +0000

Very interesting article. F.00or those considering twin lens reflexes, I suggest the Ricoh Diacord. It compares very favorably to the Minolta and Yashica TLRs, with an excellent lens and the same type of lever focusing mechanism as the Minolta. However, it is much more sturdy and not given to breaking. It is also less expensive than the other two. I purchared mine for $41.00 online.

By: Louis A. Sousa

Louis A. Sousa — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:29:44 +0000

Good choices! The one rub with the Autocord is the focus lever is cast aluminum and prone to breaking off as mine did. There are replacement levers on EBay. The lens is fabulous. Louis.

By: Martino

Martino — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 10:06:52 +0000

that’s a great list! I had a Rolleicord V for a short time but I couldn’t really geat used to how dim the focusing screen was, but most of all I don’t think I will ever get how square format works….it’s just not for me, I think.
At the moment I’m greatly enjoying my FujiGS645W, a wide angle rangefinder that shoots 6×4,5 negatives. It weights like a 135 format SLR and has great image quality, perfect for my hikes. I know it can have some reliability issues, but I’m enjoying it while it lasts