Recommend a (cheap) medium format camera

darrenw · Expire: 2014-01-10

Hi All,

I am now on the hunt for an inexpensive 120 film camera and was hoping you could point me in the right direction - price point $200+/-. I would like something in the 6x7 or 6x9 format and was wondering what you could you recommend?

I was hoping I could find a Zeiss Super Ikonta or something similar, saw the Moskva on ebay but know nothing about them. Any others I should consider? Should I go to a TLR instead, maybe the YashicaMat 124?

Saw this, are they any good. Why does the sellers name ring a bell. "grizzly33bear"

http://cgi.ebay.ca/MOSKVA-5-Russian-Zeiss-Super-Ikonta-copy-6x9-6x6-EXC-/390260433870?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5add55a3ce

If the price point starts to get to/over $300 I will save my pennies and go for a Pentax 6x7 most likely.

Thanks
Darren

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Any folder camera without built in RF fit into your budget.
There is plenty of choices.

Without ranking

- Carl Zeiss Ikon
- Voigtlander Bessa
- Welta Weltur
- Iskra
- Konica etc

I rather choice Pentax 645 than 6x7 smaller , more light weight and image quality just unbeatable.

My setup is Pentax 645 body+ P645->P6 adapter+ P6 lenses.

darrenw · Expire: 2014-01-10

Thanks Attila,

I was wondering that as well. I can get from KEH a body, film back and lens for $400-500 and maybe that is money better spent - got too many cheap items collecting dust now; darn addictions... Wink

I do find it funny that at places like KEH and such it can be had much cheaper than local sellers want for them...sometime 3-4 times as much compared to online - do they not want to sell the stuff?

I am going to look into the models you mentioned (just in case...darn addiction... Laughing

)

Have a great one.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

darrenw · Expire: 2014-01-10

Wow, thanks Attila.

I have been surfing looking at options, thank you so much for those suggestions.

In the end I think that I will be ordering tomorrow a Pentax 645N w/ 120 back and SMC 75/2.8 for approx $410US++. I noticed in the links that you have given me that you used a Zeiss lens, is that from a Hasselblad using an adapter? I would like to get a wide angle and short telephoto of some sort eventually.

thanks again.
Darren

PaulC · Joined: 23 Dec 2008 Posts: 2318

Atilla is using Pentacon Six lenses on his, with an adapter available from ebay. The lenses are cheap(ish) and good quality east German manufacture. Manual focus, of course, but everything is available from a 30mm Arsat fisheye through the rectilinear 50mm Flektgon up to a 500mm Orestegor, all of them in the $200-$300 price range.

tango · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Posts: 16

Seele · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 742 Location: Sydney Australia

Attila,

Small point: there is, and has never been such a thing as "Carl Zeiss Ikon".

F16SUNSHINE · Expire: 2011-11-18

Take a Yashicamat. The models from D on have the fantastic Yashinon lens and will fit your budget.
It's the easiest MF to learn on. Hell many learned photography on a Yashicamat.
Easy load, focus, carry (quite light unlike a SLR). Search for our member Laurence and look at his gallery posts with the yashicamat.
Stunning for landscapes and great for Portraits as well.

darrenw · Expire: 2014-01-10

Hi Gang,

Thank you for all the input gang. I took Attila's information/advice and ended up going to an SLR, the Pentax 645 with SMC-A 75/2.8 & 150/3.5 with a 120 back. Now I will look for a wide angle of some sort - I would like something in the 35-40mm range ideally but may look at 45-50mm depending on cost. Oh this lovely LBA addition is killing me. Very Happy

Thanks again.
Darren