Thoughts About Photography

The obvious benefit of shooting medium format is that you get a negative that is 4 times bigger than 35mm film. The major drawback to the cameras I will be mentioning is that most of them won't have a light meter. Don't let that scare you though because you can always use a light meter from your 35mm camera, or better yet just get comfortable with the sunny 16 rule.

Processing and Purchasing Film
I know what you are thinking. Even if you got a cheap medium format camera, the processing is going to break the bank. I buy my film from B&H or through Amazon, but you can buy 120 film at most camera stores. Expect to pay about $3 per roll.

Photo processing is affordable, too. The real cheap route is Sam's Club (processing and 12 four inch prints is only $3.21), but the local camera store should be able to do the processing for around $10. I don't know for sure, but most places that process film could probably send your film away to get processed. It will take two weeks for Sam's to get your prints back to you, and the local camera store should have it back in a day or two.

Used Cameras
The best route for getting an affordable medium format camera is to buy used. I recommend Ebay, but there are many other sources for used cameras if you look around. Here are some classic medium format cameras that you should be able to find for relatively cheap.

The Rolleiflex and Rolleicords are popular and well known cameras. They are good quality cameras with a proven record. Depending on the model you buy, you can expect to pay $100 and up.

The Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex is an even more affordable option. It is a German Engineered twin lens reflex camera that is very well built. Later models have a light meter, but since the cameras are pretty old, they might not be accurate, if they work at all. This camera was never as popular as the Rolleiflex mainly because it is less stylish. Mechanically, it works as well if not better than a Rolleiflex, and should take photos of comparable quality. It's pretty much a tank, and not as pretty, but you can expect to pay much less for it. I got a bargain on mine for less than $50.

Yashicamat and the Minolta Autocord are two other options to research when you are shopping in this range.

New Cameras
If you want a brand new camera, your options are much more limited. The only option is the Chinese built Seagull. The Seagull gets mixed reviews, but it's quality should be able to compete with the Rolleiflex. I haven't used one, but it's about your only option for a new camera in the price range of $120-250.

Toy Cameras
Toy cameras are made mostly of plastic and are known for their unique and unpredictable results. Light leaks, lens distortion, and vignetting can be expected with these cameras. Toy cameras have a cult following of artist's who embrace happy accidents. Toy cameras appeal to people who are looking for a unique alternative to the modern computerized cameras.

The best known toy camera is the Holga. The Holga is still in production, and you should be able to buy a Holga for under $25. It's simple design and plastic construction make it easy to modify.

Another very popular toy camera is The Diana. Although it is no longer in production, you can pick them up on Ebay. A real Diana will fetch over $100, but you can get Diana clones for much cheaper.

It's quality may be too good to classify it as a toy camera, but the Lubitel 166 Universal is worth mentioning here. The Lubitel 166 is a Twin Lens Reflex camera made mostly of plastic. It was in production until 1996, and you should be able to get one used for under $50. With a glass lens, and many more features than the toy cameras, you should be able to take high quality photos with this camera.

The Agfa Isola is another option for someone looking for a cheap medium format camera with a few more features than a stripped down Holga or Diana. It has a mostly metal construction, and a much more complex lens/shutter system.

That's about it. I'm not an expert on the subject, so if you have any additional tips about medium format on a budget, I would be glad to here it.