What camera do you use to shoot 120 film?

TijmenDal

TijmenDal

Active member
Just wondering what camera's people here use to shoot medium format?

There's quite some options out there to shoot 120 film and it seems to be quite popular on here. Let me tell you I'm more of a digital guy (still), but would really like to start shooting film more.

I shoot with a TLR at the moment, but find it hard to frame because of the double lenses. I'm thinking of getting a little more into it and investing in a slightly more convenient system.

Pentacon Six, Hasselblad (or the Kiev 88 clone), Pentax 67, Mamiya 645, TLR or a some foldable camera. what do you shoot?

Also, what do you find advantages/disadvantages of your system or other systems?

Quite a stupid question maybe, but are there any medium format camera's that have a build-in light-meter?
 
A very popular one is the Bronica SQ series. From what i've seen on SkatePerception, its a reliable and somewhat cheap body system that gets good results.

ZBphoto gave a good rundown of the models

SQ-b = Rebel

SQ-a = xxD series

SQ-ai = xD series
 
I believe some tlr's have built in light meter, but thy are so old idk how accurate. For most slr's you can get a metered prism, but they are expensive. If your planning on shooting a lot of film a good light meter is a great investment.
 
I shoot with a Mamiya RB67. I wouldn't recommend it for most users.

It's extremely heavy, difficult to handhold, and generally a pain in the ass. I'm pretty sure the prism finder is cast iron. However; I really like the aspect ratio, lenses are very good and cheap, rotating back is nice, and bellows focusing means all lenses focus very close. If you're shooting studio work or landscape (and don't mind heavy loads) IMO there are few better MF options.
 
I have a TLR, but it's not very sharp. I like the hassy / mamiya style body for shooting Med. format much better, a friend has a hassy 503c I borrow. The waist level viewfinder is nice for walking around, prism viewfinder can be much nicer for shooting on a tripod though - which is how I prefer to shoot on them.

 
Mamiya RZ67
If you can handle the weight it's AMAZING. But yeah, it's really heavy. With the 110mm lens I can handhold shots down to 1/60th of a second. The bellows focusing is great because it allows you to shoot "macro" shots without extension tubes or a macro lens. You can get metered finders for it, but I use the waistlevel finder and a meter on my phone because I enjoy shooting slow. Rotating back is perfect. The lenses are crazy sharp (on par with the Zeiss lenses for Hasselblads) and can be found for really really cheap on eBay and Craigslist.
If you're going to shoot MF go with a 6x7 or a 6x6. Shooting 6x4.5 only gives you part of the whole experience. If you want something that is optimized to be handheld look at the Pentax 67. If you're considering a range-finder look at the Mamiya 7 (fucking crazy good system).
 
^i agree with you that about 6x4.5, but I think the Contax 645 is a giant exception, such sharp lenses.
 
I was looking into getting a cheaper modular system, probably something Bronica or Kiev.

But the RB67 looks good too. No need for the RZ67 imo. Much more expensive and really the same. Part of shooting medium format is the whole manual thrill. I love that.

Pentax 67/RZ67 are out of the budget. Was looking to spend around 300€ as a first setup.
 
Get the Bronica over the Kiev. Personally, I think the kiev has better optics, the lenses have a great soft look to them, but in terms of durability It's a twig. There are so many ways to accidnteley break a Kiev88 beyond repair. The bronica will definitely last a lot longer, and you can get an SQ-A with an 80mm for under $400.
 
Also I have a few Hassy questions. 500c vs 500cm, they seem really similar, other than A backs are there any other differences. Also 80mm C vs C T*, worth the extra cash?
 
Ok good to know.

I've done a little ebaying and it seems there is a big difference in price between the 6x7 and 67 pentax camera's. The former being the old and inexpensive ones, running around 150€ for a body, while the 67 are 600€+.

Ok. I don't know why, but the RB67 really appeals to me. Sure it's big and heavy as fuck, but that's not the end of the world. Bronica SQ or Mamiya RB67 look to be the best options out there. Pentax 6x7/67 glass is really expensive, Hasselblad is just too expensive in general and Kiev breaks.

I really want a modular system I can tweak and stuff, just to keep it versatile. Now, just need to hunt down some cheap stuff!

Also, a question about film. I can pick up really cheap Fuji film (old stock, but kept cool and dark) Velvia and Astia (ISO 100) and Provia 400-X. Sold for 15€ for a 5 pack. So 3€ a roll. Which should I try?
 
You should really go with the RZ over the RB if you choose to get a Mamiya. Better lenses, and much much easier to repair due to part availability. You can use RB lenses on the RZ (not sure if the opposite is true). The RZ is full manual as well, and the only thing electronic is the shutter timing. It's not much more expensive, and is just a better system overall.
 
I think I'll be going with an arax cm mlu, and buying a pentacon 6 80mm lens for it because it seems like a killer combo for a reasonable price
 
hey dudes, since we are already on the film topic i have a question.

recently got a hand me down from my dad. ive been shooting digital since i've started.

minolta XD 5

minolta_xd5.jpg


i know its a 35mm film camera and this girl just gave me two types of film. 135 which i understand is 35mm so i could use it which is this stuff http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-PRO400H-Professional-Portrait-exposures/dp/B0000YPGQY/ref=pd_cp_p_0

and a box of 5 rolls of 120 this, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I2JI80/ref=asc_df_B000I2JI802068388?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B000I2JI80&hvpos=1o2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17828589211324219426&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=
 
Oh! Good to know! I thought they used the same mount, but I guess I'll have to look into that. Quality glass is important. As it's a modular system, I wouldn't be too afraid about repairing and spare parts. There are lots of ebay auctions for rb67 parts. If the lenses are useable on both systems, then I'm down for it. I don't really care about non-electronic shutter timing. Having to carry batteries around is a pain too...
 
Takes 1 battery that's smaller than an AA.
But yea the lenses do use the same mount, it's just that the shutter speed is set on the lens with the RB and on the body with the RZ. You'll have to look more into it. Bottom line is that either the RZ or RB will be awesome if you chose to go Mamiya.
 
the mamiya rb67 is pretty nice. the lenses easily rival the hasselblad zeiss system in sharpness. if you do not mind the bulk of the camera its pretty sweet. for me however i love the hasselblad 503. such an awesome system. the lenses are incredible and it is very easy camera to handle shooting. and personally i love the 6 by 6 compared to the 6 by 7 negative size of the mamiya
 
Which 503 do you have? There's a lot of different versions.

I was looking at 503's and they're not *that* expensive, as in: I thought they would be waaaay out of my budget.

Well, for now I won't take the big plunge until I get more into it.
 
whoops i meant a 501cm. sorry. thats the one i usually check out from school. bright yellow. so baller haha
 
Timjen, check out the 500c and 500cm, you could get either with a lens, wlf, and a back or two for under $1000.
 
Go with the RB. RZ lenses aren't noticably superior and the entire system is a lot more spendy. Repairs aren't an issue on the RB. They're built like tanks, and, like you said, it's not difficult to get parts. Additionally, the components are cheap enough that you can just buy new bodies or lenses or backs for as much as it would cost to repair them sometimes.
 
I'm sure either system is awesome. Personally, I appreciate the fuck-up proof-ness of the RZ. As in it won't let you forget to take the dark slide out, advance the film etc. Only takes 1 movement to cock the shutter and advance the film. If that isn't worth a few hundred bucks to you get the RB and buy a few extra lenses.
 
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