Top 10 Medium Format Film Cameras for 2022

Koni omega m

Correction rapid m

Thanks for a great video.

I began shooting medium format cameras at the age of 5. During my childhood, I used a variety of fixed-lens medium format cameras such as Ansco, Diana, Holga, Kodak Brownie, and Kodak Bullet.

In college, the YashicaMat TLR was my first professional quality medium format camera.

The Mamiya TLR was my second professional quality medium format camera.

Fuji 6x7 and 6x9cm fixed-lens rangefinders replaced my worn Mamiya TLR wedding cameras.

The Mamiya RB67 SLR was my last professional quality medium format camera.

Hasselblad 503CW?

my personal list from best to
1. Rolleiflex 2.8GX 6x6 cm
2. Horsman 612 6x12 cm and 6x9 cm
3. Rolleiflex 6800 AF or i2 or Hy6 6x6 cm
4. Contax 645 with AF Zeiss lenses.
6. Mamiya 7 6x7 cm for landscape or travel photography
7. Hasselblad 205 6x6 cm
8. Rolleiflex SL 66 SE 6x6 cm
9. Fuji GW 690 6x9 cm
10. Mamiya 6 6x6 cm

It's completely stupid to discuss cameras without discussing their optics, especially when discussing cameras with non-replaceable optics. The Rolleiflex 2.8 GX beats the Yashica like a bull, because the Zeiss 2.8/80mm lens on the Rolleiflex is the best lens of all Zeiss 2.8/80mm modifications and it is the unattainable level for all others.

Subscribed. Awesome content.

How could you forget the most brilliant and sought-after medium format camera of all time-the Contax 645? Even today, 17 years after it was last manufactured, it's commanding $$$$ prices for used ones.

I had a medium format film camera which I treasured ... my old Mamiya 6 camera.
Very small, lightweight, and not terribly expensive compared to plenty of other cameras. It was great for doing wedding photography.
If I maybe wanted to give it another try these days, I might want to sample a Pentax 6 by 7 camera.

I have a couple of the yashica mat cameras, what I didn’t see in your list is the Mamiya twin lens cameras. The C 220 and 330 cameras are great and the lens selection is great.

I bought the Mamiya M645 around 1978 and used it till 2007 (when I started digital), with two lenses: the 80mm standard lens and the 150mm portrait lens. Many years later I bought the Hasselblad x1d and with an adapter I could again also use these Mamiya lenses, suddenly I had, beside my two HB lenses, two extra lenses. The only disadvantage is that I have to use the electronic shutter on the HB and so cannot use my strobes. But with my old Canon Eos Mark II (also with an other adapter for the Mamiya lenses) I can use these lenses and trigger my strobes. The Mamiya lenses are great and I'm happy to use them again on a digital camera starting their second life!

I'm just getting into 120 medium format. I havnt invested yet but love the look of the photos and want to try it. I'm used to 35mm film and know there is a learning curve. But I love this video, I know it has narrowed my search down especially to affordability.

where is the Bronica love?

Thank you for this really good overview, presented with very high knowledge and competence. Great.

Surprised didn't mention the Fuji GX680. It is more robust than the Mamiya RB67. One thing I love about the 680 is the ability can do movements similar to a large format camera- rise and fall/tilt and shift, it also has amazing optics and not to mention the ability to go from 6x8 to 6x7, 6x6, 645 to even Polaroid.

What about Fuji GW690?

I shoot 6x6 with a Pentacon six TL. Equipped with Carl Zeiss Jena MC lenses you really get excellent results. And I really like the camera's somehow agricultural feel... 😄

I have an older Pentax 6 x 7 and it has a leaf shutter in its lens, in the front, which does about 4-5 speeds . This shutter and the main shutter are designed to work together for flash use, I think

You forgot the rollei 6008

Suprised you didn't mention any foldables.. My overall #1 is Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 532/16. It has a 80mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar, exact same optics as Rolleiflex, has shutter from 1s to 1/400, has self timer, and most importantly, its about as compact as a big point and shoot and weigh less than a kg. Sure some cameras on this list offers somewhat better image quality, or more versitality as a system, but most of the cameras here won't be with you when you go out without a clear intent of photographing something.

Yo why no Bronica love?

MPB is the real deal

Medium format macchine not expensive for normal people

A word of warning: the RB67 is not a camera for beginners. There are so many interlocks on them that they are extremely difficult complicated to use, compared to a Mamiya 645 or Hasselblad. I used a Bronica in the brief period I was a working photographer in the 1980s and it was a much simpler camera to use. I also used the Mamiya 645. The RB is a great camera - I own one - but it requires the photographer to think before every step. Focusing is different, especially with floating element lenses, there are no electronic connections between the various components and the body. Cocking is a two step process - cocking the mirror and the shutter and winding the film. You can really screw up if you don't know what you're doing.

It’s a great camera - I have taken spectacular pictures with it - but it's hard to use and not a good place for beginners to start.

Mamiya 7s are very, very expensive. Too expensive for my liking. They’re not in the same league as say, Alpa but they appeal to the same market.

Great channel

Just found you guys… thanks for the presentation. Best regards 😀

I use a Pentax 67 for my medium format needs. I have the 90mm leaf shutter lens which comes in very handy with hand held exposures, since the mirror action on this camera can be brutal. That lens, which can be very hard to find, is tack sharp and allows different flash sync exposure times. All in all, its a great piece of equipment.

I used the RB-67 in my studio for years and it never failed me buts not a true ideal format (1-1.25 ration). That's why I eventually went to the RZ-67. I also had the Pentax 645N and a bunch of lenses which all fit the Pentax 645Z 51mp digital.

1/30 th flash sync isn't a big deal. The flash duration will decide, particularly in studio.

hate 645

Hasselblad 500c - I bought second hand in 1978. That sound. I love the square format, a challenge for composition but beautiful when you get it right. This camera is still going strong, everything works; it's been serviced a few times but never broke down. You can also attach a V system digital back like a Phase One.

What about the Ertc? sQ-1?

Or a Rolliflex SL 2000 0r Mamiya R bX - 1000

Why no bronica? Its a really phenomenal camera line. And affordable

the disrespect toward bronica

I decided to make the move into medium format earlier this year, and I'd always liked the Mamiya C series, so I managed to get a bargain..a C2 that had been fully serviced and has the 80mm "Blue Dot" lens. It's over 60 years old, but takes some awesome images!

In my collection of wonderful things, I have a Hasselblad 500CM, two Mamiya RB67s, a Fujica GSW670, a Fujica GSW690, a Fujica GSW645, four Rolleiflexes, a Rolleicord, a Graflex XL, a Minolta Autocord, two Yashicamat 124s, a Flexaret, a Zeis Ikon Ikonta, a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye, numerous medium format folders, a Holga and stuff i cannot remember. Except for the Hawkeye and Graflex, they all get used.

When I die, my kids can have one helluva yard sale!

rollei 6008 is better than than the selection presented, I've used all but the pentax 6x7 and the mam RX. also where is the Bronica GS1, sqam etc both easily hand usable.

I had a RZ67, very unreliable rubbish really. Had a RB67, very reliable lovely but heavy.

Note Yashicamat LM: LM = light metre.

Para mi falta mencionar la Zenza Bronica S2 que creo es mejor que la pentax y la RZ67.

Would love to have a Diacord. A mechanical Mamiya 645 is an intriguing choice too.

Man on the right is very arrogant and intolerant. By God, he knows it all!

Does the way the photos look really depens on the camera or the photo paper?

I one roleflex with a flash on the front

Hasselblad 500cm that what I shoot very dependable. I’ve scuba dived with my hassy

I have used in the past as a assistant photographer the Hasselblad 500cm and the SWC with its fixed superwide lens that you had to use a tape measure for focusing.

I have also used the RB67 but fancied the Fuji GX 6×8 camera and this to had a revolving back.
I liked using occasionally fixed lens TLR cameras like Rolliflex and Yashica

But my favourite camera I actually owned was the Bronica S2a with a rare 100mm f2.4 made by Carl Zeiss in Jena I also got a photo used from this camera for a book cover. A 30 year old camera at the time the picture was published.
I also liked the idea of being able to use a tilt shift bellows instead of the cameras helicoid.

Always fancied trying out the Mamiya Universal or 23 with it 6×9 format.
Very cheap well made camera!