So you know that old stuff... film?!

I thought it would be fun to get an old TLR camera like a Yashica or Rolleiflex if I felt  wanted to spend that much.  I like the process of shooting on film and miss it sometimes.  I shot and developed a lot on a 35mm film camera but I think if I went with film now I would want to have a medium format camera.

So does anyone else shoot medium format film, and if so, what camera do you use?  Any suggestions for me?

Why not get a Hassy 503CW, then you could have the best of both worlds if you bought a digital back for it. (Expensive I know but it's an option)

well I am not sure I want to spend that much.  but having a camera that I could use a digital back with (possibly eventually) could be nice.  I haven't checked out the weights, but I was under the impression that a TLR would be a fair bit lighter than a SLR for medium format, which is an advantage to me. 

At the other end of the scale you could always get a Holga!

Still kicking myself for selling my Mamiya C330 when I "liquidated."   

I'm looking now at a Minolta Autocord that my wife gave me to replace it.  She got it at a garage sale.  I'll get around to running a roll of film thru it one day ... maybe.   

Go for the Rolleiflex...especially one with the Zeiss 80mm f2.8 lens...have worked with them in the past and they are gorgeous. Can also recommend getting a brighter focusing screen as the standard ones are a bit dark to work with. May be a bit pricier but in the long run well worth it!

in the 80's till the time i "half-retired"  i had both Rolleiflexes.

SLX for its motodrive for fashion, sports,etc..
the old Rolleiflex SL66 for its bellows Schemplufg advantage.

prior to that i was only carrying the Zone VI view, but after i got the older Rolleflex SL66with Schempflug, i used this more than the view, for obvious reasons, you 're more mobile.

if i were still working with the pro store, where i could get tons of films at a discount, and perks to all that's film, equipment,etc...
i would forget about digital.   with film you don't get the new problems that comes with digital medium.   the only problem being RF (reciprocity failure), and grain (which is not really a problem in our days),etc..
which are less complicated to prevent that the new anal monsters (banding, noise, CA, fringe,etc).

i only went digital because it's cheaper for my wallet . but if money and cost were the issue, i would still shoot with film . except with film slowly going obsolete , your options for films will be a problem today.

p.s.
i still have the 4x5 slides and 6x6 and other medium format films in my archives of old print boxes. they're impeccable. i wish i could pull them out of storage to scan them for stock. but i don't have the cash to get a scanner that will do these gorgeous images justice. anyone who has shot or seen an 8by10 slide or even 4 by 5  or the lesser 6by6 will tell you that it'll be a long time before digital can match . yes, in this sense, those were the best old days.

A had a couple of Pentax 645s  for many years. Real work horses, cheap, great optics, fairly light. Would recommend.

I have Kiev 60 with 80 2.8 and 120 2.8 lenses. Great and cheap camera. It was bought in Russia long time ago. But, it sits in the basement now.

Yup, with an agfa isolette II

I've been shooting with a Minolta Autocord TLR for the past couple years and have been pretty happy with the results. They usually go for around 150-250 on the bay, for the money definitely a nice camera.

If you are buying from ebay make sure the sellers mentions a CLA (clean, lube, and adjust) these usually cost around 100-150 and are essential for a 50 year old camera.

Rollie is the king of the TLR for good reason though, I don't think my Autocord can match it for overall sharpness(though my autocord is dying for a CLA). If you want to spend a little more the Rollieflex SL66 looks really nice and not nearly as expensive as a Hasselblad.

Me too (Minolta Autocord)  but it gets very little use.

Slightly OT, but I was reading about the making of the Swedish movie Let the Right  One In recently, and the director Tomas Alfredson said it was shot on film and wouldn't have looked the same shot digital.

I'm awaiting a digital MF camera, but today I hunted out my old Mamiya 645 and loaded up some out of date film I had in the fridge. I'll take it out later and see what I can find.

I use (sometimes) Yashica 124 TLR - it is very handy, light and reliable. In fact it is only 3,5 wide open but works for me.
There is still problem with processing - I can't find pro studio (close enough) to develop colours in London...

Hi Leaf,

 I still have two Mamiya 645 AFD bodies and several lenses. I like the 645 format as it feels like a 35 when looking through, it also gives you more frames per roll especially when shooting 220. These cameras can also be used with a digital back. Great camera, I started shooting stock on them and used Portra neg. film then scanned on an Imacon scanner, boy that was a lot of work compared to today. They are all just taking up space in storage.

Best,
Jonathan