New to Film, TLR or 35mm?

[SunnyHours]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to film and I'm looking to acquire my first film camera. I have very good technical knowledge of how exposure works. I shoot digital on a crop body for now. I've been looking at Medium Format TLR for a little time. I like the format and the fact that I can get very high resolution images I can't get in digital for <10,000$.

What would you suggest I use first? I could get a Mamiya m645 for pretty cheap right now
Also what's a good rangefinder 35mm with light meter? If it can be found for "cheap" that's a bonus
Thanks,
SunnyHours.

 

[KVRNut]

Personally, I'd first get used to using 35mm. When your confidence with film grows, then go to the medium format. Cheaper that way.

The Mamiya m645 looks a like a good camera to get your feet wet in MF although you may lament the lack of a changeable film back later on.

TLRs are another good way to get into MF, just keep in mind that what you see through your viewfinder is not what your lens will see when you press the shutter due to parallax error.

There are a lot of great rangefinder cameras out there but I've had a lot of fun over the years with a simple Canon Canonet QL17. It's been a good camera to have around.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Why work your way way up from 35mm to 6x6 or 9, to 4x5? Just go straight to 8X10.

Yes, I'm only kidding. But only slightly.

There is very little difference in how you shoot between one and the other.

However you don't say anything about what you will do with the film and that makes a huge difference. Will you process it yourself or will you want to send it to a lab? B&W or color?

More info is needed.

 

[SunnyHours]

I'd like to go B&W but I'm guessing I'd have to develop the film myself for the results I'd want. I have no prior experience in development.
The way I was thinking is that there probably isn't much difference between Crop and 35mm/Full Frame (apart from MF, I guess and bigger VF) so I was thinking of going straight to Medium since there wouldn't be much use for 35mm since I'm already using a crop body.
The Medium format would be for landscape/street photography while the 35mm would probably used more as an all-arounder/smaller SLR when I don't want to carry the DSLR...also to experiment with film and gain more knowledge/insight into photography.

I've been looking it up and for 35mm from what I gather Pentax and Nikon were the "kings" so I'm looking into a Pentax K1000, Pentax ME, Pentax ME Super. Nikon FM2n, Nikon FE2, Nikon F70-F100.
I'm also looking at Canon, but the FD lenses are harder to find and the lack of compatibility is pretty much a "let-down". I've been looking at the AE-1 anyways. Also considering the EOS Elan2 E, Elan7 E, 600, 620, 650 and 30E cameras.

For medium format, is there any cheaper cameras you could that you could suggest? A light-meter is pretty much a necessity for me...I've been looking at the Yashica MAT 124 and various older Mamiya like the C220 C330 and the m645 (favorite so far, but more $$$)

What would be necessary for me to process the film myself. Darkroom and Film scanner? Or is it trickier than I think. I would love to do it myself and experiment, however I don't have a lot of place nor do I have a very high budget (hence looking into film rather than being lazy and getting a full-frame DSLR or Digital Medium format).

If I'm missing anything, please correct me/add to it.
Thanks for the comments you've been very helpful

 

[djacobox372]

I always recommend the yashica 124mat as a first inexpensive foray into medium format. Developing b/w film is cheap and easy. But you'll want a scanner to digitize your negatives.

I'm a huge advocate of medium and large format film, 35mm film has been surpassed by digital IMO.

If you have the $$ to spend you may also consider a mamiya 645 tl pro outfit. Around $500 will get you a great outfit with a metered finder, powered grip, and a couple of lenses and backs. 6x4.5 isn't quite as high of resolution as 6x6 or 6x7 but it's still about equal to about 30 megapixel.

 

[SunnyHours]

Are there any scanners that get the relatively well done that are on the cheaper side of things?
I'm actually pretty close to buying a Yashica Mat 124G...if I had the money I'd probably spring for a 645 but I'm trying it out...I'll get my priorities straight after.

As far as 35mm cameras with a big bright viewfinder and light meter is there anything that's worth a look?

 

[djacobox372]

Are there any scanners that get the relatively well done that are on the cheaper side of things?
I'm actually pretty close to buying a Yashica Mat 124G...if I had the money I'd probably spring for a 645 but I'm trying it out...I'll get my priorities straight after.

As far as 35mm cameras with a big bright viewfinder and light meter is there anything that's worth a look?

Epson makes a line of scanners that will scan medium format film. The epson V500 photo sells new for around $170usd

A nikon f100 is the best deal going for 35mm. It's a pro-quality camera, one of the best ever made, and it only cost around $150 these days.

 

[Alex_Holland]

Cheap? Buy a Yashica TLR and black and white film. Then get chemicals and develop at home. Scan at home. Cheap, voila.

 

[Alex_Holland]

For a scanner you could try the Epson 4490. It scans 35mm and MF up to 6x9. Does everything I've ever asked it to do.

For a rangefinder you could get a Minolta Hi-Matic. The 7s is one of the most under-rated fixed lens RF's I've ever used.

 

[Alex_Holland]

I have no prior experience in development.

Developing is easy. Buy a book or look online for instructions, then head to the camera shop and get your chemicals and bottles and pans and stuff. It'll pay for itself in like 20 rolls.