10 Medium Format Film Cameras to Start Your 120 Film Journey | The Best Medium Format Film Cameras for Beginners and Professionals

February 9, 2026

If you’ve been shooting with 35 mm film for a while, you might find yourself starting to hear whispers about medium format photography. It sounds intimidating at first, but once you try out a medium format camera, I promise your life will be changed forever. Since the 120 negatives are physically larger than 35 mm, you get a lot more detail, tonal range and finer grain. It’s better for enlargements, so if you’re planning on making prints or showing in a gallery, you’ll really start to notice the difference. 120 film can be more expensive than 35 mm, but it also makes you a more decisive shooter and you’ll cherish your photos because of the amount of thought that went into them. Personally, there is nothing more exciting to me than getting my film back from the processing lab. If you’ve been considering diving into medium format photography, this list will hopefully help you figure out where and how to start your 120 journey! Help keep 120 film alive, we need you!

1. Holga 120 GCFN

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post, you help support Myles Katherine Photography. I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. Thank you for your support!)

Of course I’m going to start off with my favorite camera on earth, the Holga GCFN. I still remember my very first roll of film and how enamored I was with the photos. I was in college at the time, developing my own film and creating my own prints in the darkroom. There was something special about the way the medium format photos printed and the beauty of the tones, grain, and detail. Even shooting with a camera like the Holga, a plastic toy camera, it was still noticeably different to my 35 mm film photos. I also loved the square format and the unpredictability of the photos. The photos always turned out differently than I imagined, but that was what I loved about it. There is something so special about the Holga and it really allows you to create photographs that are entirely unique to anything you’ve ever seen. You can read my full blog post about the Holga here or watch my YouTube video here. It’s great for beginners because it’s so affordable. It’s not a huge investment and it’s easy to travel with due to its light weight and plastic body. Plus, they’re just super cute and if you end up not even using it, it still looks cute up on a shelf and is always a conversation starter!

WHERE TO BUY

Amazon

B&H Photo

SHOP ON eBay (for more fun color options)

2. Diana F+

The Diana F+ is incredibly similar to the Holga GCFN because it’s also considered a toy camera. While I find them to be a little more finicky to use than the Holga GCFN, but there are a few reasons I still pick mine up to use it from time to time. Years ago, I was lucky enough to pick up a Diana f+ kit that came with a ton of different lenses like a fisheye (you might be able to find one of these lenses on eBay). They don’t make the full kits anymore, but sometimes they pop up on eBay from time to time. Also, the Diana F+ does have a slightly different look to the photos than the Holga, and some people prefer it. I recommend trying them both out to see which one you like better! There is also a 110 version, 35 mm version, and 35 mm mini version of the camera. It can be hard to find these versions sometimes, but they do exist! The Diana is known for it’s teal and black body, which might even be a bit cuter than the Holga. I have a full review and YouTube video about this camera too if you’d like to see sample photos and find out more!

WHERE TO BUY

B&H Photo

AMAZON

Etsy

VIEW EBAY LISTINGS

3. Kodak Brownie Haweye

I have so many box cameras at my house it’s not even funny. As the photographer in my family, whenever someone stumbles upon old cameras in their attics or basements, they end up with me. For some reason, I was always intimidated by box cameras. I assumed there was no way I could make them work because they are so old. But they are extremely simple to understand and use., including the Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. The only difference is that they take 620 film instead of 120. They are actually the same size but the spool is just slightly different. I recommend buying pre-spooled 620 film on B&H Photo because it’s a pain to unspool 120 film and re-spool it onto a 620 spool. If you’d like to save some money though, buying 620 spools and re-spooling yourself is the best option, but this is really for advanced photographers because you need a darkroom bag or complete darkness to avoid exposing the film to light. It’s much easier to just buy 620 film and throw it in the camera! I love how vintage the photos look. It’s like they’re straight out of a museum. You have to hold the camera extremely still while taking the photo because the shutter speed is only about 1/30th of a second, and I recommend shooting in bright light for the best outcome. Read more about this camera on my blog here, or watch my YouTube video with sample photos in Hawaii here!

WHERE TO BUY

Etsy

Amazon

SHOP ON EBAY

4. Kodak Duaflex 620

After trying out the Kodak Brownie Hawkeye, I wasn’t as afraid of using 620 box cameras anymore, so I decided to give the Kodak Duaflex 620 a try while I was in Portugal and I became obsessed! The photos were a bit sharper than the Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. I do think my lens on my Kodak Brownie Hawkeye is a bit fogged though so that may have been one of the issues. I found the Duaflex to be a little more consistent though. However, this made the images look not quite as vintage, and more high quality. If you’re going for the 1950s vintage photograph look, you might prefer the foggier, less sharp images produced by the Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. They are both fun to try out though so if you stumble upon either of them in a thrift store, pick it up! Read my full blog post about this camera here, or watch my YouTube video here!

WHERE TO BUY

Etsy

KEH Camera

VIEW EBAY LISTINGS

5. Lubitel 166+

I haven’t tried out a Lubitel 166+ yet but it’s on my list to pick one up as soon as I can! They aren’t super expensive, especially if you find one on eBay, and they have such a fun look to them. It takes stunning portraits and landscape photographs and you have much more control than the Kodak Brownie Hawkeye or Kodak Duaflex. It also has a much better aperture range from f/4.5 to f/22, meaning it works better in low light and you’re more likely to get a sharp photo. The Kodak Brownie Hawkeye and Kodak Duaflex only have a range of about f/11 to f/16, so it’s a huge difference. And you’ll definitely notice it when it comes to up close portraits. I can’t wait to try out this camera. I’ll definitely be posting a review at some point!

WHERE TO BUY

Etsy

KEH Camera

VIEW EBAY LISTINGS

6. Mamiya 645

The Mamiya 645AF was my first “professional” medium format camera. I actually ended up selling it so I could upgrade to the Contax 645, but I still miss it to this day. There was something truly special about the way the photographs looked, especially the way it handled double exposures. It’s quite a bit more expensive than the previous cameras on this list, but if you’re ready for a bump-up, this is really the next level if you’re heading into more serious medium format photography. If I ever have the budget to purchase one just to have on my shelf and try out from time to time, you better believe I’ll be picking one up. You can find them on eBay here! There are various versions of this camera but I prefer the Mamiya 645AF which includes autofocus. However, the autofocus on mine never really worked so I’d end up shooting in manual most of the time. I still like to have that feature whenever I can though, because it allows you to shoot much more quickly, especially if you’re working a wedding or something similar. I have a full blog post and YouTube video about this camera too if you’d like to find out more! In terms of lenses, I recommend the 80 mm f/2.8 Sekor lens (you can pick one up on eBay here). It’s a bit of a cult classic!

WHERE TO BUY

KEH Camera

Etsy

Amazon

VIEW EBAY LISTINGS

7. Pentax 645

The Pentax 645 is widely popular and similar to the Mamiya 645. It’s said that it’s easier to use than the Mamiya and feels more comfortable to handle. The Mamiya 645 is large and bulky and doesn’t have the most comfortable grip. I haven’t tried the Pentax 645 yet, but it’s another one that is on my list. It’s bettter for fast shooting, while the Mamiya might make more sense for slower, planned images and studio photography. It’s not the cheapest camera in the world (I recommend picking one up on eBay from a highly rated seller), but it’s also a pro-level medium format camera and takes stunning photographs. I’m personally looking into the Pentax 645N camera because it has autofocus, a built-in multiple exposure, and aperture priority, but there are quite a few versions of this camera as well.

WHERE TO BUY

KEH Camera

Etsy

Amazon

Check eBay Listings

8. Fujifilm GA645

I’ve wanted the Fujifilm GA645 camera for YEARS, and when my sister-in-law purchased one for herself, I was so jealous. For a professional medium format camera, it’s super compact and is great for travel. My sister-in-law works for Nike and has taken it on multiple trips through China, Italy, and Costa Rice and the images are always amazing. I’ve had the chance to snap a few shots with it and I’m always surprised by how simple it is to use. It’s essentially a medium format point-and-shoot. Honestly, a dream concept of mine. The only reason I haven’t purchased one yet is because it doesn’t have a multiple exposure feature, when is a necessity for me. It has auto film loading and advancing, so it’s must simpler to switch film rolls than any of the other cameras I’ve mentioned, but that often means you’re not able to trick it into multiple exposure. I may end up with one of these at some point, because it’s such a perfect concept for a medium format camera, but it is a bummer that it doesn’t fully cover my needs when it comes to multiple exposure. I don’t have a photo of the camera, so I decided to share one of the images I took while using my sister-in-law’s camera! You’re most likely to find one on eBay, but you might be able to find them on KEH camera or Etsy from time to time.

WHERE TO BUY

KEH Camera

Etsy

CHECK EBAY LISTINGS

9. Bronica ETR Series

The Bronica ETR series cameras are also a little bulky, similar to the Mamiya 645 and Pentax 645. It’s known to be great for studio photography because of it’s flash sync capabilities. A pro for me is that it’s easy to create multiple exposures with some of the Bronica cameras. The only downside is that they are fully manual, meaning you have to set the shutter speed and aperture. This can be somewhat time consuming, but it does allow for more control over your images. It also doesn’t have autofocus, so you really need to know what you’re doing with these cameras. However, if you’re looking for a challenge and want to prove to yourself that you fully understand photography and want to have full control over your photos, this is a great choice. The Bronica series also has amazing lenses to choose from like the Zenzanon 75 mm f/2.8 (you can find one on eBay here). It’s an incredible portrait lens and will blow your mind.

WHERE TO BUY

Etsy

KEH Camera

CHECK EBAY LISTINGS

10. Hasselblad 500C/M

If you know anything about medium format photography, you’ve heard about this camera. It’s a pro-level camera with tack sharp photos and a uniquely built body. It’s perfect for fine art photography and if you’re hoping to create images that can be enlarged beautifully and hung in a gallery. The photographs are simply stunning. My sister-in-law also has one of these and I’ve scanned her film for her in the past and I’m always in awe of the photos. There is truly nothing like medium format photography and the Hasselblad 500C/M really shows that. It’s a beast of a camera and you’ll likely hear about it often the more you get into medium format photography. The reason I love it is because of the square format images, which are similar to the Holga or Diana F+. I prefer square images (6 x 6 cm) over the rectangular, standard 6 x 4.5 cm that many of the other professional medium format cameras shoot. It’s really all about preference, but to me, the square format is mesmerizing. Again though, this camera is fully manual so it’s really meant for professionals.

WHERE TO BUY

KEH Camera

Etsy

CHECK EBAY LISTINGS

11. Contax 645

As a bonus, I have to include the Contax 645. This is the pro-level medium format camera that I use and I’m obsessed. It’s much easier to use than cameras like the Hasselblad 500C/M because it has aperture priority and autofocus, so it’s better for weddings and quick shooting. I’m not a slow, nuanced shooter, though I wish I could be! I shoot fast, on the go, and impatiently. In the photography world they call it “decisive moment” shooting, but I know deep down that mostly I’m just impatient. But it’s ok! We all shoot differently and it’s part of why my work is the way it is. I’m learning to embrace it! It’s not cheap and is easily the most expensive film camera I’ve ever bought. It’s huge and bulky and heavy, but the photos are absolutely to die for. The most likely place you’ll find it is on eBay, but every once in a while KEH Camera will have one in stock. You can read my full review about this camera here! And of course, I have a YouTube video about it too here. :)

WHERE TO BUY

KEH Camera

CHECK EBAY LISTINGS

FINAL THOUGHTS

I hope this list has helped you narrow down your favorites when it comes to medium format cameras, and maybe even inspired you to take the leap and try it out! It’s not as scary as it seems, I promise! You’ll be in love with the photos and you’ll never go back. Plus, 120 film needs help! Unfortunately, it’s just not popular and if people don’t start buying more 120 film, there is a possibility it will cease to exist. This would be absolutely devastating and I hope I don’t live to see that day. But that’s why it needs your help! If you aren’t sure which film to buy, you can check out my posts, The Best 120 Film Stocks and Where to Buy Them, 120 Film on a Budget, or The 5 Best and Most Affordable Black and White 35 mm and 120 Film Stocks with Reviews & Sample Photos.

Help keep 120 film alive!

If you found this post helpful in any way, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing.

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help! You can contact me here, or leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my B&H Photo storefront & Amazon Storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!

<3 Myles Katherine

Kodak Duaflex 620 Camera Review with Sample Photos in Portugal | How to Use a 620 Film Camera and Where to Buy Film

August 4, 2024

The Kodak Duaflex is so CUTE. It’s one of those cameras that deserves to be displayed on a shelf and is a definite conversation-starter. It is a 620 medium format camera, originally produced in 1947 with continued production into the early 1960s. It’s a Twin-Lens Reflex camera, meaning it works off of two lenses — one for the viewfinder and one for taking the photograph. One of the key features of the Kodak Duaflex is the waist-level viewfinder, so you look down into the top of the camera to take a photograph. This type of camera takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, it’s such a fun and unique experience. Plus, it just feels good to reconnect with the old-school style of photography.

To be honest, I have no idea where my Kodak Duaflex came from. As a photographer for over a decade, I’ve become the friend and family member that everyone donates their cameras to, but I’m more than okay with that! My collection is constantly growing and it allows me to bring different cameras with me on every trip I take!

For my recent trip to Portugal, I grabbed the Kodak Duaflex off my shelf, tested the shutter, made sure I could open it up to put film in, and then tossed it in my suitcase! I had never used this camera before, so it was a bit of a risk hauling it all the way to Portugal. But at this point, I’ve realized these old, vintage cameras are surprisingly resilient. The more simple the camera, the longer they seem to last without issues. As long as the shutter works, you’re pretty much golden!

I’m so excited that my first roll of film actually turned out! I wanted to share a few of the pros and cons that I’ve experienced so far with this camera, and if you’d like to see how my photographs turned out, you can check out my YouTube video about the Kodak Duaflex, or you can scroll down to the bottom of this post!

(By using the links and/or codes below it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

PROS

I know how intimidating these cameras can be because of their age. They almost seem foreign to us because of how used to the digital age we are. But what’s hilarious about that is that these cameras are SO BASIC. They are about as simple as you can get. They are essentially a box with a hole in it. There are absolutely no settings other than the “I” or the “B” mode, which stands for “instantaneous” and “bulb”. The Instantaneous mode is about 1/30th of a second shutter speed, and the Bulb mode is for as long as you hold the shutter open. The Bulb mode is typically used for low-light situations or for capturing light trails and things of that nature. For this type of camera, I mostly stick to the “I” mode because the 1/30th of a second is slow enough for me! Personally, the simplicity of this camera is definitely a pro for me. There are no complicated settings or confusing buttons.

Another pro of this camera is the affordability. You can find them for about $15-35 on eBay or Etsy, or you might just happen to stumble across one in a thrift store if you’re lucky! They also tend to be in relatively good condition for their age because there is no battery compartment or anything for corrosion to occur.

I’m also pleasantly surprised by the sharpness of this camera! Not too long ago, I reviewed the Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. While I loved the images, they weren’t as sharp as I’d hoped they’d be. But I think my lens was also a little foggy. My images from the Kodak Duaflex though, were crisp and stunning! I truly couldn’t believe it. Especially with such a slow shutter speed. I was expecting them to be blurry and show some motion. It is definitely important to stand as still as possible when shooting with this camera though to avoid shaking the camera!

CONS

One of the main disadvantages of this camera is that 620 film isn’t produced anymore. However, you can purchase any 120 film, a few old 620 film spools and roll it onto the 620 film spool yourself! The film is the same size but the spools are different. If you don’t want to take the risk though, you can also purchase pre-spooled 620 film from the Film Photography Project. They have a really fun starter pack that I purchased, which contained the Kodak 100 TMAX black and white film that I used for my first roll of film with the Duaflex.

The slow shutter speed (1/30th of a second) can be a bit of a pain to work with. It’s nearly impossible to stand still enough for a crystal clear photo, but I literally just hold my breath as I take the photo to avoid motion blur! I will also set the camera on a hard surface and push the shutter gently, which also helps with steadiness. There’s also a tripod socket on the bottom of the camera if you just don’t trust yourself!

Another thing I noticed from this first roll of film is that the focusing distance is quite large. Apparently it is about 3 feet to infinity, which is much further than the majority of my cameras. So I was a little surprised by the portraits we took. In the moment. I felt that it was far enough away that it would be in focus, but when I got the images back, you’ll see that your subject has to be pretty far away for them to be in focus. This isn’t a huge deal and I don’t really mind it, but it will take some time to get used to that!

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’m so incredibly happy that I took this camera with me to Portugal. I know I’ll treasure these photos forever. The first roll of film with each of my cameras is very special to me because I’m truly just having fun trying to figure out if the camera even works. It’s an experiment that keeps me interested in photography. And getting my film back from the lab is always such an exciting day! I’ll definitely be taking this camera with me on future trips, especially if we’re comparing it to the Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. This camera is much sharper and I’m just thrilled with the images. I want to try out more multiple exposures and portraits with it in the future, too. Now that I’m aware of the focusing distance, I’ll be able to get a bit more creative.

If you found this post helpful or if you’d like to see more of my work, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing. Find out more here!

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help! You can contact me here, or leave a comment below! I’d love to know your thoughts on the Kodak Duaflex! Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my Amazon storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a lovely day!

WHERE TO BUY THE KODAK DUAFLEX CAMERA:

Shop Etsy

Shop eBay

FILM I USED:

Kodak TMAX 100 by the Film Photography Project

More 620 Film Options on B&H Photo

620 take-up spools if you want to spool your 120 film onto a 620 spool yourself:

Amazon

120 film I recommend if you’re pre-spooling yourself:

Kodak 100 TMax 120 Film (what I used for the images below)

Kodak Portra 160 120 Film

Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 120 Film

Lomography Color 400 120 Film

<3 Myles Katherine

(click to enlarge images)

Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Review with Sample Photos in Kauai, Italy and France!

December 19, 2022

Updated July 7, 2026

MY FAVORITE FEATURES OF THE KODAK BROWNIE HAWKEYE

SHOOTING 620 FILM IN 2026

Over the years, I’ve somehow acquired quite a few Brownie and box cameras. One of my favorite things about being a photographer is that people just (literally) drop old cameras off at my doorstep because they don’t know what to do with them. My camera collection is so large now that I’m contemplating building shelves in every room in my house just to display them! Last time I checked I had over 100!
Specifically, the Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Flash Model has always stood out to me because the one I received is in great condition (you should be able to find one on eBay or Etsy if you’re on the hunt for one)! It almost looked like a new camera, even though it’s from the 1950s! The inside of the camera didn’t even have a single speck of dust! So for years, it was calling my name to try it out. I’m not going to lie though, it was intimidating. I thought there was no way I’d be able to figure out how to use it. It turns out, it’s one of the EASIEST cameras to use EVER. It’s essentially a pinhole camera mixed with a Holga. There aren’t any crazy settings or knobs and buttons to deal with. You just look down into the viewfinder, compose your shot, hold as still as possible and click the shutter. It’s that easy. However, there is a lever that you can pull up if you’d like to use the “bulb” setting. Personally, I don’t feel there is a reason to use the bulb setting because the shutter is already quite slow, around 1/30th to 1/60th of a second. That’s why it’s so important to hold the camera as still as possible when taking your photo to avoid motion blur. If you’re interested in shooting in lower light situations, you could always add the flash, which I haven’t tried yet but plan to!
The first time I used my Kodak Brownie Hawkeye, I was headed to Kauai for vacation and decided to just toss it in my bag and try it out when I got there. I purchased two rolls of 620 film on our 2-day stopover in Portland, Oregon from Blue Moon Camera. I watched a quick YouTube video on how to load the film and then just went for it. The film was actually surprisingly easy to load because the inside of the camera has guide-marks for loading. I nervously shot my first roll of film, feeling like there was NO way the images were turning out because of how easy it seemed to just point and shoot. After I returned home, I mailed my film off to my film lab, Citizens Photo, and was SO EXCITED when my film came back, perfectly exposed and beautiful. There is truly no better feeling than getting my film back in the mail.

Recently, I purchased a few more rolls of 620 film from The Film Photography Project and Film For Classics (it’s not cheap, just FYI) and took the film with me to Italy and France! I even used it to capture a few photos on the Amalfi Coast, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. I actually have a full blog post about our day at the Amalfi Coast here or you can watch a video about it on my YouTube channel! I’m obsessed with the vintage, foggy style of the images from the Kodak Brownie Hawkeye and I can’t wait to take it with me on my next trip. Lately, I’ve been craving images that are less than perfect and the Hawkeye helps to quench that thirst. If you have a Hawkeye lying around, try it out! It’s so fun. I definitely plan on trying it out with the flash next. :)

MY FAVORITE FEATURES OF THE KODAK BROWNIE HAWKEYE

There are so many things I loved about using the Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. I have a handful of stipulations that I’m always looking for in a camera and this one surprisingly covered most of them! I love cameras that can do multiple exposures, and it’s incredibly easy to do with the Brownie Hawkeye. You can read more about multiple exposures and double exposures on my blog here, but essentially it’s just two or more images taken over top of each other. The result is usually a dreamy, surreal photograph with beautiful layers. With the Hawkeye, you just simply take two (or more) images before advancing the film to the next frame. It couldn’t be easier, honestly!

I also love how small and lightweight the camera is because I typically travel with at least 5 or 6 cameras. My camera bag gets incredibly heavy very quickly but the Hawkeye hardly weighs a thing! It’s basically just a hollow plastic shell. It’s also not bulky or oddly shaped, it’s just a simple square and slides right in between my other cameras easily.

While it’s not the sharpest camera out there, I just find it so fun to test out those old vintage cameras and create images that look like they’re from another time period. I like keeping vintage cameras alive and seeing what kind of magic they can create. I also recently tested out a similar camera, the Kodak Duaflex 620, and that one is quite a bit sharper if you’re looking for something with more detail in the images. However, I kind of love the fogginess to the images, it makes them truly feel like they were taken in the 1950s!

I also personally love cameras that take square photos, so the Kodak Brownie Hawkeye just hits so many marks for me! If you’ve been following my work, you know I love the Holga GCFN camera, which also takes square photographs. You’ll only get 12 images per roll, which doesn’t seem like much, but you’d be surprised how much more thoughtful you are about the photos you’re taking. It forces you to slow down and really pay attention to the moment in front of you.

Lastly, I tend to prefer a camera with a flash, and while I haven’t tested a flash out with the Hawkeye yet, I do plan to do that soon! It would definitely help a bit with motion blur and might work a little better on cloudy days.

I’ve included some of my favorite images below that I’ve taken with the Hawkeye so far. You can also check out my full YouTube video about the camera here! It’s hard to say how much longer you’ll be able to readily find 620 film, so make sure to try it out while you can! I feel lucky to live in a time period where I can still try out these old vintage cameras.

If you’re interested in reading more about vintage film cameras, make sure to check out my blog post, 10 Best Film Cameras for Beginner Photographers. :)