Used medium format film cameras

Medium format is an investment, so buying used is the rule rather than the exception here. The good news: a well-maintained mechanical body lasts for decades. Still, there are a few things you'll want to check before you choose, because in this format a camera often consists of several separate parts, each with its own wear.

What should you look out for?

A medium format camera is usually a system: body, lens, viewfinder (prism or waist-level finder) and, on many models, an interchangeable film back. Check that the light-tight foam rubber of the back is still good and that the mirror and the aperture work smoothly. With the Hasselblad 500C/M, 500 ELX and 500EL/M you also check the condition of the folding waist-level finder and the aperture blade in the lens, and with the Mamiya RZ67 Pro II you look at the bellows construction and the operation of the back. With us, every camera has been professionally inspected, so you know what you are bringing home, with at least 12 months' warranty and a 14-day return period if it doesn't click after all.

Who is medium format film for?

This format is for photographers who work deliberately and a little more slowly: portrait, landscape, fine art and studio work. If you want maximum image quality on a tripod, you're in the right place with a Hasselblad 500C/M or Mamiya RZ67 Pro II. If you travel a lot and want to pack lighter, the rangefinders are more interesting. Feel free to combine your body with separate lenses and accessories, and also take a look at our other analogue cameras and the separate film lenses to complete your system.