@@mrzachwright I only owned the GW690III and The GW690III and both are not really on the cheap side. But I heard that the lens on the first GW690 isn't that good?
The focusing gear went off of alignment after front lens rim had fallen off. This is why photos turned soft. Nightmare with 166 B model, but still curable.
Nice. But a few points: - The loose frontal ring is an issue with your copy. I didn't have this in my experience. - Once you dropped the frontal ring (That is geared with the focusing lens) you lost your focus, due to malalignment of the gear, thus the OOF remaining films. - If you haven't toss the damaged camera yet, I have a great suggestion for you and maybe for your next clip. Very easily you can remove the lens that is in place by screws, having axis from film chamber (Back of camera). And if you dissect it out, you have a great medium formate lens that can be adapter to any mirrorless (Via a tad of ingenuity and a cheap helical focuser). And then imagine the endless opportunities to test the lens or even adding a focal reducer, speed booster for another clip of fun... Go for it, if not too late but I have feeling it is already late!
I got my one repaired due to the exact same issue, but this camera is the exact reason I'm saving for a 645 SLR. I have enjoyed 120 but want something a little more refined.
If you are going to do medium format 6x9 to me is the way to go, although I do have 6x6 cameras, for some reason I don't find square photographs aesthetically pleasing :-)
Voigtländer Brilliant, Yashica A, Pentacon Six TL/Kiev 6, Kowa Six, Kiev 88, Fujifilm GX680, Fujica 6x9, Mamiya Press, 6x9 technical cameras, Moskva 4 and 5, Mamiya M645, Pilot 6 or Kalimar Reflex and similar...the list goes on! Nothing quirky here, just old-fashioned goodness.
I've shot this camera exclusively as my first medium format camera and still love it. I've also got a 6x6 Zeiss folder and an amazing Kiev 6C/ 60 that I love dearly. I enjoy the Lubitel tons still and have even made a TTL viewfinder adapter for it so I can use my Kiev 6C viewfinder on it instead of the near useless waist level finder. The Kiev 6 TTL finder also has a meter on it so my Lubitel is also able to use the light meter. I enjoy the vignetting that the lens produces although I mostly shoot at f/11 or f/16 so I hardly see it in the photos. I'd recommend the Kiev 6C or 60 to people looking for an affordable medium format camera; just make sure it was cared for or had a clr done recently. Really enjoyed this video and hope to see more "cheapest" cameras in the future!
I was literally looking at this camera on ebay before I watched this video! Great review and it was also cool seeing you photograph around Portsmouth. I've lived here for 3 years now since I started university and it's interesting how you find subjects more easily when you're new to a place
I shot like 20 rolls with my Lubitel 166 Universal and I was very happy with image quality. That being said, I almost exclusively do landscape and street so I never shot wide open with this lens. But the good news is that you can stop it down to F32 and still get a great image. My main issue with the camera - and the reason why I bough the Yashica Mat 124G - was the manual film advance. I too shot so many double exposures or left so many frames blank because I winded just to be on the safe side... it was just a huge waste of money... Otherwise, when you are a disciplined operator, you can decent shots out of these things...
Keep a small pocket notebook and a pencil with you when you're shooting with this camera. Write down what each shot is and what the settings were. Don't advance to the next frame until you've finished writing and then you write the number of that frame on the next line. Ever since I adopted this system, I've never made a double exposure. As a side effect, you have a record of everything you shot on that roll for reference during development.
@@newq Yeah, it's a thing of establishing a fixed workflow to which you stick. Just to make a decision to either advance after a shot or to advance before the shot would be enough, if I could stick to it. But I never shoot enough film (especially with one camera) to develop a real routine and real muscle memory so in the heat of the moment I tend to mess up...
This is refreshing! I owned two of these over 8 years, between 1989 and 1997(the first was dropped by a friend, resulting in the focusing lens being bumped, and, misaligned permanently; the second, received as a freebie with the purchase of a propack of Ilford XP4, 120 rollfilm, when I worked in Chicago in the photo retail industry. It was a fun camera; great review! As far as the camera damage....gaffers tape works wonders!😀! Thanks for the cool memories!
Ah my home city! Im a photo technician at the local uni and I love when students arrive and capture the city in a different way. Thanks for this video, really useful to know what its like as we do get a lot of interest for medium format but not everyone can spend £500 +
These less expensive 120 cameras are still very capable. I use an 70 year old triplet lensed folder as the backup to my Mamiya 6 because the quality holds up really well if you shoot it right.
Yashica A, Yashica D or the Yashica LM might be a good choice. I'm also very keen on the Minolta Autocords. Rolleicords are fantastic if the shutter is working well. I love the IV model but it's hard to get repairs on the shutters if older than the model V. Mamiya C22 or C33 with interchangeable lenses are very capable machines, but larger and very heavy. The Yashica A and the Rolleicord would be the lightest of the bunch. The 4x4 Yashica and Rolleis are very hard to get repairs on, plus 127 film is difficult to find, so I'd avoid those. For something pocketable, the Zeiss folder 6x6 without the rangefinder (guess distance) is very affordable, and has leather bellows. The Agfa Isolettes are nice too, but the vinyl bellows can develop corner holes if you open and shut too often. I started in photography with the Yashica 124G in high school in 1970. I've used view cameras up to 8x10, but medium format is still the best bet for quality and ease of use, roll film loading and development. I taught traditional and digital photo classes to college students. Many of them were using medium format cameras after I introduced them to the step up in quality over 35mm.
Lubitel 2. I have just put a film through mine. It's immaculate and takes wonderful pictures. I bought it from a friend for £30. The lens is a three element Cooke copy.A brilliant lens by an English designer. It's was copied by Zeiss on their Triotar 4.5 lens and virtually every one. The Chinese Seagull 4bi tlr uses it. Another good little camera, a bit more expensive than the Lubitel. Lubitel means Amateur.
Yeah, double exposures are gonna happen until you get used to shooting with these TLR's, then you get your process down. You wind the film to the next shot as soon as you take the picture. So, set shutter speed and aperture, focus, cock the shutter, take the picture, wind the film. Once your mind has that, you're golden. Loved the review Kyle... sorry about the catastrophe at the end! It made my head hurt... grin.
I’ve bought two of these cameras over the years. I think you have to find a suitable project, so I was interested in double exposures, which are easy to achieve as there is no automatic wind on, and sometimes mistakes can be creative. Also using the Bulb setting. I had to use the tripod, but after a while the plastic surround of the the screw thread cracked probably through pressure of screwing the the tripod thread onto it. But still they are cheap to replace. The shutter controls are fiddly and close together and it is best to use a cable release even hand held, I found.
I used to make pinhole cameras of these, as the upper lens gives a more clear idea about the composition, but nowadays I just enjoy the Lubitel with all it faults and techical surprises. Thank you!
A model very similar to yours::: I bought and used a Lubitel-2 for a few months. Part of my motivation was to experience what a 1970s Soviet citizen experienced as a hobby photographer. (Exec. Summary: Über mediocre equipment) Mine had the same focusing lens (not a screen) with the frosted spot. And similar shutter and lens. The vignetting was tolerable at f/8 and smaller apertures. Too heavy for my tastes at f/5.6. The limited range of shutter speeds almost necessitates the use of an ND filter at times. The lens is a Cooke Triplet (designed by H. Dennis Taylor in 1893). It was revolutionary then. And not to be sneezed at today. There’s very little to fail in these cameras. The shutter is rumoured to _never_ need a CLA (clever Soviets?). Ultimately, it was a huge pain to compose and focus, had a too-limited range of shutter speeds and apertures. I parted with it, hoping someone else could enjoy it. With a good subject, proper framing, focus and exposure - no problem. Really nice images on the film… I agree. It’s a tall mountain to climb to achieve all that more than occasionally. Film loading and advance is dream-like in its simplicity. The Bakelite camera body is genius for mass-production. The geared focus system isn’t bad in theory. Everything in that realm is made to pretty low standards. An owner would be in good stead if s/he knows how to re-synchronize focus between the viewing and taking lenses. It sure is light and compact! It could be resurrected and improved in modern times. However, I cannot see it selling for under $1,000 with today’s high costs for every little thing.
I got two medium format cameras off FB marketplace for cheap here in Montreal. An Yashica A TRL for 80 Dollars Canadian. The viewing glass door is in bad shape but still functions ok. It takes really nice photos for the price I paid for it. Its super fun to use. The other is a Kodak Vigilant Junior six-20, a 1930s fold out camera. Shoots 6x9 I do believe but takes 620 film spools. So you either need to re-spool 120 film onto a 620 spool or buy it re-spooled. Its not an easy camera to use but I paid 50 bucks for it and its nearly in mint condition, came in the box with the instruction manual. Whoever owned it over the years must have never taken it out of the box, its in such good condition. Iv only used it about 3 or 4 times. Since i only get about 8 shots on a roll of film and hand holding this thing is very hard to get a sharp image I only take it out once in a while.
I still got mine's as it was given to me as a Present. The lens is Sharp, but very had to focus that it did not have a split or Microprism screen to focus the central portion... But again it is sharp.
Nowdays, in Moscow you could probably buy this camera cheaper than a roll of portra 400. I'm gonna say, even 1.5 x CHEAPER than a roll of goddamn Kodak's 2020 stock!
@@johnjoenugent6359 that's for sure, Russia's not that nearby as Europe, you would have to be paying extra fees for a shipment + 20 - 30 % over that price, to make a profit for a local film supply or lab that's selling it.
i've bought several of these. they are mostly in great condition. more than 5 are still with the original box. i keep 1 166 universal in sealed box and 2 166b in original box
I have a Lubitel 166B, which I bought for £22 about 20 years ago. I was really amazed at the results; notably better than my Canon EOS 1000FN that I had at the time. I think the secret was to find a good processing lab. Fun to use, too.
My first TLR was a Lubitel 2, great cameras, unique lens the triplet design does yield vinetteting and a swirl at wide open. I really need to wait out and find a 166 for cheap. And certainly would put the Lubitel as a good cheap medium format camera.
Awesome! I thought about buying the Lubitel 166B before I was convince to get a Yashica Mat-124 with the help of one your videos. I was also super interested in the Kiev 60 because of the price.
Two years ago you couldn't give these away but now, the asking price on the Bay for used ones is around £60.00 which is laughable given the quality of them. Mind you if a plastic fantastic Holga costs £40.00 what else would u expect?
Three days ago a friend gave me the same camera (he is not fond of photogrphy, so..) with jammed timer, so I disassembled it, fixed and now I'm going to use it. And anyway it's a good item in my collection of old cameras.
I got a Pearl River TLR for around 80CAD and was incredible solid and sharp! One day something got stuck and while I was focusing only half of the front advanced and it broke various bits of mechanics and wires. Shame, it was a solid cheaper TLR while it lasted.
The old Lubitel is pritty cheap here in Serbia. I have 6 of them and i bought them from 1€ up to max 5€. And all of them are in super nice working condition.
О, да! Мы с женой тоже очень любим эту камеру! Часто берём с собой в путешествия из-за её компактности, лёгкости и качества снимков, которые получаются)
Yeah, focusing is a bugger, but you get used to it. I bought one of these brand new from Jessops back in 1989 for £18. I used it throughout my student years along with my Zenith 11. What I really lusted after at the time was a Pentagon Six, but they were hard to find back then. I still have the 166B and it still works and is in perfect condition. In fact I bought some rolls of FP4 and used it a few days ago on a trip to North Wales, I couldn't find my old light meter though. I had to download and use an app for my phone. I've yet to process the film, fingers crossed ;-)
Kyle, my experience with this camera was similar to yours - broken after 3 films! In my case one of the buttons on the side that hold the film spool in place fell out and got lost. I also found that needing to view the screen in one exact position was very frustrating. Image quality was OK. I'm glad that you gave an honest and balanced review to contrast with the Lomo hype. I paid £27 for mine - I can't imagine paying £300+
This camera is actually a copy of the 1930s German Voightlander Brilliant. I had one in the early 1980s bought for a princely sum of £18.00 British Pounds brand new. It does have character if nothing else.
One of my first medium formats was the Yashica-12 TLR camera. Worked great for 4-5 years before it became too hazy and inconsistent. Considering I only paid $124 for it, I decided to shelve it as a lovely display item, since it wasn't worth paying to fix it or CLA it. But I do plan on picking another TLR up at some point. I'm leaning towards the C220 from Mamiya (already own an RB and 645 from them) but I could see this camera as a great travel alternate watching you walk around with it.
I seriously love the music in your videos. Any recommendations for a spotify playlist? Oh and great video too! Just ordered my first TLR and I'm really excited about it 😅
£14.95 for 166B new in those days. I was young with little money and shooting 35mm film on a Pentax and the Lubitel was the only way I was going to be able to afford to try medium format. Focusing was always a bit hit or miss now matter how careful you were (and the focus ring never fell off mine!). Sometimes with subjects for than a few metres away it’s just best to Zone focus and an aperture of f8 or f11 for best results but you’d end up with some out if focus. You can’t beat that big neg though and it’s there’s a lot of joy in shooting waist level with a TLR. Square format gets you thinking differently about composition too!
I bought a Lubitel 116U in the 90s, since I like old box and folders, this was an awesome camera!!! I was expecting Holga quality, but it was actually much better and at the time I was looking for the toy camera feel ... i would endorse all Lubitels for an entry level TLR!!!
Interesting that the music is from Debussy (French) and Chopin (Polish), but honestly it would be really hard to find a Rachmaninov piece that has the same slow and calm melancholy as Chopin’s preludes and nocturnes 🤗
I don't have this exact lubitel, but I do have the Lubitel 2, and it's my first medium format camera! I would say it's a good intro into medium format and TLRs
I have one of these i bought in the early eBay days for $15. Focusing feels a bit clanky but otherwise it's held up well and been a decent and fun camera.
So weird seeing where I live in one of your videos. I love my Bronica SQ-A system that I picked up for a comparatively cheap £250 with body, 2 lenses and a hard case with filters and film in
Hey Kyle, thanks a lot for your videos, your doing a wonderful job here! I used Lubitel for years without a problem, maybe I was lucky to buy one from a good batch. Anyway, the softness in the images made after the front lens fell is probably due to the teeth of the focus ring which weren't aligned with the viewing lens anymore when you put the ring back on the camera... It occurred to me after the same kind of misadventure. Since it's a secondary camera for a long time now and I'm not using it so much anymore I didn't have it fixed yet, but you can't definitely get the right focus just by putting the ring back ^^ Cheers!
я начинал снимать такой камерой! главное не забывать перематывать кадры! наткнулся на это видео пока искал мануал по ремонту затвора, зимой вышел на улице поснимать на ЛЮБИТЕЛЬ 166В а затвор замерз.. любая выдержка работает как В. надо исправить) А видео у тебя классные! подписался с удовольствием!
I inherited an old Yashica LM, which was broken; winding maechanicsam was bust. I've spent years ro find someone who can fix it, course all old dudes who fixed those cameras are either dead or in retirement. But about a year ago I finally find someone and enjoy that camera ever since...
I find the Czechoslovakian Flexaret TLR's quite nice they can be had for less then a 100 but for more as well they are made by Meopta a company that mainly focused on enlargers but they also use their own made lenses.
I think you are right this is now the only useable 6x6 120 roll film TLR still available in that price range. I used one in my late teens (35 years ago) I had a good one, but I met others with not so good ones, quality control was a bit hit and miss. Using a Sekonic L-558R meter means you got your exposure right. The cheap Russian selenium meter I used back in the day was less precise! It taught me the value of an accurate meter though. It used to be possible to pick up a used Chinese Seagull TLR (a rip off of a Yashicamat TLR) quite cheaply, but they run £150 upwards now, if you can find one. They are better cameras though. I believe that Seagull still produce the model 4A-109, but they'll cost as much as a used Yashicamat 124, again if you can find one. Anyone moving from Digital photography to film, should be aware that the camera is only part of the cost!
I loved this video Kyle! Super fun to watch and definitely a useful reminder! I Got my Mamiya 645 not on a budget (330 euros) but I am so damn happy about that camera! It's getting me exactly what I ask her and compared to other choices I'm so glad I spent my money on that camera. Also, dope music in this video, great vibe!
I think stretching the budget to $150 USD would give the beginner a much more satisfying experience. I bought a Konica Pearl II 6x45 folder for about that money from EBay / Japan. A coupled rangefinder, brilliant lens compact. Any old Japanese TLR would be better. All the Russian cameras I’ve had are below average but optics are fine or even great. Sadly some stupid money is being asked for film camera’s now.
I'd be surprised if they do. It's a good entry level camera for next to nothing, but probably not something that everyone is going to be itching to get their hands on.
Great video. Just my own two cents but some of the problem might have been just quality control. Some of the later models in the last years of the USSR that did start to slip. If you find a good one they can be pretty reliable and the lens is pretty sharp.
Check out the video "TLR Lubitel 2 cameras, Lubitel 166U examples of black and white photos" which shows how this camera can shoot and is also well written about it in Giovanni Manisi's book "Lubitel Stories: Fotografare con la biottica venuta dalla terra dello Sputnik".
worked with this toy for years in the ancient times ... (the much older 'Lubitel 2' version ... possibly an exact replica of a 1930s Voigtlander TLR camera model btw ...) these plastic cameras are great for amateur and some artistic / experimental 'Lomography' photography ... but NEVER so for serious / professional work really!
Cool video :-) There's some good folders out there, but they're not terribly reliable and often don't have rangefinders. I have one called Rolfix Franka. It has a great Schneider lens on it, but the lens doesn't align properly with the film plane anymore. So you get a til-shift effect wether you want it or not, haha. In good condition, it's a nice camera, though. Renders really nice for b&w!
I have one of the previous versions of this camera limitel2. It’s actually pretty good! So lightweight! Pictures have it’s character. But there’s one issue: you can’t focus close. Anyway it’s a bargain!
You could try a Voigtlander Brilliant. A camera that can produce some surprisingly nice results. You'd probably have to replace the light seals - an easy job.
The Portra is worth more than the camera, I bought one back a few years ago for €10, it worked well enough, considering its limitations. It was the only time I had ever bought, shot, developed and enlarged some photos in the same day, it was fun.
Hey I love your videos because you always offer great in-depth analysis on everything you test. I was wondering if you knew of a good resource or could make a video on different topics to look for when you are working with negatives and scanning and the photo itself. Things such as: flatness, softens, what a missed focus looks like and how it was missed, any other terms like that and how to correct them. I find I have a hard time recognizing my mistakes when I’m looking at my scanned negative and an even herder time knowing how to fix them. Thanks!
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What's your pick for the best 'cheap' medium format camera?
If you want quality I'd go with a older Yashica TLR or Pentacon Six for 6x6, a Bessa RF for 6x9 or a Konica Pearl II or III for 645.
Fujica GW690!
@@mrzachwright I only owned the GW690III and The GW690III and both are not really on the cheap side. But I heard that the lens on the first GW690 isn't that good?
Zeiss Ikon Nettar!
@@mrzachwright fujica g690 is even cheaper ;)
Ha I remember buying this camera at Freestyle in LA back in the late 90's for around $30ish. I still have it. Love freestyle.
just picked up my negatives from them a couple of days ago. Love it as well!
The focusing gear went off of alignment after front lens rim had fallen off. This is why photos turned soft. Nightmare with 166 B model, but still curable.
Nice. But a few points:
- The loose frontal ring is an issue with your copy. I didn't have this in my experience.
- Once you dropped the frontal ring (That is geared with the focusing lens) you lost your focus, due to malalignment of the gear, thus the OOF remaining films.
- If you haven't toss the damaged camera yet, I have a great suggestion for you and maybe for your next clip. Very easily you can remove the lens that is in place by screws, having axis from film chamber (Back of camera). And if you dissect it out, you have a great medium formate lens that can be adapter to any mirrorless (Via a tad of ingenuity and a cheap helical focuser). And then imagine the endless opportunities to test the lens or even adding a focal reducer, speed booster for another clip of fun... Go for it, if not too late but I have feeling it is already late!
I got my one repaired due to the exact same issue, but this camera is the exact reason I'm saving for a 645 SLR. I have enjoyed 120 but want something a little more refined.
6x9 folding camera's can be found cheap and produce some beautiful large negatives.
Thumbs up for the improved music :)
If you are going to do medium format 6x9 to me is the way to go, although I do have 6x6 cameras, for some reason I don't find square photographs aesthetically pleasing :-)
Voigtländer Brilliant, Yashica A, Pentacon Six TL/Kiev 6, Kowa Six, Kiev 88, Fujifilm GX680, Fujica 6x9, Mamiya Press, 6x9 technical cameras, Moskva 4 and 5, Mamiya M645, Pilot 6 or Kalimar Reflex and similar...the list goes on! Nothing quirky here, just old-fashioned goodness.
I'd love to see more videos like this of cheap film cameras
Agreed. We don't all have the budget for a Hasselblad 500, Rolleiflex 2.8, or Mamiya RZ67
@@ATF_CA I can really recommend the czech flexaret series. lovely TLR
That double exposure was actually really great! Probably my favorite out of all you took with the camera
Thanks, Daniel!
Well now that you’ve done a video on it, it’s not going to be cheap anymore ;)
After it fell apart in his hands an barely works to begin with‽
I wouldn’t be so sure.
I doubt that.
I've shot this camera exclusively as my first medium format camera and still love it. I've also got a 6x6 Zeiss folder and an amazing Kiev 6C/ 60 that I love dearly. I enjoy the Lubitel tons still and have even made a TTL viewfinder adapter for it so I can use my Kiev 6C viewfinder on it instead of the near useless waist level finder. The Kiev 6 TTL finder also has a meter on it so my Lubitel is also able to use the light meter. I enjoy the vignetting that the lens produces although I mostly shoot at f/11 or f/16 so I hardly see it in the photos. I'd recommend the Kiev 6C or 60 to people looking for an affordable medium format camera; just make sure it was cared for or had a clr done recently. Really enjoyed this video and hope to see more "cheapest" cameras in the future!
Glad you enjoyed this one. Cheers!
Been shooting my Lubitel since 86 :) Still have a soft spot for it. Use a tripod and a cable release.
I was literally looking at this camera on ebay before I watched this video!
Great review and it was also cool seeing you photograph around Portsmouth. I've lived here for 3 years now since I started university and it's interesting how you find subjects more easily when you're new to a place
More people should praise your B-roll, great video as always!
I appreciate that.
I love mine - I always go to it when I want to do deliberate double exposures. Once you get your eye in focusing becomes a lot easier
I shot like 20 rolls with my Lubitel 166 Universal and I was very happy with image quality. That being said, I almost exclusively do landscape and street so I never shot wide open with this lens. But the good news is that you can stop it down to F32 and still get a great image. My main issue with the camera - and the reason why I bough the Yashica Mat 124G - was the manual film advance. I too shot so many double exposures or left so many frames blank because I winded just to be on the safe side... it was just a huge waste of money... Otherwise, when you are a disciplined operator, you can decent shots out of these things...
Yep, I suffered from forgetting to wind as well, and making way too many double exposures.
Keep a small pocket notebook and a pencil with you when you're shooting with this camera. Write down what each shot is and what the settings were. Don't advance to the next frame until you've finished writing and then you write the number of that frame on the next line. Ever since I adopted this system, I've never made a double exposure. As a side effect, you have a record of everything you shot on that roll for reference during development.
@@newq Yeah, it's a thing of establishing a fixed workflow to which you stick. Just to make a decision to either advance after a shot or to advance before the shot would be enough, if I could stick to it. But I never shoot enough film (especially with one camera) to develop a real routine and real muscle memory so in the heat of the moment I tend to mess up...
This is refreshing! I owned two of these over 8 years, between 1989 and 1997(the first was dropped by a friend, resulting in the focusing lens being bumped, and, misaligned permanently; the second, received as a freebie with the purchase of a propack of Ilford XP4, 120 rollfilm, when I worked in Chicago in the photo retail industry. It was a fun camera; great review!
As far as the camera damage....gaffers tape works wonders!😀! Thanks for the cool memories!
Gaff tape to the rescue! Glad you enjoyed it.
Ah my home city! Im a photo technician at the local uni and I love when students arrive and capture the city in a different way.
Thanks for this video, really useful to know what its like as we do get a lot of interest for medium format but not everyone can spend £500 +
Glad you enjoyed this Billie. Portsmouth is a nice place!
Today I finally assembled mine. It had some serious issues, but with help of one parts donor I made it literally brand new
These less expensive 120 cameras are still very capable. I use an 70 year old triplet lensed folder as the backup to my Mamiya 6 because the quality holds up really well if you shoot it right.
Yashica A, Yashica D or the Yashica LM might be a good choice. I'm also very keen on the Minolta Autocords. Rolleicords are fantastic if the shutter is working well. I love the IV model but it's hard to get repairs on the shutters if older than the model V. Mamiya C22 or C33 with interchangeable lenses are very capable machines, but larger and very heavy. The Yashica A and the Rolleicord would be the lightest of the bunch. The 4x4 Yashica and Rolleis are very hard to get repairs on, plus 127 film is difficult to find, so I'd avoid those. For something pocketable, the Zeiss folder 6x6 without the rangefinder (guess distance) is very affordable, and has leather bellows. The Agfa Isolettes are nice too, but the vinyl bellows can develop corner holes if you open and shut too often. I started in photography with the Yashica 124G in high school in 1970. I've used view cameras up to 8x10, but medium format is still the best bet for quality and ease of use, roll film loading and development. I taught traditional and digital photo classes to college students. Many of them were using medium format cameras after I introduced them to the step up in quality over 35mm.
My first medium format camera! It was an original my father gave me when I started getting into film photography.
Lubitel 2. I have just put a film through mine. It's immaculate and takes wonderful pictures. I bought it from a friend for £30.
The lens is a three element Cooke copy.A brilliant lens by an English designer. It's was copied by Zeiss on their Triotar 4.5 lens and virtually every one.
The Chinese Seagull 4bi tlr uses it. Another good little camera, a bit more expensive than the Lubitel.
Lubitel means Amateur.
Yeah, double exposures are gonna happen until you get used to shooting with these TLR's, then you get your process down. You wind the film to the next shot as soon as you take the picture. So, set shutter speed and aperture, focus, cock the shutter, take the picture, wind the film. Once your mind has that, you're golden. Loved the review Kyle... sorry about the catastrophe at the end! It made my head hurt... grin.
Absolutely. Can see it bring one of those things that get's easier as you get used to it. Cheers!
I’ve bought two of these cameras over the years. I think you have to find a suitable project, so I was interested in double exposures, which are easy to achieve as there is no automatic wind on, and sometimes mistakes can be creative. Also using the Bulb setting. I had to use the tripod, but after a while the plastic surround of the the screw thread cracked probably through pressure of screwing the the tripod thread onto it. But still they are cheap to replace. The shutter controls are fiddly and close together and it is best to use a cable release even hand held, I found.
I used to make pinhole cameras of these, as the upper lens gives a more clear idea about the composition, but nowadays I just enjoy the Lubitel with all it faults and techical surprises. Thank you!
I had been shooting with this camera as a kid, and I still have it 😍
My first medium format camera was a lubitel 2. Good fun.
A model very similar to yours::: I bought and used a Lubitel-2 for a few months. Part of my motivation was to experience what a 1970s Soviet citizen experienced as a hobby photographer. (Exec. Summary: Über mediocre equipment)
Mine had the same focusing lens (not a screen) with the frosted spot. And similar shutter and lens.
The vignetting was tolerable at f/8 and smaller apertures. Too heavy for my tastes at f/5.6. The limited range of shutter speeds almost necessitates the use of an ND filter at times.
The lens is a Cooke Triplet (designed by H. Dennis Taylor in 1893). It was revolutionary then. And not to be sneezed at today.
There’s very little to fail in these cameras. The shutter is rumoured to _never_ need a CLA (clever Soviets?).
Ultimately, it was a huge pain to compose and focus, had a too-limited range of shutter speeds and apertures. I parted with it, hoping someone else could enjoy it.
With a good subject, proper framing, focus and exposure - no problem. Really nice images on the film… I agree. It’s a tall mountain to climb to achieve all that more than occasionally.
Film loading and advance is dream-like in its simplicity. The Bakelite camera body is genius for mass-production.
The geared focus system isn’t bad in theory. Everything in that realm is made to pretty low standards. An owner would be in good stead if s/he knows how to re-synchronize focus between the viewing and taking lenses.
It sure is light and compact!
It could be resurrected and improved in modern times. However, I cannot see it selling for under $1,000 with today’s high costs for every little thing.
I like my 166B, I picked it up in a second hand shop in Warsaw, Poland several years ago.
I adore my Lubitel 2. 100 speed film and you have range. My Argoflex is sweet as well, except for respoolling to 620 spool.
Hey me, I'm you.
I got two medium format cameras off FB marketplace for cheap here in Montreal. An Yashica A TRL for 80 Dollars Canadian. The viewing glass door is in bad shape but still functions ok. It takes really nice photos for the price I paid for it. Its super fun to use. The other is a Kodak Vigilant Junior six-20, a 1930s fold out camera. Shoots 6x9 I do believe but takes 620 film spools. So you either need to re-spool 120 film onto a 620 spool or buy it re-spooled. Its not an easy camera to use but I paid 50 bucks for it and its nearly in mint condition, came in the box with the instruction manual. Whoever owned it over the years must have never taken it out of the box, its in such good condition. Iv only used it about 3 or 4 times. Since i only get about 8 shots on a roll of film and hand holding this thing is very hard to get a sharp image I only take it out once in a while.
dude, amazing opening. Great story telling and beautiful shots
I still got mine's as it was given to me as a Present. The lens is Sharp, but very had to focus that it did not have a split or Microprism screen to focus the central portion... But again it is sharp.
Nowdays, in Moscow you could probably buy this camera cheaper than a roll of portra 400.
I'm gonna say, even 1.5 x CHEAPER than a roll of goddamn Kodak's 2020 stock!
It doesn't help that Kodak's prices are ever increasing as if they weren't expensive enough already
@@johnjoenugent6359 that's for sure, Russia's not that nearby as Europe, you would have to be paying extra fees for a shipment + 20 - 30 % over that price, to make a profit for a local film supply or lab that's selling it.
Mercedes benz 6.9
lens falls off
"actually doesn't feel that cheap"
😂 Besides that it felt pretty good.
i've bought several of these. they are mostly in great condition. more than 5 are still with the original box. i keep 1 166 universal in sealed box and 2 166b in original box
I have a Lubitel 166B, which I bought for £22 about 20 years ago. I was really amazed at the results; notably better than my Canon EOS 1000FN that I had at the time. I think the secret was to find a good processing lab. Fun to use, too.
I'm a big fan of the Mamiya 6 folder! I have the 645/6x6 version with Zuiko lens. So good and very affordable!
I've eyeballed those for a while. Really nice cameras from what I hear!
My first TLR was a Lubitel 2, great cameras, unique lens the triplet design does yield vinetteting and a swirl at wide open. I really need to wait out and find a 166 for cheap. And certainly would put the Lubitel as a good cheap medium format camera.
Bought the lubitel when it came out , late 80's i think cost me £16.95, Still got it
I bought mine roundabout 1985 - £14; it's up in the loft so I must dig it out
There was a shop in Holborn sold them - Russian Technical and Optical Equipment - I got me Zenit 12XP from them too. Awesome place.
Awesome! I thought about buying the Lubitel 166B before I was convince to get a Yashica Mat-124 with the help of one your videos. I was also super interested in the Kiev 60 because of the price.
y'all really gonna gentrify every affordable/entry-level MF camera until there's no stock left at reasonable prices with these videos
Word
YES! my initial thoughts clicking the video.
So what are we not supposed to talk about anything?
Good thing they made usable medium format cameras for over 60 years.
Two years ago you couldn't give these away but now, the asking price on the Bay for used ones is around £60.00 which is laughable given the quality of them. Mind you if a plastic fantastic Holga costs £40.00 what else would u expect?
I use an old Flexaret, which was about the same price as the Lubitel and I absolutely love it. 😍
8:10 that’s why we use camera neck straps. They will also help with bracing when you are using longer shutter speeds.
Just ordered a Holga! I'll be very keen to see if I can coax some decent images out of it.
I actually really like the shot at 6:43. The softness works in that one!
Three days ago a friend gave me the same camera (he is not fond of photogrphy, so..) with jammed timer, so I disassembled it, fixed and now I'm going to use it. And anyway it's a good item in my collection of old cameras.
Debussy intro? Daaamn nice!
I have an older version of this camera...never used it😂 but sparks great conversation with friends when they visit
I got a Pearl River TLR for around 80CAD and was incredible solid and sharp! One day something got stuck and while I was focusing only half of the front advanced and it broke various bits of mechanics and wires. Shame, it was a solid cheaper TLR while it lasted.
love the music! one can clearly see how much thought you put in your videos! great work!
Thank you! Cheers!
The old Lubitel is pritty cheap here in Serbia. I have 6 of them and i bought them from 1€ up to max 5€. And all of them are in super nice working condition.
Nice! Can't go wrong for that price.
О, да! Мы с женой тоже очень любим эту камеру! Часто берём с собой в путешествия из-за её компактности, лёгкости и качества снимков, которые получаются)
Yeah, focusing is a bugger, but you get used to it. I bought one of these brand new from Jessops back in 1989 for £18. I used it throughout my student years along with my Zenith 11. What I really lusted after at the time was a Pentagon Six, but they were hard to find back then. I still have the 166B and it still works and is in perfect condition. In fact I bought some rolls of FP4 and used it a few days ago on a trip to North Wales, I couldn't find my old light meter though. I had to download and use an app for my phone. I've yet to process the film, fingers crossed ;-)
Ektar is really growing one me. Think Im gonna do a roll of Ektar and Portra for my reviews cause its such a nice range! Havent shot a lot of bw
I go back and forth on it with every roll I shoot. I really liked the results from this one though.
I just bought a really nice condition late model Rolleicord for the equivalent of around £70. There are definitely some great deals out there.
For sure. You can still definitely find deals, but it takes time and some searching.
Kyle, my experience with this camera was similar to yours - broken after 3 films! In my case one of the buttons on the side that hold the film spool in place fell out and got lost. I also found that needing to view the screen in one exact position was very frustrating. Image quality was OK. I'm glad that you gave an honest and balanced review to contrast with the Lomo hype. I paid £27 for mine - I can't imagine paying £300+
Cheers, Kevin. Yeah, seems to be mixed reviews with this camera. Some people love it, others hate it.
very nostalgic, I bought one of these many years ago for £15. great review.
I don't mind being bothered by the edges of the taking lens in my view finder $50-60 camera with super cool image captures!
This camera is actually a copy of the 1930s German Voightlander Brilliant. I had one in the early 1980s bought for a princely sum of £18.00 British Pounds brand new. It does have character if nothing else.
that proves even if u camera is acting up or optics aint the best that u can take amazing photos .awesome
One of my first medium formats was the Yashica-12 TLR camera. Worked great for 4-5 years before it became too hazy and inconsistent. Considering I only paid $124 for it, I decided to shelve it as a lovely display item, since it wasn't worth paying to fix it or CLA it. But I do plan on picking another TLR up at some point. I'm leaning towards the C220 from Mamiya (already own an RB and 645 from them) but I could see this camera as a great travel alternate watching you walk around with it.
For the price, there's not much to lose with this one, especially if you don't drop it like me.
Thanks for this usefull reminder. Light price, light weight... make the Lubitel or similar options attractive. And I really like your compositions.
Thank you. 🙏
Your videos are a joy to watch Kyle, even the ones about Soviet cameras! Regards from Portugal :)
Thank you, Andre.
I seriously love the music in your videos.
Any recommendations for a spotify playlist?
Oh and great video too! Just ordered my first TLR and I'm really excited about it 😅
Thank you!
No way! Just as I bought one haha! We were probably looking at the same sellers
£14.95 for 166B new in those days. I was young with little money and shooting 35mm film on a Pentax and the Lubitel was the only way I was going to be able to afford to try medium format. Focusing was always a bit hit or miss now matter how careful you were (and the focus ring never fell off mine!). Sometimes with subjects for than a few metres away it’s just best to Zone focus and an aperture of f8 or f11 for best results but you’d end up with some out if focus. You can’t beat that big neg though and it’s there’s a lot of joy in shooting waist level with a TLR. Square format gets you thinking differently about composition too!
Started with Mamiya C330. TLR. Then Bronica, then Hasselblad. Loved the Mamiya??? Don’t know why.
I bought a Lubitel 116U in the 90s, since I like old box and folders, this was an awesome camera!!! I was expecting Holga quality, but it was actually much better and at the time I was looking for the toy camera feel ... i would endorse all Lubitels for an entry level TLR!!!
Interesting that the music is from Debussy (French) and Chopin (Polish), but honestly it would be really hard to find a Rachmaninov piece that has the same slow and calm melancholy as Chopin’s preludes and nocturnes 🤗
My first film camera! Glad I sold it tho, I'm keeping my rolleiflex. Thanks for this, Kyle! :)
Dude the moment I saw that little jetty at the start I knew it was Portsmouth :D Great video man keep it up!
Glad you enjoyed it
I don't have this exact lubitel, but I do have the Lubitel 2, and it's my first medium format camera! I would say it's a good intro into medium format and TLRs
Nice vid, I have been thinking about getting that camera.
You captured Portsmouth really well, incredible work Kyle
Thank you, Mark. Much appreciated.
I have one of these i bought in the early eBay days for $15. Focusing feels a bit clanky but otherwise it's held up well and been a decent and fun camera.
So weird seeing where I live in one of your videos. I love my Bronica SQ-A system that I picked up for a comparatively cheap £250 with body, 2 lenses and a hard case with filters and film in
That sounds like a good deal for an SQ-A in good condition.
Hey Kyle, thanks a lot for your videos, your doing a wonderful job here! I used Lubitel for years without a problem, maybe I was lucky to buy one from a good batch. Anyway, the softness in the images made after the front lens fell is probably due to the teeth of the focus ring which weren't aligned with the viewing lens anymore when you put the ring back on the camera... It occurred to me after the same kind of misadventure. Since it's a secondary camera for a long time now and I'm not using it so much anymore I didn't have it fixed yet, but you can't definitely get the right focus just by putting the ring back ^^ Cheers!
Thank you! And yes, seems like it was definitely misaligned.
я начинал снимать такой камерой! главное не забывать перематывать кадры! наткнулся на это видео пока искал мануал по ремонту затвора, зимой вышел на улице поснимать на ЛЮБИТЕЛЬ 166В а затвор замерз.. любая выдержка работает как В. надо исправить) А видео у тебя классные! подписался с удовольствием!
I inherited an old Yashica LM, which was broken; winding maechanicsam was bust. I've spent years ro find someone who can fix it, course all old dudes who fixed those cameras are either dead or in retirement. But about a year ago I finally find someone and enjoy that camera ever since...
Great review of a cheap camera. Thanks for doing this and helping me save $75!
The death of the Lubitel, so sad.
I find the Czechoslovakian Flexaret TLR's quite nice they can be had for less then a 100 but for more as well they are made by Meopta a company that mainly focused on enlargers but they also use their own made lenses.
I've heard great things!
@@KyleMcDougall i have one myself it has some problems cuased by bad care haven't used it mutch yet as i was taking a break from photography.
It is a cool video. You should review more camera like this one.
Thanks. That's the plan.
I think you are right this is now the only useable 6x6 120 roll film TLR still available in that price range. I used one in my late teens (35 years ago) I had a good one, but I met others with not so good ones, quality control was a bit hit and miss. Using a Sekonic L-558R meter means you got your exposure right. The cheap Russian selenium meter I used back in the day was less precise! It taught me the value of an accurate meter though.
It used to be possible to pick up a used Chinese Seagull TLR (a rip off of a Yashicamat TLR) quite cheaply, but they run £150 upwards now, if you can find one. They are better cameras though. I believe that Seagull still produce the model 4A-109, but they'll cost as much as a used Yashicamat 124, again if you can find one. Anyone moving from Digital photography to film, should be aware that the camera is only part of the cost!
Yeah, a number of people mentioned the Seagull cameras, but a quick check on eBay shows that they’re definitely more expensive than these.
I loved this video Kyle! Super fun to watch and definitely a useful reminder! I Got my Mamiya 645 not on a budget (330 euros) but I am so damn happy about that camera! It's getting me exactly what I ask her and compared to other choices I'm so glad I spent my money on that camera.
Also, dope music in this video, great vibe!
That’s awesome! Glad you’re enjoying the Mamiya. Great camera. 🙂
I think stretching the budget to $150 USD would give the beginner a much more satisfying experience. I bought a Konica Pearl II 6x45 folder for about that money from EBay / Japan. A coupled rangefinder, brilliant lens compact. Any old Japanese TLR would be better. All the Russian cameras I’ve had are below average but optics are fine or even great. Sadly some stupid money is being asked for film camera’s now.
I agree. If you can spend more than this, then absolutely, do it.
I was GIVEN one exactly lie this, in original box, I have had good results -- SO FAR bits have NOT 'Fallen Off ' !!
Glad to hear that yours has stayed in one piece!
you have great intentions showcasing this sick camera, but prices are bout to go UPPPPP
I'd be surprised if they do. It's a good entry level camera for next to nothing, but probably not something that everyone is going to be itching to get their hands on.
I enjoyed the video and if I was starting out I would go for something like that or a pinhole camera if budget was tight.
Great video. Just my own two cents but some of the problem might have been just quality control. Some of the later models in the last years of the USSR that did start to slip. If you find a good one they can be pretty reliable and the lens is pretty sharp.
For sure. Seems to be a lot of people saying that they own one and it’s been solid. There’s also people saying that it’s a total piece of crap. 🤷♂️
A good cheap medium format camera with Zeiss glass is the Kiev 60. at the moment under 300€, normally between 120 - 250€ with lens.
Even better is the Mamiya Press Super 23 with the 100mm F2.8 and the 50mm F6.3 lenses and the 6x9 back.
I think this is a cool option to start in medium format cheaply. I’ve seen some available even cheaper from Goodwill.
Check out the video "TLR Lubitel 2 cameras, Lubitel 166U examples of black and white photos" which shows how this camera can shoot and is also well written about it in Giovanni Manisi's book "Lubitel Stories: Fotografare con la biottica venuta dalla terra dello Sputnik".
worked with this toy for years in the ancient times ... (the much older 'Lubitel 2' version ... possibly an exact replica of a 1930s Voigtlander TLR camera model btw ...)
these plastic cameras are great for amateur and some artistic / experimental 'Lomography' photography ... but NEVER so for serious / professional work really!
Cool video :-) There's some good folders out there, but they're not terribly reliable and often don't have rangefinders.
I have one called Rolfix Franka. It has a great Schneider lens on it, but the lens doesn't align properly with the film plane anymore. So you get a til-shift effect wether you want it or not, haha. In good condition, it's a nice camera, though. Renders really nice for b&w!
I have one of the previous versions of this camera limitel2. It’s actually pretty good! So lightweight! Pictures have it’s character. But there’s one issue: you can’t focus close. Anyway it’s a bargain!
You could try a Voigtlander Brilliant. A camera that can produce some surprisingly nice results. You'd probably have to replace the light seals - an easy job.
Who is singing the soul song that starts at 7:45 and what is the name of the song?
The song is not listed in the credits.
The Portra is worth more than the camera, I bought one back a few years ago for €10, it worked well enough, considering its limitations. It was the only time I had ever bought, shot, developed and enlarged some photos in the same day, it was fun.
Hey I love your videos because you always offer great in-depth analysis on everything you test. I was wondering if you knew of a good resource or could make a video on different topics to look for when you are working with negatives and scanning and the photo itself. Things such as: flatness, softens, what a missed focus looks like and how it was missed, any other terms like that and how to correct them. I find I have a hard time recognizing my mistakes when I’m looking at my scanned negative and an even herder time knowing how to fix them. Thanks!
For sure, I'll keep that in mind for a future vid.