>>2919559Lots of stuff to unpack here. I'm not going to take it all in order.
First, this format is known as medium format. MF cameras come in all shapes and sizes and produce shots of all shapes and sizes. This are shot on 6x6 MF cameras.
Second, you should never spend money on a gamble. Buy from a reputable dealer. End of problem. The more reliable source for used gear is probably KEH. If you have a reputable camera shop nearby where you can test the gear in person, that may be fine, but it's hard to beat KEH's selection and price, and their quality is gold standard in the camera universe. They have pretty fast turnover on their site, so don't just look once and give up.
Third, $100-300 ain't much at all in the camera world, especially for MF cameras. That doesn't meant that you can't get something good, but that's definitely on the low end. Whether or not you need to spend more than that really depends on what you want. I think I spent about $250 on my first MF camera, which was a TLR.
Fourth, you probably have two options in that price range. There are probably some decent TLRs to be found for around $300. These are your old school, basic MF cameras. As long as it works, it works. The downside is that they are a one-trick pony. The only other option in that price range would be to build a Bronica system. You'll need a body, a viewfinder, a film back, and a lens, but you can customize what you want and you can always upgrade. You may need to go a little above $300, but probably not by much. If you don't mind spending a couple hundred more, you can get a good Mamiya system which will be built like a tank and will last forever.
