View Full Version : TLR owners/users (If you dare admit if)
oftheherd
12-09-2004, 08:52
How many own and how many actually use TLR's (poll suggested by FrankS)
Pherdinand
12-09-2004, 08:57
woohoo i'm the first one to answer! I'm guilty. Guilty of using it - and guilty of not using it enough! Heh.
As some of you might know, i had a Yashica D which migrated towards South in the autumn and works for taffer now. :)
I kept a beautiful Rolleicord V - with xenar 75/3.5 and a very dark matte focusing screen which i plan to change in the future ($$$).
Few weeks ago, by the way, i bought a generic Fresnel lens (3x magnification) for eur 2.80 incl shipping. I cut it to fit into the chimney finder of the 'cord, dropped in and now it's a bt brighter. Still far from perfect...
oftheherd
12-09-2004, 09:00
I voted seldom use it. Actually, I have three. A Rolleiflex, a Yashica LM (non-working), and a Weltaflex (wish I had the folder TLR). I have film in my Rolleiflex which has been in for more months than I want to admit. Someday I will get the Yashica fixed, perhaps, well maybe. The Weltaflex is new. I didn't really expect to win it on eb*y. I don't even know why I bid on it. At least the Rolleiflex has a split image; a rangefinder, sort of in its viewfinder. :D
So, how about all of you?
Like Pherdinand, I have used mine less ever since I got a Leica... I did shoot some about a month ago, and I even have two shots, I think, in my gallery.
Denis
Ricohflex "Million". Cheapy but seems pretty good. I've played with it a bit, but have yet to shoot a full-roll.
I'd like to get something a bit better, like a YashicaMat or a Minolta Autocord. A RolleiFlex/Cord would be great, but the prices are a bit much.
Pherdinand
12-09-2004, 09:14
Kin, dunno about your case, but here (Netherlands) Autocords are extremely rare and go for a price of 200euro+, while Rolleicords can be had for euro50 to 150 in reasonable working condition...
I got two, and seldom use them:
My Yashicamat was my first MF camera, and I always think about using it more often (for street stuff), but I would have to clean the really dim screen and the mirror first.
I've also got a Mamiya C220 not in a very good state, but it works; wanted to have an MF system, and did not have a lot of money; later I discovered the Kiev/PentaconSix/CarlZeissJena stuff, and built a system around that (much more affordable, even than the Mamiya, and wider wide-angles, which I needed for landscape work); now I mostly use a Mamiya 645 Super, the C220 only gets out w/ its superb 105 and 135mm lenses when I need a lens-shutter camera for flash work.
Roman
2 Lubitels. :) But after shooting 3 rolls I never touched them again. I just couldn't get used to the upside-down view and to the awkward way of holding them. Besides, I don't have a scanner that'll let me scan MF negs. I tried scanning them on a flatbed but wasn't pleased with the result. And then I found RF cameras and was hooked. :)
Oh, the Lubitels are in a drawer. They don't even get to look at the RF's. :)
wlewisiii
12-09-2004, 10:00
I recently sold my TLR (a YashicaMat 124G) but I regret it. Prior to buying my Iskra, I used it alot but hadn't in awhile so I sold it. Mistake.
Once I get the Contax III paid for I may look into another, perhaps a Rollicord or a Mamiya this time though.
William
Ricoh Diacord and Mamiya C220, dont use them very much, my Agfa Ambi Silette and Yashica gets more exercise.
I have a very nice Rolleiflex 3.5F, but I seldom use it for anything. Should try to use it for street shooting sometime. :)
pshinkaw
12-09-2004, 10:37
I own 12 not including the parts cameras. 9 are fully functional and 3 are in various stages of restoration. Yashica 44, 44A, 635, and 2 Yashicamats; Mamiya C33 and C330; Flexaret II and III; Rolleicord III, Rolleiflex Automat and Ricoh Diacord.
I shoot about 12-18 rolls of 120 film through them a year.
-Paul
For many years I did wedding Photography with a couple of Mamiya c330s and loved them. I actually preferred then to the Hasssy (honest!). This may of course may just have been familiarity but nice lenses all the same.
I have a Yashicamat 124G but for some reason the shutter has just stopped working. Haven't a clue what 's wrong so it just sits there like an ornament. May put it up for auction as is.
Paul
I own a Rolleiflex 3.5F Planar and don't use it nearly as much as I'd like. I've had it for over 30 years and it was once my primary camera. I've just put an Epson 4180 scanner on order so I can do better scans with it. Last year I added a new Maxwell viewing screen and the viewing image just pops now.
Gene
CleverName
12-09-2004, 13:34
I own a "Marvel-Flex" tlr that I bought mainly because: a) it was really cheap, b) it looks cool, and c) I liked the name.
Unfortunately, the little winder nub won't grab a 120 spool good enough to wind it. I plan on fixing it one day, but then again, I plan on doing a lot of things one day.
I'd like to get a Yashica 124G, but I'd settle for the Holga I put on my Xmas list. (the viewfinder is kind of a lens, isn't it? Doesn't that count as a TLR?) :)
I have a Rolleicord V with a Beattie-type bright screen. It's a nice camera, but I only used it twice this year to shoot three rolls of film. So, I checked, "seldom".
By comparison, I must of shot 20 rolls of 120 with my Super Speedex, (a.k.a. Super Isolette). Yes, I miss the big viewing screen, but when comes down to choosing the Rollei and its camera bag or the folder in its belt pouch, well................
Also, I bought two 6x9 folders in 2003, one of which has a rangefinder and I just started using them over the summer. Yet, another excuse.
Started with the cheap plastic Lubitel 166U, wonderful almost toy-like camera, fun in pure shape :-)
Was bitten by the bug and got a Rolleicord Va locally, probably not used as it deserves but I love the TLR design, its use and results so much that I adopted Pherdi's Yashica D so it's now here spending the winter in the south.
The screen on the Va is really dim, but even though that's a problem for composing, I've found it's pretty good focusing.
That said, when you combine photography with your daily tasks (work, uni), even the Canonator becomes 'small and light' compared with a TLR...
And nonetheless, I still love them :)
back alley
12-09-2004, 14:22
where do i sign up for no, i don't have one?
played with a mamiya 330 and a yashica mat a few times but the waist level viewing wasn't for me.
joe
Gordon Coale
12-09-2004, 14:29
I have a Pearl River. I think it makes the Seagull look like a quality camera. Really cheap. Shot a roll through it recently and loved it, particularly for portraits. However, not a very sharp lens. I'm watching Minolta Autocords on eBay. I will be using it for portraits and panoramics. The TLRs are so small and light compared to my Mamiya Universal.
Have one and use it. The RFs are my main guys, but I do enjoy my MF cameras quite a bit.
Yashica Mat 124G and proud of it.
I have a Rolleicord V. Great lens and nice to use outdoors, but I rarely reach for it.
nikon_sam
12-09-2004, 16:14
I do own a Yashicamat 124G that I traded a couple of old slr's for.It was in mint condition and I wanted to try MF. I don't get it out as often as I should...I like the film size...6x6...it makes for nice enlargements.
SolaresLarrave
12-09-2004, 16:36
Proud owner of a Mamiya C220 small system: I have a 80/f2.8 and a 65/f3.5 together with a nice paramender for very close shots. It's my summer camera, which is when I load it with a roll of Velvia 220 and take it for long walks in the woods.
I've taken it to Chicago a couple of times; the worst camera for street: people really see you and, worst yet, they won't resist the impulse to approach you and say something along the lines of "Oh, what a nice old-fashioned camera!" or "does that one shoot color?"
However, ever since my wife suggested to take a photo of each person who comes asking questions or making remarks about the camera, nobody has come by me again.
Wait! Yes, it did happen... but I forgot to ask the guy to pose for me.
Seagull 4A-109 here (the top-end model with the 4-element lens and crank film advance). The quality control on these is known to be spotty, but if you luck out and get a good one as I seem to have, it's a great shooter. I really do best with this camera from a tripod so it doesn't get taken out as often as it should. The overall picture quality is good enough for me although I'd happily trade every camera I own for a single Fuji, Bronica, or Mamiya RF. Now THAT would be a ton of fun in an easily portable package :)
wierdcollector
12-10-2004, 02:06
2 Ricohflex, 3 Argoflex, 1 Lubitel, 1 Minolta Autocord, 3 Ciroflex, 1 Flexaret, 1 Weltaflex, 1 Kodak Reflex, 1 Kenflex, 2 Voigtlander Brilliants, 1 Seagull and enough Kodak Duaflex/Argus Seventy Fives to choke a large horse. Of course, the best one, the Minolta is jammed and the worst one, Lubitel works fine.
Brian Sweeney
12-10-2004, 02:12
Most of my cameras look at the RF's longingly wishing to be used. Today I will be taking the N8008s out for a first time in a long time to take some Christmas Portraits at Nikki's school. I must use a flash setup, and want to use the SB-29.
The TLR's will have to wait for me to set the darkroom back up again. It's about time.
I own a Seagull 4a-107 that I bought to replace the Yashica 124 that I stupidly sold a few years ago. I don't use it very much because processing is such a hassle here. I would love to find a Yashica 635 with the 35mm kit but haven't seen one that's complete and reasonably priced. Plus the battery in my Canonette is still good so I'm NOT buying any thing "new" yet.
Rob
A few years ago I borrowed a Yashicamat 124G from the shop I worked at and had a bit of fun with it. Later I picked up a nice old bakelite Lubitel for myself but I’m almost ashamed to say I haven’t put any film thru it yet, it just sits amongst the Soviet RF's on my bookshelf.
Used to- the Mamiya C330.
Got rid of it for not much more than I bought it.
I've taken one of my better pix with it, and one of the ones that demonstrate so well to me why I don't like the C330 (lenses that excel at their mediocracy, think TESSAR/NOVAR WIDE OPEN BOKEH and multi specular highlights during a wedding...)
Otherwise, I'd rather just stick with the Universal.
Krasnaya_Zvezda
12-10-2004, 14:28
The Lubitel 166B was my first Russian camera, bought new in 1987. Currently stands tall on my shelf of FSU cameras, but only had one roll through it this year. Probably not more than 20 in it's lifetime. As has been mentioned here, my scanner doesn't handle MF transparencies, if it did, I'd shoot B&W with the Lube. When time comes to upgrade the scanner, MF capability is a must.
What was your experience with the Lubitel like? I was thinking about getting one for when I want to take my TLR into environments where I wouldn't want to risk my Seagull (ok, so the Seagull isn't extremely valuable either, but work with me here :) ).
Krasnaya_Zvezda
12-10-2004, 19:22
Originally posted by dkirchge
What was your experience with the Lubitel like? I was thinking about getting one for when I want to take my TLR into environments where I wouldn't want to risk my Seagull (ok, so the Seagull isn't extremely valuable either, but work with me here :) ).
I think it's fine. Of course, I have a thing for cheap Russian cameras. But I've always been pleased with the results. Attached is a photo, rather low res, of the Grand Canyon I shot in 1990 with the Lubitel. The original print (which I can't lay my hands on just now) is quite sharp, better than the Ricoh SLR I was also using at the time.
Pretty impressive, nice shot KZ. I've heard a lot about softness in the corners but I sure don't see much in that particular shot. I have to admit, I also have a thing for cheap cameras so I might just have to pick up a Lubitel and see for myself.
I think if this thread goes much longer, we may have to try and convince Jorge to set up a TLR forum :)
All right, call me weak, call me a sucker if you will. I saw an eBay listing for a sealed, new-in-box Lubitel 166U and the lure was too strong. I'm sure I paid a premium for the sealed box, but it's still way cheaper than the Mamiya RF I was looking at :). I've heard QC on these can be spotty but what the heck, it can't be worse than my Holga :). Having a less valuable camera will certainly make taking it around a lot less intimidating.
NelsonFoto
12-10-2004, 20:39
Where do I sign up for a straight-jacket?
I love TLRs.
60 yr old CiroFlex D working it.
http://gallery.photo.net/photo/2949630-lg.jpg
Oh well, can't seem to make the image embed, no sign of an attachment option anywhere.....
You almost made me go look on ebay for another cheapy TLR, but I have a Ricohflex Super waiting for me at my parent's house that I still haven't picked up. I think I will make a visit today.
emotepix
04-17-2006, 09:40
Rolleiflexes all the way!
Have a 3.5F and recently bought a 2.8F. Use it still for shooting model portfolios, around 4-5 sessions a month. They think the camera looks cute and a little antiquey, they prefer my F3 and F5/DCS for headhots, but are usually totally blown away by the end results, probably because it seems less imposing to be shot with a Rollei and so they're more at ease (and of course there's still strictly no competition between 6x6 and 135)
Had a 4x5 that I used to use with models but not so much any more - the Rolleis are about the limit these days. Have a 6x9 folder I used to use for pinups and landscapes, but that's been sitting awhile now, no call for originals with such high resolutions until more poster printing jobs come in...
So mainly it's the F5/DCS for quick (i.e. digital) jobs, and the F3 on film for headshots and action shots, Rollei for full length shots and my trusty old M2/35mm for what they used to call "candid" photography...
I would love to use one if I had a half-decent one. Can't afford one at the moment, have other priorities :(
Nikon Bob
04-17-2006, 09:48
Just lucked into a Minolta Autocord at the local Sally Anne Store. What I am getting off that old Autocord has pretty well cured me of chasing after expensive Leica glass. Film size really makes the difference. Not as handy as an RF but it has it's place and from a cost to performance ratio point of view a real bargin. And now for a med format film scanner.
Nikon Bob
I have a Seagull 4A, too, and a Yashica Mat 124G. I've only put two rolls through the first (I need to get to know it better, I'll admit; it has quirks.) and four or five through the Mat. THOSE were a treat, supersharp, lovely feel...but for some reason, when I'm in the mood for 6 X 6, I always grab the Great Wall SLR. Me and it were meant to meet. :)
jpbob100
04-17-2006, 09:56
Yeah, I have a Chinese Pearl River. I've never actually used it. Might try to soon though.
KoNickon
04-17-2006, 09:58
I have a lot of TLRs -- Yashicas, Rolleis (both kinds), Minoltas, Ricohs, Kalloflexes, Mamiyas. Also got a Flexaret that needs work. I love these cameras.
Yeah, I have a Chinese Pearl River. I've never actually used it. Might try to soon though.
I'd love a Pearl River for the sheer poetry of its name.
I'm funny that way.
MelanieC
04-17-2006, 10:15
I have a gorgeous Rolleiflex 2.8F that was also my father's, and I do use it, but not nearly as much as the Leica because the M3 fits in my purse and the Rollei doesn't. I've only managed a roll of 120 for every month I've been using the camera. But, one of my favorite pictures I've made so far was with this camera and I am totally blown away by the pictures that come out of it, especially since I barely know how to use it.
My brother is getting married next month and I plan on using the Rollei a lot at his wedding.
Anyway, this is my favorite Rollei photo so far:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=29544&cat=5809
clarence
04-17-2006, 10:29
I'd love a Pearl River for the sheer poetry of its name.
I'm funny that way.
Everything from China is named in a similar fashion.
The soy sauce that sits on my shelf - Pearl River Bridge Superior Light Soy Sauce
The sesame oil beside it - Silk Road Blended Sesame Seed Oil
And the Worcestershire Sauce - The Original and Genuine Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
As you can see, we Chinese have a hackneyed knack for names that have a certain zing.
Oh and I love my Mamiya C220 and its 55, 80 and 180 lenses.
Clarence
Todd.Hanz
04-17-2006, 10:53
Rolleiflex 2.8E2, Rolleiflex 3.5F, YashicaMat 124G, Yashica 635 and a few more.
I use mine a couple times a week, used it yesterday as a matter of fact. I love mine, here are a few samples...
I forgot to mention I used to have a Lubitel-2. Fun, but not exactly great quality.
I want one but I'm not buying more cameras right now. Was thinking a C330 but I need to brush up on the differences in the C22/33/220/330 and should keep an eye open for other bargains.
I have a Minolta Autocord (pic attached from a recent expedition) and 2 Lubitels. If I am doing MF, I like TLRs the best as they are easy to use handheld. I also have various Kiev MF cameras and a Seagull and a Moskva folder. For some reason, the wind-on lever on a TLR gives a small thrill.
RicardoD
04-17-2006, 11:31
Ok Todd, I want one of these medium format babies now, although your photos always make me want your equipment when in fact what I need is your skill.
In the auction I won with my Kindermann 35mm stainless reels I also got a 120 stainless reel which of course means I need Minolta Autocord now! (see the sickness that RFF has layed upon me).
I have a Rollei Magic II, a Minolta Autocord, a Mamiya C-3 and a Walz 4x4 with Zunow lenses. I also have an Agfa Flexilette 35mm TLR. I have used the Rollei and Minolta once in the past year. The Mamiya is very expensive to use as I carry all but pocketable cameras around my neck and every time I have carried the Mamiya a visit to the chiropracter was required afterward. After years of looking for a convenient place to have 120 film developed I found a portrait studio which also does developing literally around the corner from my house which develops a roll of 120 in one hour for $3.00. They are dissapointed when I don't order prints at 65 cents a piece, but I scan the negs on a Canon 9950 F and the results are excellent. I keep saying that I will use my TLR's more but somehow I mostly use RF's and P&S's now.
Kurt M.
Just read through this whole thread and saw a few people tempted by Lubitels. I have used both the 2 and the 166U a lot. The downside is that the controls are fiddly and the viewfinder only has a tiny spot of dark ground glass to "aid " focussing. They don't focus very close to anything either. That said, the results are often pretty good. I hooked my Lubitel 2 up to set of studio lights once and was very impressed with what came back. They are both better than they should be for the money and a lot of fun.
Kin, dunno about your case, but here (Netherlands) Autocords are extremely rare and go for a price of 200euro+, while Rolleicords can be had for euro50 to 150 in reasonable working condition...
I know, I had to pay more than $200 for my Autocord, but it is money very well spent, it is as good (and some claim better) as any Tessar/Xenar Rolleiflex, and handles better than any other TLR .
I remember a couple of years ago you could get a good one for £50, but the price has been steadily rising since, and they are catching up fast with some of the Rolleiflexes (of course not the Planar/Xenotar ones).
I had a Rolleiflex GX for a while, superb camera, but the Autocord has a much nicer handling, so the GX went to a new home.
Is anyone aware of bright focusing screens for the Autocord? The Rolleiflex GX screen was definitely better than the one on my Autocord, and is the only thing I miss from that camera.
The lens on the Lubitel 166U is way better than it has any right to be if you go purely by the cost of the camera. I like mine a lot.
clarence
04-17-2006, 13:12
Francesco, Satinsnow can cut ground glasses and focussing glasses for anything, as long as it's rectangular. All you need to do is give them the measurements, if they don't already have the template for that particular model. Their prices were very competitive too, the last time I checked.
Clarence
Mamiya C330, 55mm 80mm, and 180 lenses.
It so much fun and it is a different way of taking pic, much more deliberate....
Joerg
clarence
04-17-2006, 13:42
Hello Joerg,
I had a C330 once and my 180mm lens wouldn't fit on it, but it fits fine on my C220. Is it because the lens is old, or is it the C330 body that was too old?
Clarence
Bought a Yashica 635 on a whim. Came with the 35mm adapter and I had to try it with a scrap roll of film, just to see if it worked. It works, but what a pain. I'll hang onto it in case 120 film disappears.
I find that the biggest attraction is the 12 exposure roll of film. Even more than the big negatives. Going to have to buy a bulk roll of 135 (but what kind?????), some more reloadable cassettes, roll my own again.
Using the waist level finder seems to be so unintimidating too. You are not "pointing" anything at your subject.
Crap. Now I want a TLR with a crank....
I'll admit to owning a Yashica 124G. I've put one roll through it, and loaded a second. I plan to take it on holiday with me next month (along with a load of other gear) and devote one entire day to shooting with it.
Hello Joerg,
I had a C330 once and my 180mm lens wouldn't fit on it, but it fits fine on my C220. Is it because the lens is old, or is it the C330 body that was too old?
Clarence
Clarence,
got me! :bang:
I have a C33 and you are right that certain lenses wont fit. I try to sat with the black versions which are more recent.
Ciao
Joerg
A YashicaMat 124G has held its own as the breadwinner for some recent projects (architecture), and I'm currently planning to take a series of portraits with it too. Lovely beast, it is. The crank is a bit loud, and the contrast is much too low, but we've simply grown on each other. :D
Todd Frederick
04-17-2006, 17:04
One of my first serious cameras in 1958 was a Yashica LM. I have used both Rolleiflex and Rolleicord cameras as well as Minolta Autocords (wonderful lenses). All I now have is a Yashica 635 (I don't use it for 35mm...why?), a fine Yashica 124 (not G), and a Yashica A.
The Yashica-A is my favorite. It is the gray leather model and produces wonderful images. It is so simple to use. They are far sharper than I would expect from an older three element lens, and they have great contrast. I just located a slip-on hood combo for it.
Todd Frederick
04-17-2006, 17:17
I am attaching a sample from the Yashica-A camera. I hope the quality is as good here as it is on my system and the prints I've made.
You can do medium format TLR photography for very little expense nowdays.
This camera cost me $30 on auction and $1 for the hood assembly at a Photo Fair.
It's my favorite MF camera, and it's aesthetically beautiful as well.
A friend is also sending me a Lubitel 2 camera (no cost) and I'm interested in using that as well.
I'm into using vintage and toy cameras, so that's where I'm coming from.
I have three and use two of them as the mood strikes me. The third one, a Yashica 124 G has fungus in the lens and is waiting for me to open it up to see if it is fixable. The other two, a Rolliecord 1V and a Mamiya C-3 are both working cameras. Below are examples from each. The B&W shot is from the C-3 w/180mm lens. The color shot from the Rolleicord.
Hi There,
I have a Rolleiflex 2.8e, and a Rolleicord lll. I use them on occasion, but usually end up reaching for my 500c/m when I want to shoot 6X6.
Cheers,
KF
Todd.Hanz
04-17-2006, 19:59
A little TLR porn for those of you of legal age :)
Todd
NIKON KIU
04-17-2006, 20:02
Mamiya C220 :confused:
A co-worker made me buy it. :angel: Actualy always had a soft spot for Mamiya.....First camera I owned(hand me-down).
Kiu
What is it with all the 124Gs? I got me a "classic" 124 :-)
I feel that I might be a bit of a rare bird here on RFF. I shoot RF cameras for fairly specific purposes - throw in my bag type of stuff, and street shooting. For anything with which I have time and can use a tripod, I go medium or large format when I can.
There are a lot of amazing photos here. And there are a lot of situations when I can't use my 5x7. But if you've never seen a 5x7 negative, you haven't yet lived...:-)
And that's why I keep the TLR around. 6x6 is more portable than my 5x7, but a heckuva lot bigger than my 35mm stuff.
allan
Taipei-metro
04-17-2006, 20:26
Rolleiflex 2.8E2, Rolleiflex 3.5F, YashicaMat 124G, Yashica 635 and a few more.
I use mine a couple times a week, used it yesterday as a matter of fact. I love mine, here are a few samples...
These 3 photos are excellent!
plummerl
04-17-2006, 20:52
I have a Rolleiflex 2.8c, Xenotar (just given a new life by Harry Fleenor!), that has been with me for just shy of 30 years. It is approximately the same age as I am, and still going strong.
larry
Cord V user
It's meanwhile a part like my glasses ... I'm coming rarely without it :)
/rudi
Stephen G
04-17-2006, 21:38
I own a Rolleicord IIIa, truely a great camera for the price. I enjoy using it when I use it, in fact I often use it for on-tripod w/ off-camera bounce flash studio-ish shooting.
However, I do that next to never, and so the TLR sits on the shelf, sad. Luckily it has my Nikon SLR gear to keep it company.
I've got my grandfathers Yashica 635 that comes off the shelf occasionally. I must admit I started playing with rangefinders for thier size. The Yashica does not have the advantage here.
Since we're sharing, here's one from my first roll (only roll so far!) with the 124G.
BJ Bignell
04-18-2006, 03:57
I voted "use it some", which isn't entirely true. Currently, I use it none because it lives some 7000km away from me, but when I have it handy, I do use it regularly.
clarence
04-18-2006, 13:18
What is it with all the 124Gs? I got me a "classic" 124 :-)
I feel that I might be a bit of a rare bird here on RFF. I shoot RF cameras for fairly specific purposes - throw in my bag type of stuff, and street shooting. For anything with which I have time and can use a tripod, I go medium or large format when I can.
There are a lot of amazing photos here. And there are a lot of situations when I can't use my 5x7. But if you've never seen a 5x7 negative, you haven't yet lived...:-)
And that's why I keep the TLR around. 6x6 is more portable than my 5x7, but a heckuva lot bigger than my 35mm stuff.
allan
Allan, you're not the only one. I consider MF my primary format, and 35mm as my practice format. I smell the torches of the inquisition as I speak.
I am infatuated with the 6x6 format but TLRs are too unwieldy, so I use the Franka Solida I I got from Jonas with an accessory rangefinder instead as one of the three daily shooters I keep in my bag.
But if I had more opportunities to shoot (and a car), I'd bring my TLR and a tripod everywhere.
Clarence
Dracotype
04-18-2006, 18:10
To be sure, 6x6 is a thing to behold.
clarence and allan, have you noticed that when you shoot with 120 you don't shoot so many duds as when you shoot 35mm? pardon the heresy :D
I find I shoot more keepers when I am doing the 6x6 thing. I just seem work great with a TLR in my hands! :D
By the way, in case I wasn't in enough trouble already, it's a Seagull too!
Drew
To be sure, 6x6 is a thing to behold.
clarence and allan, have you noticed that when you shoot with 120 you don't shoot so many duds as when you shoot 35mm? pardon the heresy :D
I find I shoot more keepers when I am doing the 6x6 thing. I just seem work great with a TLR in my hands! :D
By the way, in case I wasn't in enough trouble already, it's a Seagull too!
Drew
I think you'll find the same effect increasing as you go up the film size food chain. I tend to take more time composing and checking exposure when shooting 4x5" than I do with either mf or 35mm. I don't think it is only because of the increase in cost per shot either. I have read more than once that larger formats tend to slow the process down which is probably not a bad thing in terms of end result.
<snip> By the way, in case I wasn't in enough trouble already, it's a Seagull too!
Drew
No worries Drew, I'm a proud Seagull owner as well. I love looking down on that ground glass (well, Fresnel lens, I guess) and not having to squint to see my framing or move things around to work around my eyeglasses.
Allan, you're not the only one. I consider MF my primary format, and 35mm as my practice format. I smell the torches of the inquisition as I speak.
I am infatuated with the 6x6 format but TLRs are too unwieldy, so I use the Franka Solida I I got from Jonas with an accessory rangefinder instead as one of the three daily shooters I keep in my bag.
But if I had more opportunities to shoot (and a car), I'd bring my TLR and a tripod everywhere.
Clarence
Have you tried a monopod? It certainly isn't a cure-all, but I've found it to be a pretty workable alternative to a tripod in a large number of situations.
clarence
04-19-2006, 02:33
Have you tried a monopod? It certainly isn't a cure-all, but I've found it to be a pretty workable alternative to a tripod in a large number of situations.
Hello Doug,
I've always had the impression that monopods wouldn't go well with landscapes because they tilt easily, and it might be a little hard to keep it all straight while looking down into the ground glass and composing. That's a very interesting suggestion, though. I might try it out sometime.
Thanks.
Clarence
It definitely takes some practice to keep it level and a cable release is mandatory, but it's better than nothing at all.
...have you noticed that when you shoot with 120 you don't shoot so many duds as when you shoot 35mm? pardon the heresy :D
I find I shoot more keepers when I am doing the 6x6 thing. I just seem work great with a TLR in my hands! :D
For me, at least, 6x6 - - whether with one of my TLRs or with a folder - - promotes a "measure twice, cut once" cadence to my photography. I have certainly noticed the higher percentage of "keepers" and I have attributed that phenomena to the more measured cadence.
I also notice that cadence when I am out with a group of photographers on an outing and they are all shooting 35mm, plasting away, and I'm the laggard in the group. Of course, then I go with my son and he is shooting 4x5, I'm the one left waiting...
I pass up a lot of good shots too when shooting 10 shots to a roll manual exposure manual focus. Some day I wanna take the RB67 to the local minor league baseball game. Just shoot people shots. Or maybe shoot the local news photographers with it. If they played in broad daylight instead of the evening I'd have a fighting chance - sunny 16 & go. But the further actual conditions get from sunny-16, the worse I do with estimating, and the more tedious shooting becomes. Is there a TLR I can get into under $100? Not only is there a budget issue here, if it approaches the cost of the 90mm lens for my RB it's gonna have to fight it out for camera dollars.
BrianShaw
04-19-2006, 08:00
TLR + monopod go together like coffe + cream. This was my primary rig for many, many years. It's a great combination! Try it, you'll like it!
BrianShaw
04-19-2006, 08:04
...
I feel that I might be a bit of a rare bird here on RFF. I shoot RF cameras for fairly specific purposes - throw in my bag type of stuff, and street shooting. For anything with which I have time and can use a tripod, I go medium or large format when I can.
...
Oh, Allan... a "true confessions" posting! All I can say is "me too", except I've been refraining from mentioning it. I'll further admit to being a 35mm SLR user for situations where that equipment is better suited.
I use my Rollie mainly for family portraits, and not that often. But a month or so ago I was out with my family and caught this in Scottsdale, AZ.
Cheers,
Craig
I have two 'Cords (one IV Xenar and a II with a nice uncoated Triotar) but I use them too seldom. I love looking down on the groundglass, and I really like the sqaure format. I feed them with Neopan 400 and go around town making photos on lazy sundays. I think they need a CLA. (cameras are financial black holes...) I once had a Vb in mint condition, but was forced to sell - worst thing I ever did, like cutting off a leg or something.
Lou Iaquinto
04-19-2006, 12:28
Mamiya C220 with three lens. A hand me down from the father-in-law a couple of months ago. I've only shot a few rolls with it but I love the 6x6 format.
Lou
...Is there a TLR I can get into under $100? Not only is there a budget issue here, if it approaches the cost of the 90mm lens for my RB it's gonna have to fight it out for camera dollars.
I got my son started in something other than 35mm with an Argoflex TLR that took both 120 and 620 (see http://www.argoflex.com/camera_guide.htm for a description of which models take both sizes of film) for under $25. I had to clean the shutter with a little lighter fluid and clean the mirror and ground glass (carefully), but for less than an hour's work, it served the purpose and got him hooked on something larger than 35mm. It was just a short step to using my C220 and C3, and then on to 4x5. He had fooled around with a Holga, but the Argoflex TLR was a "real camera." I recommend that path to anyone interested in giving TLRs a try.
Sorry RFF people, I still love the TLR. I have several Rolleiflexes and I particularly like the Tele Rollei.
I've always thought about getting my hands on the Rollei Wide but they always seem to go to the higher bidder at auctions. Don't you hate that!
Jeff
Hello Doug,
I've always had the impression that monopods wouldn't go well with landscapes because they tilt easily, and it might be a little hard to keep it all straight while looking down into the ground glass and composing. That's a very interesting suggestion, though. I might try it out sometime.
Thanks.
Clarence
Actually it works pretty well to help keep the camera upright and square. I attach the monopod directly to the base of the camera, without a ball head or pano head, and I just let the weight of the monopod pull the camera vertical.
I have a Rolleicord III (Xenar) which I use pretty often. My first serious camera was an SLR and I feel that a TLR is somewhere between that and a rangefinder in terms of composing and parallax. With a TLR, one knows where the edges of at least the left to right of the frame will be, though there will still be parallax differences top to bottom. Though I like the small size and speed of use of rangefinders, I'm still getting used to not knowing exactly where the edges of the frame are.
While we're sharing:
Todd.Hanz
04-19-2006, 17:27
outstanding image Craig!
Todd
oftheherd
04-19-2006, 18:20
I use my Rollie mainly for family portraits, and not that often. But a month or so ago I was out with my family and caught this in Scottsdale, AZ.
Cheers,
Craig
What an incredible photo!
tedwhite
04-19-2006, 18:26
Craig: I second Todd's comment. Gorgeous photograph. Y ou ough to send to a magazine called The Sun. They frequently use photographs that relate to their thematic content, which varies each issue.
I have a Rolleiflex E with the 2.8 Xenotar. I started out with a Rolleicord in the late sixties, my only camera at the time (my Spotmatic had crapped out) and had previously accepted an assignment from Cycle World magazine to photograph the Cotati 250 motorcycle race. Of course I assumed I would be shooting it with the Pentax and using my various lenses.
Nonplussed, I arrived at the track with my Rolleicord. I picked the best corner and watched the bikes come through the corner for a few minutes during practice. I realized if I focused on the pavement right where most of the tires were as they passed, I could forget focusing. I pushed down the front of the cover so I had the sportsfinder to simply look through. When the actual race started I panned the bikes as they passed. I was amazed at some of the shots as I made contact prints. The editor at CW liked the photos quite a bit and asked what Nikon I had been using. When I told him that I'd used a Rolleicord he didn't believe me.
Although I agree with most posters that rf's and slr's are for fast work, using the sports finder and pre=focusing or zone focusing can turn the staid Rollei into a reasonable street shooter.
Having said that, I only use mine for more studied and contemplative work. Maybe I should get off my butt and try doing what I did so many years ago.
TEd
Thanks Todd and Oftheherd,
I appreciate it. I was pretty excited when I saw the scene unfold before me. Nervous, too, as I am much more comfortable with my Leica in unfolding situations. But I metered with a small digital and preset focus and waited for the woman to come and join the man--she started to feed him and click! Sometimes things just fall into place. Too rarely, but sometimes.
Cheers,
Craig
Thanks, Ted. You must've sent your message as I was writing mine. Funny you described the preseting of the focus...that's exactly what I did for this shot. It happened pretty quickly. Thanks for the advice on The Sun...I just subscribed to it as I've had about 4 people now tell me I should send my stuff to them. I will. Thanks again for your supportive comment.
Cheers,
Craig
I am fortunate enough that the glass and mirror on my mat 124 are clear enough for me to do actual waist-level focusing. With my neck strap, I can do a lot of handheld work. I do bring the tripod of course when I can.
Right tool for the right job. If I can get away with a bigger negative, I do. If I need the speed and portability, then I choose different gear based on those needs.
It just means I own a lot of cameras. But I guess in that sense I am not a rare bird at all re: RFF.
allan
photogdave
04-19-2006, 19:07
Rolleiflex Automat w/ Tessar 3.5
and now thanks to DanielNorton:
2 Mamiya C33s w/ 65mm, 80mm and 135mm.
Waiting for my first roll to come back...
MelanieC
04-19-2006, 20:11
I guess you could say I like them. :)
Wow! What's that thing all the way on the left?
I love my Rollei -- it is beautiful and different. Often my friends do not know it is a camera at first. Here it is with my M3:
pstevenin
04-20-2006, 05:15
Rolleiflex 2.8C Planar and recently changed for a 2.8F screen . Love to use it from time to time for portraits with rolleinar 1.
Use it also with Ilford Delta 3200, works great for unobstrusive street shooting.
clarence
04-20-2006, 05:34
I am fortunate enough that the glass and mirror on my mat 124 are clear enough for me to do actual waist-level focusing. With my neck strap, I can do a lot of handheld work. I do bring the tripod of course when I can.
allan
I thought Waist-level-finder was an euphemism for chest-level! I've only had 2 TLRs, but both had glasses so dim that I usually had to bring them up to my sternum for when I was focussing.
Then again, my eyesight is bad enough (and my prescription glasses a little too old) to focus accurately even if the finder was bright enough at waist level.
Clarence
Wayne R. Scott
04-20-2006, 05:50
I have often thought, but have never seen it mentioned; that one of the reasons tlr's give such pleasing results in 3/4 to full portraits of people is due to the camera body and film plane postiion in relation to the the subject.
The tlr camera's position at waistlevel and the film plane being parralell to the subject plane gives a more pleasing perspective of your subject than when the camera is at a higher eye level and the film plane is tipped down.
Oh, I have several tlr's including Yashicamat, Mimolta Autocord, Kodak, Argus, Richoflex and Rollieflex. My personal favorites are the Minolta Autocord 6x6 and Rollieflex Baby 4x4. Your mileage may and probably will vary.
Wayne
clarence
04-20-2006, 05:54
I have often thought, but have never seen it mentioned; that one of the reasons tlr's give such pleasing results in 3/4 to full portraits of people is due to the camera body and film plane postiion in relation to the the subject.
The tlr camera's position at waistlevel and the film plane being parralell to the subject plane gives a more pleasing perspective of your subject than when the camera is at a higher eye level and the film plane is tipped down.
Wayne
Very pertinent observation, Wayne. The best portraits I've ever done were taken from waist / chest level, and I noticed the benefits of that particular perspective. Also, it helps lower the horizon and throw the sky up behind the subject, which frames the head very nicely.
If I had a medium format scanner I'd put some examples up here, but I haven't got one, and commercial scanning is terribly expensive.
Clarence
I have often thought, but have never seen it mentioned; that one of the reasons tlr's give such pleasing results in 3/4 to full portraits of people is due to the camera body and film plane postiion in relation to the the subject.
I think there may be something to it. I know I get much more natural expressions out of people with the RB67. Sometimes I get a mild case of what I call 'eye parallax', but I find kids especially - being able to see your face makes them less self-concious or prone to ham it up.
Just received my Rolleicord Vb this morning - now to figure out how it works! My first TLR if you haven't guessed.
It came without a lens cover - anyone have one for sale? Also looking for Bay 1 lens hood and B&W filters.
Cheers,
Nick
It is precisely because of GAS-inducing threads such as this one, that I have finally succumbed to a fairly prolonged bout of MF GAS and have just bought a Yashica Mat 124 (not the 124G).
I expect to receive it sometime next week, and can hardly wait...
Cheers,
MelanieC
04-20-2006, 10:18
I have often thought, but have never seen it mentioned; that one of the reasons tlr's give such pleasing results in 3/4 to full portraits of people is due to the camera body and film plane postiion in relation to the the subject.
The only portraits I've done with mine thus far have been of my dogs, but I like them because with the camera at waist level, I can get them to look at me instead of into the camera and therefore capture expressions I wouldn't with another camera.
I imagine humans react much the same way.
Uncle Bill
04-20-2006, 10:30
I don't own a TLR but I have a Rolleiflex on loan to me from my brother's vast fleet of gear. It has a schneider 85 2.8 lens. I have not played with it recently but I should.
Bill
KoNickon
04-20-2006, 11:28
Nick, with your Rolleicord, you wind the film and charge the shutter in two separate operations, in case you didn't know. Use the knob to wind the film. The little "pendant" hanging below the taking lens is pushed to the right (as you hold the camera) to charge the shutter, then you pull it gently to the left to trip the shutter. The Rolleicords are the only TLRs I know that operate this way. Setting shutter speeds and the aperture is pretty straightforward.
Nick, with your Rolleicord, you wind the film and charge the shutter in two separate operations, in case you didn't know.
Thanks, I was trying to trip the shutter to hear if the slower speeds are OK. Finally figured out that it needed film loaded in it for the shutter to work!
At the moment the photo taking process is very slow - this is also the first time I'm using a handheld meter!
Check exposure, set aperture, set shutter speed, focus with magnifier, check composition, click!
Hi Daniel,
I tried everything but couldn't fire the shutter until I loaded film into the camera. Do I have a problem with this camera? I'll try again when I've finished the current roll.
Thanks,
Nick
MikeyGaGa
04-21-2006, 02:24
Greetings:
I learned photography back in the mid 60s when TLRs were very much still in use.
My ROLLEI 3.5E was my main tool(I was a pro)for years.
If you are as enamored with TLRs has I am,see if you can find anything by FRITZ HENLE.
He wrote a TLR column for PoP or Modern Photography for a number of years,and also published a number of book..CASALS;VIRGIN ISLANDS;NEW ROLLEI PHOTOGRAPHY.
He was known as MrRollei;Rolleiflex published a box set of his prints for their 50th or 75th anniversary.
Anyone who rememnber Henle and was inspired by him,please reply.
Mikey GaGa
Well well. I knew there are a lot of people out there that still use (and even more that have) TLRs. I too got bitten by the TLR bug lately. It all started with a somewhat ugly Yashica Mat 124 (non G). It had some scratches on it's body, rear lens has lots of scratches and some fungus. Looks like all it should deliver is foggy "dreammy" pics. Yet - it performs wonderful. I got a near new condition one too and I can't tell the difference which pictures came from which - one with cristal clear lens vs. one with all the scratchy fungus. Experimenting with those just got me evn more fired up, so I got a couple of Rollieflexes too. One ugly with basic Tessar, which looked ready for junk yard when I got it. After taking lens, shutter, film transport appart and cleanning all, put it together, plus in a process added a brand new BROWN leather all around instead of it's original , almost peeled off black - it is now a fully working, plus cool looking TLR. Took me 2 weeks to do it all - never took one of these apart before, but it was worth it and cool experience. I also got a 2.8 one with Xenotar - very nice , solid camera. The more I use them all, the more I like them. Lately it's been more of MF for me than anything, using old TLRs or Folders, some 3 times older than me. Every time I pick up one of those - I'm amazed of the craftsmanship and lens quality that these great cameras have. And I'm so happy that it's very much a digital age now - I can have these beauties CHEAP!!!!!. And I think - picture quality and pleasure of using these fully manual machines work for me far better than any new digital offering today. To me - thats what photography is all about - use of a camera, not snapshooting. I think there is a lot of passion for a real photography lost in today's world, and these cameras keep that tiny flame going. I know - TLRs are not for everyone, yet I think people should try them anyway. They are great fun and a very nice tool that delivers awsome results.
Sorry for a long post.
George
I've a C220. It is fun to use. I believe if I had fewer cameras, it would get used more. I use it when I decide to upddate family portraits - so not frequently but enough. The best part is viewing the image on the shaded finder - with both eyes.
I have a Rolleiflex 3.5 Xenar I bought for $25 back in the mid-60's. Had the shutter CLA'd, and I put new leather on it, as the original was pretty bad. I don't use it a lot, but it's fun, and does great B&W.
I think, from looking at some books it's from 1949. The taking lens is coated but the viewing lens is not.
Oh, yes, I have a Rolleikin for it so I can shoot 35mm film. I've tried it and it works fine. Just have to be satisfied with verticals as it's real awkward to hold it sideways. :cool:
Rolleiflex MX 3.5 from 1951 with a Maxwell bright screen - great great camera.
Meopta Flexaret V (I think) - funky and does pretty good.
and perhaps the weirdest TLR you'll ever see:
Rapid Omegaflex - 6x7 TLR. Big but handles well and I can promise the odds are outrageously small you'll ever see anybody else using one :)
smiling gecko
05-09-2006, 15:34
...what an interesting, informative and fun thread.
ricardoD, you need a minolta autocord...there are some nice ones out there at very reasonable prices...besides e-prey, graze through the classifieds at rff, apug & pnet, maybe post a "WTB".
bruce, did you ever shoot any kodachrome 120 when it was available? i bought some, refrigerated it and like a bone head included it when i sold/horse traded off my rb67 (one of the times i had an rb...aarrgghh). i can't believe i never tried it when i had the chance...arrrgghh!! :bang:
dracotype, i too have noticed that when i use medium format i seem to get more "keepers"...i'm shooting less and enjoying it more!! :p
fgianni, i agree with you about the great handling of the autocord. for me, the ergonomics of the rolleiflexes just weren't for me...it seemed like my brain and left and right hand couldn't co-ordinate the film advance, focus, aperture, shutter speed & shutter release...the rolleicord seemed abit easier to use...like i say - must be me - 'cos there are legions of happy rolleiflex/cord users out there. that said, for me, the controls of the autocord fall right into place with the focus lever - front, low and centered - making the camera easy and quick to focus. when my budget can afford it, i want to put in either a maxwell, beattie or satinsnow screen to brighten-up the viewfinder.
glad to see an autocord found nikon bob, lushd,wayne r scott & (count?) scarpia...hey, we could start an autocord forum...yeah, in our "spare" time...for me the words "spare" and "scarce" have become interchangeable. my wife says - i think correctly - i try to do too much. :p
my first tlr was a mamiya c220 - great camera, great lenses - a solidly built camera, a bit heavier & bulkier then the rollei's, yashica's, minolta's and their kin. also had a c330, but preferred the c220 for a number of reasons.
a year or so later i got my first minolta autocord. did my first paying (family) portrait session with it. and that, i suppose got me "hooked " on medium format.
i used it quite a bit until the focus lever snapped off - my fault, careless carrying in and out of the camera bag - and then horsetraded it off to a camera repairman for a 500mm nikkor. the only "weak" part of the autocord is that ##XX&#***ing focus lever. there is a way to protect it ....aaccckk!, aargggh!!....the infamous "never ready case".
yup, yessirree. the good-old "never ready case". i leave the bottom part on all the time - yes, it slooooows down the reloading process, but... - and i put the top half back on when i'm not actually making an exposure. about five months ago i lucked onto the sale of an autocord III in practically "mint" condition w/ lens cap & instruction manual...i am determined to take better care of this one.
i also have a nice richomatic tlr that needs a trip to the shop...it got "bumped " during a trip & the shutter no longer releases...it wasn't in it's never ready case...i have since learned, finally.
somehow, i came up with the "brilliant" idea that the tlr would be a great way to shoot infrared film. i wanted to have one camera around always loaded with ir film without tying up one of my rfdrs and my few attempts using ir film in slrs were really frustrating . trying to compose through the lens was either really difficult or impossible with a deep red 25 filter a 72(?) or 72 (?) - the opaque one. composing through the tlr's viewing lens sans ir filter - a breeze. sooooo, a great way to put to good use a great style of camera.
ooh, ooh, ooh, i almost forgot...i have a new member to my little tlr family - a yashica 44 bought from rff'er robert frey - terrific to deal with. it was priced very reasonably and was in even better cosmetic & mechanical shape than was advertised...just got to order some 127film.
enough babbling from my brook for now.
take care, enjoy!!
hasta la vista, adieu, dazvidanya, fino al prossimo tempo, auf wiedersehen, and later y’all
kenneth
_______________________________________
"...patience and shuffle the cards" miguel cervantes
"nothing can be learned" herman hesse
"everybody knows everything" jack kerouac
"some memories are realities and better than anything" willa cather
" doo-wacka doo, wacka doo" roger miller
"we have met the enemy and they is us !" walt kelly (pogo)
“a mans cartilage is his fate” phillip roth
Wayne R. Scott
05-09-2006, 15:50
smiling gecko,
Funny you should mention IR film in a tlr, I had just placed an order with Freestyle for some this morning. I shoot 35mm IR in my Canon QL-17 G-III for the very reasons you mentioned.
Wayne
RicardoD
06-20-2006, 15:16
Smiling Gecko,
I ended up with a Yashica Mat 124G and loving it so far.
Phoenix Phil
06-20-2006, 19:07
I started using TLRs with a Rolleiflex 2.8D...made some of my best photographs with that camera. I stupidly sold it. Then I purchased a YashicaMat D (with Yashinon lens), 2 YashicaMat 124s, YashicaMat LM, Bronica SQA, Mamiya C22, and Ensign Autorange.
Even though I am emotionally attached to the Rolleiflex experience, I think it feels better in use than the YashicaMats. However, I think they produce equal technically similar images. In other words, the limitation lies within the image making ability between my ears.
The thing that I love about the TLR is that I could really compose the image in the viewfinder as compared to the viewfinder in a 35mm camera. By looking down at the viewfinder from a few inches, it feels similar to looking at a photo that I am critiquing while sitting at a table. My photo imaging ability changed dramatically.
They are all good cameras (the ones listed above) in their own right. The YashicaMat D and LM with Yashinon lens is a great buy.
billwheeler
06-20-2006, 19:20
I have a Rolleiflex and a Rolleicord, both of which date from the late fifties. What great cameras!
My option isn't in the poll :( I don't have one, but it's an experience I wouldn't mind having. I actually got round to buying a Rollei 66 once (OK, that's an SLR, but if you use the waist level finder, the main difference is the single lens) but it was far too bulky for me. Luckily, it was also damaged in transport, so I got my money back :) I would love to try the square format one day. And seeing the image reversed sounds like an interesting way to pay more attention to composition. I sometimes find the straight image of an RF/SLR distracting, particularly when framing in on people.
Peter.
I have a flexaret V. I bought it on evilbay to "cupog" and it works perfect as he said. If you want to try an inexpesive but good working TRL this seller from Slovaquia sells CLA Flexaret, Yashicamat and other TRL.
I enjoy using the TRL, but I don´t use it a lot, because I prefer RF cameras.
Just bought 2 rolls of Ilford FP4 (120 format) for my rolleicord, so I can use it again.
I thinks I need to replace the focusing screen though, its so damn dark!!! I do like them though, apart from the image mirroring/reversal - very confusing :)
There's a pretty Rolleicord IV for sale in the classifieds right now. (shameless plug)
EDIT: SOLD
VictorM.
06-21-2006, 17:47
When I first took up photography, I was an engineering student at SUATC Farmingdale. The school also had a photo tech curriculum and a library full of related books. Fritz Henle's books really caught my eye and, not able to afford a Rolleiflex, I bought a Yashica D (Yashinon). After many other cameras (Leica, Nikon, Konica Reflex, Sinar, etc.), I once again have tlr's. Now they're Rolleiflexes, three of them, an MX, MX-EVS, 3.5E. I just bought a copy of Henle's "fritz henle's rollei." My only disappointment is I'm no longer 19 years old. Oh well...I can still sometimes act 19 years old.
Greetings:
I learned photography back in the mid 60s when TLRs were very much still in use.
My ROLLEI 3.5E was my main tool(I was a pro)for years.
If you are as enamored with TLRs has I am,see if you can find anything by FRITZ HENLE.
He wrote a TLR column for PoP or Modern Photography for a number of years,and also published a number of book..CASALS;VIRGIN ISLANDS;NEW ROLLEI PHOTOGRAPHY.
He was known as MrRollei;Rolleiflex published a box set of his prints for their 50th or 75th anniversary.
Anyone who rememnber Henle and was inspired by him,please reply.
Mikey GaGa
I have a flexaret V. I bought it on evilbay to "cupog" and it works perfect as he said. If you want to try an inexpesive but good working TRL this seller from Slovaquia sells CLA Flexaret, Yashicamat and other TRL.
I believe cupog a.k.a. Gejza Dunay, goes over his wares before selling them.
Just posted about this on another thread, but I have a Flexaret VII that I bought in Slovakia a few years back. It was CLA'd and works pretty well. I've beaten it pretty bad and it's tempermental now, but I'd say they're good values, especially the CUPOG ones. He seems quite trustworthy.
There's a Rolleicord II in the box that hasn't seen action for the past 8 months. Needs a new mirror and film advance needs fixing. Shutter also needs CLA. It was cheap, though.
How many own and how many actually use TLR's (poll suggested by FrankS)
There is something wrong about this poll. I voted for option 1 and then I need to vote for one or more of the rest but there is no way to vote twice.
I own a TLR and use it often. How would I vote here?
Raid
Rolleiflex 2.8D, Rolleiflex Automat, Tele Rolleiflex.
These are my workhorses in MF.
Sharp, sharp, and sharp.
My Mamiya C330 sees a lot of action when I am feeling strong enough to lug it around. the only drawback is the square negative format which can be a bit limiting in terms of composition. I generally prefer a rectangular negative.
I am thinking of creating a 'Lubiloid' by sticking a Polaroid back onto a Lubitel TLR. Has anyone done this?
TLR + monopod go together like coffe + cream. This was my primary rig for many, many years. It's a great combination! Try it, you'll like it!
I live in a very tourist rich environment here in the 'peg, I put my C330 on a skinny little manfrotto pod and stroll along five blocks of coffee patio. It tends to cause a lot of double takes.
Funny though, no one ever seems to ask it that one's a digital. :D
I also have an ancient Zeiss IKOFLEX which still works like a charm.
My first experience was with an old Mamiyaflex (if I remember correctly) around 1976 in my school's photo club.
The first one I bought some five years ago was a YashicaMat 124G. I put a few rolls through it and quite liked the experience. I've been meaning to take it out again one day, but somehow that never seems to happen...
Then I have a Ricoh Diacord, but I'm not even sure it works: the frame counter doesn't jump back to zero when I open it. Never tried it.
Then another, earlier YahicaMat still waiting to be tried out. And finally, I just won an eBay auction yesterday for a British MPP Microcord II. I've been wanting one ever since I read about them in a "Classics for use" article by Ivor Mantanle in Amateur Photographer some years ago. Curious how that will turn out... and when I'll put my first roll through it ;)
Apart from that, still looking to buy a Minolta Autocord (maybe) and a Mamiya C330 (certainly).
My first experience was with an old Mamiyaflex (if I remember correctly) around 1976 in my school's photo club.
The first one I bought some five years ago was a YashicaMat 124G. I put a few rolls through it and quite liked the experience. I've been meaning to take it out again one day, but somehow that never seems to happen...
Then I have a Ricoh Diacord, but I'm not even sure it works: the frame counter doesn't jump back to zero when I open it. Never tried it.
Then another, earlier YahicaMat still waiting to be tried out. And finally, I just won an eBay auction yesterday for a British MPP Microcord II. I've been wanting one ever since I read about them in a "Classics for use" article by Ivor Mantanle in Amateur Photographer some years ago. Curious how that will turn out... and when I'll put my first roll through it ;)
Apart from that, still looking to buy a Minolta Autocord (maybe) and a Mamiya C330 (certainly).
Could you post your results of Microcord? I heard not so many good things about it. I would be really interested to see your results and hear your comments firsthand,
Thanks,
George
Just "re-animated" my B.I.G. Twin 4 and really like it. So I voted for some use.
Currently I am also waiting for a Yashica 12 in very good condition (hopefully) bought on the bay :-)
Cheers
Thomas-Michael
16 rolls of Lucky camera film coming my way. Not sure if £30 posted was a bit steep, but at least I've got a lot to play with now!
Has anyone seen that digi-tlr? its on Robert White I think.
Tom Harrell
06-26-2006, 10:08
I have two of them. One is a Rolleiflex the other is a Rolleicord. I like them both. But I have two Hassy's and shoot with them most of them time when I want a larger negative.
Regards,
Tom
oftheherd
06-27-2006, 18:02
I have commented in a couple of threads on TLRs. I have read others comments and seen their lists of the TLRs they own. Makes me salivate with envy. I thought it might be interesting to post the four I own.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/Rolleiflex_copy.jpg
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/Reflekta_copy.jpg
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/Rediflex_copy.jpg
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/Schnapps-O-Flex_copy.jpg
The first is the venerable Rolleiflex. The second is a Welta Reflekta. Both use 120 film. The third is an Ansco Rediflex, which I have never used, but takes 620 film. I have yet to identify which film type the Schnapps-O-Flex takes. :D The pour spout is through the flash, which has a cork that fits into the "body."
For some reason I don't seem to be able to get the insert image icon to work..
rogue_designer
07-06-2006, 04:52
My first "real" camera growing up was a Yashicamat 124G, which I used for a good ten years before my little sister went to college and I gave it to her to use. When she didn't return it (she liked it too much) - I upgraded to a Rolleiflex E3 with the 2.8 Planar. I've also since bought another 124G and mounted a wide adapter on it. The Rolleiflex is one of two or three cameras that go just about everywhere with me.
Scott --
07-06-2006, 05:57
I own two Rolleiflexes (both Automats - a type I with uncoated Tessar, and a 3 with coated Xenar and SK viewing lens) and a mint Yashica 24 which doesn't get near enough use. I use the type 1 Automat all the time. It's my all-time favorite camera, though my Super Memar is awful fun to shoot... ;)
http://static.flickr.com/66/162337424_efddd449be.jpg
I just uploaded the first three pictures taken yesterday with my Voigtländer focusing Brillant TLR. The Heliar lens seems to be great. I will play a little bit with this one while waiting for the f/2.0 Heliar which should be coming with a CV R3M in a few days...
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/gallery/2553/U2553I1152196065.SEQ.0.jpg
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/gallery/2553/U2553I1152196063.SEQ.0.jpg
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/gallery/2553/U2553I1152196060.SEQ.0.jpg
Abbazz
oftheherd
07-06-2006, 06:49
Interesting photos from Brunei. Good tonality too.
Great images, truly "Brilliant". The Heliar looks plenty sharp to me. It looks like even at the age of 70 years old that you have a pretty nice street shooter.
pesphoto
07-06-2006, 07:20
Agreed, those are impressive pics.
bob cole
07-06-2006, 07:32
I have one, too...A 1950s Rolleiflex 3.5 Tessar and as I have mentioned either here or elsewhere I had Essex Camera of New Jersey permanently convert it to 35mm with a Rolleikin adapter... It was my first Rollei and bought on time payments in upstate New York for about $150usd...I used to use it for family photos but rarely use it now, in favor of Leica rangefinders...Here's a picture: regards, bob cole
MelanieC
07-06-2006, 09:28
I find new reasons to love my 2.8F every time I use it.
I posted this in the Dogs thread already, but can't resist posting it again because I love this dog so freaking much. From the latest Rollei roll:
http://static.flickr.com/71/177156458_92d082dbe7.jpg?v=0
And the small auxiliary dog, the same day:
http://static.flickr.com/68/182715461_2b1680c576.jpg?v=0
Thanks to oftheherd, Solinar and pesphoto for the sweet words. Usually, Brillant TLRs have very basic features, with Bakelite body, range focusing and poor viewfinder. The FSU Lubitel is a copy of those Voiglander Brillant cameras. On the Brillant, the lens is the sweet part: 4 elements Skopar (Tessar formula) or 5 elements Heliar. They are selling for cheap, so you can get a good price on one of the more "advanced" models featuring through the lens focusing and Heliar lens.
Great shots, Melanie. I love the composition and shallow DOF. TLRs are great for pets (or children) portraits, because you can shoot comfortably at dog level without having to crawl in the dirt.
Abbazz
Gene M just posted this (http://westfordcomp.com/classiccameras/july06rolleiflex/index.htm) over at the photo net classics forum. The images are stunning.
I'll probably end up using this one fairly often (when it's finished):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/Greg_E/drollei3.jpg
rogue_designer
07-08-2006, 11:15
[QUOTE=Greg_E]I'll probably end up using this one fairly often (when it's finished):
(image deleted)
Greg - Digital back? Cut through somehow? or are you using on of the cut film backs (did they even make those for the cords)?
Started by cutting a hole in a badly beaten back, but that isn't going to work, so I need to make something else, and probably modify the body too. I decide to stop messing around with a "clean" modification when it became clear that no one would be interested in having one built for a new back. The 16mp back costs around $13,000 and I really doubt anyone would want something like this. So I'll use it for me and enjoy it. Wish I had the money for a second back with a monochrome sensor.
I really wanted to do that, but then I realised that it'd be so costly that the money is better spent on a DSLR, and keep the 'cord for 120 film.
you CAN get sheet film back for the rolleicords, look on ebay. In any case you can pick up a spare back or two. You're living the dream :D
I have two Rolleicords both CLA'd by Harry Fleenor and with Hi Lux screens installed by Bill Maxwell. They take stunning pictures but I hardly use them anymore, mostly because I can't seem to use them handheld like I can with the 500c. On a tripod they are great.
Yes, if the larger backs were cheaper, it would be great! That's why mine will probably remain at a lowly 6mp for a long time.
The first new new camera I bought a Mamya C330F with 80/2.8. It has kama. Followed by 55/4.5, 180/4.5 lenses and a paramender. I like the ground glass focusing and the of the quietness of the shutter, quieter than a well known rangefinder (tin hat ready) or the report of an SLR. The Texan Leica looks heavy by comparison Oh and the big negs too.
Dont kill me Kim or any other moderator!!
Thought this'll be the best place to say it. I've got a Rolleikin, it's got everything but the different film winder/counter thing (that is apparently bought seperately with this version, but it might just be missing) - hence it won't work with my 'cord 3.
Anyone (preferably UK) want it for cheap, or trade for something?
sorry to the mod's for not putting it in the classifieds
drmatthes
07-11-2006, 13:46
Being a Zeiss addict, for me it's a pre-war ZI Ikoflex I (850/60) w/ (unnumbered uncoated Rodenstock) Novar Anastigmat f/3.5, 7.5 cm in innominate ZI shutter (1-1/100 s).
Found it in big camera store's used stuff section in Hannover last year, for about US$ 90. Not quite a bargain but still a fair price for a camera in this condition (A-, fully working).
Obtained good results at our German Protestant Church Convent last year. Easy to handle, nice magnifying glass in viewfinder for exact focussing, plus an exposure chart on the left of the collapsible viewinder shaft that renders a meter unneccesary (eh, just kidding, we call this the "pi times thumb-lenght" method over here).
Nice basic camera, anyway. These Novars are good lenses, too. A bit soft as far as contrast is concerned, but no absolute need for Tessars given the standard of the time IMHO.
Jesko
Those Rodenstock Novars are some of the better triplets out there. Also, the Compur Rapid was a better mechanical design than the later Synchro-Compur MXV.
drmatthes
07-11-2006, 14:23
"Who spilled the Dektol on the bathroom carpet?"
Have no darkroom experience, but I LOVE that one...
Jesko
clarence
07-11-2006, 14:25
The first new new camera I bought a Mamya C330F with 80/2.8. It has kama. Followed by 55/4.5, 180/4.5 lenses and a paramender. I like the ground glass focusing and the of the quietness of the shutter, quieter than a well known rangefinder (tin hat ready) or the report of an SLR. The Texan Leica looks heavy by comparison Oh and the big negs too.
I must say the C220 and C330 I've used were extremely loud in comparison with any other leaf-shutter based cameras I've used. And they were certainly louder than a Leica M6.
You can't argue with those 6cm negatives, of course.
Clarence
I just got a CLA'd Minolta Autocord Export from Karl Bryan (Koshaugh on this forum and on ebay). Just won an auction lot of expired film including 53 rolls of Tri-X and Neopan 400. Can't wait to start shootin'
I didn't know that there was an export versus a non export version of the Autocord, but hey I'm sure that it will be put to good use.
With regards to Dektol, it takes about 24 hours for the stain to appear.
If you look at the list of the versions here http://www.wctatel.net/web/crye/a-cord.htm you'll see the export model made in 1958. It's somewhat commonly referred to as "export" but I'm not sure the name really means much.
But I made a mistake...mine is actually the later Citizen MVL model. And I'm excited to have it. It has very similar handling to my old "trusty" flexaret, with the focus lever and EVS system, two features I like. I'll post as soon as the darkroom is set up!
Dropping some rolls of C41 at my local lab on Saturday I noticed a f3.5 T 1 or 2 for sale just like the one my dad had when I was a kid, only the Tessa lens version but almost unmarked absolutely unmarked glass, brightest screen I’ve ever seen on a TLR. Having no interest in MF I’m not sure how I ended up buying it!! Or if I paid a fair price!
Anyway my dad was right about one thing, that's they are not toys, I was never allowed to go near his, it only took me about three hours to jam the shutter/winder. anyway it looks like time for a service and repair, unless anyone has any idea what I’ve done wrong!!
Wow, sparrow! nice work :D
I use mine on occasion for that reason - the 'cord is built solid, but I'd cry if I damaged it in any way. Good luck with getting it serviced :)
Michael I.
07-12-2006, 03:51
I love TLR's - I have just the yashicamat 124G with some issues.
I wanna learn how to fix them - it seams easy and fun - does anyone have any parts TLR's for me?I'm willing to trade some 35mm m42 stuff.
I have an older Yashicamat124 that is going to be of no use. It mostly functions, but the speeds are off. Can't remember about the glass though, I can check it tonight when I get home. Think it only cost me around $50. There are some diagrams over at the Kyphoto site that you migt want to grab.
Michael I.
07-12-2006, 09:20
I have an older Yashicamat124 that is going to be of no use. It mostly functions, but the speeds are off. Can't remember about the glass though, I can check it tonight when I get home. Think it only cost me around $50. There are some diagrams over at the Kyphoto site that you migt want to grab.
PM SENT.
I am on a tight budget and I hope it fits
I have 2: Rolleiflex 3.5 and Lubitel 166. Also I have a 6x45 Petri non coupled RF. My problem in using more these cameras: scanning. I have Pacific Film scanner, enough for 35mm, but for MF only a cheap flat bed. How do you scan? I propose next poll: "Do you have a MF film scanner?"
Michael I.
07-12-2006, 11:55
I hate the way commercial scans of MF look and cost around here - so I am getting a wet darkroom
I have an epson 4180...scans aren't bad and the price can't be beat.
Michael I.
07-12-2006, 16:24
how much resolution does it have in 35mm/6x6?
I hate the way commercial scans of MF look and cost around here - so I am getting a wet darkroom
You might also consider a refurbished Epson 4870. Fantastic scanner for MF at a great price and it does a good job on 35mm too. I haven't tried it on 4x5 film yet. It should have plenty of resolution for your needs. Scanning one 6x6 shot at 4800dpi came out to around a 350MB TIFF file and would produce something like a 30" x 30" print at 300dpi. Almost killed my Mac doing it but the scan was worth it. :)
Michael I.
07-12-2006, 18:11
You might also consider a refurbished Epson 4870. Fantastic scanner for MF at a great price and it does a good job on 35mm too. I haven't tried it on 4x5 film yet. It should have plenty of resolution for your needs. Scanning one 6x6 shot at 4800dpi came out to around a 350MB TIFF file and would produce something like a 30" x 30" print at 300dpi. Almost killed my Mac doing it but the scan was worth it. :)
The problem is that the refurbished version isnt available where I live(Israel)
Scanning one 6x6 shot at 4800dpi came out to around a 350MB TIFF file and would produce something like a 30" x 30" print at 300dpi. Almost killed my Mac doing it but the scan was worth it. :)
That would kill my old Pentiium 3. 2400 is already slow.
Yashica 124G with a few Heliopan filters.. I've shot a total of two rolls in it, one of which I forgot in the camera for two years! oops :P
I own a Rolleiflex 3.5f and a Yashica Mat. Used to own a Yashica 124G and a Mamiya 330S. It seems that you either love them or hate them; I love them but Jenny can't get along with them. Maybe it's the "back to front" image.
They are great for photographing children; especially babies on the floor. You can sit comfortable with the camera low and get some great shots.
Michael I.
07-17-2006, 06:02
I wonder how effective is the use of tlr's with 35 film adapters(yashica 635 rolleikin etc) it seems like a nice full portrait option
MelanieC
07-17-2006, 12:03
While this thread is still alive and kicking, I thought I'd share a bit of TLR pr0n with all y'all.
http://static.flickr.com/44/191967296_7312242f73.jpg?v=0
Rolleiflex 2.8F
While this thread is still alive and kicking, I thought I'd share a bit of TLR pr0n with all y'all.
Geez, I though my 2.8f was in decent shape, that looks minty
MelanieC
07-17-2006, 15:04
Geez, I though my 2.8f was in decent shape, that looks minty
It is!
http://static.flickr.com/62/191989555_b5001d734a.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/67/191989554_6c822edc06.jpg?v=0
I'm a 2-Rollei guy. Have had a 2.8F for ages, and a few months ago picked up a 3.5MX which had just been overhauled by Harry Fleenor (I had my F done by him a few years ago). Both of them have aftermarket bright screens, and I've got hoods and B+W multicoated UV filters for them. Have the prism for the F also but rarely use it. Both cameras have the little focusing window under the sportsfinder sight so I use that for eyelevel, action-type shots. For a while I had a Hasselblad with 3 lenses but sold it. Too much to haul around. Love the Rolleis and don't feel at all constricted by the fixed lens. Can crop the neg down to half size (doubling the focal length effectively without reducing d.o.f.) and still have more film than a 35mm neg. Also I discovered my wife's Canon Elph came with panoramic stitching software that works very well, so I often take 2 tripod-mounted shots with about a 25% overlap and get effectively a 6x9cm "neg" shot with the 75 or 80, which is roughly comparable to a 35mm wide angle (on 35mm format).
Michael I.
07-18-2006, 07:17
Rolleis make me drool.I think they are the most estetic(esteticest?)cameras ever made.Love the craftsmanship.wish the more usable models would be cheaper though.Yashicamat for me in the meanwhile.
oftheherd
07-29-2006, 11:00
Rolleis make me drool.I think they are the most estetic(esteticest?)cameras ever made.Love the craftsmanship.wish the more usable models would be cheaper though.Yashicamat for me in the meanwhile.
Nothing wrong with the Yashicamats. My first TLR was a Yashicamat 124 MAT G and I loved it. That big negative was awesome. After it got stolen, I got a Mamiya Super Press and didn't look back. I acquired a Rolleiflex 3.5 in a multi-camera deal and wouldn't give it up, but I seldom use it. I still miss the Yashicamat sometimes.
I sorta inherited a Mamiya C220, used it for a wedding once, and sold it because I wasn't using it much, and also because I liked the parallax correction indicator on the Mamiya C330. Just recently I took a look at those old wedding photos, and they were nice! (They're on my flickr site if anyone is curious...just click on the link below). Out of curiousity, I checked ebay to see what they were going for...jeez, really cheap! So what the hell, I bought two of 'em, one with a prism finder, and three lenses; the 80mm, the 105mm, and the 180mm super. All this for about the same price that I sold the C220 with an 80mm and 55mm several years ago. I am rich with cameras.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/haroldgee/sets/72157594197127772/
SCOTFORTHLAD
07-29-2006, 13:17
I have owned a Seagull 4A ,and a Yashicamat,at different times in the past,and enjoyed them both,but found processing in the UK to be expensive.Yesterday I received a really nice Rolleicord 1a,circa 1936!!,from Greyhoundman.I am really looking forward to trying it out.:)
If I can get around the processing aspect,I can see me having a lot of fun,and possibly adding a more modern TLR at some stage.
Brian.
Robin Harrison
07-29-2006, 16:29
Just recieved a Yashica 635 in the post today! A great 6x6 TLR, with the amazing bonus of being able to transform into a marvelous 35mm candid street portrait shooter!
Just recieved a Yashica 635 in the post today! A great 6x6 TLR, with the amazing bonus of being able to transform into a marvelous 35mm candid street portrait shooter!
Do you have all the parts for the 35mm? I have most of them for my 635, just missing the parts for the spools and the viewfinder mask.
stephen_lumsden
08-01-2006, 04:43
I think I am definitely going into the tlr fan camp now as my third one (a Rolleiflex Automat ) is in the post now after getting one off the classifieds here. I know it was not really necesary but I have justified it as I need something to put slower film in + 6X6 is worth the effort, but a MF RF would be too expensive for me, well may be an Iskra for Christmas :-).
regards
Stephen
Yea I actually love TLR's. I'm glad I didnt buy a cheap one (I class £120 as 'expensive' for a camera!) and my Rolleicord III is coming into its own.
I'm not sure I want to buy another one, but I'd hate to damage or lose this one.
Greg, would a Rolleikin be any use to you?? ie the spools and masks??
Thanks, but I'm not sure if I'll ever use the 35mm of the Yashica now that Im building the other 'cord. You should be able to get a good price if the kit is complete. Watch ebay for a while to see what kind of prices are being gotten, and then try to time you auction so that there aren't too many available after yours ends. If it is complete, I think you should be able to get around $100 USD, which would ofset the price of your 'cord very nicely. Even if you only have some of the parts, you might be able to get a good amount.
Last night I decided that the pleather on my 635 has to go. There was nothing wrong with it, other than being pleather. So I think I'm going to put on a nice smooth grain goat skin in black, though I may go with some really nice red smooth lamb skin that I have.
I've had no luck with the 'kin. I bought it as a complete and after a month I went to use it, and found that the "optional" 35mm film winder attachment piece wasn't there. I basically got ripped, or else its a version that only works on a few models of the rolleicord or rolleiflex. I dont really have any hope of getting rid of it. I had it up for two 10 day listings at £20 and no-one wanted it.
It's been stuck in a draw since late last year, so I lost hope in getting any money back for it. No worries just thought you may want it for parts :)
I don't have a TLR. I have a Bronica SQA medium format SLR. I have been looking at used Rolleiflexes and thinking that they look kinda neat. You guys that use Rolleiflexes might like to tell me why I should buy and use one. I 'm very interested, but before laying out that kid of cash I'd like some opinions from those with experiece.
TLR's are the medium format equivalent of fixed lens rangefinders in the 35mm world. They are best appreciated if they are inexpensive. Serious photography is possible, but without the flexibility of an SLR system.
Two plusses are are quiet shutters and complete forgiveness by most of the general public when shooting. I shoot mainly in the slow mode with a TLR.
They look cool
They feel cool
You look cool using one
They sound cool (if you can hear em at all :D )
Rollei/Yashica/etc are excellent picture takers
Oh, and you know you gotta have one just because you haven't. You're missing out on the cool kids club ;)
Michael I.
08-03-2006, 03:47
they are usefull for photographing people staring at them
...... with a bemused expression that is priceless.
Or a curious half-frown, half-raised lip miming "huh?", while you shout "hold that pose!"
rogue_designer
08-03-2006, 03:58
They are also unfamiliar enough to the younger generation that you can have genuine fun with them when they ask how many megapixels it is...
(my standard response is that it's a 22mp that also takes HD digital video through the second lens)
Michael I.
08-03-2006, 04:40
my yashicamat is my main(but not only)reason for getting a wet darkroom(which is in Haifa- which ia a warzone now so I will pick it up later).Just cant stand the look of poorly scanned 6x6
TLR's are the medium format equivalent of fixed lens rangefinders in the 35mm world.
What about Mamiya C series TLRs.
clarence
08-04-2006, 21:41
What about Mamiya C series TLRs.
And regarding the original reference, what about fixed-lens medium format rangefinders?
But that's just begging the question.
Clarence
Adam Muir
08-06-2006, 01:56
laugh my arse off, sold my mamiya C3 TLR 2 weeks ago and doubt I will ever miss it, sold my whole Mamiya 645 Kit a week ago and know I will never miss it. TLR...SLR... I really like my 6 X 9 RF. and my 6 X 6 RF. I only use SLR's / DSLR's for work. aside from that I have no time for LR's of any kind, not enough chaos and chance for my liking.
I'm not sure I want to buy another one, but I'd hate to damage or lose this one.
Yeah, that's how it all begins... At one point I had 4 Rolleicords, three of them "replacements" in case of something happening to my beloved Vb. Nowadays I have two, but I am on the fence about buying a third. The body count may be rising yet again... ;)
I'm going to buy another as soon as I can afford it. A higher quality rolleiflex, maybe with light meter or flash sync for portraits etc
Well, I shouldn't have written what I did earlier today... Can you believe it, I found a Vb, bought it right off the bat, and now I am waiting for delivery... Eeek. Time to schedule a CLA at the camera doctor and break out a brick of Neopan 400, I guess! :D
thelovecollect
09-07-2006, 22:05
i had a yashica mat 124g...
i thought the screen was too dim...
the yashinon lens rocks...sold it to finance mamiya's...
i actually bought it almost brand new on ebay...i don't miss it though, i'd rather have a 203fe hassy or rolleiflex 6008af if i want to look through a waistlevel again...
Stephanie Brim
09-07-2006, 22:20
Well, I shouldn't have written what I did earlier today... Can you believe it, I found a Vb, bought it right off the bat, and now I am waiting for delivery... Eeek. Time to schedule a CLA at the camera doctor and break out a brick of Neopan 400, I guess! :D
That had to set you back a bit...I haven't seen them go for low amounts lately. ;)
I used to have a giant roomate...really, he was a little under 7 feet tall...like I said, a giant. He LOVED the twin lens reflex...said it put him at eye level with everyone else so he didn't have to stoop down. It's a reason to use a TLR that I'd never previously considered.
Vodid, that's so funny! Fair play to him :)
I'm waiting for a cashflow soon to re-skin the rolleiflex, but both that and the rolleicord have new, super bright screens. I honestly can't ever see myself selling either.
I've two long focus lens for my c33 these are candid if you can hold steady enough... The C33 is lighter then a 6x7 SLR... The shutter does not make a noise, though you can see the cocking lever go twang...
Everything takes ages, so I dont use them often, I've forgotten what the focal length of the long lens is (180mm?).
Noel
smiling gecko
09-08-2006, 21:35
...minolta autocord III. great lens, ergonomics and value.
try watching ebay for awhile for "just the right one", they go for $75-$200 - depednding on model, condition, and whim-of-the-seller.
slightly dim view finder indoors or in shade. guess i could replace with a maxwell or beattie or satin snow. it's not a high priority fix.
only complaint: focus knob is prone to breaking off if you just sling camera about. best defense: when not around your neck, use the "never-ready case" top half. i don't mind having to wrangle the top half off, i'm usually not in a hurry to "whip-it out" and "blast away" - hey, isn't that what a crown graphic w/grafmatic back is for? :p
for first timers: since the image in the viewfinder is unreversed, composing/framing takes a little time getting accustomed to. in other words, as you look through the viewfinder and start composing you will notice that tree/person/etc on the left side of the viewfinder is actually on your right side out of the viewfinder...
there are other brands as well. i had (and may yet buy again) different mamiya's - c-3, c-33, later a c-220. the nifty thing with these cameras are the interchangeable lens. and with the bellows draw you can get really close focus . the trade-off is they are heavier and bulkier than their fixed lens kin.
gotta go, need to find the eye-level finder for my 4x5 gowlandflex...not really. :D tho' there is an interesting "handbuilt" 6x7 tlr on ebay - pricey.
hasta la vista, adieu, daskorava, fino al prossimo tempo, auf wiedersehen, and later y’all
kenneth :p :p :p
www.neverforgetbeslan.com
___________________________________
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"nothing can be learned" herman hesse
"everybody knows everything" jack kerouac
"some memories are realities and better than anything" willa cather
" doo-wacka doo, wacka doo" roger miller
"we have see the enemy and they is us !" walt kelly (pogo)
“a man’s cartilage is his fate” phillip roth
smiling gecko
09-08-2006, 21:36
...minolta autocord III. great lens, ergonomics and value.
try watching ebay for awhile for "just the right one", they go for $75-$200 - depednding on model, condition, and whim-of-the-seller.
slightly dim viewfinder indoors or in shade. guess i could replace with a maxwell or beattie or satin snow. it's not a high priority fix.
only complaint: focus knob is prone to breaking off if you just sling camera about. best defense: when not around your neck, use the "never-ready case" top half. i don't mind having to wrangle the top half off, i'm usually not in a hurry to "whip-it out" and "blast away" - hey, isn't that what a crown graphic w/grafmatic back is for? :p
for first timers: since the image in the viewfinder is unreversed, composing/framing takes a little time getting accustomed to. in other words, as you look through the viewfinder and start composing you will notice that tree/person/etc on the left side of the viewfinder is actually on your right side out of the viewfinder...
there are other brands as well. i had (and may yet buy again) different mamiya's - c-3, c-33, later a c-220. the nifty thing with these cameras are the interchangeable lens. and with the bellows draw you can get really close focus . the trade-off is they are heavier and bulkier than their fixed lens kin.
gotta go, need to find the eye-level finder for my 4x5 gowlandflex...not really. :D tho' there is an interesting "handbuilt" 6x7 tlr on ebay - pricey.
hasta la vista, adieu, daskorava, fino al prossimo tempo, auf wiedersehen, and later y’all
kenneth :p :p :p
www.neverforgetbeslan.com
___________________________________
"...patience and shuffle the cards" miguel cervantes
"nothing can be learned" herman hesse
"everybody knows everything" jack kerouac
"some memories are realities and better than anything" willa cather
" doo-wacka doo, wacka doo" roger miller
"we have see the enemy and they is us !" walt kelly (pogo)
“a man’s cartilage is his fate” phillip roth
smiling gecko
09-08-2006, 21:39
...minolta autocord III. great lens, ergonomics and value.
try watching ebay for awhile for "just the right one", they go for $75-$200 - depednding on model, condition, and whim-of-the-seller.
slightly dim viewfinder indoors or in shade. guess i could replace with a maxwell or beattie or satin snow. it's not a high priority fix.
only complaint: focus knob is prone to breaking off if you just sling camera about. best defense: when not around your neck, use the "never-ready case" top half. i don't mind having to wrangle the top half off, most of the time i'm not in a hurry to "whip-it out" and "blast away" - hey, isn't that what a crown graphic w/grafmatic back is for? :p
for first timers: since the image in the viewfinder is unreversed, composing/framing takes a little time getting accustomed to. in other words, as you look through the viewfinder and start composing you will notice that tree/person/etc on the left side of the viewfinder is actually on your right side out of the viewfinder...
there are other brands as well. i had (and may yet buy again) different mamiya's - c-3, c-33, later a c-220. the nifty thing with these cameras are the interchangeable lens. and with the bellows draw you can get really close focus . the trade-off is they are heavier and bulkier than their fixed lens kin.
gotta go, need to find the eye-level finder for my 4x5 gowlandflex...not really. :D tho' there is an interesting "handbuilt" 6x7 tlr on ebay - pricey.
hasta la vista, adieu, daskorava, fino al prossimo tempo, auf wiedersehen, and later y’all
kenneth :p :p :p
www.neverforgetbeslan.com
___________________________________
"...patience and shuffle the cards" miguel cervantes
"nothing can be learned" herman hesse
"everybody knows everything" jack kerouac
"some memories are realities and better than anything" willa cather
" doo-wacka doo, wacka doo" roger miller
"we have see the enemy and they is us !" walt kelly (pogo)
“a man’s cartilage is his fate” phillip roth
smiling gecko
09-08-2006, 21:41
...minolta autocord III. great lens, ergonomics and value.
try watching ebay for awhile for "just the right one", they go for $75-$200 - depednding on model, condition, and whim-of-the-seller.
slightly dim viewfinder indoors or in shade. guess i could replace with a maxwell or beattie or satin snow. it's not a high priority fix.
only complaint: focus knob is prone to breaking off if you just sling camera about. best defense: when not around your neck, use the "never-ready case" top half. i don't mind having to wrangle the top half off, most of the time i'm not in a hurry to "whip-it out" and "blast away" - hey, isn't that what a crown graphic w/grafmatic back is for? :p
for first timers: since the image in the viewfinder is unreversed, composing/framing takes a little time getting accustomed to. in other words, as you look through the viewfinder and start composing you will notice that tree/person/etc on the left side of the viewfinder is actually on your right side out of the viewfinder...
there are other brands as well. i had (and may yet buy again) different mamiya's - c-3, c-33, later a c-220. the nifty thing with these cameras are the interchangeable lens and with the bellows draw you can get really close focus. the trade-off is they are heavier and bulkier than their fixed lens kin.
gotta go, need to find the eye-level finder for my 4x5 gowlandflex...not really. :D tho' there is an interesting "handbuilt" 6x7 tlr on ebay - pricey.
hasta la vista, adieu, daskorava, fino al prossimo tempo, auf wiedersehen, and later y’all
kenneth :p :p :p
www.neverforgetbeslan.com
___________________________________
"...patience and shuffle the cards" miguel cervantes
"nothing can be learned" herman hesse
"everybody knows everything" jack kerouac
"some memories are realities and better than anything" willa cather
" doo-wacka doo, wacka doo" roger miller
"we have see the enemy and they is us !" walt kelly (pogo)
“a man’s cartilage is his fate” phillip roth
Austintatious
09-09-2006, 05:32
I LOVE using my Yashicamat 124G! The reason I do not shoot with it more often is that there are almost no labs in my city that develop 120 film. They mail it off with a two week turn around time. :-( There is one place here that will do it inhouse, but is on the far side of the city. It is also more costly to do than 35MM. But, that said, it is a great camera & I love to use it. Got three rolls in the fridge now!
Charles
ErnestoJL
09-09-2006, 06:50
I owned a Yashica 635, and sold it many years ago. I regretted doing so for some time, but at last I realized that using a camera without double exposure prevention was kind of a pain in somewhere.
Later I got a Meopta Flexaret VI and this one has film advance and shutter cocking with the same knob, a desirable feature.
I don´t use it so often (as well as my other MFs) just for the price of film.
Anyway it´s a valuable piece of equipment that I use when shooting weddings, birthday parties and some other assignements which do not require
speed but quality.
Ernesto
David Goldfarb
09-10-2006, 12:56
My only TLR is a Voigtlander Superb with an uncoated Heliar (early 1930s). I use it occasionally. This was a very innovative camera for its day. It was the first TLR with parallax correction--the whole viewing system tilts as you focus. It also has a frame counter and a racheting lever wind film advance (but no auto stop) for horizontal film travel. All the settings--aperture, shutter speed, and focus distance--are visible from the viewing position. The shutter speeds are reverse engraved so that they can be read with a prism, and there is a bullet level in the finder. I had the focusing screen upgraded to a modern screen, and the mirror, which was flaking, has been replaced.
Here's a scan of a color transparency (Fuji RMS) made with this camera in Central Park, Manhattan.
The professional labs I deal with on a regular basis now say that they cannot print black and white proofs any more onto black and white paper, since Kodak has discontinued their black and white papers. But they can still do contact prints onto black and white paper, of another source apparently. So, I sent in a roll of black and white film for the first time for contact prints - the camera was a Rolleiflex 3.5F, the film TMAX 100, and all exposures were measured by the incident method - results were great. I had just re-purchased a Rollei 35S originally intended for black and white work and this probably was a mistake, as contact prints from 35mm are just too too small to view. But the 6x6 contacts are indeed viewable, so an unexpectedly need is now fulfilled from an unlikely source, the TLRs.
SCOTFORTHLAD
09-16-2006, 11:57
I owned a Yashica 635, and sold it many years ago. I regretted doing so for some time, but at last I realized that using a camera without double exposure prevention was kind of a pain in somewhere.
Later I got a Meopta Flexaret VI and this one has film advance and shutter cocking with the same knob, a desirable feature.
I don´t use it so often (as well as my other MFs) just for the price of film.
Anyway it´s a valuable piece of equipment that I use when shooting weddings, birthday parties and some other assignements which do not require
speed but quality.
Ernesto
Hello Ernesto,
I have a Rolleicord 1a,which I bought recently from Greyhoundman, which is great,and which I enjoy very much.I notice that you use a Flexaret,various models of which are regularly available on Ebay here in Europe,and as I know nothing about them,I was wondering how good they are.Would you have time to give me some advice.
Cheers,
Brian.
ErnestoJL
09-16-2006, 13:12
I forgot to say that I also own and old Topcon Primo Jr 4x4 (it uses 127 film which is difficult to find). The negs from this one were really good, but film availability makes this camera most a collector´s item than a user.
Brian:
Owning a Rolleicord from G´man means you got a nice camera!
Flexarets are "rare" cameras here, as they weren´t imported in significant quantities, but the few I´ve seen were in good shape and working.
The lens quality isn´t bad (Meopta has a good reputation of fine enlarging lens makers). Mine is a model VI and has a pair of Meopta belar 75mm f3.5 which is a Tessar based design mounted in a Prontor SVS shutter (B; 1 to 1/500) but some models came with Pronto shutters made in the former DDR going only up to 1 /400.
Optically the camera is fine. The lenses have a very thin coating so most of them may have cleaning marks in the front lens. They take standard B30 bayonet filters and hoods.
I just can´t tell you about the other models because of the few imported, but I´ve seen one model III which has separated film advance and shutter cocking.
The later models called "automatic" (types VI and VII with all the variants) have both functions done with the same knob.
In fact is a very simple camera, not mechanically sophisticated as a Rollei but I´m aware that for general picture taking they are really good.
It´s general design goes in a different way than the Rollei and Rollei clones as the focusing isn´t done with a knob from the side of the camera, but with a lever that swings from side to side of the camera front and has the DOF scale engraved on it. Unusual but effective. This makes the focusing system a fine depart from Rollei as Meopta used a helix instead of a rack and pinion movement.
The shutter trigger is located at mid height instead of in the front lower part of the camera. It forces you to handle the camera with your left hand under the body, and focus & shoot with your right hand. Another depart from Rollei.
I received the camera as payment for the reassembly and CLA of a Compur Press shutter. Needless to say that both (camera and shutter) came in two plastic bags as a puzzle.
I had another type VI in my hands and it belongs to my girlfriend who inherited it from her dad, many years ago.
My general opinion about this camera is that it´s a good camera, which original price was far lower than a Rollei, but not lacking as much as the price difference may suggest. If you find one in nice shape, I guess you won´t regret it.
In case you want more info, feel free to PM or mail me.
Cheers
Ernesto
SCOTFORTHLAD
09-16-2006, 13:44
Ernesto,
Very many thanks for your really comprehensive and very helpful advice on the Flexaret.This gives me the opportunity to look around with much more confidence.I will let you know how things proceed,
Best regards fom Wales,:)
Brian.
LazyHammock
09-19-2006, 09:58
My user is a Voigtlander Brillant with the 75mm Heliar (circa 1938). I had a CLA on the shutter last year and it performs really well. It is compact, very basic (you estimate the distance, manually cock the shutter and estimate how far to wind-on since the peephole doesn't seem to line up with the film paper markings) but it produces some wonderful images.
The TLR is always in my bag alongside my RF. I like using the Voigtlander TLR so much that I have a Rolleiflex Automat MX winging its way to me as I write.
Nick
My user is a Voigtlander Brillant with the 75mm Heliar (circa 1938). I had a CLA on the shutter last year and it performs really well. It is compact, very basic (you estimate the distance, manually cock the shutter and estimate how far to wind-on since the peephole doesn't seem to line up with the film paper markings) but it produces some wonderful images.
Nick,
I fully agree regarding the Voigtlander Brillant. Mine is a later model ('focusing' Brillant), which offers a coupled viewing lens for easier focusing, as well as automatic film advance. The Heliar lens is great and you don't find so many TLRs with 5 glass lenses. The camera is lighter and much more compact than my Mamiya C330s. The only problem with these late Brillants is that they were lower end TLRs, so their construction is not very sturdy. The ones offered for sale are often plagued with light leaks due to a damaged light trap on the frail bakelite body and out of alignment coupling between taking and viewing lenses.
Cheers,
Abbazz
LazyHammock
09-19-2006, 20:28
Abbazz,
My Brillant is the earlier? metal version and it fits very tight when closed - I haven't had any leaks and the felt is in great condition. The best $20 I ever spent!
I've used a C330 on a number of occasions but I'm quite happy having just a normal lens and there must be at least 2lbs difference in weight!
Cheers,
Nick
Stephanie Brim
09-19-2006, 20:40
I'm trying to get the name of someone who can fix my Meopta Flexaret VI (the shutter has actually given up working on me now) and I will have the Ikoflex that I just got from Ebay. Both cameras, once in full working condition, will be used. Most likely extensively. I love square format.
LazyHammock
09-19-2006, 20:51
Stephanie,
I get the impression that TLR shutters are relatively simple to CLA, Hopefully someone will be able to give you a recommendation close to home. You should be paying <$100, although I'm sure there are plenty of experts here or on APUG that could guide you through the process. I'm sure you know this already!
Cheers,
Nick
I would say send it to me, but I've got a bunch of projects going right now, so it would be a while before I could even look at it, let alone determine if I could fix it. Aside from the stuff I've mentioned over at APUG, I've got an original model Rolleiflex that I want to rebuild. It's in decent shape for being 60+ years old, but does need some attention to get back to a working condition.
The one reason I would even consider looking at your Flexaret is because I think I would kind of like to buy one. But at the moment I have way too many cameras, and not enough time to even use the ones that work. Hopefully I'll start to have some time to fix the ones that don't soon.
If you really want it fixed, there is a guy who sells a lot of Flexarets on ebay from the Ukraine. You might try contacting him and see if there is somewhere to send yours (maybe back to Meopta). But this is another camera where the repair may cost way more than the price of a good working camera. The prices that I remember were under or around $100 including shipping, and most good CLA will run you around $75.
Mackinaw
09-21-2006, 05:29
How many own and how many actually use TLR's
Just bought an old Mamiya C220 which I'll be getting in a few days. While I also have an old Mamiya 6 folder, I like the C220 because of the option of interchangeable lenses. Looking forward to the TLR experience.
Jim Bielecki
Actually, Cupog, the flexaret ebay seller, is based in Bratislava, Slovakia. A CLA with all the shipping might cost not much less than a "new" one from him but he's worth asking. I've spoken with him and he seems quite reasonble and knowledgeable, especially about the weird shutter on my Flexaret VII.
giellaleafapmu
09-21-2006, 12:49
How many own and how many actually use TLR's (poll suggested by FrankS)
I have one (and two lenses...guess the maker of the camera...) and I use it but not a lot.
For usual street stuff is big. For what enjoy most (products and still life at home) I like view cameras because of movements.
Giella lea Fapmu
Jim,
You'll like the 220. I have a 330 with a (black) normal and a wide lens. Great resolution. It shoots wonderful photos. Because of it's size, it feels more like a field camera. I almost always use it on a tripod. I also own a Rollei 2.8c Xenotar. Possibly heavier, it's more compact and can be used in more situations. Also with an exceptional lens.
SCOTFORTHLAD
09-23-2006, 12:08
Just fitted a replacement viewing screen from Rick Oleson,to the fine Rolleicord 1, which I bought from G'Man earlier this year.It is a great improvement over the original screen,and I would recommend these screens to anyone considering a similar improvement.
I'm looking forward to my next film with a lovely camera,(and to seeing much more than my own reflection in the screen!) :)
Brian.
SCOTFORTHLAD
09-24-2006, 13:53
Succumbed to the temptation of the Graflex 22 from Memphis.Looking forward to some photographic excellence from the USA.
I have an early production Rolleicord III (made in 1950, according to the serial number) that I inherited from an uncle of my wife's. It needed servicing, now works like a charm.
That was almost exactly ten years ago, I have used it quite a bit since then.
bmicklea
09-25-2006, 08:21
A few years ago I picked up a Rolleiflex 2.8d that is nice and smooth after its CLA. I've put about 20 rolls through it. Love using it for people shots as the lens softness wide open is quite flattering for most people.
Example here: http://www.micklea.com/gallery/rnd/alli_at_work_B_W
Brad,
I have a 2.8c, xenotar. Wonderful camera that I do not use enough. Which lens do you have?
bmicklea
09-29-2006, 13:01
I have the Planar. I've never seen shots from another 2.8 from the same era for comparison. Do you find yours a little soft at 2.8 as well?
Well,
I'd have to look back at the prints I took at 2.8. I do remember them with excellent bokeh. They are not tack sharp though. All in all, I've mostly used the lens at 2.8 for indoor portraits in natural light. Slightly soft, yes, I agree with you there. Overall a very nice effect.
bmicklea
09-29-2006, 13:38
Beautiful bokeh for sure. It's definitely a fantastic camera for portraits I've gotten a lot of good shots with it. Although I need to replace the screen in mine - it's so dim I have trouble focusing in lower light. Keep meaning to do that...
Yeah,
Mine too. I unscrewed the top and cleaned the mirror and screen. It helped, but a nice, new Maxwell screen would help alot more. Too bad they cost so much. The only real thing I dislike is the 2.8C retains the old shutter speeds. I have to guestimate with a meter.
lubitel 166 that I got for free, lovely little piece of plastic that I should use more often.
thawkins
10-08-2006, 18:25
I use a Yashicamat on a regular basis. I load it with Delta 100, Tri-X, Reala and occasionally Velvia. Seeing the image on the ground glass is inspiring.
Tom
Pherdinand
10-17-2006, 03:57
A few years ago I picked up a Rolleiflex 2.8d that is nice and smooth after its CLA. I've put about 20 rolls through it. Love using it for people shots as the lens softness wide open is quite flattering for most people.
Example here: http://www.micklea.com/gallery/rnd/alli_at_work_B_W
Brad, don't know about your scanning technique but the Planar should be sharper at this magnification, wide open. Even the Tessar can do sharper wide open, if there is no camera shake, misfocus or subject movement involved.
This is not a critique, i do like the portrait-example you show; - it is just a remark.
doitashimash1te
10-17-2006, 04:11
Three Rolleiflexes, one of which is a Planar, two Lubitels and a pre-war Ikoflex.
woohoo i'm the first one to answer! I'm guilty. Guilty of using it - and guilty of not using it enough! Heh.
As some of you might know, i had a Yashica D which migrated towards South in the autumn and works for taffer now. :)
I kept a beautiful Rolleicord V - with xenar 75/3.5 and a very dark matte focusing screen which i plan to change in the future ($$$).
Few weeks ago, by the way, i bought a generic Fresnel lens (3x magnification) for eur 2.80 incl shipping. I cut it to fit into the chimney finder of the 'cord, dropped in and now it's a bt brighter. Still far from perfect...
Hola !
Wow, this thread started more than two years ago...
Just for the record, migrated ex-Pherdi's D keeps delivering the goods :) Just yesterday it had quite a nice shooting session on the beach...
Started with a Lubitel, then got a Cord Va, then the Yashica, then a beater Minolta Autocord. Never sold any, and I'm now grateful for that !
Oscar
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