Recommend a small, light TLR?

[sienarot]

I'm thinking about selling off my Nikonos V and picking up a TLR in its place. What do you guys recommend? I think my only requirements is that it be small and light; not bulky at all. Cheap is nice too and i have nothing against 3 element lenses. It's also gotta use 120 film, so baby rollei's are out

[cmedin]

Yashica 124/124G is pretty small, light, and relatively inexpensive.

[richiedcruz]

I like knob wind TLR's, like the Ricohflex Diacord or a Rolleicord, and find them to be lighter than crank wind TLR's and cheaper.

Richie

[wlewisiii]

Old Zeiss Ikoflex I or Ia TLRs are quite light and usually fairly light on the wallet as well.

Downside is that the ergonomics are typically Zeiss

William

[P C Headland]

Originally Posted by sienarot

.... It's also gotta use 120 film, so baby rollei's are out

Cr@p, I was going to suggest a Tessina

[oftheherd]

I don't remember its weight comparison, but the Yashica 124 MAT G was a pleasure to use and delivered great photos.

[fidget]

I would suggest the Yashicamat 124 or 124G, or even any Yashicamat with the Yashinon lens. Robust "new" enough and capable of pretty good performance.

[Riccis]

You may want to look into a Baby Rollei, I love mine and even use it in some professional assignments... Please keep in mind that the Baby takes 127 film.

Cheers,

Riccis

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

I've used a couple of pre-war R/Cords,and a 1950's Flexaret 111,and all were light,but robust,and gave nice results.

Brian.

[DougK]

Somebody has to mention it sooner or later... how about a Lubitel 166U? I can't think of a lighter-weight or cheaper TLR. It can be tough to find one that works well, but if you do, they're capable of great results. I'm very fond of mine.

[feenej]

Yashica 44

[Nikon Bob]

I'll throw in the Minolta Auto Cord series of TLR but I have to say that I have never considered any of the 120 TLRs as light weight or small.

Bob

[bob cole]

Originally Posted by sienarot

I'm thinking about selling off my Nikonos V and picking up a TLR in its place. What do you guys recommend? I think my only requirements is that it be small and light; not bulky at all. Cheap is nice too and i have nothing against 3 element lenses. It's also gotta use 120 film, so baby rollei's are out

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sienarot, there ain't any small, light TLR's that use 120 film...


Your closest one to small and light is a baby rollie or, as already suggested, a Yashica 4x4...Both take 127 film -- still available and still inexpensive-- like here:

http://www.digitaltruth.com/store/ca...ize-p-748.html

[rogue_designer]

The Yashicamat 124/G is about as small as the 120's get while still being pretty well built, bonus - having a built in meter and a decent performing lens.

I think there is even one up in the classifieds right now - decent price for a fully working one (from a trusted seller). <-- I have no connection with this sale.

[clarence]

Once you start using a Mamiya TLR or the Koni-Omegaflex all other TLR's seem light and small.

Clarence

[shadowfox]

I've seen a Voigtlander Brilliant at a recent camera show. I think it's smaller than my Yashica Mat 124.

Keith (Novak) has one featured in one of his thread, IIRC.

[nightfly]

Rolleicord V.

You probably want to pick a few up and try them out. With Rollei's the controls are sometimes on the left, sometimes on the right, depending on the model. The V worked for me control wise. The lens is really nice. I also got some Rolleinar close up lenses which are really cool for close work. Super light and well made.

I think if you want a TLR, you kinda want a Rollei and the cords are lighter and cheaper than the Flexes.

I have one and I had the screen replaced by Bill Maxwell and it's really nice. I don't shoot with it much anymore but can't bare to part with it.

[sienarot]

Thanks for all the suggests, everyone! I'd love to get a baby rollei, unfortunately my concern is the availability of 127 film... that and my freezer is full of 120 already!

[Vics]

I have two Rolleis and a Yashica 12. I agree with you that the 120 film is the way to go in a TLR. So having decided to go for a 120 TLR, I say go for the Rolleiflex! I have one made in 1951 (an MX, I think) with a very nice Xenar lens (Tessar type) and no meter. It is MUCH lighter and less bulky than my 1961 Rolleiflex with Xenotar and meter. It's a great carry-it-everywhere camera and a good street shooter. Whisper quiet. NOTHING is quieter than a Rollei! I found the groundglass way too dark and had a brighter screen put in. Go for the best! Get a Rollei!
Vic

[kuzano]

Minolta autocord and Yashica 124 come to mind, but my Ikoflex was manageable. Small, compact, light are tall orders in TLR for obvious reasons... Dual optical system and all the framework to make it stay rigid and parallel. Just get a bigger car, and eat more wheaties.

[kuzano]

Those look fairly light, because they also look poorly made. But that may be an unfair statement from me, since I have never held/used one. They've got to be better than a Holga??? Yes? No?

[dreilly]

Honstely, try for an old Ricohflex. Should be able to get one for about $20-30. Nice three element lenses, very basic bodies, light as heck, and I think, lots of fun to use! The only thing to watch out for are stiff focusing helecoids on the lenses...those can be regreased but sometimes they are stuck pretty good.

[ndnbrunei]

I agree with Nightfly. The Rolleicord V is a great light weight camera and the lens is quite good. You can tap into the Rollei accessories and 120 film is much easier to find than 127!

The 'cord Va and Vb are more expensive because collectors seem to like them, but the V is more than adequate.

My favourite feature of the V is the shutter, even though you have to cock it (no big deal), it is so so easy to squeeze off a shot at really low shutter speeds with minimal camera movement. I actually prefer the shutter on my Rolleicord to the shutter on my Rolleiflex!

Good luck with your choice!

Andrew.

[rumbliegeos]

I also have a Rolleicord, in this case a Va, and had the viewing screen replaced with a Maxwell screen - the original screens are really dim in the corners. The camera is very light IMO, but the light weight film door (with tripod socket), means that the specialized Rolleifix tripod adapter is a good accessory to get. Otherwise, it is easy to flex the film door when attaching the camera to a tripod.

The Rolleinar close-up lenses are so good, I had credible results doing some specialized copywork on a copystand with the camera: not a traditional use for a tlr!
Gerry

[lic4]

i have a rolleicord iii that i like, but i used to own a yashica mat 124 G and suggest that instead. it's easier to use and just as light.