Topic: TLR suggestions?

[moominsean]

I've been looking at picking up a new TLR. I don't have one right now, it seems, and I like the general portability and ease of use. My Kowa Super 66 is huge and heavy and isn't really a "street" camera. I had a Rolleiflex a couple years back, and while I liked it a lot, it had issues with recognizing the film at the beginning of the spool, so I would usually lose half a roll or more (pissed me off when I lost a bunch of Japan shots). I had a Lubitel and didn't like it, wouldn't focus properly. Also had various fixed focus cheapo things.
Been looking at the Yashica Mats, but the prices seems to be way up now. Seems like they used to be $35 to $50, now they are closer to $200. I can get a Rolleicord for that. Also looking at the Seagull, though I've read that they often have soft shutter blades that wear out. I want something that isn't too expensive, is reliable and takes decent shots...and is relatively small, unlike the Mamiya with the front that pops out, etc.
Any ideas?

[Miller]

You could look at the Yashica 12... Usually cheaper than the 124 variants, but I cannot tell any difference between them and it also sports a handy meter. Picked mine up for about £60.00 less than a year ago.

Rgds

Mlr

[Nigel]

I bought a Yashica Mat 124G about two years ago, but I think you're right prices have gone up since then. Having said that I am very pleased with it, it's great having the built in light meter that lots of the older TLRs don't. Skorj's review had me sold and I wasn't disappointed.

http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=776.0

[moominsean]

Yeah I don't care about a meter, so I was looking at the Yashicamat. I just don't particularly trust the Chinese TLRs. I know there are a million different vintage TLRs, but I don't just want some random whatever-flex!

[gary m]

The Super Ricohflex
 is nice- http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/ricohflex_super.html

[Photo_Utopia]

I have two Rolleiflex's one model T I bought for £100


The other is a 3,5F with Xenotar, a good Rollei is a thing of beauty and something that should last a lifetime, both mine have the precision of a Swiss watch, they're a pleasure to use and will be the last camera I own.
As someone one said life is too short not to use a Rolleiflex

Mark Antony

[Francois]

If you want to go cheap, you could get a Yashica A.
Red dot film advance, very reliable snappy shutters, full groundglass focusing (no fresnel intensifier), magnifier, sportsfinder, manual advance/shutter cocking, Copal shutter (1/25-1/50-1/100-1/300-B), lens opens to f/3.5, X-synch, focus from 3.3 feet to inf., lighter than a yashicamat.

Lens is said to be softer than on the Mat but I haven't found it to be a handicap when I used mine.

[gregor]

a little more weight than the Yashica TLRs, but with interchangeable lenses, I'd recommend one on the Mamiya TLRs. I have the C330 and love it.  I would recommend getting one with a prism or porrofinder.  Like most TLRs, the screen is dark in low light situations.

[edit: I see you don't care for the Mamiya TLRs. Since Yashica Mat prices are getting a bit ridiculous, I'd go for a Rolleicord IV as you can get one of those in the same ballpark and they have a few features such as double exposure capability the Mat doesn't.]

[moominsean]

Yeah the Mamiya is more than I want...I already have the Kowa Super 66. And my problems with my Rolleiflex turned me off to them, though I liked it. If I were to get another, I would put down for the 2.8. But I don't feel like spending the $$ right now.

The Minolta Autocord seems nice...some beautifully sharp images from it! And the price isn't bad.

[Phil Bebbington]

I have a Rolleicord - small and a dream to use and at the time I bought it, very affordable. Must add that to the list of cameras to use more!

[astrobeck]

I love my Yashica Mat 124G.  It does have a meter, which I mostly ignore and as you and others have said, the price has crept up.

But, it's well built, and feels really good shooting out in the desert.

You won't be unhappy with it.

[hookstrapped]

The Gakkenflex is small and lightweight (made of some new space-age material).

[Skorj]

The Super Ricohflex
 is nice- http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/ricohflex_super.html

Second fan on that. Super reliable, and if you're a meter-less shooter, then no issues. Mine was only passed up for my Yashica Mat, though the meter was an issue at the time, I seem to still manually meter with the Mat anyway. Here's mine:



http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=777.0

A great little machine, with a very competent lens! Skj.

[Francois]

Funny, I have the exact same meter in a drawer

[Miles]

I have a Toyocaflex, sometimes badged as a Starflex.  £20 at Camerapedia and it's great.  Was going to go for a Yash but sill money now and this fella does the job.  Made by Toyoga or someone in the 50's and 60's.

Quite sharp and Tri-Luasar lenses not as bad as people have laked out ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/milesdavissmiley/sets/72157624215256472/

[jojonas~]

if you want a yashica but cheaper than the mat I'd recommend one od the later letter models. like the D. I have the 635 version that takes 35mm with an adapter and I think it's a pleasure to use!
I've tried a rolliecord and lubitel 2 and prefer the yashica over them. the yashica letter models (A - D or was it to E?) are more rigid than the Mats where they started changing parts to plastic.

another tlr that I would buy if I got the chance is the minolta autocord. I think the focusing lever seems really well constucted on that one. you pull a tab that's under the taking lens, it could be faster to focus with than others?

[moominsean]

Yeah i looked at the autocord, usually goes for around $200. Super sharp lens. Checking out Ricoflex Dia L as well, or the Diacord equivalent.