120 Brilliant finder TLRs

[michaelbsc]

I've been messing with a few of the American made consumer 620 "TLR" cameras, like the Argoflex and the AnscoFlex. There are a number of others as well that were out there, but they are all 620 cameras. And most of them aren't readily convertible to 120. Rerolling the film is a pain. I can cram a 120 spool in a Brownie Hawkkeye's supply side, but not the take up.

I know about the Voigtlander Brilliant, but are there other 120 spool TLR-like boxes out there that had a finder without a frosted focus screen, just the brilliant lens?

Alternately, how about suggestions for 620 models that are readily convertible. Neither the Argoflex nor the Anscoflex seem like there is enough material to start filing any of it down to make room.

I'm specifically interested in ones that are TLR based, not folders.

(Yea, I know calling them TLRs is a stretch, but what else do you call them?)

 

[JPD]

Lubitel, but it's based on the Voigtländer Brillant.

Why not a Brillant?

 

[elekm]

Here's the tricky part about 620 cameras. Because they were made for that thinner spool, it can be difficult to change them to 120.

Nearly all 120 cameras can use 620 film. I don't think many (or possibly any) 620 cameras can use 120 film without some type of physical modification usually involving a Dremel.

-- The Zeiss Ikon Tengoflex is a TLR with a brilliant finder, but it's much too costly.

-- Some folding cameras have brilliant finders, but they're very small.

-- Off hand, I can't think of any others except for the Voigtlander Brilliant.

Yours is a challenging question, because it seems that much of the U.S. camera industry moved over to 620 film, while the European manufacturers stuck with 120.

 

[asp.artist]

My Brownie Hawkeyes can take the 120 spool as the supply spool, but the take up spool has to be 620. That way I'm not respooling, the camera is. anne

 

[Rolleiflexible]

As your post suggests, most box cameras
like Brownies fit your description. Some
were built to look like TLRs, like the Argus
75 or the Kodak Duaflexes -- but these are
indistinguishable functionally from simple
box cameras. If your goal is to find models
that accept 120 roll film, you can hunt for a
Brownie built for 120 film, like the No. 2,
the Beau Brownie, or the Portrait Brownie.
Or you can pick up one of the European box
cameras, like the Box Tengor or the Gevabox.
Google "120 box camera" and you will find
more leads than you'll be able to follow --
the options are endless.