As OP is looking for a waist level viewfinder the other options is a Bronica S2, well made, top shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second, interchangeable focusing screens and lens. It is heavy, the other option is a Mamiya 645.
As OP is looking for a waist level viewfinder the other options is a Bronica S2, well made, top shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second, interchangeable focusing screens and lens. It is heavy, the other option is a Mamiya 645.
As OP is looking for a waist level viewfinder the other options is a Bronica S2, well made, top shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second, interchangeable focusing screens and lens. It is heavy, the other option is a Mamiya 645.
Careful, I might convince myself to ditch TLRs and go for an SQ or a RB67 after all this!
Joking aside, I’ve emailed Karl and the choice now is between one of his available Autocords and a Mamiya TLR. I hadn’t planned on going big—my original plan was a small TLR to get my feet wet and an MF SLR later on—but seeing the way people here praise Mamiya’s TLRs has me wavering.
Careful, I might convince myself to ditch TLRs and go for an SQ or a RB67 after all this!
Joking aside, I’ve emailed Karl and the choice now is between one of his available Autocords and a Mamiya TLR. I hadn’t planned on going big—my original plan was a small TLR to get my feet wet and an MF SLR later on—but seeing the way people here praise Mamiya’s TLRs has me wavering.
I have a C220 (55 80 135 180) and a Rolleicord Vb. Both very nice cameras. But it's the Rolleicord that I take on mountain hikes. The C220 is more like "within 1km of the parking lot".my original plan was a small TLR to get my feet wet and an MF SLR later on—but seeing the way people here praise Mamiya’s TLRs has me wavering.
I have a fairly small and light post WWII Japanese TLR badged Toyocaflex - the middle camera in this trio:
View attachment 421604
and a Mamiya C330. I've owned a C220 in the past.
The Toyocaflex is light and small, and the lens quality is good, but the flexibility, handling, viewing system - particularly the viewing system - and ergonomics of the C330 mean that I will choose it at least 90% of the time.
The Toyocoflex is a fun alternative for fairly limited circumstances.
How would you feel schlepping the Mamiya up a hike?
And can you share what about the finder and ergonomics makes you choose it over the smaller TLR? Is it brighter, or the parallax adjustment, or something else?
I've schlepped an RB67 on a hike!!!
The C330 is actually smaller and of similar weight than a lot of modern SLRs. And if you want several lenses, the package of body plus lenses is actually a very manageable size, compared to most medium format interchangeable lens cameras.
If size and weight are extremely high priorities, I carry an Olympus 35mm camera - either a film or digital OM, or an XA series fixed lens camera.
The Toyocaflex is a lot less refined than the Yashica Mat that inspired this thread - separate shutter cocking, no double-exposure prevention, and a very rudimentary viewing system that was probably dimmer than the (~20 year younger) Mamiya when both were new , and much dimmer than the Mamiya 70 years later.
I get real use from the parallax adjustment features and close focusing capabilities and wide range of accessories available - including the prism finder - but the core strengths of a TLR are the main reasons to consider the options available.
The cameras you are considering don't suffer from most of those limitations, but I can't comment directly on using those except to the extent that back when they were new I actually sold some of them, and my experience was limited to sales person's knowledge, in store handling, and customer feedback.
By the way, this was taken with the Toyocaflex:
Net Loft Floats #10
- MattKing
- 2
A detail from some of the nets and floats on display at the Net Loft building at the Brittania...
—but seeing the way people here praise Mamiya’s TLRs has me wavering.
I'm not criticising the Mamiya's for their intrinsic qualities, but they are massively heavy against an Autocord or Rolleiflex like for like, and more so if living the dream and carrying two or three lenses around as well. In the 'He-Man' contest a kid I'd lug my C220 around everywhere with me, but now as an old git I'd lug around something more practical even it was the same overall weight.
There are close up lenses for TLRs. The Autocord takes what is called 'Bay 1' bayonet one, Bay I. The most common closeup will be a Rolleinar. three 'strengths. ' 1, 2, and 3!! Imagine, eh?
Which Rolleiflex Rolleinar Close-Up Lens is Right for Me? — Dan Wagner, Writer, Photographer, Content Creator
Rolleiflex photographers prize Rolleinar close-up lenses for their sharpness, lightweight, compact size, and ability to bring them closer to their subjects. The Rolleinars pictured above consist of a viewing lens paired with a close-up lens.www.danwagner.com How to Identify and Use Rolleinar Lens Attachment Sets
One of the great things about film photography is just how much information there is on the internet about various esoterica related to cameras, accessories, film development, and more. But it̵…beyondtheaperture.com
Each comes with a matching close up lens for the viewing lens with a prism. So this helps with the close framing (some people call this parallax correction which it isn't but that's another topic so yeah call it 'parallax correction'). People get very good results.
And yes, the Rollei close ups work on the Autocord. Bay I accessories work across models like the Rolleiflex (some models), Yashica, Kalloflex, Autocord, etc.
Karl's the man for Autocords. You'll have that camera for ages.
—but seeing the way people here praise Mamiya’s TLRs has me wavering.
So as it turns out I’ve decided on one of Karl’s Autocords. He was super responsive and I’m not ready to give up the small size TLRs just yet—if I need the extra functions, I can always jump into a C220 or even an RB67 in the years to come. The only thing I know I’ll miss immediately is the close focus distance, but my Z6iii can always handle those shots. The fixed lens is honestly a benefit more than a negative—I already have decision paralysis on my digital lenses, so the Autocord will be nice and simple. Very excited to wrap up the deal and get it!
All the responses and stories on this thread have been amazingly helpful, not to mention extremely welcoming. Thank you so much to every single commenter here, you’ve all been so helpful and so kind!
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