First tlr caméra advice

[campy51]

Mamiya C series has bellows and interchangeable lenses. Makes it unique in the TLR world.

You want unique, how's this?

 

[Cholentpot]

You want unique, how's this?

 

[Don_ih]

Makes it unique in the TLR world.

But how could anyone forget the Gowlandflex?

I like that it's "compact" - yet bigger than her head.

 

[Cholentpot]

But how could anyone forget the Gowlandflex?

View attachment 364625

I like that it's "compact" - yet bigger than her head.

I was about to say, that's some 'compact' camera. Feel like he should have just made them progressively bigger, lean into the massive size rather than pare it down.

 

[Paul Howell]

And there was a 5X7 and 8X10 version. I think only 2 or 3 8X10 were made. In the 60s when in college we got tour of the L.A Playboy studio, they had a 4X5 Gowlandflex.

 

[hoomuzzz]

How about those with f2.8 lenses? Olympusflex, Fujicaflex, Rollop Automatic, Rocca Automatic… Maybe not very suitable for newcomers, but still worth a try (Olympusflex is very cheap).

There're also some made-in-China models such as Seagull, which is simpler, cheaper and easier to maintain.

I personally will take Yashica mat-124G for daily use and Yashica 635 for fun. They're easy to find and sometimes bargains.

I have 3 advice on the first TLR:
– Have a basic model as a start, then upgrade to a better one later.
– Find a more recent model than an earlier one, since they're easier to use or maintain.
– Look for a rather popular model, or mass-produced ones.

 

[Rolleiflexible]

But how could anyone forget the Gowlandflex?

I bought @Sean ’s Gowlandflex ages ago. It’s a sweet camera, and handholdable — but hardly svelte. Melanie shoots it all the time now.

 

[Rolleiflexible]

How about those with f2.8 lenses? Olympusflex, Fujicaflex, Rollop Automatic, Rocca Automatic… Maybe not very suitable for newcomers, but still worth a try (Olympusflex is very cheap).

There're also some made-in-China models such as Seagull, which is simpler, cheaper and easier to maintain.

The 80/2.8 lenses are not optimal — they are bigger and heavier than the 75/3.5 lenses that are the more natural fit for the camera design.

There are a lot of really good TLR options out there, many of which have been mentioned here, and a few that have not. The Czech Flexorets, for example, are good cameras, and French Semflexes hold their own. But all of them are copies, in one way or another, of the Rolleiflexes and Rolleicords. (The exception being the Voigtlander Superb, which was designed as the antiRolleiflex.)

Twenty years ago, when Rolleis cost an arm and a leg, there was a rationale for buying a knockoff. But now you can buy a decent Rolleicord for about the same price as an imitator, and a good Rolleiflex MX can be had for a hundred more.

The difference in quality is palpable. (“Haptics,” someone else said upthread.) FWIW I would get a Rollei.

 

[retina_restoration]

The 80/2.8 lenses are not optimal — they are bigger and heavier than the 75/3.5 lenses that are the more natural fit for the camera design.

There are a lot of really good TLR options out there, many of which have been mentioned here, and a few that have not. The Czech Flexorets, for example, are good cameras, and French Semflexes hold their own. But all of them are copies, in one way or another, of the Rolleiflexes and Rolleicords. (The exception being the Voigtlander Superb, which was designed as the antiRolleiflex.)

Twenty years ago, when Rolleis cost an arm and a leg, there was a rationale for buying a knockoff. But now you can buy a decent Rolleicord for about the same price as an imitator, and a good Rolleiflex MX can be had for a hundred more.

The difference in quality is palpable. (“Haptics,” someone else said upthread.) FWIW I would get a Rollei.

I got my Rolleiflex Automat from a friend for $75. Excellent camera.

 

[anta40]

Hi, i want to get into medium format for the large negatives and also a lot because of the different cameras, but im looking for something that will be usable in everyday life so the relatively compact size of tlrs seems great.
A frame counter would be really nice,
I really want one with a crank, its really a requirement because its beautiful, and i found that yashica tlrs were not so pricey, like the 124g or the Yashica 24.
Would you say the yashica 24 is a good camera compared to 124g?
I really dont mind if theres a better one without a meter like maybe Yashica D, or even something like a Kiev88.
Changing lenses is a plus but really not something im looking for, the c330 is really cool with all its weirdness but a bit higher in Price.
All in all im asking if you know of tlrs or just regular MF with waist level finder that have a crank and are fun to shoot, and overall good quality.
Budget would be 200-300€ range, but extensible if theres the best option for me at 350.
If you could tell me your ideas about fun to shoot tlrs/ wlf it would help, thanks.

Mat 124 is fine. I own a 124g, which is think is also fine. Yes it feels a bit plasticky but as long as it delivers nice images, not a problem for me.

Mamiya TLRs are definitely greats option once you are commited into 6x6 format (I have the C3 with the 80/2.8 lens). Bulkier setup, though. Pick something lighter like the Yashica.

 

[MattKing]

I bought @Sean ’s Gowlandflex ages ago. It’s a sweet camera, and handholdable — but hardly svelte. Melanie shoots it all the time now.

Is the dog in the background thinking:
"My Dog, that camera is big!"

 

[Rolleiflexible]

Is the dog in the background thinking:
"My Dog, that camera is big!"

That's Athena. Athena doesn't think. Athena barks. WOOF!

 

[lejaune]

As far as the "plasticky" feel of the YashicaMat 124G, it's more due to its plastic coating over metal. I have both a 124G and a Rolleicord III. The 124G is actually heavier than the all metal Rolleicord, 1030g vs 852g. The black plastic coat/paint also makes it less cold to touch in winter shooting.