Graflex TLR model 200?

I've noticed a "Graflex TLR model 200" on a local photo store's used equipment webpage. The thing's 75 bucks, and I've wanted a TLR for a while, though I can't find any information it. Any knoweledge would be helpful, and is this a good buy? I think I might walk up there and check it out later this afternoon.

Seems a bit pricey for one of those to me. It's a pretty low level TLR, although capable of decent photos (and how bad can a medium format negative be?). It's decended from the Ciroflex TLR - Graflex bought the company. I have the original Graflex 22. I've never actually used it - I bought it on ebay to have a TLR but then picked up a really nice Yashica D almost immediately after. Since then the Yashicas seem to have gone insane in terms of pricing (makes me think of selling mine). Anyway, my Graflex 22 has a Graftar 85mm f3.5 - it's probably a triplet and it's single coated. There's no double exposure prevention and no frame counter, just the simple red window system. I'm not sure how the model 200 differs (there's also a 400).

Hmm, I went up and asked to see it, but they said it was burried in boxes in the back, because they were doing an inventory thing. So I gave them my number. I looked at some of the shots and thought they were pretty good, but I don't know many other affordable TLR's that I can find. I'll give the think a look at in a week or so, and see how I like it. They have a pretty liberal return policy, however, so I suppose if it's not in the best condition they'd take it back. No idea what the lens is though.

If its a Graflex 22, its the Ciro-flex rebranded. Ciroflexes came (IIRC) with am 85mm triplet in either Alphax or Rapax shutters and an 83mm Tessar in a Flash Rapax. They're not bad little cameras. I need to take mine out again.

Worth the price tag, though?

DylanCraver said:

Worth the price tag, though?

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Depends on how badly you want a 6x6 TLR I suppose. In all seriousness though, I saw one go on ebay for around $50-$60 last week and there's a model 200 ending in 45 minutes on ebay that's currently at $31.

If you really want to spend $75 for one, I'll sell you mine (with battered but usable case minus strap, and flash unit minus bulb) for that shipped, and I'll even run a roll of film through it to make sure it works first. I like how it looks but have two other TLRs I don't use and I'm running out of room in my display space - I have GAS apparently.

Dan

I've used a bunch of TLR's over the years, starting with my first Yashica D in high school (1972)... I personally feel that the Graflex isn't in my top 5.

My top 5 (as far as basic affordability goes)...

Minolta Autocord
Yashica D through LM
Mamiya C220 or C330 (interchangeable lenses!)
Rolleicord (okay- not as fine as the original Rollei, but affordable)
Seagull (I think these are still made today)

I've used each of these & they're all very usable cameras, with their own idiosyncracies... Of all of them I've liked the Minolta Autocord the best. The Yashica's ar the easiest to come by (I still have a YashicaMat 124G in my cupboard.) The Mamiya is the most useful in a studio setting, because of the interchangeable lenses... Although the Minolta Autocord that I owned had a set of add-on lenses that worked quite well. The Rolleicord prices are going up, and most people dismiss the Seagull because it's Chinese... I gave mine to a friend who still loves using it.

All in all- the Graflex is fine (I've had 3) but these others are just a bit nicer to use, depending on how you're going to use them.

John "Alpha Flying Monkey" Moore

DylanCraver said:

Worth the price tag, though?

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No way!

I have bought and sold many for much, much less than that. Some cost more to ship than they were worth (the things are HEAVY). I think $20 would be pushing it.

A couple of years ago I bought a 40 year old Rolleiflex in good condition (the owner said it had had a recent CLA) and it has performed perfectly. Everything works on it, including the light meter and linked aperture and shutter speed adjustments, and the flash synchroniser (although I don't use it, as I like natural light). The lens (3.5) is sharp and gives good colour rendition. I paid around GBP 400, a modern version, almost exactly the same, is now being produced for GBP 2,000+, so second hand is the way to go.