Looking for an decent entry into medium format. Thinking TLR

[Vaughn]

I like to keep it simple -- the best (favorite, really...accounting for bias) is the Rolleicord for simplicity, build, image quality, lightness. Except for its slightly more weight and expence, a Rolleicord is even better.

Although a Ciroflex or its younger twin, the Graflex 22, are as simple as they get and still have decent quality.

 

[Bill Burk]

This looks like a good one on eBay. Write the seller and ask them to press both the wind button and the counter reset button together. If the number resets… buy it in a heartbeat… it’s not the Nikor lens but looks decent

[NEAR MINT] Airesflex U TLR Film Camera 6×6 Aires Coral f3.5 75mm Copal

 

[flavio81]

Me and my Mamiya by Mark Wyatt, on Flickr

ditto,

Keeping the camera balanced in this configuration must surely be a hard challenge.

 

[flavio81]

Actually keh only has an “as-is” c220 and the C330 with the lens looks like this, and these are “bargain”

Search ebay for a C22, or a Mamiyaflex C2. They're far cheaper, and they are very nice machines.

Your TLR dillema is easily solved, just ask yourself: Do I want interchangeable lenses?

If the answer is YES, then go for a Mamiya TLR, you'll be satisfied.

If the answer is NO, then it's a matter of budget:

If you have a big budget, go for a Rolleiflex with f2.8 lens. That's the ultimate fixed-lens TLR.

Less money? go for the F3.5 version.

Less money? go for a Rolleiflex T (they're pretty nice too) or a Minolta Autocord

Less money? go for a Rolleicord. They're more compact, and with awesome lenses too.

Less money? A Yashica 124G

Less money? Yashica 635, D, etc. (Note: most have 3-element Yashikor lenses, not as good as a 4-element but still good)

even less money? Another japanese clone similar to the Yashicas.

even less money? A Lubitel 166...

 

[flavio81]

Twin lens reflexes are gaining in cost and lack of availability. Even the humble Yashicamat which used to be available for less than £100 a few years ago are selling for what is stupid money as much as £400. The cream of the crop being the Rollieflex but they are even more expensive.

It's all cameras in general, including medium format cameras.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Konica merged with Minolta to become Konica Minolta, Konica Minolta sold the camera factory and patents to Sony but kept the lens factory. Konica Minolta makes all the Sony kit and G lens for Sony, all the patents are owned by Konica Minolta, that includes new E mount lens. In addition Konica Minolta makes industrial lens. Minolta fell behind in film and digital camera design and production after losing a 100,000,000 patent infringement suit to Honeywell over AF tech. Minolta never really recovered until it was too late.

A big lose. I used Minolta SR starting in the 1960's with the SR 7 through the X700.

 

[McDiesel]

I don't recall the OP giving us a price range, so the suggestions are all over the map. Another point I wanted to make is that camera dimensions and weight translate to portability in non-intuitive ways, probably depends on OP's style of shooting. For example:

I do not doubt that Mamiya TLRs are bigger, but they are also less dense than otherh TLRs. The Mamiya C220F that I have is bigger but not much heavier than the Rollei 3.5F, and - with my style of using a TLR with a small shoulder bag - ends up being a functional equivalent in the field. That bag, with a cell phone, keys, extra roll of film and filters ends up feeling the same regardless of which of these two cameras is in it.

I'm pointing this out because in addition to having interchangeable lenses, the Mamiya TLRs have other wonderful properties, namely their ability to shoot macro and they're a breeze to focus with: you can use either hand, and their WLF+screen combination is easier to nail focus. People who shoot Hasselblads, Rolleiflexes, and Bronicas love having discussions on which focusing screen is the best: AcuteMate, Brightscreen, Oleson, Maxwell, ground glass, fresnel, etc... Mamiya TLR users never bother, their screens are already amazing. Even the WLF magnifier is better made than other cameras I've tried: you can "zoom out" by pulling your head back and the image gets amplified more (at expense of not seeing the corners). For some reasons WLFs in other cameras don't do that as well. Basically, Mamiya TLRs are exemplars of ergonomics and precision focusing in my opinion.

 

[markjwyatt]

Search ebay for a C22, or a Mamiyaflex C2. They're far cheaper, and they are very nice machines.

Your TLR dillema is easily solved, just ask yourself: Do I want interchangeable lenses?

If the answer is YES, then go for a Mamiya TLR, you'll be satisfied.

If the answer is NO, then it's a matter of budget:

If you have a big budget, go for a Rolleiflex with f2.8 lens. That's the ultimate fixed-lens TLR.

Less money? go for the F3.5 version.

Less money? go for a Rolleiflex T (they're pretty nice too) or a Minolta Autocord

Less money? go for a Rolleicord. They're more compact, and with awesome lenses too.

Less money? A Yashica 124G

Less money? Yashica 635, D, etc. (Note: most have 3-element Yashikor lenses, not as good as a 4-element but still good)

even less money? Another japanese clone similar to the Yashicas.

even less money? A Lubitel 166...

Maybe between the Lubitel and the ...other Japanese clone you could add a Seagull. I remember that my dad used to buy some Yashicamats for his high school photo students to use. At some point budgets got tighter and he started buying Seagulls, but said they were not as good in quality.

 

[markjwyatt]

Keeping the camera balanced in this configuration must surely be a hard challenge.

It is not that bad, but easier with an 80mm or 55mm lens. I never had the dedicated grip, but I often used the camera with a flash mount that had a handle off to the left side, and that was better.

 

[MattKing]

The dedicated left hand shutter release grip makes it even easier.

 

[juan]

If really broke, get a Ciroflex. I made hundreds of good photos on one. You’ll be part of vintage Americana.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The dedicated left hand shutter release grip makes it even easier.

One of the few cameras that have focusing knobs on the left and right side. A big plus for when one is either in a hurry, ambidextrous or left handed.

 

[Glausuche]

This looks like a good one on eBay. Write the seller and ask them to press both the wind button and the counter reset button together. If the number resets… buy it in a heartbeat… it’s not the Nikor lens but looks decent

[NEAR MINT] Airesflex U TLR Film Camera 6×6 Aires Coral f3.5 75mm Copal

Thanks for the very good and specific input..I'll ask the seller...

 

[Glausuche]

I don't recall the OP giving us a price range, so the suggestions are all over the map. Another point I wanted to make is that camera dimensions and weight translate to portability in a non-intuitive ways, probably depends on OP's style of shooting. For example:

I do not doubt that Mamiya TLRs are bigger, but they are also less dense than otherh TLRs. The Mamiya C220F that I have is bigger but not much heavier than the Rollei 3.5F, and - with my style of using a TLR with a small shoulder bag - ends up being a functional equivalent in the field. That bag, with a cell phone, keys, extra roll of film and filters ends up feeling the same regardless of which of these two cameras is in it.

I'm pointing this out because in addition to having interchangeable lenses, the Mamiya TLRs have other wonderful properties, namely their ability to focus super close and they're easier to focus with: you can use either hand, and their WLF+screen combination is easier to nail focus. People who shoot Hasselblads, Rolleiflexes, and Bronicas love having discussions on which focusing screen is the best: AcuteMate, Brightscreen, Oleson, Maxwell, ground glass, fresnel, etc... Mamiya TLR users never bother, their screens are already amazing. Even the WLF magnifier is better made than other cameras I've tried: you can "zoom out" by pulling your head back and the image gets amplified more (at expense of not seeing the corners). For some reasons other WLF in other cameras don't do that as well. Basically, Mamiya TLRs are champions of precision focusing in my opinion.

You're right. I didn't give a price point. I would like to stay offer $250, shipping included if possible.
I am a smaller female with small hands. I know that in the same way i don't like to carry a big sketchbook for sketching when I'm out, i will also not take it with meet often if it's big and bulky. While i love the idea of changing lenses, i feel this will be less about that and more about simplifying and seeing what i can do with the limitations of whatever lens i get.
Thanks for helping to clarify my wants/needs. I can see clearly now!

 

[Glausuche]

Search ebay for a C22, or a Mamiyaflex C2. They're far cheaper, and they are very nice machines.

Your TLR dillema is easily solved, just ask yourself: Do I want interchangeable lenses?

If the answer is YES, then go for a Mamiya TLR, you'll be satisfied.

If the answer is NO, then it's a matter of budget:

If you have a big budget, go for a Rolleiflex with f2.8 lens. That's the ultimate fixed-lens TLR.

Less money? go for the F3.5 version.

Less money? go for a Rolleiflex T (they're pretty nice too) or a Minolta Autocord

Less money? go for a Rolleicord. They're more compact, and with awesome lenses too.

Less money? A Yashica 124G

Less money? Yashica 635, D, etc. (Note: most have 3-element Yashikor lenses, not as good as a 4-element but still good)

even less money? Another japanese clone similar to the Yashicas.

even less money? A Lubitel 166...

this is a great breakdown. How far up the list can i go?

 

[Dan Daniel]

Seriously, ask this guy a couple of questions about the functionality of this camera. If he won't attest to anything, walk away. If he says that the shutter fires, focus works, winding works, offer him $200 total, including shipping- tell him that without any returns you simply can't pay more. In searching Ebay, this comes up near the top which means that he has had it listed for a while and no one has bought it.

Yashica-D, TLR Camera, Medium Format 80mm f:3.5 Lens | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Yashica-D, TLR Camera, Medium Format 80mm f:3.5 Lens at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Sirius Glass]

You're right. I didn't give a price point. I would like to stay offer $250, shipping included if possible.
I am a smaller female with small hands. I know that in the same way i don't like to carry a big sketchbook for sketching when I'm out, i will also not take it with meet often if it's big and bulky. While i love the idea of changing lenses, i feel this will be less about that and more about simplifying and seeing what i can do with the limitations of whatever lens i get.
Thanks for helping to clarify my wants/needs. I can see clearly now!

When I sold cameras, I told potential customer that what matters is how if fits in your hands [too large or too small] and how does it feel for you to use. That is what matters, not what others say.

 

[Down Under]

You're right. I didn't give a price point. I would like to stay offer $250, shipping included if possible.
I am a smaller female with small hands. I know that in the same way i don't like to carry a big sketchbook for sketching when I'm out, i will also not take it with meet often if it's big and bulky. While i love the idea of changing lenses, i feel this will be less about that and more about simplifying and seeing what i can do with the limitations of whatever lens i get.

Yes, price range is important. $250 (I'm assuming US$ here) may buy you a good TLR is you restrict yourself to the Yashicas, but you probably won't find a good Rolleicord (the 'flexes will be way out of your reach) or a similar upmarket model.

At least one other poster has elaborated on what I wrote about the Rolleicord Vb. It would be, I think, the ideal camera for your needs, in every which way. The 12-16-24-35mm flexible image formats especially.

Be careful, or you will end up with a clunker in need of repairs, which will impair the fun of shooting with your TLR and make you spend more money. A lose-lose situation, I think.

I've had Mamiyaflex C2s in my time, and while I liked the flexibility of changing lenses, my two had film winder (spacing) problems. One in fact jammed up altogether and was too expensive to repair, so I sold it for parts.

I would avoid Lubitels or the equivalent China-made TLR (the brand name escapes me), as they are not really ideal shooters. The Lubitels especially I found annoying to work with, similarly the Yashica A. They are just too basic...

 

[Glausuche]

Seriously, ask this guy a couple of questions about the functionality of this camera. If he won't attest to anything, walk away. If he says that the shutter fires, focus works, winding works, offer him $200 total, including shipping- tell him that without any returns you simply can't pay more. In searching Ebay, this comes up near the top which means that he has had it listed for a while and no one has bought it.

Yashica-D, TLR Camera, Medium Format 80mm f:3.5 Lens | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Yashica-D, TLR Camera, Medium Format 80mm f:3.5 Lens at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

I have asked questions. Will see what he says...

Can anyone tell me what a CLA would cost for a TLR?

 

[mooseontheloose]

I have asked questions. Will see what he says...

Can anyone tell me what a CLA would cost for a TLR?

Depends on the camera and the technician. Here in Japan I just had the shutter release on my Rolleiflex fixed for about $250 (USD) and could have had a CLA at the same time for an additional $500 (which I turned down since it didn't need it). Back when I lived in Canada (probably 15 years ago) I paid $150 for my Autocord to be CLA'd, but it came back with spacing issues between the frames (so I just bought a new one rather than pay for another CLA, which is why I have so many). Now I would budget at least that, but I would expect it probably cost more, especially if shipping is involved.

 

[Glausuche]

This looks like a good one on eBay. Write the seller and ask them to press both the wind button and the counter reset button together. If the number resets… buy it in a heartbeat… it’s not the Nikor lens but looks decent

[NEAR MINT] Airesflex U TLR Film Camera 6×6 Aires Coral f3.5 75m...

Hi Bill, so.he replied, did what we asked and he said it now says "S", so.I guess it reset.
So that's a very positive response.
But meanwhile, I did a little more reading, and searching, and I found this one...

Late Model 500/1 sec. [N MINT] Airesflex IV 6x6 TLR Seikosha Rapid from JAPAN | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Late Model 500/1 sec. [N MINT] Airesflex IV 6x6 TLR Seikosha Rapid from JAPAN at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Seems that the higher price might be worth it. What do you think?

 

[Snowfire]

I keep reading great things about the Minolta. It’s definitely on my radar.

Second the recommendation of the Autocords. They are decent cameras and not excessively pricy. If they develop problems, they are not too difficult to get fixed. But I do not use the built-in light meters as they are clunky compared to a smartphone app.

 

[Glausuche]

Second the recommendation of the Autocords. They are decent cameras and not excessively pricy. If they develop problems, they are not too difficult to get fixed. But I do not use the built-in light meters as they are clunky compared to a smartphone app.

What app do you use?

 

[markjwyatt]

...

I would avoid Lubitels or the equivalent China-made TLR (the brand name escapes me),...

Seagulls is one I know of. As I mentioned, my dad bought Yashicamats for his photo students then switched to Seagulls. The Yashicamats were good, but the Seagulls were not as good in quality.

 

[ntenny]

What app do you use?

On the iPhone, light meter apps seem to be more or less reliable; the one I use is just called “Light Meter”.

On Android phones, the camera hardware isn’t consistent across different models of phone, so any light meter app will give different results on different models; you have to calibrate against a known-good meter, and when I was on Android, I generally found it easier to just carry a small physical meter. (I like the Sekonic L-208, which is ridiculously tiny.)

-NT