Looking for an inexpensive TLR as a light weight option to SLR MF

Paul Howell

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I agree with grat, I've owned a Yashiac 124 for almost 40 years, nice camera, bought it new good price, but like the Pentax K1000 has become somewhat of cult fav, way over priced. Between the 124 and D, I generally pack the D. But dont overlook a Mamyia 6, the 50s folder, for travel, really a great camera.
 

Nokton48

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Minolta Autocord Low Tripod by Nokton48, on Flickr

Minolta Autocord with hacked Hasselblad Stovepipe Viewfinder. I like Rokkor lenses and this Tessar type delivers exceptional rendering. An excellent alternative to my Hasselblads. The Hassy Stovepipe is exceptional and a nice upgrade.
 
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TheFlyingCamera

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I used to shoot a Hasselblad. When I got rid of it, and later decided to replace it with another medium format camera, I got a Rolleiflex 2.8E. Best decision I have ever made photographically. A 2.8E is out of your budget constraints, so I won't go down that path of recommending one, but I'll just toss in the caveat that you may well end up there sooner or later after you fall in love with TLRs.

Another model to look for (you'll need to shop on Ebay for them as they're not common outside of Japan) is an Olympusflex TLR. They made them in 2.8 and 3.5 models. 2.8s go in the $500 range, but you can find a 3.5 (which will be lighter) for $250.

And then there's the Mamiya C series TLRs - C2, C22, C220, C3, C330, C330F, C330S. I don't know all the differences between each version, but the C2, C22, and C3 are not as full-featured as the 220 and 330 versions. They all feature interchangeable lenses.
 
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DMJ

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Thank you again for all the replies.
A seller from Japan offered me a Minolta Autocord (Rokkor 75mm f3.5 Citizen MVL) for $150 including shipping. Main issues are:
- Broken focus lever but sticks out enough to move it with a finger. (I might be able to print a 3D part for it.)
- Shutter works, a little sticky at lower speeds.

The camera looks very good and lens are clean.

Good idea or trouble? I'm also bidding on a Yashica 124G
 

neilt3

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Bad idea .
The focus lever snaps off typically because the grease in the focussing mechanism has all dried up and set almost solid .
When they go like that they need stripping down and servicing ( before the lever snaps off !) .
As things are you will find it very difficult to use .
Save your money and but something that works .
 

wjlapier

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If you’re willing to put another $2OO for just a cla ( focus lever extra ) I’d get Karl Bryan to get the camera working smoothly. You might get away with using the lever as is.
Another camera to consider ( because you mentioned size ) is a Rolliecord III. I sent one to Mark Hansen and he thinks they are the best of the Rolliecords. I don’t know about that but I can say for sure this thing is tiny and light. I had a new screen from Rick Oleson installed. Very smooth working camera. Lens is nice but not as sharp as the Minolta. Look at the Ikoflex too. I eventually sold my Minolta after comparing my Ikoflex Tessar to it.
 

ChristopherCoy

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The Yashica 635 is small, lightweight, and not only shoots 6x6, but with the adapter can shoot 35mm film as well. I have two.
 
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DMJ

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ChristopherCoy said:
The Yashica 635 is small, lightweight, and not only shoots 6x6, but with the adapter can shoot 35mm film as well. I have two.
Click to expand...
Sell me one; list it here in the classifieds .

Seriously, the auction site is driving me crazy. Descriptions like "Functional, shutter does not work"

So far these are the weights (online search) of some of the cameras (Bronica SQ-A for comparison):

Bronica SQ-A with back + 80mm + prism vf > 1900gr

Mamiya c220 > 1500gr
Yashica mat 124g > 1100gr
Ricohflex Dia > 1000gr
Minolta Autocord > 970gr
Rolleiflex Automat avg > 950gr
Rolleicord Vb> 830gr
Lubitel 166 > 550gr

Mostly around a kilogram, half the weight of the SQ-A which is on the lighter side of MF slr. I used to have a Mamiya beast (RZ67) and Pentax 645.
 

ChristopherCoy

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Nokton48

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I bought my Autocord for $70 at a camera auction, and sent it to Karl Bryant, now it's like a new camera with the Hassy Stovepipe. The adjustable ocular is great. Dan Daniels sold me a complete Autocord waistlevel finder, it was a lot of work to graft it to Hasselblad. But very fun and worth it. This is a very lightweight camera to carry around and the Rokkor lens is outstanding in the way that it draws. Dan also machines a plastic tripod plate that solidly mounts the camera to any tripod. Very highly recommended.
 

Cholentpot

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ChristopherCoy said:
The Yashica 635 is small, lightweight, and not only shoots 6x6, but with the adapter can shoot 35mm film as well. I have two.
Click to expand...

Huh. Too late for me I guess, been looking for one of these with the 35mm mask.

Settled for a Ricohflex VII and the Colorback for 35mm.
 

gone

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If you do a little googling or look on youtube, you should be able to see some fixes for the broken focus lever. You don't need a CLA just for that. The lenses on the Autocords are great! I had one and a 'blad at the same time w/ an 80 Planar, and always liked the Autocord negs better. They were sharper, lots of contrast.
 

unwantedfocus

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Flexaret VII

The lens on the Flexaret VII is heavily underrated in my opinion and its also a very small TLR compared to others. I googled since I don't have a scale and it says around 850gr. Be aware that Flexaret has a little bit of a serial number chaos, different type of lenses and shutters. It's also worth to take a look at the older models like Flexaret VI, the camera has of course like any other it's pro's and con's.It doesn't cost much either around 100 Euros, and you get a top notch lens!! http://www.flexarety.cz/flexaret-vii/
 
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DMJ

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Yes, I did what you mentioned above. I recently fixed the focusing system of an old Agfa Standard 9x12 camera. There is an infamous green grease that solidifies with time. I was able to make it work with heat from a hairdryer. I also fixed the sticky Pronto shutter of my 6x9 Baldalux. I have the tools to open lens and clean them, do the basic stuff. But to be honest, I don't like doing it.
 

ChristopherCoy

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Cholentpot said:
Huh. Too late for me I guess, been looking for one of these with the 35mm mask.

Settled for a Ricohflex VII and the Colorback for 35mm.
Click to expand...

I have two complete cameras with two complete 35mm adapter kits. One of the cameras I've taken apart and can't get back together so it's going to Mark Hamma soon. The other shoots just fine. I'm just trying to decide if I want to part with it or not, and if so how much am I willing to part with it for.
 

bluechromis

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David Lingham said:
I can recommend the Mamiya c220, it is lighter and smaller than the c330.
Click to expand...
On the face of it the Mamiya C series are not exactly small and light. But I find when shooting handheld, that the side handle grip makes it much more nimble and size seem less onerous. If one doesn't love the reversed view of WLF, there are prism finders. These cameras are also some of the only TLR's with interchangeable lens. For example, if one wants a true portrait length lens they will have to look pretty far in conventional TLR's to find that, same with wide angle.
 
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DMJ

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Very beautiful and elegant cameras. I just watched this video:


The seller he mentions has a couple of CLA VI and VIIs. Main differences are shutter and double exposure from what I found.
 
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neilt3

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momus said:
If you do a little googling or look on youtube, you should be able to see some fixes for the broken focus lever. You don't need a CLA just for that.
Click to expand...

If you understand why the focus lever broke off in the first place , you'll realise why it needs stripping down to clean and re-lubricate it .
The old grease dried out and set almost solid so you end up forcing the lever until it snapped off .
If you just replace the end of the lever without cleaning and re-lubing the focus helicoid can you guess what will happen again ?
That's right , it'll snap off again !

A bit of a design and implementation flaw , but easy to resolve , especially if the camera you buy isn't already broken .
 

mgb74

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You have a lot of info here. But keep in mind that you're (for the most part) dealing with older cameras. So when someone talks about contrast or image quality, they're often talking about the sample they have or had. May not apply to the sample you get.

For me, for walks in the park, it's a folder I bring. Of course you still have the issue of condition of lens, shutter, and bellow.
 
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DMJ

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I was giving up on the auction site trying to find a camera, prices out fo control, cameras for parts for hundreds of dollars...thinking I'd be better off carrying my dslr...
until I found a little Yashica A: - “It’s in very good shape comes with leather case... Very good condition not sure if it works no film".
There was one picture of the leather case with the camera inside. That's it. I offered $50 and the seller accepted.
The camera arrived today and everything seems to work fine. Lens, mechanism and cosmetics are impeccable and there was a half way exposed roll of Kodacolor II which I don't know what to do with it. Should I get a C41 kit and develop? I only have b&w chemistry. Anyway, here is a picture of the camera.
 

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juan

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I shot a lot of film in a Yashica. I made the mistake of storing it with the cable release installed. The cable release is one of the Nikon style the fits over the shutter button - in other words big and making a long lever. At some point pressure on the cable release levered the shutter button out of the camera body, which is thin metal. So, I’d advise never store the camera, or carry it in a bag, with the cable release attached.
 
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DMJ

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Thank you for the info Juan. I was wondering where the shutter release connection was : ). The manual also mentions a self timer but I cannot find any around the web.
 
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Marcelo Paniagua

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My vote if for Yashica A. Pretty light wait. Also, Ciroflex cameras are pretty light although I'm not that fond on the lens quality.
 
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