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The nights are dark and empty

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Nymphaea's, triple exposure

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argentic

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I'm teetering between a Rolleiflex TLR and a Hasselblad 'starter set';

Am I missing anything?

Yes you are !


Have you ever thought about the Rolleiflex SL 66 series? A Hasselblad-like single lens reflex system by Rollei, with intechangeable lenses and filmbacks. The lenses are optically exactly the same Zeiss lenses as Hasselblad. But with a number of advantages.

The SL66 series is the only medium format camera with tilt ! ( Apart from the fuji GX 680 which is to heavy to use outside the studio.) Tilt permits you to incline the lenspanel, creating sharp photographs from nearby to infinity with large apertures (Scheimpflug). Ofcourse a field camera has even more possibilities, but for landscapes the SL66 tilt is more than enough.

The SL66 lenses have a special bajonet in front of the lens to retromount them. Thus you get 1:1 macro without special lenses.

Focusing is done with a built-in bellows up to 250 mm.

The rolleiflex SL66 has an in-camara shutter. This permits you to mount every imaginable lens you like if you are a bit handy. Most SL66 lenses don't have a shutter wich makes for less repairs. But lenses with shutters also exist.

Other very practical things are built-in depth of field scales for lenses from 50 to 250 mm. In-camera depth of field control button, macro light correction scales, exchangeable viewers and screens etc. These camera's are very ruggedly built, and younger models have flash contacts, and light metering.

The SL66's were Barry Thornton's preferred cameras. He writes about them extensively in his books.

I shoot with a Rolleiflex SL66 for ten years, and wouldn't even think about exchanging it against a Hasselblad.
 

Sparky

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Absolutely nothing wrong with the Yashicas... that was my very first camera of ANY kind!! Still wish I had it!! At any rate - mine (i don't THINK it was a 124 - but maybe) lost it's linkage between the release button and shutter. I took it in to a repair place in the neighborhood - the guy working there - LUCKILY - was familiar with them. He told me that it probably wouldn't be worth getting inside and working on properly - but also said that, if I wanted to take a chance on it - there was a quick fix that he perhaps could do - involving driving a punch into the body (not penetrating) just above the release, and that it might work. I gave him my consent to try it. It was a little horrifying how loud the blow was - and there was a definite dent left behind - but I was able to use it for years afterwards! It was fixed! He didn't even charge me. Thought it was a fun little story.
 

redrockcoulee

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After 25 years with a Rolleichord I have added a Hasselblad and a couple of lenses. As you are very familiar with TLR you already know what they are like. If possilbe borrow, rent or tag along a MF SLR, brand does not matter. Play around and see if you like the heavier body and actually do change lenses. With me it was as much the ability to change film (backs) as lenses and most likely would never had bought a Hasselblad had I not had access to one for over a year. Once I learned a few tips on the Hasselblad it is as easy to use as a Rollei. I cannot say I stopped using the Rollei as it is perfect when I am already taking either 35mm/digital or LF equipment.

As far as the suggestion of a Mamiya are they not alot heavier and larger than the Hasselblad? A question not an arguement as it has been some time since I looked at them.
 

MattKing

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As far as the suggestion of a Mamiya are they not alot heavier and larger than the Hasselblad? A question not an arguement as it has been some time since I looked at them.

I have a Mamiya C330, a Mamiya C220 and 4 lenses (55mm, 65mm, 80mm and 135mm).

If you are talking about a single body, and a single lens, the Mamiya is larger, and probably heavier than the Hasselblad (depends on the lens).

If, however, you are talking about a body and two or three lenses (say 55mm, 80mm and 135mm) than the closest equivalent in Hasselblad may very well be larger and heavier.

Matt
 

JosBurke

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I have (as many do) both a Hasselblad system and several Rolleiflexes-- To be honest I really could be quite pleased with the 1 Focal Length on the RolleiFlex---the simplicity and ease of use--no mirror slap or Hassy kachunk--but OTOH you can buy a Hasselblad 500 kit for the going price of a good Planar or Xenotar Rollei---I prefer those two only in that I shoot wide open quite often---Hmm! I'm not helpful at all but with the RolleiFlex you won't be wanting all those different lenses like the Hasselblad---and the RolleiFlex gives up nothing in image quality to the Hasselblad---the Rollei is a premium camera---MF at its best!!
 

k_jupiter

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It does seem you are going from a Kia to a Rolls in one fell swoop. You might want to go to a Ford or something first. I would not suggest you get a C220 or 330. That will make your Yashica a shelf ornament. As a matter of fact, any of these options will cause you to not use your Yashica much anymore. Not that the Yashica is a bad camera, it just pales when you start talking Rolie, Hassey, or Mamiya.

My preference? A Rollie 6000 series. If money was no object, it would be hanging around my neck. But I am a cheap bastard and I'll have to make due with my C220 and rb67. My Yashica 635 pretty much sits retired.

tim in san jose
 

Q.G.

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It does seem you are going from a Kia to a Rolls in one fell swoop. You might want to go to a Ford or something first.
I don't agree. There's absolutely nothing wrong with going from "a Kia to a Rolls in one fell swoop".
No reason to waste both time and money buying in-betweens before buying the thing you wanted in the first place.
You would only do that if you can't afford to get the 'Rolls', yet, but even then you should remember that it is in fact cheaper to skip the in-betweens.
 

eddym

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I don't agree. There's absolutely nothing wrong with going from "a Kia to a Rolls in one fell swoop".
No reason to waste both time and money buying in-betweens before buying the thing you wanted in the first place.
You would only do that if you can't afford to get the 'Rolls', yet, but even then you should remember that it is in fact cheaper to skip the in-betweens.

Speaking from my own experience, I have to agree with you. I wasted a lot of money on "in-between" camera systems before I finally worked my way up to the level of Rollei, Hasselblad, and Linhof.
The only drawback is that you might get to the Rolls stage, only to discover that you really wish you had bought a Ferrari. I once traded a complete Hasselblad system for a Technika system.
 

k_jupiter

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Speaking from my own experience, I have to agree with you. I wasted a lot of money on "in-between" camera systems before I finally worked my way up to the level of Rollei, Hasselblad, and Linhof.
The only drawback is that you might get to the Rolls stage, only to discover that you really wish you had bought a Ferrari. I once traded a complete Hasselblad system for a Technika system.

Exactly. How do you know if you want a Rolls or a Bentley? Personally, I went directly from a B&J to Deardorf, pass Horseman, pass Cambo. I is happy. But then again, I have been shooting LF for 22 years off and on.

Anyhow, he can't make too much of a mistake as long as he realizes the Yashica will become an occasional "sheets and grins", "lets go shoot something old and weird camera days".

It's addictive driving a Rolls.

tim in san jose
 

Greg_E

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Technically, even digital starts off as an analog voltage on the imagining device.
 

max_ebb

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You would only do that if you can't afford to get the 'Rolls', yet, but even then you should remember that it is in fact cheaper to skip the in-betweens.

It is not necessarily "in fact cheaper" to skip the in-betweens. I'm not saying that anyone should buy in between, but it is not necessarily more costly in the long run to do so. A smart shopper can easily sell used MF gear for more than they pay. I made enough money buying and selling used RB gear on the auction site to pay for an RZ outfit. It can be addicting though. Now I regularly buy and sell used MF gear.
 
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kavandje

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I'm going to pipe up again here, re. the Ford vs Rolls discussion.

I know that the Yashica isn't in the same league as a Rollei (or for that matter a Hassy), and I do know that with a Rollei, that would spell mothballing for my beloved Yashi; but don't underestimate the results achievable with it! In terms of image quality, I'm actually very happy with it, and judging by the Yashicamat Flickr groups, so are lots of other people.

But I also know that it's on its way out, which is why I'm looking for a replacement.

Since I am fundamentally contrary, I want something 100% mechanical, or at least something which will continue to function despite the absence of batteries (I took the battery out of the Yashica's light meter long ago); this disqualifies a lot of the 'in between' cameras, and puts me in the rarefied atmosphere of 'rolls' cameras. So be it.
 

k_jupiter

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I'm going to pipe up again here, re. the Ford vs Rolls discussion.

I know that the Yashica isn't in the same league as a Rollei (or for that matter a Hassy), and I do know that with a Rollei, that would spell mothballing for my beloved Yashi; but don't underestimate the results achievable with it! In terms of image quality, I'm actually very happy with it, and judging by the Yashicamat Flickr groups, so are lots of other people.

But I also know that it's on its way out, which is why I'm looking for a replacement.

Since I am fundamentally contrary, I want something 100% mechanical, or at least something which will continue to function despite the absence of batteries (I took the battery out of the Yashica's light meter long ago); this disqualifies a lot of the 'in between' cameras, and puts me in the rarefied atmosphere of 'rolls' cameras. So be it.

I don't underestimate it at all. You see I listed myself as having a 635. That's a Yashica 'D' with 135 capabilities. It can take nice photos. It's the mechanics and ergonomics of it that keep it out the same class as the others posted in this thread. I pull it out once in a while and shoot, usually 135 because that 80mm is a pretty nice portrait lens. But there are too many Rolls in my garage and I just don't shoot a lot of 135 anymore. The Zorki 1 has been getting most of the small format work lately. 120 gets either c220 or rb67 treatment while LF gets mostly 8x10 Deardorff exercise.

Best of luck,

tim in san jose
 

Paul Goutiere

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I have had a 501CM for a few years now. It is a special camera. I've had no problems (yet) and it's been with me on a few expeditions to the woods in all kinds of weather. I find it versatile and easy to use. With the waist level finder
the weight is acceptable, with the PME5 finder it becomes a little more heavy and cumbersome but I can still manage. (the PME5 finder is nice in that I know where my light meter is all the time)

Earlier this year I was practically gifted a old Rolleiflex Automat. With film and a lens hood it weighs in at 1.2 kg. (or 2lbs 5oz), the Hasselblad comes in at 1.6 kg (or 3lbs 2 1/2 oz.). If I use the PME5 the Hassy comes in at 1.8 kg (or 4 lbs.).
Given my particular stage of development I'm not able to discern any difference between the images from the Hasselblad or Rolleiflex. The Rollie wins hands down in the weight category for sure.
 
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