My TLRs keep dying on me

[paul ron]

I'll buy your broken TLRs?

 

[Nick Merritt]

Get that Autocord fixed. They are excellent cameras. Karl Bryan in Beaverton, OR makes a specialty of fixing these, and he does a nice job too. I've got his contact info somewhere if you want me to find it -- or you might well find it if you search photo.net (or maybe here).

 

[mooseontheloose]

Thanks Nick -- I'd appreciate the info if you can find it, just pm me with the details. (I'll try looking in the meantime).

 

[fschifano]

I have a couple of Mamiya C220's and a 'blad 503cx. The 'blad is a fantastically sturdy machine, and one that is built to the highest standards; but it can be a tempermental beast. You must follow the procedures for mounting and dismounting lenses precisely or it can jam up on you. Ask me how I know this. It cost me $300 to get two backs adjusted and the lens unjammed because of my ham-fisted handling. The C220's just keep chugging along, and don't give up much in the way of image quality to the 'blad. The C220's go out onto the street with me. The 'blad stays pretty much confined to controlled environments.

While I think the Rollies are good machines, I would not trade even one of my C220's for one for several reasons. It is the only TLR that has interchangeable lenses. Lens sets are available in focal lengths from 55 mm. to 250 mm. The bodies have a unique bellow focusing system that allows for extremely close work without the need for expensive accessories. Try that with a 'blad or a Rollie. They are relatively inexpensive. Lenses won't cost you an arm and a leg, and they are all good quality optics.

In short, you get a lot of bang for the buck with the Mamiya TLR's. The trick is to find one that hasn't been abused too badly. It might take some time to find one, but they're around.

 

[Mark Antony]

I think you have to decide what type of machine you want, If you like your Minolta get it fixed and have fun. If you want a TLR with inter-changeable lenses C220/330 are fine machines although I would be tempted to go for a good used 'blad as they are plentiful.

I will echo that which had been stated by Mr Purdy, a Rolleiflex serviced and cleaned will last you and keep giving top results. Last summer I bought a Rollei T (a cheaper flex with a Tessar 3,5) had it serviced and can say it it a wonderful camera for the £100 I paid (with £80 service) the only thing I'd replace it with is a 3.5 F planar.
Rolleis are well made, plentiful with loads of accessories; prisms, close up lenses 35mm conversion kits, etc.
A serviced one is a camera that will turn out reliable quality images for years to come.
Here is mine:
Rolleiflex T
Mark

 

[Paul Howell]

I have both TLRs, Yashica, and a SLR, Kowa, I use them both. I like the Yashica D with the 4 element lens, no crank wind and you need to cock the shutter, otherwise the same as a 124. If you can afford the rollie, I would get one a great camera.

 

[whlogan]

I use both... I have 14 Rolleiflex-es... a collection of work horse guys that all are users and 5 Bronica SLRs.... the SQA is a good call, if lens inter changability is in the equation. Still, my favorite is the Rollei 2.8 A or the Rollei T... both under $300 from KEH.... Also the SQA can be had pretty cheaply.... either way, you win.... but go Rollei...nothing even gets close in quality.....stay with the square and film... your work will only get better and better....

 

[dpurdy]

14 Rolleiflexes. I have a hard time justifying owning 2 along with the Pentax 67. If I could come to a definite conclusion whether I like the 2.8F Xenotar or the 2.8FX planar better I would probably sell the other one.

 

[jamesgignac]

I have a Mamiya C330 and a Bronica SQ-Ai (with motorized grip), and I haven't been let down by either of them - the Bronica is a bit of a heavy beast though and will run you quite a bit more (lenses as well as the body/grip) than the Mamiya. So it really depends on if you want to stick it out with the TLRs or go for an SLR.

I have to say though the Bronica is something I take out when I go to shoot concerts, and parties where I know the camera's safety is an issue - the recessed lens on the 50 & 80mm keeps my mind at ease, plus there is less fiddling with controls (particularly with the motorized grip), so I can focus on avoiding elbows and lining up my shots. In terms of which one is a better hand-held unit I would have to say the Bronica wins out for me, but I use the C330 mostly handheld as well; I just feel much less likely to 'fumble' the Bronica - I even hold it in one hand sometimes when not shooting and it's not that cumbersome (though my wrist really had to toughen up at first...I'm a pretty scrawny fellow and my wrist bothered me when I first got this camera, it only took a few weeks of regularly carrying it around before I was good and solid with it - plus it builds forearm strength

Good luck with whatever you decide on!

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have to say though the Bronica is something I take out when I go to shoot concerts, and parties where I know the camera's safety is an issue - the recessed lens on the 50 & 80mm keeps my mind at ease, plus there is less fiddling with controls (particularly with the motorized grip), so I can focus on avoiding elbows and lining up my shots. In terms of which one is a better hand-held unit I would have to say the Bronica wins out for me, but I use the C330 mostly handheld as well; I just feel much less likely to 'fumble' the Bronica - I even hold it in one hand sometimes when not shooting and it's not that cumbersome (though my wrist really had to toughen up at first...I'm a pretty scrawny fellow and my wrist bothered me when I first got this camera, it only took a few weeks of regularly carrying it around before I was good and solid with it - plus it builds forearm strength

Good luck with whatever you decide on!

One on my major complaints about the C330 was the very large fiddle factor.

Steve

 

[mooseontheloose]

You guys are making this hard for me! ;-)

I'm sure I could go with any square system and be happy with it, it's too bad there's nowhere local where I can go to see and hold all the various cameras. I think weight may be the biggest issue -- not for carrying around, but for handholdability. And how that weight would affect the use of it with either a WLF or a prism.

In the meantime, I've got my eye on a few different systems. Hopefully they don't sell before I make up my mind!

 

[Paul Goutiere]

Rachelle,
If image quality isn't too much of an issue perhaps a 6x6 folder, ie: Super Ikonta, Iskra, Agfa etc. I have a "few" 6x6 folders and use them quite a bit. These things are quite light and portable. My Super Ikonta IV weighs less than my F2. I find my Super Ikonta more of a spontaneous shooter than my Rolleiflex or my Hasselblad.

 

[whlogan]

Yeah, 14 Rolleis.... collections get like that.. more and more... all the old ones, too.. the Old Standard is a special prize, if you find a good one....

Logan