Rolleiflex vs Yashicamat 124G (Or Others)

davela · Dec 1, 2013

patrickth said:
I put my 3.5e on C.L 6 months ago and only had one response. That guy never once asked to look at camera. At the time I had it listed for $600 and he wrote 4 times wanting to know if I would take $400. I use the camera for street shooting. It was all about bragging rights I think. I also have 3 Yashicas and 5 Mamiya TLR's. When I posted mine, I thought $600 might be high because it has an awkward bump that a CLA probably wouldn't fix. I have lived with that bump 4 years and never once did it change the final outcome of a photo.

My point is, all the TLR's have a different look and feel to them. I can't even imagine paying that much for a Rollei. Its just a light tight box that holds film. I love Mamiya, but when I want to go wandering in the street, I tend to grab the Rollei. That's what makes it worth the money to me.

Agreed, Mamiya TLR's are without a doubt outstanding cameras performance-wise and a pleasure to use, but they are not nearly as nimble in the field as a Rollei TLR (or one of the many quality copies). They are the way to go in my opinion if one needs quality medium format results and easy portability. Historically I think that aspect was a real key to their success.

Ian Grant · Dec 1, 2013

patrickth said:
I put my 3.5e on C.L 6 months ago and only had one response. That guy never once asked to look at camera. At the time I had it listed for $600 and he wrote 4 times wanting to know if I would take $400. I use the camera for street shooting. It was all about bragging rights I think. I also have 3 Yashicas and 5 Mamiya TLR's. When I posted mine, I thought $600 might be high because it has an awkward bump that a CLA probably wouldn't fix. I have lived with that bump 4 years and never once did it change the final outcome of a photo.

My point is, all the TLR's have a different look and feel to them. I can't even imagine paying that much for a Rollei. Its just a light tight box that holds film. I love Mamiya, but when I want to go wandering in the street, I tend to grab the Rollei. That's what makes it worth the money to me.

They only fetch high prices when sold through reputable dealers who would be giving a Warranty.

No one is going to pay high prices on a Craigs listing and only reputable dealers get away with high prices on Ebay except for a very small handful of unscrupulous sellers.

Ian

patrickth · Dec 1, 2013

I was down at the Marina one day shooting with Rollei. My neighbor Hoerst was down with dog and wife walking. He comes up and said he had a camera just like mine that belonged to his dad, brought back from Germany. The next day he comes over with camera. He hadn't taken it out of the closet in 25 years. It wasn't "just like mine". It was perfect, in original case with filters, hood, cleaning things and original paper as bought. It was a thing of beauty, but as a friend I wouldn't even make an offer and I told him why. He didn't want to sell it anyway. And so it goes.

patrickth · Dec 1, 2013

I agree Ian, but this guy didn't even want to look at camera. I have sold, traded, given hundreds of cameras over the years. The only difference between me and a dealer is I don't have to puff it up to keep the doors open. I don't stoop to ebay unless I am buying.

hsandler · Dec 2, 2013

Question for you folks: Rolleicords on the auction site are often listed sub $200, but generally without a description that gives me confidence that the seller has tested that the shutter is reasonably accurate and working. On the other hand, KEH generally lists Rolleicords in BGN condition at around $300. Can one assume that if KEH does not state anything like "inoperative shutter" that the camera is in functioning condition and won't need a CLA?

TheFlyingCamera · Dec 2, 2013

hsandler said:
Question for you folks: Rolleicords on the auction site are often listed sub $200, but generally without a description that gives me confidence that the seller has tested that the shutter is reasonably accurate and working. On the other hand, KEH generally lists Rolleicords in BGN condition at around $300. Can one assume that if KEH does not state anything like "inoperative shutter" that the camera is in functioning condition and won't need a CLA?

That's a reasonable assumption, and if it turns out to not be 100% accurate, then KEH has an iron-clad, gold-plated return policy and/or warranty that will take care of any problem. If it IS broken, they'll fix it, replace it or refund your money without hesitation. THAT's worth the extra $100 right there.

Pioneer · Dec 2, 2013

TheFlyingCamera said:
If it IS broken, they'll fix it, replace it or refund your money without hesitation. THAT's worth the extra $100 right there.

Amen!!

They are a good company and I always go there before I look anywhere else if I am in the market for used equipment.

Richard S. (rich815) · Dec 2, 2013

As others mentioned you can rely on KEH overall for return and/or repair but you should assume no CLA has been done. It might indeed work fine but might also need a CLA anyway. If it has never had one or not had one in the last 5 or so years it should get one. So it might work in general but for how long? And when exactly was it last fully cleaned, lubed and checked over? Who knows? I think you'd be better off getting one that looks good from a either someone here or off eBay with a seller of good feedback and use the $100+ saved to put towards a complete overhaul and CLA, and then you're set.

filmamigo · Dec 2, 2013

Well dodphotography, I chose the Yashica (specifically a Yashica Mat LM.) The Yashinon in that LM just sings -- it gives exactly the contrast, colour and detail I desire.

I had a Rolleiflex 2.8F Planar for over a year. It was definitely the better camera, mechanically. The winder is sturdy and inspires confidence. The negatives showed extremely high resolution. But I was never satisfied with the contrast or the colour. I consistently preferred the results from the Yashica Mat LM, or from a Zeiss Super Ikonta with a 2.8 Tessar. It bothered me, every time I would shoot, to have a superior machine whose results were not want I desired. (Objectively excellent, but subjectively not my taste.) So I sold the Rollei 2.8F, and kept the LM and the Super Ikonta. I know the Yashica Mat may not last as many decades as the Rollei, but I want the camera to take pictures with now, that I like.

So there's an honest vote for the Yashica.

gone · Dec 5, 2013

I've owned Rolleicords, Rolleiflex, Yashicas, Autocords, etc. Lots and lots of TLR's. The Rolleicords are lighter and smaller, and have excellent lenses, even the lowly Triotars. The Autocords have great lenses.

But for image quality and small size, the best was a Voigtlander Brillant w/ an uncoated Heliar lens. I'm still kicking myself for selling that one. Diminutive size, 1/500 shutter, and easy to focus (kinda) w/ a new mirror installed. A little Bakelight TLR that blew all of my other MF cameras away in terms of image quality, regardless of price and lineage.

I used to send TLR's out for CLA's, but not anymore. They're very simple box cameras really, and unless something is wrong w/ the wind mechanism, fixing them is something I'm capable of.

Rolleiflex vs Yashicamat 124G (Or Others)

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