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Rolleiflex & Yashicamat.

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Russ - SVP

Russ - SVP

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Which one do you think has the better lens? Maybe not much difference between the two?

Thanks
 
I've shot both and the prints are pretty much the same. That said, that is a Rolleiflex T, which did not have the same build quality (at least according to some repair folk) as the classic Rolleiflex, and (to me unforgivably) does not have the automat film loading system, so it's pretty much the same as the Yashica.

The Yashica line, in general, didn't have the same build quality as the classic Rolleiflex models either. That's why it was cheaper -- but the lenses are very nice on the highest grade models.
 
I suppose you are buying? Question cannot be really answered as asked. Specification wise they are similar, but old lens can have issues that can bring down technically superior lens far below another in actual performance. Need more info on each camera's condition. If both fairly equal there is no difference in what you end up getting in a photo, except that name does make a difference to some, especially if you end up selling it later.
 
Witold said:
I suppose you are buying? Question cannot be really answered as asked. Specification wise they are similar, but old lens can have issues that can bring down technically superior lens far below another in actual performance. Need more info on each camera's condition. If both fairly equal there is no difference in what you end up getting in a photo, except that name does make a difference to some, especially if you end up selling it later.
Click to expand...

Thanks. They are both in very good condition. I was just wondering which one to load up and shoot with tomorrow? I’ve had them both forever, but just haven’t gotten around to using either one until now. I’ll thread a roll of ACROS into one of them, and post the results to you all soon.

Thanks
 
Kiron Kid said:
Thanks. They are both in very good condition. I was just wondering which one to load up and shoot with tomorrow? I’ve had them both forever, but just haven’t gotten around to using either one until now. I’ll thread a roll of ACROS into one of them, and post the results to you all soon.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Aha, in that case whichever brings up the good vibe at a moment to take you out go shooting. I have the 3.5f Rolleiflex and that is a different camera, but with numerous Yashicas (short of the 124G) I still enjoy them all.
 
From experience of using different models from all the usual twin lens reflexes similar to the Rollie's I can say the Yashica models were not a patch on Rollie models, even the older ones. The build quality was OK-ish but the bodies did not have the same feel of quality as a Rollie. Even the Rolliecords. The only Japanese twin lens model that came even close to a Rollie was the Minolta Autocord. The Rokkor lenses on the later Minolta models was also far better than a Yashica. Not in definition, on that score they were about equal, but the Autocords were far less prone to flare.
 
Kiron Kid said:
Thanks. They are both in very good condition. I was just wondering which one to load up and shoot with tomorrow? I’ve had them both forever, but just haven’t gotten around to using either one until now. I’ll thread a roll of ACROS into one of them, and post the results to you all soon.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Acros ?
You might want to do a search on that in a Rollei .
I remember a long thread either at the beginning of last summer or the one before , where the O.P was touring around Europe and had taken a lot of one specific type of film and there was a problem with loading if and using as it's backing paper was too thin .
I can't remember the details or if other people had problems , it seems that the camera needed a bit of adjustment to function properly with that film .
I seem to think it was Acros , so might be worth checking on before yo load up and set off out .
 
Bikerider said:
From experience of using different models from all the usual twin lens reflexes similar to the Rollie's I can say the Yashica models were not a patch on Rollie models, even the older ones. The build quality was OK-ish but the bodies did not have the same feel of quality as a Rollie. Even the Rolliecords. The only Japanese twin lens model that came even close to a Rollie was the Minolta Autocord. The Rokkor lenses on the later Minolta models was also far better than a Yashica. Not in definition, on that score they were about equal, but the Autocords were far less prone to flare.
Click to expand...
Sadly Autocord had serious focusing problem as most lever style TLR had. And buying used, one does not know where that problem stands, is it around the corner or is it deep into future.

Yashica was never a comparison to Rollei TLR in built or precision department, but they are great tools to shoot with and most before 124G, were actually quite durable. While there are a number with issues now, I think part of it comes from users' attitude towards less expensive gear and "easier" to be careless with. Yashicas were purchased by schools, photo clubs etc. and many had to endure green users often with limited oversight. Still, a large number of Yashicas in excellent or better condition are available that should provide years of great shooting.

So, I think all comments that shoot down Yashica TLR overall quality are disservice to potential buyers. The flare issue ... well, with the hood on have not seen it. I'm not arguing they may be more prone to it, nor am I going to take out Rolleiflex and a Mat to prove one wrong or right, it's just that I know Yashica TLR is capable of great results.
 
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neilt3 said:
Acros ?
You might want to do a search on that in a Rollei .
I remember a long thread either at the beginning of last summer or the one before , where the O.P was touring around Europe and had taken a lot of one specific type of film and there was a problem with loading if and using as it's backing paper was too thin .
I can't remember the details or if other people had problems , it seems that the camera needed a bit of adjustment to function properly with that film .
I seem to think it was Acros , so might be worth checking on before yo load up and set off out .
Click to expand...
If it is old Acros, that was certainly NOT a problem, as I have shot it in several different TLRs. If it's the new one, wouldn't that be AFTER the discussion you're referring to.
 
neilt3 said:
Acros ?
You might want to do a search on that in a Rollei .
I remember a long thread either at the beginning of last summer or the one before , where the O.P was touring around Europe and had taken a lot of one specific type of film and there was a problem with loading if and using as it's backing paper was too thin .
I can't remember the details or if other people had problems , it seems that the camera needed a bit of adjustment to function properly with that film .
I seem to think it was Acros , so might be worth checking on before yo load up and set off out .
Click to expand...

Here's the old thread about Acros and Rolleiflex https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/acros-rolleiflex-pita.168625/
 
The Rolleiflex T does not have the Automat mechanism so film thickness and camera adjustment aren't an issue.

Supposedly the Tessar lens on the T is a modified design and is better than older Tessars. What that means in practice I do not know.

Witold has the most important point- condition is the real issue. Rolleis are better built all around, but that does not mean that YashicaMats are poorly built. Both camera have good lenses. Assuming clean glass, alignment of the lens board will be the biggest determinant of image quality.
 
I use both, and have a Yashicamat 124 in Turkey and a Rolleiflex Automat MX ihere in the UK, both very capable camera but as mentioned above the Yashica TLR build quality is not up to Rollei standards however that doesn't affect the images.

The Yashica is a touch lighter, less valuable so I's take that :D

Ian
 
I'd need better pictures to know. Can you open the shutter and aperture and show better pictures of the lens surfaces.
 
At the time the price point for a Yashica 124 was very good bargain, the 4 element lens are as good at F8 as the Rollie, the light meter is adequate. I have both a 124 and D, shot lots of book covers and author photos with both.
 
Assuming they're in the same condition the Rollei is most likely better. In my TLR lens experience: rolleiflex planar >= mamiya interchangeable >Autocord = rolleiflex xenar > yashinon > yashikor. I've never tried a Rolleiflex tessar but I can't imagine they'd be worse than the xenar, as xenars were cheaper. Though, all lens qualities live on a distribution with good and mediocre samples. I doubt you'll ever find a Yashikor that is better than a Rollei Planar, but you might find a yashinon that's better than a xenar.
 
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Looks that both are 4 element 3.5 Tessar designs, the Planar 2.8 is a step above either. When in the Air Force we had both a Rolleiflex with the 2.8 and a Rolleicord a 3.5, the planar was sharp from 2.8 to F 22 while the 3.5 was best around F 8. Came close to buying a Rollei with the Planar, at the time was so much money.
 
You own both so the answer is easily reached: load a roll of the same film in each and shoot matching photos and develop both rolls. Then print the photos at the same size and compare results.

Asking on a forum might get you a general consensus but it still really comes down to individual samples and individual experience.

How far are you stopping down? f8 or smaller? How big are you printing? 8x10 or smaller? If the answer is yes to either of those questions there’s a good chance you won’t see a discernible difference but only you will know for sure.
 
Thanks for the reply’s. I’ll burn the ACROS and Agfa APX 25 in the Rolleiflex today, and repeat the procedure in the Yashicamat very soon.
 
The Rollei is the better lens. Stopped down it's as sharp as a Planar and it handles flare better than the Yashica. It's also slightly wider at 75mm vs 80mm. The Tessar is a wonderful lens and I always prefered my Rollei T to my 3.5F. As others have mentioned make sure the focus is properly calibrated.
 
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