Rolleiflex

Jessestr · Jun 16, 2014

Hi all

I recently acquired a Contax T2 next to my Leica M6 (with Sonnar 50/1.5). However I do like this camera. It doesn't really fit me as well as I thought.
I've been shooting lots of medium formats before (Hasselblad V, Pentax 645, Mamiya RB67) but never really liked it (apart from the Hasselblad). I really want to go into TLR's as I think they are just perfect.

Now I have three options. Two simple one's and a more drastic one. (check out my work to see what pictures I make with my cameras ... www.jessestr.be)
I know it's a personal choice, but GAS threw my thinking capability in the trash.

Option 1 (Simple)

Switch the T2 + €200 for a Rolleiflex T2, and be sad about €200 that I've could have spend on paper and film.

Option 2 (Simple)

Keep the T2 or sell... and get a Yashica Mat 124(G) as it's quite cheap and I don't know if I'll use it a lot as my main is the Leica M6.

Option 3 (Drastic)

First of all. I have a Plustek 8200i SE scanner, a 35mm Durst M305 enlarger. So no equipment to scan or enlarge 120 film.
As for color I send my film to Carmencita Film Lab, and 120 too.

I could sell the M6 and Sonnar and get a Rolleiflex 2.8F and keep the T2 to shoot 35 with. But then the scanner/enlarger are kinda useless for just some snapshots with the 35mm.
But I would gain quality and lose the benefits of home scanning. Unless I enlarge everything I need.. But the scanning part is kind of necessary. I could send it to my lab too for process & scan and then enlarge myself.. But it's more of a pain.
Any other options on scanning medium format? Change the scanner for an Epson maybe.

But I actually love my M6, and I would miss it a lot. But the Rolleiflex should perform better... right?

So, opinions?

Kyon Thinh · Jun 16, 2014

Hmm, quite complex.
I have sold my Leica, got a Rolleiflex and Minolta 7sii for cheap and never looked back.
First I think a Rolleiflex fits to what you are doing, but selling Leica or not I personally can't say anything, it depends on you.
2.8F is a good camera, however if you dont plan to use the meter, my advice is getting either 2.8C or 2.8E with pristine glass and functional shutter, spend extra money for what you need (enlarger, enlarging lens, scanner, etc...).
Scanner for medium format is quite cheap if you know what you want. Old thing like 3200 is good enough for web and small print.

elekm · Jun 16, 2014

I agree. We are all different, and what we like for us has nothing to do with your own preference.

It's like asking what you should put on your pizza. Some people think they will like shooting a TLR but then don't really enjoy the experience.

Some swear by rangefinders. Others will never part with their SLR.

I think people can offer opinions on various cameras and shooting styles, but recommending a camera without knowing you is very subjective.

I wouldn't part with any cameras. Just add to what you have. Then sell what doesn't fit your style.

Jessestr · Jun 16, 2014

Hmhm. I see, I know it's a very personal choice. I never liked SLR on 35mm as for me it's way too slow (focus throws mostly) and in low light so hard to focus. But that's just me. That's what I shoot Leica in the first place. Secondly, it's for the Sonnar 50/1.5 ... the perfect lens for me on 35mm as for portrait skin tones and bokeh.

But medium format should be superior to my M6. But I won't shoot much medium format if I can't scan / print at home. That's why I tend to go for the drastic change.
Or just the simpel Yashica option. As spending another €200 on a camera which I won't use that much would be expensive. But on the other hand ... if the T2 breaks I can't repair it.

jp498 · Jun 16, 2014

Yashica TLR, If you get real into it, sell it for a rolleiflex you want; I'm a big fan of the automat versions. Get an epson scanner I bet v600 would be fine. I have the 700 as I scan large format. Pick up a cheap used MF enlarger, 80mm componon-s lens, and sell your 35mm enlarger as the MF one can do both just fine.

Jessestr · Jun 16, 2014

jp498 said:
Yashica TLR, If you get real into it, sell it for a rolleiflex you want; I'm a big fan of the automat versions. Get an epson scanner I bet v600 would be fine. I have the 700 as I scan large format. Pick up a cheap used MF enlarger, 80mm componon-s lens, and sell your 35mm enlarger as the MF one can do both just fine.

Sounds like a reasonable plan.

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 16, 2014

I second the vote for just getting a cheap Yashica until you know that you actually do like shooting a TLR. If the style works for you, then think about springing for a Rollei 2.8 E or F. E's can be had for still-reasonable prices, especially if you shop (carefully!) on Ebay US and bite the shipping bullet. Or, if you fall totally head-over-heels with shooting a TLR, THEN sell the Leica and fund a 2.8GX or something.

I'd ditto what was said about the medium format enlarger. People are giving them away these days, both literally and figuratively. No reason not to get one if you want one unless you don't have space (but if you have the Durst 305, you've got space for a medium format enlarger).

Jessestr · Jun 16, 2014

Well.. bought a Yashica 124G.

Thanks guys haha

snapguy · Jun 16, 2014

yashicamat

I learned photography on a Rolleiflex and used mine professionally from 1956 through the early 1970. Throughout the 1970s I used a Yashicamat professionally. Recently I have been scanning old film from both eras and find the Yashicamat negs are just as sharp as the ones from the Rollei but that the Rollei negs are deeper and richer -- something you probaboly won't notice unless you really make huge enlargements. I recently bought a Rolleiflex that is 60 years old and works great, for $180. You can't go wrong with either camera, if you get a nice one.

Pioneer · Jun 16, 2014

Enjoy the Yashica Mat. Wonderful camera. Unless you shoot it enough to wear it out I can't see you needing anything else for quite awhile.

You really do need to come up with some darkroom options for the negatives or you will never really get to enjoy those beautiful 6x6 negatives.

Jessestr · Jun 16, 2014

Thanks for the quick help. I got a deal for a CLA'ed Yashica 124G for about €60 (light meter's dead - but I don't use internal light meter's anyways). It's not mint, but lenses are scratch, haze & fungus free. And as said before.. CLA'ed & tested.

JPD · Jun 17, 2014

Enjoy the Yashica! The Yashinon lens should be good.

If you're still thinking of a Rolleiflex 2,8 F, you could consider a 3,5 F with Planar, maybe a later one with a distance scale with both Feet and Meters. They have the six element Planar that is a little sharper and contrastier than the 2,8.

baachitraka · Jun 17, 2014

Once you start shooting with MF, you may not find yourself going often back to 35mm.

I may go with a good enlarger and loads of film and paper. ;-)

Nuff · Jun 17, 2014

I shoot a hasselblad and 35mm. Keep the leica. One format isn't superior to other. I like the grainy high ISO BW 35mm photos.

Pioneer · Jun 17, 2014

Nuff said:
I shoot a hasselblad and 35mm. Keep the leica. One format isn't superior to other. I like the grainy high ISO BW 35mm photos.

I can agree with this. Don't throw 35mm out yet, it has a place.

MattKing · Jun 17, 2014

I shoot more medium format B&W then 35mm B&W, but I would never give up on 35mm. Here is a (not yet spotted) shot from last week using a Kodak Retina IIIc:

Chris Richards · Jul 25, 2014

I use 3 different formats - 35mm, medium format (6X6), and 4 X 5 inches. Each has its strengths, weaknesses, pleasures and limitations, and I wouldn't give up on any one of them - I know I'd regret it later. In medium format I've had a rolleiflex and enjoyed the quality of its construction. However, the photos were no better than those of the 3 yashicamats I've had (one of which I currently own). Sometimes I was a bit reluctant to take my (precious) rolleiflex out in the rain, and I don't have this problem with the yashica, so miss fewer photos than I did with the rollei.

Cheers

Chris

TheFlyingCamera · Jul 25, 2014

Chris - as per the Rollei in the rain thing, there was this famous anthropologist who worked with more-or-less uncontacted tribes in the Amazonian rainforest back in the 1950s. He took a Rolleiflex with him to shoot his documentary work. For THREE YEARS in the Amazonian jungle. If the Rollei can endure three years of constant use in the rainforest, not stored in a durable shelter but in a tent or a grass hut, a little rain ain't gonna faze it in the least.

Chris Richards · Jul 25, 2014

I'm sure you're right - the problem wasn't the rollei it was the way I thought about it. It's so less stressful (for me!) with a yashica!!

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