Seagull TLR

[Roger Cole]

The interchangeable lens Mamiya TLRs, C220/C330 and older versions, are really good cameras but compared to most (maybe all) the others here they are BIG and heavy. May or may not matter, but you might want to see one in person and judge for yourself whether it would work for you.

 

[mabman]

For almost nothing try a Czech Meopta Flexarete V - Very nice Beliar, Tessar type, lens and quadrant focussing - Film and shutter need to be wound separately, but this soon becomes natural

However, whatever cheapy you get will be a temporary measure 'till you get a Rollei

John

I would also recommend a Meopta Flexaret. I have the Flexaret VI (Automat), which has an integrated film advance/shutter mechanism. It also has an accessory 35mm film adapter (which I have but frankly rarely use). It's one of my go-to walk-around cameras because it's relatively compact and extremely reliable.

I recommend the Slovakian eBay seller "cupog" - he does a CLA on the cameras before he sells them and has been doing this with Meopta (and other former Eastern Bloc) photo gear for years. (No relationship with the seller, just a satisfied customer.)

I see his Flexaret VI/VII/Standard models tend to go in the US$140-160 range.

There is one thing with Flexarets - on some models the factory used a plastic fresnel screen on top of the ground glass to improve viewing. Whatever plastic they used has a tendency to yellow over the years which actually inhibits viewing and sometimes permanently adheres to the ground glass. I got a replacement ground glass pretty inexpensively from Rick Oleson. He includes instructions for replacement, so other than a stuck screw it went quite smoothly

 

[Mitya138]

Yikes! I jumped back from the screen when this image came up. That is one ugly mother.

http://www.camerachina.com/productxx.asp?id=1564

 

[Roger Cole]

I don't know about ugly, but it sure is WEIRD. Five lenses plus what appears to be a viewfinder lens? FIVE? WHY?

 

[Slixtiesix]

Haha, looks like it had come from outer space :-D

 

[Brac]

The problem with Seagull TLR's was always the poor quality control. Sometimes you could be lucky and get a good one but many had problems. There are many threads on this forum full of woes about these cameras unfortunately. For years I used a Mamiya C220 (which I agree is heavy) and also a Rolleimagic II, which had the advantage of built-in metering.

 

[graywolf]

Probably the best deal in TLR's at the moment is the Yashicamat 124G. They are still selling as users while the older models seem to be going as collectors items. With any kind of luck you can come up with a 124G for under $100.

Unfortunately, I prefer the older non-metered model. Unfortunately, because they seem to be pretty delicate as was most of the Japanese stuff from the 1950's, they did not have a good reputation back then. At one time, I had a Rolleiflex, but that was back when I was gainfully employed, and they were a lot cheaper. The fact is that nothing actually compares to the Rolleiflex in quality and features.

 

[PhotoJim]

No love for Minolta Autocords?

 

[limnidytis]

I have a Hua Zhong (华中) I bought in ebay a couple of years ago for about $10 - I think it's some kind of Seagull variant. It's worked well for me but I only use it intermittently. I has a OK lens but the out of focus areas are a bit odd and circular.

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

I don't know about ugly, but it sure is WEIRD. Five lenses plus what appears to be a viewfinder lens? FIVE? WHY?

most probably to allow user to choose between a standard frame (center lens), slightly stereo (left and right of center), and maximum (super) stereo effect (furtherest lenses on ends).

 

[Alan Gales]

For a TLR I would recommend a Mamiya C220 or C330.

Do you have to have a TLR. What about a Bronica S2a or EC?

 

[Alan Gales]

The downside to TLR's is that you have to reload them after shooting a roll of film. With SLR type medium format cameras you can just add another previously loaded film back and keep shooting.

With most TLR's you are stuck with one lens, usually a normal lens. With SLR type medium format cameras you also have a choice of long and short lenses.

 

[Roger Cole]

BUT - the TLR is much smaller and lighter, or at least the ones without interchangeable lenses are.

I have a Mamiya 645 Pro with AE prism finder, winder, several backs, several 120 inserts, Polaroid back, and just got 55mm and 150mm lenses in addition to the 80mm. It's great for some things, but other times I still prefer my Yashicamat 124, and honestly enjoy shooting with it more.

 

[piu58]

> BUT - the TLR is much smaller and lighter,
... and generates less vibrations.

 

[Alan Gales]

> BUT - the TLR is much smaller and lighter,
... and generates less vibrations.

This is very true. I once saw a test between a Rollieflex, Hasselblad 500cm, Mamiya R67 and I believe another camera all shot hand held. The Rollieflex easily came out on top in the vibration department. The surprise was that the RZ67 came in second. I guess because it is so massive and heavy.

 

[EKDobbs]

This is very true. I once saw a test between a Rollieflex, Hasselblad 500cm, Mamiya R67 and I believe another camera all shot hand held. The Rollieflex easily came out on top in the vibration department. The surprise was that the RZ67 came in second. I guess because it is so massive and heavy.

If you hold an RB/RZ with your arms hanging down (or supported by a strap), vibration is negligent down to 1/8. The only issue comes from holding it up to your eye, in which case your arms start to shake like you just had 3 cups of coffee.

 

[Alan Gales]

I used to own an RZ. I had both waist level and a metered eye finder. I hated the eye finder. With the strap, waist level finder and grip it wasn't bad at all. I used it for portraiture and shot most everything on a tripod. RZ'z are great portrait cameras!

 

[JPD]

I don't know about ugly, but it sure is WEIRD. Five lenses plus what appears to be a viewfinder lens? FIVE? WHY?

They are made for lenticular prints. You can see the 3D-effect directly on a print, so there's no need for a special stereo viewer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenticular_printing

 

[Roger Cole]

They are made for lenticular prints. You can see the 3D-effect directly on a print, so there's no need for a special stereo viewer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenticular_printing

Ah, that makes sense. I'm familiar enough with that to know what you mean and understand now.

Still makes a weird looking camera though.

 

[JPD]

Still makes a weird looking camera though.

Weird and huge. It will certainly attract curious people on the street. Then, when you agree to take their picture and promise to send them the 3D photo, every one of the five coupled leaf shutters fall apart.

 

[nicholai]

But... Who can stand for that red/gold Seagull tlr? Thats one sexy bastard.