Which of these TLRs should I get?

pluggedincitizen · Nov 9, 2014

I have the following options-
Yashica 635 (with the 35mm adapter)
Yashica A
Yashica D
Yashica Mat 124
Minolta Autocord
Rolleicord lll type 2

I know the Rollei is probably the best option but I'd like reviews preferably from people who own these cameras, in terms of their complexity, lens sharpness, focus and user-friendliness. I shoot 35mm film so I'm not completely unfamiliar with analog photography. Probably won't be able to upgrade for a few years.

Ian Grant · Nov 9, 2014

Best would be the Yashicamat 124 or the Autocord. I use a Yashicamat 124 and the meter is surprisingly accurate and I prefer the lever wind, lens is good as well.

Ian

snapguy · Nov 9, 2014

not much

It does not make much difference which box you get. The main thing is to find one in very good working mechanical condition. I used a Rolleiflex in the 1960s professionally and did the same with a Yashicamat in the 1970s. Both gave me outstanding results. I own one of the former and two of the latter. I love them all.

Jim Christie · Nov 9, 2014

I have a Minolta Autocord, which has been a lot of fun to use. Minolta actually made a number of Autocord models, and it would be good to know which model you're getting since certain components (metering, shutter, etc) varied over the years. I have the "L" model, and while it has a Selenium meter, it's no longer accurate so I use an external meter. Also, this model has a helicoid focus mechanism that will probably require service if the camera hasn't been recently CLA'd.

A couple of additional models you might want to consider are one of the Ricoh Diacords and the Mamiya C2.../3... series. I've not owned either, but when I was researching TLRs, I found many positive opinions about the Diacords. The Mamiyas, while slightly larger, offer the advantage of interchangeable lenses which seems to be unique among this type of camera.

Good luck with your decision.

Fixcinater · Nov 9, 2014

+1 to the idea of shopping by condition/service history vs. "pedigree" as any of them could be quite nice and totally up to the task if well serviced/taken care of, and any of them could be a pile of parts and not much more.

I've recently fixed a Rolleicord II and III, which both had bent parts in the shutters due to assumed abuse. Nice images, nothing much better than any of the Yashicas I have had ('Mat EM, Mat LM, D with the Yashikor (funny swirly background with that triplet lens).

The Yashica A probably has the least features. I prefer knob wind over crank as it seems less finicky but it does take more attention to detail to run without error.

Chrismat · Nov 9, 2014

I had an Autocord, I have a Yashicamat, and they are both very good. If you get an Autocord, make sure the sliding focusing knob is not stiff, many became stiff and the owners inadvertently broke off the tip. The Autocord is unique in that you load the film on the top and the film winds down to the empty spool. The unexposed film does not bend and supposedly this makes for a slightly sharper image because of film flatness. The only other fixed lens tlr that I know of that also starts the unexposed film on the top is the Ricohmatic 225, which is pretty rare.

I really like Yashicas, but one frustrating thing about them is that a lot of models are susceptible to flare even using a lens shade. Flocking the internal chamber makes a big difference.

I flocked a bunch of cameras (35mm and tlrs) after checking out this website:

http://www.usedcameradb.com/blog/2010/02/flocking-a-yashica-mat-124/

mooseontheloose · Nov 9, 2014

I agree with the others -- condition should be the most important factor, but all other things being equal, I would go for the Autocord.

ic-racer · Nov 9, 2014

They are all going to take nearly identical pictures when working well. Get whatever is in best condition.

Richard S. (rich815) · Nov 9, 2014

ic-racer said:
They are all going to take nearly identical pictures when working well. Get whatever is in best condition.

Exactly.

tkamiya · Nov 9, 2014

I only have personal experiences with two. Rolleicord V and Yashicamat 124G.

Rolleicord was incredibly sharp where as Yashicamat was adequately sharp. Not a scientific comparison and it could very well be the sample variations.

TooManyShots · Nov 9, 2014

Yes, get the one in good condition. Most likely, unless the seller states that the camera has been CLA, you may need someone to recondition it. Shopping these vintage TLRs requires luck. Stopping down to f5.6, many of these TLRs produce the same quality image. Rollei and Autocord are better built BUT they are generally more expensive in the used market. $200 to $300 and they aren't even mint, working condition. With $200 to $300, you can get a good working condition Yashica Mat. Check out keh.com I paid $80 shipped for mine, Yashica Mat. I have spend many hours to recondition it myself since nothing is broken but need a good cleaning.

one90guy · Nov 9, 2014

I have had a Autocord and now have a Yashica A and A Rollricord lll. All have given me good me good service

Brian Legge · Nov 9, 2014

You can occasionally find near-mint condition Autocords with broken focus levers for ~$50. Send them to Karl Bryan for a CLA and new lever (that way you know you have a more robust lever anyway as well as a CLA'd camera). The total may be less than the cost of a one of the 'better condition' cameras out there and is a heck of a kit.

jspillane · Nov 9, 2014

1) Autocord
2) Rolleicord
3) Yashica 124g

Unless you get a steal on a camera, the prices aren't really THAT different between these.
I would also rec' keeping your eye peeled for older Rolleiflex's (MX, MX-EVS) as they can go for similar prices. They are technically the best built of what is under discussion, but also quite old and likely to have been heavily used.

If you don't mind a little more bulk, I think the Mamiya TLR series is also worth looking at.

Sirius Glass · Nov 9, 2014

First is the condition.
Second is how the camera fits and feels in your hands.

Then choose a Hasselblad.

grahamp · Nov 10, 2014

Condition being equal, the Rolleicord might have the better lens if you can live with cocking the shutter manually. The YashicaMat 124 might be easier to get serviced than the Autocord - depends on your location. My YashicaMat (early, Yashinon lens) does a good job, though the corners don't really come in until f5.6 or f8. A Rolleicord was my first real introduction to TLRs, and set a high standard that the YashicaMat does not quite reach. But I didn't pay Rollei prices for it either.

TheFlyingCamera · Nov 10, 2014

First is condition, second is ergonomics. Can you get your hands on each of these cameras and at least play with them, if not run a roll or two through each before committing? You want to see how each camera handles- you may like or dislike some design quirk enough that it overrides your condition criteria. Distant third is brand name. Do you have a set-in-stone budget for this? Another thing to consider, if you have a little flexibility, instead of spending $300 on a Yashica 124G or an Autocord, is to step up to a Rolleiflex 3.5E for $500. With a little patience and persistence, you can find a 3.5E with the Xenotar for under $500, maybe even under $400 if you're lucky. The meter will probably be dead, but that's quite possibly true for all the other cameras you're considering, if they even have a meter. There will be a significant qualitative difference between the 3.5E and the 'Cord/'Mat family of cameras.

OptiKen · Nov 10, 2014

Personally, I like the Minolta Autocord. If you can get one with a working meter.
I have one and the pictures it captures are superb.
I don't remember what Rolleicord I had but the lens was no where near as sharp as with the Minolta.
Yashicas are capable of wonderful captures but their quality control wasn't always top notch. Sometimes the parts in them are 'suspicious'.

jspillane · Nov 10, 2014

TheFlyingCamera said:
There will be a significant qualitative difference between the 3.5E and the 'Cord/'Mat family of cameras.

This man speaks wisdom. Although, I think you can get a good condition Yashica or Autocord for closer to $200 if you are patient (in fact there is a Autocord on KEH right now for <$200 in BGN condition).

Richard S. (rich815) · Nov 10, 2014

OptiKen said:
I don't remember what Rolleicord I had but the lens was no where near as sharp as with the Minolta.

Then you had a bad Rolleicord.

Ian Grant · Nov 11, 2014

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
Then you had a bad Rolleicord.

Some Rolleicords came with the Triotar lens, that isn't as sharp as the Tessars, Yashinons or Autocord lenses. The Triotar is nice for portraits I used one for a short time many years ago, and I have a Rolleicord with one now to restore.

I agree with The Flying Camera that it's worth paying a touch more for a Roleiflex 2.8E or 3.5E the Planar and Xenotar lenses are better than the cameras listed by the OP. I use a 3.5E2 but also have a an Automat with an excellent Opton Tessar.

Another camera which can be found at good prices is the MPP Microcord essentially a British made Rolleicord III with a Ross Xpres lens, it's sharp lens almost as good as the Xenotar. Avoid the early model with the Epsilon shutter, most have the far better Prontor shutter.

Ian

baachitraka · Nov 11, 2014

Rolleicord V: Film advance and focus knob on right-hand side. Buy and send it for a CLA. That will last for next 15-20 years of moderate usage.

flavio81 · Nov 11, 2014

Try a Mamiya C220 or C330 and see if you like it more than the options you listed originally.

The Rolleicords with the Xenar or Tessar lenses should give you extremely sharp results. And they are very compact.

Which of these TLRs should I get?

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