Which TLR to go for?

jovo said:

Well Ailsa....whadja end up getting? That paycheck didn't bounce, now did it?

Click to expand...

No, it didn't (thankfully!) but the TLR purchase is on hold for the time being. I went back to the antiques market and discovered that most of the TLRs were in pretty bad condition, and smelled musty, as if they'd been in a damp cellar for years (which they probably had).

I bid for one or two on ebay, but kept getting pipped at the post, so I'm going to wait until I get back from my holiday at the end of July before trying again.

Thanks for all everyone's help with this!

Ailsa

have you tried auctionsniper.com? if you're interested let me know as I can refer you (and get some free snipes for it).

cheers

Ailsa:

For what it's worth, I'll second the vote for the Mamiya C220/C330 setup. I've never used the Rollei nor the Minolta so I can't comment. The couple of Yashicamats that I've used were ok, delivering quite nice images, but I couldn't get past that dark focusing screen problem that made focussing and composing so difficult. I own 2 C220 bodies and a few lenses in several focal lengths. Yes, they are big compared to the other offerings, but that's of little consequence. They are not so big that you can't use them as walking about cameras, and I find the extra weight an advantage in overcoming camera shake at slower shutter speeds. The image quality of the lenses is superb, on par with the best of lenses out there today in practical use. If you can find a good one out there with an 80mm lens, grab it. You won't be disappointed.

Ailsa,

With respect to the other correspondents insights, I would like to add this:

How do you see your TLR as a picture-making machine? Are you going to use it on a day-to-day basis? Are you going to use it as your exclusive camera?

It helps to step back and see how Rollei defined the rollfilm TLR: it was supposed to be a simple, no-nonsense, standalone camera: a Rollei and a roll of film, you are in business, being able to make effective pictures with the least fuss. You are of course limited by just one lens, but there again you will learn to "see" like a Rollei, and make the most out of it; after all, more than a generation of photographers had no problem with that, and nearly all the similar cameras followed the same philosophy, be it Minolta or Yashica, or for that matter, every maker from Aires to Zenobia!

Mamiya took a different approach and made it into a "system camera": you attack the basic body from every direction with lenses, finders, accessories... so as to custom-build a camera for any particular job. Very flexible, but it can get complicated as well.

For me as one who uses formats from subminiature to LF, I do not really need the flexibility of a Mamiya C-series. I use Rolleis, simply because they are simple, effective; they bring in the goods, and their limitations make me more careful so as to make every picture counts.

If you need a "system" camera, your only choice would be between the various Mamiya C-series models. But if you don't, the choice would be much much wider. As I see you are in my old country, it might be an idea if you can find a Microflex with Prontor shutter, by the late lamented firm of MPP based in Kingston-on-Thames. But regarding Rolleis, I would recommend a Rolleiflex made after 1954, or if you are more inclined towards European products, a late model Ikoflex with Tessar lens would also be quite satisfactory too.

Pardon the silly question, but what about a Koni-Omega TLR as an alternative 'system' to the Mamiya? Are there any left out there? (curious, as I keep bumping against the Omega-rapid rangefinders, but haven't seen the TLR in years)

The Koni-Omega TLR's appear from time to time on E-Bay. I think there's one listed now under Medium Format. Ive always been tempted to get one, especially because the Koni backs I already have will fit. Since they usually sell for around $300, I have managed to resist temptation! I figure the money would be better spent on something newer such as a Fuji 6 x 7 rangefinder.

Konical

I just checked E-Bay; there's currently no Koni-Omegaflex list in Medium Format. The listing I saw recently must have just expired.

Konical

Ailsa, I have used both the Mamiya 330f and Rollei TLR's. From the point of view of getting the job done (i.e. just taking good pictures), the simplicity of the Rollei's is hard to beat. Keeping it simple has an interesting side effect: you forget the camera and concentrate on the photography.

My best pictures have been taken with my old Rolleicord III (and I own a rather wide range of equipment: Mamiya 7II, Horseman VHR, Crown Graphic, several folders). Recently I succumbed to the siren call of a Rolleicord Vb (and it had grey leatherette finish, which was the clincher), but it's really nothing more than a fancy III! You can pick up a 'cord III for less than $200, get it CLA'd, and you'll have a real photographic machine to work with.

It's hard to transmit one's experience to others, and it doesn't always transfer over well, but here goes ... you can't go wrong with a Rollei TLR, and the simpler the better!

Joffre

Ailsa,

Another point:

You are getting pre-owned equipment, so it would be a little bit difficult to generalise: a Rolleiflex might have a better reputation than a "Something-flex" made in somewhere else, but if the Rolleiflex had been trashed by a previous owner, its lenses no longer properly synchronised in focal length, etc, it might not be any more satisfactory than the latter.

If you see one at a dealer, try to arrange for a money-back guarantee: that's what I always do:

Seal your cash in an envelope with your contact details etc, and get the shop manager to sign it as well, let him put it in the cash register, the deal is this: if you do not return with the camera within 24 hours, he can open up the envelope and put the money away; but if you return with the camera, you can take the sealed envelope back. You take pictures with it for the day and get them processed and carefully examined, whether it works or not, you still won't be out of pocket.

I have done arrangements with dealers like that and it seems quite acceptable to every one of them; it is perhaps worth a try.