Which TLR

Graham.b · Mar 15, 2009

Good Morning all, well this is a turn up. I would never have guessed this would cause the amount of post that it has. I have found a "T" for £95 and cords for up to 300. I want to get into 6x6 and these TLR look small and can be used with out to much notice from passer by's. Not that iam a people or street shooter, could lead to a new line to try. I am on the search and will find one.
Well after all the response, what else can i do. My dear lady has no objections to a new addition to the family, she all so knows it will not be the last.

She is well into the photography game as well so it is much easier.
I have had a look on the Ebay and as i have said you have to be so careful there.

Regards Graham

nemo999 · Mar 15, 2009

Graham.b said:
Good Morning all, well this is a turn up. I would never have guessed this would cause the amount of post that it has. I have found a "T" for £95 and cords for up to 300. I want to get into 6x6 and these TLR look small and can be used with out to much notice from passer by's. Not that iam a people or street shooter, could lead to a new line to try. I am on the search and will find one.
Well after all the response, what else can i do. My dear lady has no objections to a new addition to the family, she all so knows it will not be the last.

She is well into the photography game as well so it is much easier.
I have had a look on the Ebay and as i have said you have to be so careful there.

Regards Graham

Good luck with your search - be aware, however that £95 for a "T" is a "basket case" price, while £300 for a Rolleicord is a lot even for a late model in as-new condition, recently serviced and 100% ready to go!

srs5694 · Mar 15, 2009

phenix said:
IMO, TLRs are for MF, what RFs are for 35mm.

FWIW, there are 35mm TLRs. Doing a search on eBay turns up several auctions for new "Blackbird, fly" cameras, which are cheap-looking (but overpriced on eBay, IMHO) cameras with a single shutter speed and just two apertures. The ad indicates they can take either square or 24x36mm photos. The camera looks like a typical MF TLR in overall shape, although I imagine it's a bit smaller. There's also this Agfa Flexilette on eBay. I see that Camerapedia has a page devoted to 35mm TLRs. I count seven entries in total. I suppose if you really love TLRs you might want to dig up one of these.

Rolleiflexible · Mar 15, 2009

Graham.b said:
Good Morning all, well this is a turn up. I would never have guessed this would cause the amount of post that it has. I have found a "T" for £95 and cords for up to 300.

Graham, grab the T. Even beaters sell for
twice the price you were quoted for it. The
T is a much better camera than the Cords
-- not to take anything away from the Cords,
they are great too. But the T has the lever
wind and automatic shutter cocking that the
Cords lack, and the Tessar lens was improved
for the Ts. That T is a steal at 95 quid.

Vaughn · Mar 15, 2009

Just for fun, I'll mention a camera I have...a TLR Graflex 22 (Model 200). The taking lens is a Graflex Graftar 85mm/3.5. I actually do not use it much, since I have a Rolleiflex 2.8, but it is fun to have...and I use it in situations where I don't want to risk the Rollei.

Vaughn

Ian Grant · Mar 15, 2009

I know where that T may be, I saw one last week (online) for that price

Graham.b said:
I want to get into 6x6 and these TLR look small and can be used with out to much notice from passer by's.
Graham

Don't be so sure, but be amazed, I was using my Yashicamat in Venice in the Autumn and I had some great remarks from Italians, one local Professional came over to say how wonderful to see someone using film, a mothert pointed the camera out to her children, all very positive responses.

They DON'T go un-noticed

Ian

Anscojohn · Mar 15, 2009

Vaughn said:
Just for fun, I'll mention a camera I have...a TLR Graflex 22 (Model 200). The taking lens is a Graflex Graftar 85mm/3.5. I actually do not use it much, since I have a Rolleiflex 2.8, but it is fun to have...and I use it in situations where I don't want to risk the Rollei.

Vaughn

*******
IIRC, that became the Ciroflex; or was it the other way around?

Anscojohn · Mar 15, 2009

Rolleiflexible said:
Graham, grab the T. Even beaters sell for
twice the price you were quoted for it. The
T is a much better camera than the Cords
-- not to take anything away from the Cords,
they are great too. But the T has the lever
wind and automatic shutter cocking that the
Cords lack, and the Tessar lens was improved
for the Ts. That T is a steal at 95 quid.

******
I would grab a Rollei T at that price any time. Back in ye oldene dayz I worked for an outfit doing convention photography. We used Ts because they were faster to load than the "real" Rolleiflexes because they did not need to be threaded under the sensing bar: the kid who ran the print drier, in slack moments, would slit the paper on the rolls of Super Hypan we shot; thread the tongue onto an empty spool; give it a turn or two, then rubber band the two togetether. All we had to do was empty the camera, pull out a prepared spool/fresh roll combo, pull off the rubber band, put the already threaded takeup spool in top, run the fresh roll down to the bottom, pop that in, line up the arrows, close the back and go. It took less time to do that to describe here. Try that with a regular Rolleiflex.

Prest_400 · Mar 15, 2009

Ian Grant said:
I know where that T may be, I saw one last week (online) for that price

Don't be so sure, but be amazed, I was using my Yashicamat in Venice in the Autumn and I had some great remarks from Italians, one local Professional came over to say how wonderful to see someone using film, a mothert pointed the camera out to her children, all very positive responses.

They DON'T go un-noticed

Ian

A Rolleiflex T for 95 GBP, just get it!

I believe no TLR will go un-noticed. Do a test; go to a popular tourist place and see how much of the tourists have a TLR. People feel curious about this design because it's strange in todays standards, you'd call attention also if you went around with a 1930 folder.
If I wasn't shooting film nowadays I almost wouldn't know about the existence of TLRs, because they're very very rare to see around; I've never seen around here any person holding a TLR.

Vaughn · Mar 15, 2009

Anscojohn said:
*******
IIRC, that became the Ciroflex; or was it the other way around?

It appears tyhat the Graflex 22 TLR Model 200 might be a rebadged Ciroflex, or made by the same company that made the Ciroflex for Graflex.

Info from: http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-76.html

Thanks for the heads up...I did not know t he relationship between Ciroflex and Graflex 22.

Vaughn

It is a solid no-frills camera...I have not made any significant enlargements with it, so I can not compare the optics. Shutter speeds are 1/10 to 1/200 seconds, has a hot shoe and the red window on the back is spring loaded. Shutter is self-cocking (press type, I suppose).

Rolleiflexible · Mar 15, 2009

Ian Grant said:
They DON'T go un-noticed

If you are trying to stay inobtrusive,
a Rolleiflex is helpful because you don't
have to be looking at your subject to
photograph him. And the shutter is
dead-quiet.

But your point is well-taken. Once I was
in a departure gate at JFK, and I decided
to load my 3.5E while waiting to board.
A couple in their 80s, well-dressed, sat
across from me and watched intently.
After I finished, the man asked: "Is that
a camera"? I respectfully said, "Yes, it is
a Rolleiflex camera. From the 1950s."
Then she asked: "Can you still get film
for it"? I was still holding the empty
yellow Kodak wrapper. "Yes ma'am."

Anscojohn · Mar 16, 2009

Vaughn said:
It appears tyhat the Graflex 22 TLR Model 200 might be a rebadged Ciroflex, or made by the same company that made the Ciroflex Thanks for the heads up...I did not know t he relationship between Ciroflex and Graflex 22.

Vaughn

******
I just checked the Graflex site and Graflex bought the dies, etc. when Ciro went under and made the cameras under their own name. Said the lenses were all Tessar-types made by Wollensak. Should be great picture takers, for sure.

BTW, I am really running short of cash in this "slight market readjustment." I'll be putting a completely overhauled Yashica 635 (Yashikor lens) --absolutely pristine), with metal Yashica hinged caps AND the 35 mm adaptor, in it's case. It's going to take me time to get a d''''''''al camera, get some pix, and post them. But I thought I would give a headsup. JAYKHILL@AOL.COM

Vaughn · Mar 16, 2009

John, there seems to have been 3 models of the Graflex 22. The 200 (which I have) and the 400 both have 3 element lenses (both had 85mm lenses), and the 400-F has a 4 element lens, and are 83mm lenses. This is according to the website I linked to above...which like any internet source, must be taken with a grain of salt. I'll have to count the reflections in the lens of the one I have.

Vaughn

Keith Tapscott. · Mar 16, 2009

The Yashica 124G is worth considering.

Prest_400 · Mar 16, 2009

Keith Tapscott. said:
The Yashica 124G is worth considering.

Better the non G version; better made, more sturdy and not so expensive. The G is overpriced IMO, just for gold contacts in the meter.

Ian Grant · Mar 16, 2009

Having used both I have to agree. The Yashicamat 124 is a great reasonable priced camera. The Rolleiflex T, for£95, would be a better long term bet though, I thought abot buying it

I enjoy using my 124, it's had a few minor dings but works perfectly, since it's CLA

Ian

Shelly Grimson · Mar 17, 2009

Get the T . Its so light compared to the normal Rolleis and the lenses are wonderful. The only thing missing is the extra stop of 2.8 and the ability to do double exposures. I find I use it more than my Hassy and even 35s when I go out for a walk with no mission in mind...I also find the viewfinder really bright and crisp. I might have a later version though. Others can help with this information.

JPD · Mar 17, 2009

Shelly Grimson said:
I also find the viewfinder really bright and crisp. I might have a later version though. Others can help with this information.

All the T models have the bright viewing screen.

The Tessar was reformulated for the T, so it should be as good as the Tessar can get.

geauxpez · Mar 20, 2009

Having owned and shot a Rolleicord, Autocord and Yashica Mat 124G, I preferred the Yashica. I, however, have retired from TLR's.

richiedcruz · Mar 20, 2009

My personal favorite TLR's are the Ricohmatic 225 and Ricoh Diacord L.

JRJacobs · Mar 21, 2009

richiedcruz said:
My personal favorite TLR's are the Ricohmatic 225 and Ricoh Diacord L.

Another vote here for the Ricohmatic 225. Trouble is finding one.

archphoto · Mar 21, 2009

How about this one ?

Ok, it has not been made jet and is the idea of Keith W and me, but still...

The ultimate TLR 6x7 ?

Peter

GM Bennett · Mar 21, 2009

archphoto said:
How about this one ?

Ok, it has not been made jet and is the idea of Keith W and me, but still...

The ultimate TLR 6x7 ?

Peter

Isn't that pretty close to a Koni-Omegaflex M?! Why re-invent the wheel (even in jest)?

archphoto · Mar 21, 2009

Realy ? I don't know the Omegaflex M.

This one was made with software only.

Peter

gerryyaum · Mar 21, 2009

I find that the Mamiyas are the way to go because of the bellows, which allow you to focus up close. These heads were done with a Mamiya C330 and 80mm lens in 2008. I can focus this camera closer than I can my Mamiya M6.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DBy0KG-ZZ...AA3I/aIW_B_YLse8/s1600-h/Dad,+Canada+2008.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DBy0KG-ZZ...MdxV9oyYQ/s1600-h/Long+sex+worker+2-72dpi.jpg

Which TLR

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