Want to Buy WTB - TLR (Found one)

momus said:

Here's some that are definitely worth considering. I am partial to the older 3 element lenses, but most people would say that the 4 element modern Xenar is hard to beat for sharpness. Having a modern shutter that runs to 1/500 is a plus too. The camera looks pretty nice for that price!. The 2 links below are is for the older models that I favor.

How come these things are never around when I'm looking to buy? This is just an overabundance of nice looking gear, at prices that someone should pick up on.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-Rolleic...103249?hash=item25bb1e1e91:g:fusAAOSw2GlXIl5N

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolleicord-...444606?hash=item33b7e314be:g:HiwAAOSwneRXRIpY

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolleicord-...078083?hash=item41ab7ea583:g:l~EAAOSwepZXRzxS

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I appreciate you doing this but all of the listings are as is and untested. While I don't mind some DIY I really don't know anything about TLRs and would rather not potentially pay what I paid for a camera in repair fees, so I think Rollei's may be out of my budget.

I haven't yet seen the Mamiya TLRs mentioned in this thread. You can sometimes find a body and lens for very little money.

I found a Mamiya C220 with 65mm lens locally for $70. It is functional, but very ugly. Needs new foam seals on the back (easy DIY), there is a big dent in the taking lens filter ring, and the shutter runs a little slow (it's now consistently a half step slow, was sticky at first).

The shutters on the Mamiya TLR lenses look easy to DIY clean and lube, there are videos on YouTube that show the procedure. I haven't done mine yet, I just compensate for the half step overexposure. And if you screw up, lenses with slow/sticky shutters are cheap on the auction site so you can try again.

I can second the Yashica LM

Pro tip: if you're looking for a cable release on ebay, instead of searching for a Yashica one, search for a Nikon AR-2 one, same design, much cheaper.

Offer this guy 50. The Ciroflex have simple mechanisms. Usually self-cocking shutters, red window film winding. Not much to go wrong. Not much all that 'right' either but it should give you a taste.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ciro-Flex-w...443454?hash=item33b768fe3e:g:LN8AAOSwH71XOlTt

I have a Yashica 24 that can use 120 film. If you haven't found anything yet, PM me and I can send you photos.

Dan Daniel said:

Offer this guy 50. The Ciroflex have simple mechanisms. Usually self-cocking shutters, red window film winding. Not much to go wrong. Not much all that 'right' either but it should give you a taste.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ciro-Flex-w...443454?hash=item33b768fe3e:g:LN8AAOSwH71XOlTt

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That one looks like it's modified to take different film, the ground glass is masked off / not square and the film doesn't cover the whole width of the back.

Dan Daniel said:

Offer this guy 50. The Ciroflex have simple mechanisms. Usually self-cocking shutters, red window film winding. Not much to go wrong. Not much all that 'right' either but it should give you a taste.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ciro-Flex-w...443454?hash=item33b768fe3e:g:LN8AAOSwH71XOlTt

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What in the world? That thing looks converted to 127 film with that mask and spacers. OP, don't knock the Ciroflex, or the Graflex 22 it morphed into, especially a Model F with the 4 element lens. I have taken some fine pictures with my E, even though I have come to the conclusion TLRs are not my thing. Nobody else wanted mine; so it just sits on the shelf now.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/ROLLEICORD-6...680459?hash=item1c67b0218b:g:-q0AAOSwintXSB91

I presume it is Rolleicord V. Advantage is the focus and the winding on right-hand side.

jeffreythree said:

What in the world? That thing looks converted to 127 film with that mask and spacers..... Nobody else wanted mine; so it just sits on the shelf now.

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Yeah, I didn't notice that at first. But it all looks temporary, just spool inserts and a mask. Take them out and go back to 120, like Yashica 635 or the Rollei adapter system.

Maybe you could sell your Ciroflex to the OP?