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Post by unclebill on Feb 11, 2006 19:38:54 GMT -5
My brother Alex, love him to death but I hate him for this, he has put the bug in me for medium format TLR photography. I am slowly looking around at what is out there. I got a chance to play with Gene Wilburn's Rolleiflex last fall and it was fun, I really liked the results of what I did. I am toying with a Rolleicord, as much as I want one of the desireable Rolleiflex's present circumstances preclude that. I am looking for a decent camera that I will most likely buy late in the spring/early Summer with sharp optics and takes really decent photos. Suggestions?
Bill
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Post by byuphoto on Feb 11, 2006 22:57:01 GMT -5
The Zeiss Ikoflex with the Tessar is a good one that goes reasonable along with the Yashica 124 either the D or G. I have also had goo resukts with the Ricohflex and the Minolta Autocord and I have seen some excellent results from the Cirroflex
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Post by Microdad on Feb 12, 2006 8:35:40 GMT -5
I had a Minolta Autocord once that yeilded beautiful results. Only drawback was that the lenses weren't interchangeable. But, there are many attachments made for TLR's that you can get that fit.
I understand the Mamiya C330 is a good choice. I haven't had one myself but it's a favorite of wedding photographers around here. If I get another TLR this will be the one.
Steve
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Post by GeneW on Feb 12, 2006 10:12:41 GMT -5
Sorry my Rollei did that to you, Bill, but I understand. It's kinda like crack -- one hit and you're hooked! The Mamiya C220 and C330 are both excellent, but very large and heavy. They work best on a tripod. 'Flexes, 'Cords, and a bunch of other nice TLR's are relatively compact, not overly heavy, and can be hand held in most situations. Minoltas and Yashicas are good choices. They pop up for sale relatively often on various forums. I'll keep my eye open and send you a link if I see any. Gene
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Post by kamera on Feb 12, 2006 14:49:57 GMT -5
I simply love my Yashica EM. The Yashicas are not as heavy duty as the Rolleis but a great camera nontheless for the serious amateur/hobbyist.
Ron Head Kalamazoo, MI
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otthe
Contributing Member
Posts: 43
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Post by otthe on Feb 15, 2006 5:59:23 GMT -5
has anyone used the Ikoflex with the cheaper Novar lenses? - I got one in my collection, and maybe should try to put some film through it. What do you think? Josef www.kamera-geschichte.de
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Post by John Parry on Feb 15, 2006 17:48:11 GMT -5
Put some film through it Josef - you'll become our resident expert on the Ikoflex/Novar combination!!
Let us see the results
Regards - John
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otthe
Contributing Member
Posts: 43
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Post by otthe on Feb 16, 2006 1:47:06 GMT -5
Put some film through it Josef - you'll become our resident expert on the Ikoflex/Novar combination!! Let us see the results Regards - John Well, ahem....., took it out of the display case yesterday - the shutter is stuck ..... So, I'll have to find some time first to take it apart and get it going again ... regards Josef www.kamera-geschichte.de
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Post by heath on Feb 28, 2006 3:47:28 GMT -5
I have a few TLR's in my collection. I have only ran film through one of them, and another I stil have to finish.
Mine are:
Yashica A, my first TLR and also my first MF camera. The results blew me away, compared with 35mm. Even though it is a 'budget' TLR, the lens is very sharp.
Lubitel, don't underestimate this one from behind the Iron Curtain. This is the one I still have to finish the roll in, but from what I have heard it is quite the performer, considering the small prices they usually fetch. Mine cost a measely $50 AUD, with original box, instructions and purchase reciept.
Mamiya C330, my newest TLR. I bought this one last week for $170 AUD including leather case, 2 filters and remote shutter cable release. It has the 80mm 2.8 and seems to work perfectly. Yes, it is a heavy camera, but it is also very solid, sturdy and reliable. I will be adding more lenses in the future as funds allow.
I hope this has helped in some way.
I also have a few box cameras that could almost pass as TLR's due to their large viewing windows. These are a Voigtlander Brillant, Ensign Ful-Vue and Ensign Ful-Vue Super. I have only ran film through the Ful-Vue and was pleasently surprised, due to the fact is has no aperture adjustment, minimal focussing and a singlr shutter speed.
Heath
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Post by John Parry on Feb 28, 2006 5:08:25 GMT -5
Hi Heath
Nice to hear from you again. I am waiting to put a film through a Yashica D - awaiting film delivery.
The Ensigns are nice pieces of kit aren't they - if only they'd developed the sharp end they would still be trading today!
Regards - John
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Post by kiev4a on Feb 28, 2006 17:40:56 GMT -5
I have a Mamiya C220 but may eventually get the C330 (I owned one years ago). The Mamiyas are bulky and heavy but they do a great job and I don't normally use a TLR in a situation where I would be lugging around on foot for very long. I need to replace the foam in the Mamiya as the original has pretty well turned to mush.
Years ago the newspaper where I worked had f2.8 Rolleiflexes that took super pictures and were very durable. When they wore out they were replaced with Yashica 124Gs which did a good job when new but with the abuse they took didn't hold up very long. I'm sure a 124G that hasn't been abused would be a great TLR and a lot lighter than the Mamiya.
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Post by unclebill on Feb 28, 2006 21:27:19 GMT -5
Well to update on this adventure, my brother is allowing me to test drive his TLR's one at a time starting with the Rolleiflex lens config unknown. He has a flex, a Rolleicord, a Mamiya C330 and I think a Lubitel. I will check in when I get my feet wet.
Bill
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Post by philmco on Mar 2, 2006 0:56:09 GMT -5
I have very much enjoyed using the TLR's and have shot many rolls of film with them. The only thing that has put me off them as a group is that they don't do Macro work very well. I do a lot of macro work and a TLR is a bit frustrating to use that way. If landscapes or portrait work is an interest, then the TLR's are very good. I particulary like the Rolleiflex and Mamiya C series for that. They are difficult to use for action work too (not impossible- just hard). They do deliver quality that is hard to get with 35 mm. I will get around to LF someday I hope.
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Post by Microdad on Mar 2, 2006 1:53:57 GMT -5
The autocord I had shot beautiful portraits, landscapes, stills, etc. but like you said, they're certainly not your "sports" camera.
Steve
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Post by kiev4a on Mar 2, 2006 11:12:10 GMT -5
I shot rodeo for several years using a Rollei. Was working at night with a Honeywell strobe. Unsed the "sportsfinder" cutout in the front of the hood for framing. Set the focus at about 20 feet at f11 with Tri-X. You run up until the bullrider and bull fill the frame. Punch the shutter release and then run like hell!! (I was in my twenties at the time).
Interesting note: Horses never seemed to see the flash. But the minute you fired one at a bull he homed in on the source--hence the "run like hell."
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