Recommend a small, light TLR?

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sienarot

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I'm thinking about selling off my Nikonos V and picking up a TLR in its place. What do you guys recommend? I think my only requirements is that it be small and light; not bulky at all. Cheap is nice too and i have nothing against 3 element lenses. It's also gotta use 120 film, so baby rollei's are out 🙂
 
I like knob wind TLR's, like the Ricohflex Diacord or a Rolleicord, and find them to be lighter than crank wind TLR's and cheaper.

Richie
 
Old Zeiss Ikoflex I or Ia TLRs are quite light and usually fairly light on the wallet as well.

Downside is that the ergonomics are typically Zeiss 😉

William
 
You may want to look into a Baby Rollei, I love mine and even use it in some professional assignments... Please keep in mind that the Baby takes 127 film.

Cheers,

Riccis
 
I've used a couple of pre-war R/Cords,and a 1950's Flexaret 111,and all were light,but robust,and gave nice results.

Brian.
 
Somebody has to mention it sooner or later... how about a Lubitel 166U? I can't think of a lighter-weight or cheaper TLR. It can be tough to find one that works well, but if you do, they're capable of great results. I'm very fond of mine.
 
I'll throw in the Minolta Auto Cord series of TLR but I have to say that I have never considered any of the 120 TLRs as light weight or small.

Bob
 
Recommend a small, light TLR

Recommend a small, light TLR

sienarot said:
I'm thinking about selling off my Nikonos V and picking up a TLR in its place. What do you guys recommend? I think my only requirements is that it be small and light; not bulky at all. Cheap is nice too and i have nothing against 3 element lenses. It's also gotta use 120 film, so baby rollei's are out 🙂
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Sienarot, there ain't any small, light TLR's that use 120 film...


Your closest one to small and light is a baby rollie or, as already suggested, a Yashica 4x4...Both take 127 film -- still available and still inexpensive-- like here:

http://www.digitaltruth.com/store/cart/Efke-R100-ISO-100-127-size-p-748.html
 
The Yashicamat 124/G is about as small as the 120's get while still being pretty well built, bonus - having a built in meter and a decent performing lens.

I think there is even one up in the classifieds right now - decent price for a fully working one (from a trusted seller). <-- I have no connection with this sale.
 
I've seen a Voigtlander Brilliant at a recent camera show. I think it's smaller than my Yashica Mat 124.

Keith (Novak) has one featured in one of his thread, IIRC.
 
Rolleicord V.

You probably want to pick a few up and try them out. With Rollei's the controls are sometimes on the left, sometimes on the right, depending on the model. The V worked for me control wise. The lens is really nice. I also got some Rolleinar close up lenses which are really cool for close work. Super light and well made.

I think if you want a TLR, you kinda want a Rollei and the cords are lighter and cheaper than the Flexes.

I have one and I had the screen replaced by Bill Maxwell and it's really nice. I don't shoot with it much anymore but can't bare to part with it.
 
I have two Rolleis and a Yashica 12. I agree with you that the 120 film is the way to go in a TLR. So having decided to go for a 120 TLR, I say go for the Rolleiflex! I have one made in 1951 (an MX, I think) with a very nice Xenar lens (Tessar type) and no meter. It is MUCH lighter and less bulky than my 1961 Rolleiflex with Xenotar and meter. It's a great carry-it-everywhere camera and a good street shooter. Whisper quiet. NOTHING is quieter than a Rollei! I found the groundglass way too dark and had a brighter screen put in. Go for the best! Get a Rollei!
Vic
 
Smallest TLR I've used..Zeiss Ikoflex.

Smallest TLR I've used..Zeiss Ikoflex.

Minolta autocord and Yashica 124 come to mind, but my Ikoflex was manageable. Small, compact, light are tall orders in TLR for obvious reasons... Dual optical system and all the framework to make it stay rigid and parallel. Just get a bigger car, and eat more wheaties.
 
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