Meter'd TLR Options?

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pompadork

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Hello ~

I'm set on purchasing a TLR in the near future, and I was wondering what cheap-ish options i had for a meter'd TLR. Not Lubitel cheap, but i was thinking around the ~160 dollar range?

I haven't looked a ton into meter'd TLRs but all I can recall is that one Yashica-Mat with a built in meter. However, I know that a lot of TLRs have meter'd finders, which I wouldn't mind as well (although I sure would miss that waist level finder...) So, what combo of meter / tlr would be a good suggestion?
 
the yashica 124 is the one u want. Its cheap and if u get a mercury batt adapter to use regular silver batts on it, its got a sweet, 95% acurate meter.
 
Drawback is that it is pretty hard to do a reliable incident metering (off a grey card or your hand etc) from a reflected-light meter in a TLR, but long ago I did have a Yashicamat, and it worked reasonably provided there wasn't too much sky involved. If you remove the need for the in-camera meter you can get a much better performing tlr for the same money . . . or even a tlr and a handheld meter probably.

Oh, like szekiat pointed out - there might be battery problems with the Yashicas these days, drat.
 
I have a Yashicamat 124g BUT do not use it's meter...I prefer to either use a hand-held meter or meter with another camera (I normally carry a Nikon F2a so I will meter with it)
 
Ah, thanks guys.

Any experience with TLRs in that price range with metered finders? I've definately considered the handheld meter option, and i might go that route if it seems best, but then i'd have to do some more generic research to see what would be the best buy for that money.
 
hm. I got two 124s and both their meters work just fine. just gotta know how to handle it since it's everything but spot metering they do... =)

I think the only tlr with a metered finder are the rolleiflex 2.8 gx and fx, but I've seen people adapt kiev and bronica finders to their tlr so that might be an option.
 
The Ricoh Diacord L

The Ricoh Diacord L

has a selenium meter. I bought one here in the classifieds a while back. It works on a "light value" method (which took some getting used to) and it has a sweet focus mechanism and the meter is really good. No batteries. And, as I understand it, if the meter isn't overly exposed to light it should last for some time (meaning keep the camera in a low light place, like the case, when it's not in use). There are Ricoh TLRs without meters so if you look for one be sure you see the words "Ricoh Diacord" on the nameplate over the lenses.

you can see a picture here
http://www.pbase.com/jypsee/image/87455420

Mary in Florida
 
there are some pretty pretty cool minolta autocords out there too, with light meter and paralax control and everything. not the cheapest fellas though... ;)
 
I'm going to second the option of going for a non-meter'd TLR and picking up a hand meter. First off, if you're going shooting with a TLR.. you're not exactly travelling small and light like you would with a RF in your pocket. A decent little hand held meter is not going to add much to the kit. Second.. TLR's arent exactly speed demons, you're going to be taking your time with them, especially while you're getting used to the reversed image on the ground glass. Having a hand held meter will force you to slow down even more and make sure you're making the best of the 12 shots you have. Also.. not requiring a meter in the TLR will open up alot of camera's to your list of choices.. your could get a Rolleicord for a decent price... or you could save money by getting a meter'd TLR that has been discounted because the meter doesnt work or requires unattainable batteries.

Take it from me.. I went through this not 3 months ago.. I was looking for a metered TLR for a while when I got a chance at a Rolleicord Vb for a really good price. I grabbed it and picked up a Zeiss Ikophot hand meter for $20.. they're REALLY accurate, stylish.. and since they come in a case, they're cells are almost always still accurate decades later. I've found that using a hand held meter has really improved my general knowledge of how light works as well. I've been relying on metered camera's for so long I never really stopped to think about what f8 at 1/250th looked like. After only about a dozen rolls I can usually guess my exposure outside within a stop outside and just verify with the meter. I've actually started to use my handheld meter with my Canon DSLR alot too.. it keeps me focused on the scene and the shot rather that looking at the little LED's at the bottom of the veiwfinder... there's something relaxing about setting the speed and aperature ahead of time and just focusing on what I'm shooting rather than worrying what the LED's say.

BTW.. TLR's are FUN and addictive as hell.. I want a 2.8 Rolleiflex now :)
 
I've been shooting with and without meter, but I found that most metered TLRs simply have more sex appeal than non-metered ones ("most"!). doesn't change my pictures' quality after all, nor my feeling for the available light. with a little experience you can also shoot non-metered camera without even using a hand-held meter.
but since pompadork asked for a metered one... ;)
 
interesting thoughts and sugestions here, my 2 cents...get a small handheld meter and you'll be happier. Heck, even the VC meter II would work more accurately than most if not all the ones included in camera.

Todd
 
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