Looking for TLR with inbuilt light meter

[777]

Well, after a long period of not shooting film I want to get back and start with medium format again.
So far I've had only one medium format camera, a Kiev 6C with the TTL prism viewfinder. But I've sold it after a couple of rolls because it was just too heavy and to slow to use.

Now I'm looking for a TLR with an inbuilt light meter because I don't like to use external light meters.
I know that the Yashica Mat 124G, LM and EM have light meters.
Are there any other TLRs with light meters you could recommend?

So far I haven't decided for a budget limit but it would be great if there is a camera in the area of 150€ +/- (around $200 +/-).

Thanks in advance for your help! 🙂

 

[Vickko]

Rolleiflex 2.8FX and 2.8GX. Big price difference compared to Kiev though.

 

[River Dog]

For that money you can't go wrong with the 124G - a great little camera that is capable of amazing quality.

 

[mugent]

I'm using a Rolleifliux 3.5F, built-in meter, but certainly not in that price bracket I'm afraid. The Rolleiflex T can have a built-in meter I think, and that would be much closer to your budget, although probably still a little high.
The Yashica 124G is an awesome camera, for the money, it's difficult to do much better.

 

[D.O'K.]

Beware of the meters in the older Rolleiflexs--they tend to be unreliable, inaccurate or dead.

Whereas there are doubtless many exceptions, sadly I've not met any.

Regards,
D.

 

[KoNickon]

Hard to find, and it takes an odd (but still available) battery -- the Minolta Autocord CDS III.

The earlier but esthetically nicer Yashicamat 124 (no "G") is essentially the same camera as the 124G.

There are of course other models by Yashica and Ricoh and Rollei with selenium meters.

 

[shadowfox]

With your budget, find a gently used Ricoh Diacord L.

 

[mugent]

Beware of the meters in the older Rolleiflexs--they tend to be unreliable, inaccurate or dead.

Whereas there are doubtless many exceptions, sadly I've not met any.

Regards,
D.

Maybe, but my one is pretty accurate, or at least, if it is off, not by much.

 

[randomm]

Maybe, but my one is pretty accurate, or at least, if it is off, not by much.

Mine too (2.8E model).

 

[dogbunny]

What do ya'll make of the Autocord L models?

 

[Noll]

With your budget, find a gently used Ricoh Diacord L.

Yep. It's really a phenomenal tlr camera for the going rate. Mine still has a working selenium meter, apparently they're fairly reliable. There aren't many out there so if you do find one, its your lucky day.

 

[Calzone]

Beware of the meters in the older Rolleiflexs--they tend to be unreliable, inaccurate or dead.

Whereas there are doubtless many exceptions, sadly I've not met any.

Regards,
D.

My meter in my Rollei 3.5F is accurate.

Cal

 

[777]

Ok, thanks everybody. I think I will go for a Yashica Mat 124G.

But I have to say that you made me curious about metering with an external light meter. I plan to take photos of landscapes and architecture with the TLR and I wondered how you meter landscapes correctly? I've never done it before, so excuse my foolish question.

 

[kuzano]

Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex

Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex

My first MF camera was a ZI Ikoflex, the last model which had a meter. It also had a Tessar lens. I got some great shots with that camera. Enjoyed it until I discovered MF SLR... Bronica S2a. Onward from there.

 

[Calzone]

Ok, thanks everybody. I think I will go for a Yashica Mat 124G.

But I have to say that you made me curious about metering with an external light meter. I plan to take photos of landscapes and architecture with the TLR and I wondered how you meter landscapes correctly? I've never done it before, so excuse my foolish question.

I use the back of hand as a "Grey Card." Luckily my skin tone matches. Anyways it gives me accurate and consistent exposure.

Cal

 

[Ronald_H]

Metering a landscape is just like metering anything else. Just make sure you don't measure too much sky.

The Yashica Mat 124 (G or non G makes no difference) is an amazing camera. Ironically I never used the meter on mine, I use a Gossen digiflash for my mechanical cameras. I firmly believe that the Mat is sharper at medium apertures than the Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f2.8 on my Hasselblad. I just printed some old negs, they are (again) amazing.


Diesel by Ronald_H, on Flickr

 

[KoNickon]

Assuming that what you want to meter is too far away for accurate measuring, use an incident meter and hold it pointing back at you from the direction of the subject. (Or apply sunny f16.)

 

[shadowfox]

Ok, thanks everybody. I think I will go for a Yashica Mat 124G.

But I have to say that you made me curious about metering with an external light meter. I plan to take photos of landscapes and architecture with the TLR and I wondered how you meter landscapes correctly? I've never done it before, so excuse my foolish question.

If you are serious about landscape photography, find some of the one-degree spot meters (many brands).

It does not have to be expensive, just make sure it's properly working with a modern battery.

Otherwise, just use a small handheld meter and compensate if let's say a giant cloud is covering part of the mountain you're shooting.

 

[Warren T.]

i once had a 124G, great camera, but I never used the built-in meter. I preferred to use a handheld meter. After a few rolls of trial and error, you will learn to trust your external meter and you'll know when to refer to it and when to use your judgement.

--Warren

 

[Steve Bellayr]

When I was studying film back in the Stone Age the Yashica Mat series were considered student cameras. The Rolleiflexs were the professional models. Both will provide excellent results but the Rolleiflex will out perform the Yashica. As an aside when you read about renowned photographers their camera of choice was the Rolleiflex. I have not read about one using a Yashica or any other model. Given a choice go with the Rolleiflex. If you do not like it it will be easy to sell.