New TLR needed

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Welland

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Hello!

I mainly shoot 35mm but was given a lubitel a couple of years ago and have really enjoyed the format.

Im now looking to get a more grown up TLR and was after anyones opinions.
Budget about £100
Light Meter not required but not fussed if it has one
Not too bulky/heavy.

Does anyone have any experience with a microcord mpp? I have been recommended a yash D.

I don't like buying off ebay so im happy to wait til a deal comes up but would like peoples experiences.
 
The Microcords were prone to some reliability issues. Google to find out more. With the resurgence in interest in medium format, some TLR prices have risen quite steeply. My first choice would be a Rolleicord Vb, but you would need to pay more than £100 - say £150-200. A Va would be cheaper and almost as good. You could also consider a Yashica Mat 124. They are generally reliable, having been manufactured for a considerable number of years without much change to the basic design. The late model 124G's in all-black are more expensive, but rumour has it that the later models of the G had weaker gears. http://www.yashicatlr.com is a terrific source of info on Yashica TLRs.

I recently bought a Mat 124 for £123 on eBay, but a fault found a few days after purchase has meant a trip to be serviced. Luckily I bought from a very honourable seller who has met 50% of the cost.

You could give Chris at Arundel Photographica on 01903 885540 a call - he had a Yashica 635 for £89 last week - quite nice condition, but not a model that I would have gone for out of preference.

Generally, Yashicas are a little more 'agricultural' than Rolleis, lacking that maker's fine engineering. Having said that, they last well if they are looked after and CLA'd and have pretty good lenses (the Yashinon is better than the Yashicor) if shot in the mid aperture range.

Hope you find something within your price range. If you are unfamiliar with TLRs, they are an acquired taste - but one bitten, you could be smitten. Great for discrete street shooting.

Ray
 
Yashica made some fine TLRs that should be well within budget, reasonably plentiful in the UK - might even pick up a Mamiya C220 around that price.

For just a little more (about £150 if you haggle) , you could get a clean Rolleicord Vb.

Minolta, Ricoh, MPP Microcord - if you spot one of these it should be reasonably priced.

Good luck, and be proud to be square ! 😀
 
Unless you absolutely must have the option of a prism you can save some $$ by going for a Rolleicord Va instead of a Vb. Unless you absolutely must have the option of using the 16 exposure kit, and left hand focus knob, you can save even more $$ by going for a Rolleicord V. Image quality won't be affected in the slightest.
Regards,
Brett
 
The typical range of reasonably priced mid to high end TLRs:

- Yashica 124 line
- Ricoh Diacord
- Rolleicord IV and V lines
- Mamiya C2/C3 lines
- Autocord
- Richomatic 225
- Kalloflex
- Microflex
- ...I'm sure I'm missing a few others... 🙂

Honestly, any of these can be great. Its as much about the condition of the camera since these have a varied amount of use and the ergonomics that work best for you.
 
Thanks for all the info gang, its really appreciated. Its difficult to chose something when you can't hold it and try it.

Its nice to get some insider, I was intregued by Microcord primarily because its a bit different and British. Sad they have reliability issues.

rayfoxlee said:
You could give Chris at Arundel Photographica on 01903 885540

Ray
Click to expand...
Im just along the coast in Brighton so maybe ill take a trip to Arundel, its a shame he hasn't got a good website as Ive been to his shop and its awesome.
 
You might also consider a Flexaret. Ebay seller Cupog usually has a few of these which he has overhauled at prices (including shipping) well within your budget.
 
pschauss said:
You might also consider a Flexaret. Ebay seller Cupog usually has a few of these which he has overhauled at prices (including shipping) well within your budget.
Click to expand...

225234121_ecbe4ebec4_m.jpg


Thats beautiful
 
If you shop around a bit, you might get an older Rolleiflex [an automat model, so not _that_ old] for that. I've seen them for £100 or so.

I have a Flexaret (my father-in-law's). It's beautiful, and the focusing mechanism is very nice, but it does feel more fragile than the Rolleis, and mine suddenly lost silvering on the mirror.
 
I am a Yashica person. I have the first Yashica Mat [my first acquisition], the 124G and recently the 635 with 35mm adapter. All were purchased within your price range with only the 635 being a bit more due to the adapter which you don't need since you want to shoot mf. They are excellent cameras imho and mine are in superb working order/cosmetic condition so when shopping know that you don't have to settle for something that's all beat up. seriously the 124G with working meter was 40USD and only has a couple small [millimeters] paint scratches on the edge of the metal. Leather, lenses, case.. all are in ex condition. You just need to be patient while you do shop and you'll find some excellent options out there. *I could not get a Rolleiflex in comparable condition for the same expense unless someone was literally giving it to me. Rollei was my first choice. However I am happy with what I have and see no reason to ever swap now.
 
Sarcophilus Harrisii said:
Unless you absolutely must have the option of a prism you can save some $$ by going for a Rolleicord Va instead of a Vb. Unless you absolutely must have the option of using the 16 exposure kit, and left hand focus knob, you can save even more $$ by going for a Rolleicord V. Image quality won't be affected in the slightest.
Regards,
Brett
Click to expand...

+1. Some positively prefer the right hand focus knob of the Rolleicord V as part of a better handling camera layout. And the V is more abundantly available than the Va or Vb models. The Rolleicord V and the Rolleiflex Automat MX-EVS are among the best value for money models among the various Rolleis. That said, I'd be hard pressed to pass up a Minolta Autocord if you can find one in your price range.
 
Just to give you all some nice closure after your valuable advice.

I've just placed an order for a Yashica D (£99)

Thanks for your help

yashica-d.jpg
 
matt_mcg2 said:
If you shop around a bit, you might get an older Rolleiflex [an automat model, so not _that_ old] for that. I've seen them for £100 or so.

I have a Flexaret (my father-in-law's). It's beautiful, and the focusing mechanism is very nice, but it does feel more fragile than the Rolleis, and mine suddenly lost silvering on the mirror.
Click to expand...
Plus one for the Rollei Automat. I had two Rolleis, and needed to sell one to finance some Leica lenses. I sold the 3.5F (Xenotar, 1961) and kept the Automat (MX with Xenar, 1951) for several reasons:
Lighter weight, plentiful Bay I accessories, and a lens that draws the image in an absolutely magical way. I found the 3.5F pictures to have a clinical, too-modern-for-me look. I'm thinking about buying another MX, this time with a Tessar, just to see what the difference is.
 
Based on your requirements any of the following camera should suit you well:

*Rolleicord starting from model III with a Xenar coated lens (the Va and Vb usually sell at higher price, it is up to you to define if the added price for basically a more recent camera is worth)
*Ricohflex Diacord L (rather rare, built like a tank, comes with selenium exposure meter that might be in order or not, does not have a double exposure prevention mechanism (same as Rolleicord III and Microcord)
*Meopta Flexaret V or VI (maybe a little less reliable than a Rolleicord but cheaper and it has an outstanding lens and coupled winding / cocking mechanism)

I have and use all of them, feel free to ask more details about if needed
 
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