TLR Hunting: Source for CLA

[Bobonli]

I'm on the hunt for a TLR, probably a Rollei or Yashimat. Prices are all over the place depending on whether it's a shop or individual seller and, of course, condition of the camera. I'm expecting that I'll need/want to have it CLA'd since it seems some of the mechanisms can become stiff or imprecise over the years. The Rollei might benefit from a brighter focusing screen, from what I've read.

Can anyone recommend a reputable tech who services these cameras? In the Leica world there are 3-4 "known" people who everyone seems to go to. Is there such a network of techs in the TLR world?

I'm in the NYC area. Bonus points if I don't have to ship it across the country!

Thank you.

 

[JohnWolf]

Here's some service info for Rolleis: Service

I had my 3.5F done by Paul Ebel. Great guy, reasonable price, and pretty quick turnaround.

 

[Miles.]

I'd encourage anyone looking into TLRs to consider the Minolta Autocord series. Excellent build quality and lenses with a neat focus lever on the front that is rather intuitive.

Karl Bryan in Oregon only works on Autocords and does great work. He doesn't have a website but his email address can be found in the forums.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

I suppose this is the time for the inevitable Rollei vs. Yashica post. My $0.02: go for a Yashica, with a four-element Yashinon. I have both, and I really think the Rollei will only give you nicer finish (machined castings vs. stampings, but in places where they don't matter) and a nicer feel in the hand. The Yashica will give you a better stock screen, performance equal to a Tessar or Xenar, and enough of a savings to buy another Yashica as a backup, or pay for that CLA.
I'm glad to have my Rollei; it's an exquisite piece of photo history. But really, a Yashica will always "git 'er done".

 

[Evergreen States]

I paid about $380 for my Autocord after emailing Karl Bryan directly about a year ago. His email address is karlkathy99[at]gmail[dot]com. It's a neat camera but I haven't shot with it much - certainly not enough to wrap my head around it.

 

[Bobonli]

Thanks everyone. Some good recommendations. I'm leaning toward the Yashica for some of the reasons Retro-Grouch mentioned. I don't need to have an expensive version of a really old thing when the less expensive version will do the same work. I suspect my choice will depend largely on what I can find in the marketplace.

 

[hap]

If you have a Yashica....then Mark Hama in Atlanta. Fees are reasonable and turnaround also quite reasonable.

It's fun to have a rolleiflex. However, plenty of good TLR's our there do quite well.

 

[x-ray]

Jimmy Koh was a Rollei and Bronica specialist and had a shop in NY state for years. He also serviced Leicas but is retired. But!!! Jimmy no longer takes in repairs but sells serviced Rolleis on eBay.

I used Rollei SL66 cameras in my commercial work for nearly 30 years and Jimmy did all my service. His work was the best so I expect his reconditioned Rolleis on Ebsy to be first rate. Besides my SL66’s he serviced my Leica M and Rollei 3.5F. No issues at all.

Jimmy was factory trained Bronica service and head of Bronica service at one time as I understand.

So check out Koh Camera on line and on EBay. He often has several 2.8, 3.5 and MX EVS models at good prices. His descriptions are honest and complete and he stands behind his merchandise. You might even look up his shop website and call him.

 

[laurentb]

I suppose this is the time for the inevitable Rollei vs. Yashica post. My $0.02: go for a Yashica, with a four-element Yashinon. I have both, and I really think the Rollei will only give you nicer finish (machined castings vs. stampings, but in places where they don't matter) and a nicer feel in the hand. The Yashica will give you a better stock screen, performance equal to a Tessar or Xenar, and enough of a savings to buy another Yashica as a backup, or pay for that CLA.
I'm glad to have my Rollei; it's an exquisite piece of photo history. But really, a Yashica will always "git 'er done".

I love my 'Flex, and regret selling my Yashica Mat 124. In the end, I can't tell which I prefer, nor can I say if a given negative came from one or the other. And the lightmeter on the Yashica was very convenient.

 

[Bobonli]

Jimmy Koh was a Rollei and Bronica specialist and had a shop in NY state for years. He also serviced Leicas but is retired. But!!! Jimmy no longer takes in repairs but sells serviced Rolleis on eBay.

I used Rollei SL66 cameras in my commercial work for nearly 30 years and Jimmy did all my service. His work was the best so I expect his reconditioned Rolleis on Ebsy to be first rate. Besides my SL66’s he serviced my Leica M and Rollei 3.5F. No issues at all.

Jimmy was factory trained Bronica service and head of Bronica service at one time as I understand.

So check out Koh Camera on line and on EBay. He often has several 2.8, 3.5 and MX EVS models at good prices. His descriptions are honest and complete and he stands behind his merchandise. You might even look up his shop website and call him.

I've visited his shop a couple of times with old Nikons. Knew he closed up the brick and mortar several years ago but didn't know he had a web presence. Thank you.

 

[Bobonli]

I just developed my first roll of 120. Shot with a Holga because it's a lot cheaper to test the waters for $40 + the price of a roll of film than buying a vintage TLR. Totally hooked once I saw images on the negatives, even with the eccentricities created by the camera.

 

[maddoc]

Jimmy Koh was a Rollei and Bronica specialist and had a shop in NY state for years. He also serviced Leicas but is retired. But!!! Jimmy no longer takes in repairs but sells serviced Rolleis on eBay.

I used Rollei SL66 cameras in my commercial work for nearly 30 years and Jimmy did all my service. His work was the best so I expect his reconditioned Rolleis on Ebsy to be first rate. Besides my SL66’s he serviced my Leica M and Rollei 3.5F. No issues at all.

Jimmy was factory trained Bronica service and head of Bronica service at one time as I understand.

So check out Koh Camera on line and on EBay. He often has several 2.8, 3.5 and MX EVS models at good prices. His descriptions are honest and complete and he stands behind his merchandise. You might even look up his shop website and call him.

I bought my Rolleiflex K4A (3.5 C II) from Jimmy Koh back in 2007, the camera was in great condition but needed some service in 2012. So I sent it to Harry Fleenor (?) for service and it came back in perfect working order.

 

[JSteed#2]

Harry Fleenor in Southern California is the man. He only works on Rolleis, and it takes him around six weeks to get to your camera due to the demand for his services. People send him their Rolleis from around the world. Well worth it. It's been a few years but i assume he is still doing his magic.

 

[wlewisiii]

I have a Rolleicord III. It splits the difference I find. It's built much more solidly than the Yashicas but is nowhere near the price of a full bore Rolleiflex, it has a gorgeous Schiender-Krueznach Xenar 75/3.5 and a CompurRapid Shutter. I paid about the same for it as the Yashicamat 124G that stripped out it's plastic gears in a year. I've had this for a long time since. The only work done on it was to put in one of Rick Oleson's BrightScreen focusing screens with a 6x6 grid and split image focus aide. I was easily able to do that myself. Wonderful camera.

If you go with Rollei[cord|flex] or Autocord, I have heard good things about CLA's here: ZeissIkonRolleiRepair.com

 

[CMur12]

I have a Rolleicord III. It splits the difference I find. It's built much more solidly than the Yashicas but is nowhere near the price of a full bore Rolleiflex, it has a gorgeous Schiender-Krueznach Xenar 75/3.5 and a CompurRapid Shutter. I paid about the same for it as the Yashicamat 124G that stripped out it's plastic gears in a year. I've had this for a long time since. The only work done on it was to put in one of Rick Oleson's BrightScreen focusing screens with a 6x6 grid and split image focus aide. I was easily able to do that myself. Wonderful camera.

If you go with Rollei[cord|flex] or Autocord, I have heard good things about CLA's here: ZeissIkonRolleiRepair.com

I've had experience with at least three Yashica-Mat EMs, in which the wind/shutter-cocking mechanism malfunctioned, and I have never quite trusted them since. I still have a 'Mat EM that was rebuilt by Mark Hama over twenty years ago, but I'm reluctant to use it.

I'm a big fan of Minolta Autocords, though I think they have become a bit pricey. A Rolleicord would be good, but it would definitely need a brighter focusing screen.

- Murray

 

[x-ray]

My dad bought a Rolleicord V new in 1955 if I remember correctly. I went with him to Loveman’s department store when he bought it new. He used it for many years and I used it while in high school along with his 4x5 Crown Graphic until I bought a used Rolleiflex MX EVS 2. My brother owns the Cord and has used it a bunch too and after nearly 70 years it needs a cla.

I was in a little antique store and found a Rolleicord Va with a sticky shutter but otherwise pristine. It also had a near new case and I talked the dealer down to $50 due to the sticky shutter. There was also some trash between the cells but was easy to clean out by unscrewing the front cell from the shutter. After exercising the shutter for an evening it started functioning perfectly and was accurate. I used it for a few years and sold it but wish I’d kept it.

The Rolleicord is often overlooked but they produce beautiful images. They’re simpler mechanically and considerably lighter than the Flexes particularly the 2.8’s. I highly recommend a nice clean cord especially one of the V, Va or Vb ones. These are really nice cameras and the A&B have easily removable hoods and quick change screens. The a & b take format change kits for 645 or was it 4x4 super slides.

Also don’t overlook the MX EVS cameras. My MX EVS was one of my favorites.

I’ve also owned a couple of 2.8 D models, a 3.5 E 1 and now have a 3.5 F with a Planar which is my favorite. Really any of the C, D, E and F are great cameras. Both Zeiss and Schneider lenses, Planar, Xenotar, Xenar and Tessar are excellent.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

I have a Rolleicord III. It splits the difference I find. It's built much more solidly than the Yashicas but is nowhere near the price of a full bore Rolleiflex, it has a gorgeous Schiender-Krueznach Xenar 75/3.5 and a CompurRapid Shutter. I paid about the same for it as the Yashicamat 124G that stripped out it's plastic gears in a year. I've had this for a long time since. The only work done on it was to put in one of Rick Oleson's BrightScreen focusing screens with a 6x6 grid and split image focus aide. I was easily able to do that myself. Wonderful camera.

If you go with Rollei[cord|flex] or Autocord, I have heard good things about CLA's here: ZeissIkonRolleiRepair.com

My opinion of the 124G is that they are junk, as opposed to the earlier Yashicas, for exactly the reasons wlewissiii cites: too much cost-cutting.
My late Yashica D with the four-element Yashinon is almost barbarically simple, with knob wind and separate, un-coupled shutter cocking; there's very little to go wrong. It will outlast me (admittedly a low bar at my age) and is every bit the optical equal of any Rollei with a four-element lens.
There is some blather on the internet about the Rolleicord being a better choice than the 'flex as a user. The idea is that Rolleiflexes were targeted at pros, and have been hammered, while the 'cord was targeted at enthusiast amateurs who coddled them like the expensive jewels they are. Otherwise, there is no compromise in quality; one only gives up features. And, like the Yashica D, "simple" is a good thing these days as the repair ecosystem continues to shrink. Not to mention expense; a nice Rolleiflex that hasn't been hammered by a pro will be astronomically expensive. Not so a Rolleicord.
I don't hear much about the Rolleiflex T series. It had many of the features of the full-on Rolleis, but was targeted more at amateurs. Some folks claim that it has a major weakness in that it uses internal plastic parts for setting the controls, and these are said to fail with age. More internet blather, perhaps, and I've not had any experience with them. I know that I don't care for their ergonomics, but that's personal. They do seem to sell for just slightly more than a Rolleicord, and as we all know, it only takes a few uninformed bloggers to elevate a camera to expensive cult status, or dismiss it to the Gulag of "not cool"; I'm thinking Mamiya TLRs here. But they're not part of this discussion. Maybe they should be? I love mine!

 

[Bobonli]

Okay, so I'll add the 'Cord to the consideration list. I want a TLR that's in good condition cosmetically and functionally. I'd prefer not to have to send it directly to a shop for tune up, but posted the question just in case. I don't need a meter...shoot with other cameras that don't have meters and the lack of a meter means there's one less thing to repair! As I understand it, many of these camera can be plagued with fungus or separation of the elements so that's on top of my list to watch out for.

Best case scenario, because I'm risk averse to buying sight unseen from unknown sellers, one of the aforementioned folks has something on-hand. I'm not against paying more for something in good shape from someone who sells/repairs them on a regular basis. Looking at pictures on CG or even some shops like KEH is not helpful to me because some of these places are using stock images of cameras...impossible to know what shape they're in.

Gone are the days I could drive to Cameta or Lens and Repro and inspect them in person!

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Okay, so I'll add the 'Cord to the consideration list. I want a TLR that's in good condition cosmetically and functionally. I'd prefer not to have to send it directly to a shop for tune up, but posted the question just in case. I don't need a meter...shoot with other cameras that don't have meters and the lack of a meter means there's one less thing to repair! As I understand it, many of these camera can be plagued with fungus or separation of the elements so that's on top of my list to watch out for.

Best case scenario, because I'm risk averse to buying sight unseen from unknown sellers, one of the aforementioned folks has something on-hand. I'm not against paying more for something in good shape from someone who sells/repairs them on a regular basis. Looking at pictures on CG or even some shops like KEH is not helpful to me because some of these places are using stock images of cameras...impossible to know what shape they're in.

Gone are the days I could drive to Cameta or Lens and Repro and inspect them in person!

KEH does use stock pictures on their website, but shows the actual item for eBay sales. I've plugged them before: honest, reliable, risk-free. Also more expensive. No free lunch!

 

[wlewisiii]

KEH does use stock pictures on their website, but shows the actual item for eBay sales. I've plugged them before: honest, reliable, risk-free. Also more expensive. No free lunch!

And they are the most hassle free for returns I've ever dealt with. Between that and their conservative grading, I go there first.

I got my used D810 from them last summer for that reason.