Back to the TLR

[unixrevolution]

I own the Yashica 635 TLR and I find it to be a great little camera. Compact and easy to carry, for a Medium Format cam, and fun to use.

That, and people seem to love them. When, normally, people cringe when you point a camera at them, they jump into the frame when they see a TLR.

 

[dave lackey]

I own the Yashica 635 TLR and I find it to be a great little camera. Compact and easy to carry, for a Medium Format cam, and fun to use.

That, and people seem to love them. When, normally, people cringe when you point a camera at them, they jump into the frame when they see a TLR.

Now THAT is interesting!🙂

 

[ray*j*gun]

The smallest and lightest (and not expensive) TLR I have found is my Ricohflex Super. Very simple camera but beautiful images. Next to my C220 it looks like dwarf. They are a bit hard to find I got lucky and found a mint one. I won't mention the price but it was quite a bargin.

 

[Crazy Fedya]

I will second Johan's suggestion about Ciro-Flex. Picked one up and was blown away. Sorry about the thumbnail, but I can't upload to Gallery today anymore.

 

[KoNickon]

I haven't experienced that myself, but people definitely react positively to them -- "cool camera!" or words to that effect. I guess people get a kick out of the retro nature of TLRs, but would that make them want to pose for the camera? Maybe there's something psychological about it -- you aren't "looking at them" in the normal sense, so they're less inhibited?

I own the Yashica 635 TLR and I find it to be a great little camera. Compact and easy to carry, for a Medium Format cam, and fun to use.

That, and people seem to love them. When, normally, people cringe when you point a camera at them, they jump into the frame when they see a TLR.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Usually, you only need one

This will be my last one. I can stop anytime I want.

What's that about a 12 step process?

 

[pschauss]

Usually, you only need one,
PF

On my last trip, I took two, a Rolleiflex Automat and a Flexaret, so that I would not have to stop and reload film at an inconvenient time. That worked fine until the frame counter on the Rolleiflex got stuck at "5". Then I was glad that I had a backup.

 

[PMCC]

Interesting site: http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/yashica66.html

Full of dead links, but the live ones make for interesting TLR surfing. Be mindful of undertow and riptides.

 

[PMCC]

Phooey. It appears the link is now disabled.

 

[Ezzie]

I own the Yashica 635 TLR and I find it to be a great little camera. Compact and easy to carry, for a Medium Format cam, and fun to use.

That, and people seem to love them. When, normally, people cringe when you point a camera at them, they jump into the frame when they see a TLR.

Well, at least if not jump into the frame, they at least don't jump out of it. It seems that a TLR fits the perception of the quintessential classic camera, people don't fint them intimidating. I really like taking them about town.

 

[lynnb]

Dave, here's another few sites
http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/A-F_tlr.shtml
http://www.siufai.dds.nl/Rolleiflex35_TLR.htm
http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=33611
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=111544

A 3.5F has been on my GAS wishlist for ages. Whenever I look at MF photos in the gallery or threads I know that one day I'll have to get one.

cheers,

 

[damien.murphy]

Lovely cameras, just the camera is often a work of art. That said, I would try one before deciding to buy, as tlr's have a lot of fans here as you see, but what you often don't hear of are those that do not get on with tlr's, of which there are quite a few also. So before dropping any cash, or drooling any further, would maybe see which camp you fall into. I have a lovely Rolleicord VA, and love the negatives, but will admit I have a long way to go before I am comfortable shooting it, and it is not one of the first cameras I reach for. That said, it is such an object of beauty, I always struggle to bring myself to consider selling it. Well, that and the square frame, as the only other 6x6 games in town are either very pricey (Hasselblad) or have more risk or risk/expense that I am comfortable with attached (MF Folders, Mamiya 6).

 

[dave lackey]

Dave, here's another few sites
http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/A-F_tlr.shtml
http://www.siufai.dds.nl/Rolleiflex35_TLR.htm
http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=33611
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=111544

A 3.5F has been on my GAS wishlist for ages. Whenever I look at MF photos in the gallery or threads I know that one day I'll have to get one.

cheers,

GAS wishlist....I....am....doing...my....best...trying....to...avoid...this...thread!...😱

 

[hausen]

Have had Rollecord for a month and just received Rolleiflex 3.5F II. Couldn't resist. Is amazing how much better feel it has than the 'cord.

 

[Acidic_Lemon]

Have had Rollecord for a month and just received Rolleiflex 3.5F II. Couldn't resist. Is amazing how much better feel it has than the 'cord.

I totally agree with you. I got my pre war Xenar and Tessar, but the sweetest spot is still my 3.5F model 2, a plus point would be it was also serviced by Harry Fleenor.

 

[Crazy Fedya]

I would also like to suggest Ikoflex. Their focusing is usually tight, and using them is getting used to, but theycan be had for around $100. I have one with 75mm f/3.5 CZ Novar.And the lens is no slouch. see for yourself. Picture taken @f/3.5

 

[jwicaksana]

Hi Dave, have you come into a decision yet? I was saving for a Leica M system, aiming to buy it by the end of the year. And all of a sudden I found myself bidding and winning a Rolleicord III. Huh. I guess this slope is way too slippery for me. 😀

 

[maddoc]

As much as I like to look at a TLR (especially a Rolleiflex), as hard it is for me to get used to it after a longer break. Looking from the top down to a mirrored image is completely different than using a RF VF and taking a photo becomes more a question of mastering the camera than trying to get the shot. Nevertheless, I like my Rolleiflex.

 

[pschauss]

The first time I looked into the finder of a TLR (a Yashica A), I was hooked. Even though the image was reversed I realized that I had a much clearer idea of what the final picture was going to look like. Seeing it full size, with both eyes, not having to squint into a view finder, made composition much easier.

So now I have two Yashica-Mats (one does not work), a Rolleicord, Rolleiflex Automat, and a Flexaret. I don't actively look for them, they just keep finding me.

 

[dave lackey]

Hi Dave, have you come into a decision yet? I was saving for a Leica M system, aiming to buy it by the end of the year. And all of a sudden I found myself bidding and winning a Rolleicord III. Huh. I guess this slope is way too slippery for me. 😀

Hi, Jonathan...

No decision about buying one yet because I simply cannot afford to buy anything at the moment. Will I? Certainly planning on it down the road.

There are so many models, I am totally confused about these cameras. Maybe I will find some time to get a little research in over the next few months...or winter.😱