Contaflex TLR

Vince Lupo

Vince Lupo

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Hello -- I suppose it could be debated as to whether a TLR could fall under the umbrella of 'rangefinder' or not (okay, maybe it's a bit of a stretch), but has anyone out there ever used one? I'm thinking of taking the big plunge and buying one (because I really really need it, of course), and wondering if anyone's had any experience with them. I'm probably just interested in one with the normal lens, as I know that additional lenses are as much or more than the camera!

Many thanks....
 
It's an awkward and very expensive monster. I've only tried a friend's, and while it's a lovely collector's piece, I can't see any merit in it at all as a user.

Then again, I'm not a great TLR fan in any format.

Cheers,

Roger
 
What's that old saying about a fool and his money....?

Sorry, I have no self control. It should be here by the end of the week, and maybe I'll report back on its quirks.
 

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Ignore the detractors, if you
a. Can afford it
b. Know how to use it
c. Its in good working condition
Then go out use and enjoy it!!! Better that than it gathering dust on a shelf.
 
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Thanks for the replies. Yes it will be used, as I try to do with all of the other old junk I have. Last year for our European trip I used the Leica III with a Mooly motor and vintage lenses, and hopefully this year will be this Contaflex (providing it works!) and my Contax I (a) with vintage lenses.

It was rather strange last year to be taking photos with the Leica in front of Strasbourg Cathedral while most everyone else was snapping away with their cell phones.

I'll try to post a few photos shot with this Contaflex soon.....
 
Oh my and I thougt you meant an Ikoflex!
Congrats! You found something close to a holy grail!
Pleae keep us informed about that camera!!
 
Well the beast showed up today, and it looks fantastic. Of course, the straps are broken on the shutter, but the meter seems to react and the lenses look good. So, it's off to Frank at Camera Wiz, where he will perform his feats of magic. Hopefully it should be ready to use within a month. As well, I found a source for the rare clip on lens hood, as well as the leather case. I also located a 135mm lens, but it's about $ 2500.00, so I don't think that will be in the cards anytime soon.

Stay tuned for more excitement!
 
I take it that Frank has done good work on your Contax equipment? I've heard of his good work w/leaf shutters (Compur, etc.), but didn't know he worked on Contax equipment (& I'm always looking for a good Contax repair person).

I've never been able to find the original Contaflex @ a good price. The closest I've gotten is buying a rare rigid 5cm/2 Sonnar that was originally made for the Contaflex but converted by Zeiss to Contax RF mount.

Vince Lupo said:
Well the beast showed up today, and it looks fantastic. Of course, the straps are broken on the shutter, but the meter seems to react and the lenses look good. So, it's off to Frank at Camera Wiz, where he will perform his feats of magic. Hopefully it should be ready to use within a month. As well, I found a source for the rare clip on lens hood, as well as the leather case. I also located a 135mm lens, but it's about $ 2500.00, so I don't think that will be in the cards anytime soon.

Stay tuned for more excitement!
Click to expand...
 
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Honestly, there hasn't been a camera that I've sent Frank that he hasn't been able to fix, and I'm talking some pretty heady stuff. Now, he has refused to work on my Reflex Korelle (understandably), and he thinks Alpa's are extremely overrated (don't tell him that I have a 6c!), but his work is the best of the best (IMHO).
 
Vince Lupo said:
Hello -- I suppose it could be debated as to whether a TLR could fall under the umbrella of 'rangefinder' or not (okay, maybe it's a bit of a stretch), but has anyone out there ever used one? I'm thinking of taking the big plunge and buying one (because I really really need it, of course), and wondering if anyone's had any experience with them. I'm probably just interested in one with the normal lens, as I know that additional lenses are as much or more than the camera!

Many thanks....
Click to expand...

If you are buying it as a collectible, great.

If you are buying it to use, it's difficult to find a poorer choice. Buy a Rollei 2.8 or 3.5 F instead.

Stephen
 
Oh I already have a 2.8E, a 2.8F (12/24) and a Rolleiwide, but I say why the heck not? Plus it's a nice antidote to all the digital stuff I do during the week to pay the bills, but I do understand your point.

It is a heavy mother, though!
 
Actually it's nothing compared to walking around with a Rollei SL66 around your neck...or how about schlepping a B&J 8x10 camera and tripod around Washington, DC?! I've done both, so really the Contaflex is not all that bad. And really, as far as a camera being difficult or slow to work with, if I'm looking for ease of taking pictures I'll use my wife's Canon Powershot digital thingy, or even my cell phone for that matter. For me, and I'm sure for others here, that's not really the point of using these old things. For example, I just loaded a roll of film into my Contax I (a) last night, and it almost felt like a sacred ritual.

Many thanks for all the comments, and I'll keep you guys posted on the TLR. Photos will all depend on how fast Frank gets the beast back to me....
 
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Congrats!
You´ve got a lovely monster that surely takes great pictures. This camera shows the excellent engineering Zeiss had at that time, both mechanical and optical.
It wont be the best camera to take vertical shots, but, who cares?
Hope to see some pictures soon.

Cheers

Ernesto.
 
Stephane, I don't think my original question was 'how to use this camera' - I think I can figure that out in about 5 minutes. My original question was (I believe) about anyone's experience in using one, owning one, and just living with it. I must admit though, that once I get a a particular camera in mind, I tend to follow through with finding one (despite potential drawbacks in using it). Hopefully Frank at Camera Wiz will get it back to me lickity-split, and I'll be able to effectively demonstrate the qualities of this fine instrument!

Besides, it was a choice between the Contaflex and a Zeca-Flex. Couldn't afford both (not now, anyways!)......
 
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Hello Again -- Just received a copy of the instruction manual for this camera, and yes it is rather daunting! For example, it has a what is called a 'four group shutter', which means that the times are divided into four groups, so in other words, you only see one group of shutter speeds at a time. The shutter speeds are marked in either red or black, and you set the shutter speed dial to either the red or black dot depending upon the shutter speed you want -- have I lost you yet???? And we won't even get into the exposure 'multiplier' for the light meter! But hey, if I can figure out all this digital ftp TCP/IP stuff on my D200, I can make this work too!

Stay tuned if you dare.....
 
well, it's not what I meant either, I'm sure you know how to use it, but only few people here can actually see the results. It's why you're lucky to get such pieces of history.
The "four group shutter" shows how close to a Contax it is, since it has the same shutter mechanism which is both very complicated and simply genius at the same time. It works with a gear box and two clockwork mechanism :
First set of speed, only the width between the shutter changes 1000-125
Second: the second shutter curtain is braked by a first clockwork, gear 1 engaged, and the width varies 50-25
Third, the same with gear 2 10-5
Fourth, the same with the second clockwork braking the second curtain 2-B
 
The Contaflex TLR is indeed a massive beast although not quite as large as the SL66. The advantage and disadvantage of the Contaflex is its weight.

If you aren't in a rush and you have the strength, the Contaflex is very simple to use for verticals. Again, if you aren't in a rush, or if you want to use a hyperfocal setting. You can use the van Albada viewfinder to frame a vertical, and the camera is surprisingly comfortable to hold for a vertical.

The weight makes you want to leave it at home, while the weight also lends for a very stable shooting platform.

As TLRs go, however, there are easier to use cameras.
 
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