If I want to get a TLR I should get a...?

[pau3]

Hi all,
I've been thinking lately that I might get a TLR.
I've already have a bronica SQA system, and
I'm very happy with it, but the mirror slap is
very noisy, and I don't feel it a convenient camera
in some situations. I think that maybe a TLR,
with a waist level finder - I love them - and quiet
shutter - like my Leica - would be nice.
The question is which one. Should I get a Yashica Mat 124G
or a Minolta Autocord or is it worth to save for a 2.8 Rolleiflex?
I don't want to sacrifice image quality, if possible.
Is a Mamiya C330 that big and noisy?
Opinions, please. I need the point of view of the user.
That's all!
Pau

 

[Meleica]

Rolleiflex 3.5F

 

[jmi]

I'll second the Rolleiflex if you want something nice and small (relatively). Also in my experience anything else may still leave you wanting a Rollei 🙂

A cheaper, larger and heavier alternative might be a Mamiya C220, this is slightly smaller and lighter than the (frankly massive) C330. The main thing sacrificed is the auto parallax correcting thingy, but it still has lines on the ground glass. Takes a bit of getting used to if you're from the SLR world (I use a 'blad too). The best thing about the Mamiyaflex series IMO is the bellows - it'll go nearly all the way to 1:1 with the 80mm!

 

[whitecat]

Rolleiflex FW.

 

[pau3]

Up to now, Rolleiflex wins. However, could you be more
precise on your judgement? Would a yashicamat be such
a disapointment?

 

[Tarzak]

My Rolleiflex 3.5F even has a bit of lens separation and still takes the most impressive (quality) images of all my cameras (no leicas).
On my second roll of film with it I thought; "I've suddenly become a good photographer".
I may have been a tad subjective...

Get a lens hood.

 

[Meleica]

The Yashica is not a bad camera at all, but the lens and the build of the Rolleiflex is much better. The Yashica comes with a 4 element tessar type lens - while Rollei's can come with an actual 4 element Tessar or 5/6 element Planar or Xenotar lenses ( depending on exact model ). See my Rollei page for more info:

http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/rolleitlr.htm

The Yashica will suit you fine if you stop down to 5.6 or so, but if you like high quality made products and fall in love with TLR's, there really is not substitue for a Rollei ( like a Leica in 35mm format ).

Most people agree that the F3.5 Rollei models are as good as the F2.8 models, and you save money buying a 3.5 model and they are smaller/less heavy than the 2.8 models. Again, my vote would be for a clean 3.5 Model F Rollei. It will cost you twice as much as the Yashica, but will retain its value and should provide overall better performance as Rollei TLR's had much better quality control than the Yashica's did. But again, the Yash is not a bad camera at all.

Good luck
Dan

 

[suzi_q]

I have Yashica MAt 124G for a while now, I'm sure rollei is one of the best out there but I have been very happy with my Yashica as a serious amature. I've got it from ebay for not cheap but almost new condition. I don't have proper hood nor filter, I just shoot holding filter in front of taking lens.
I wish I can try rollei, but it's far too expensive for my budget.
It's good camera for Serious Amatures and Hobbiest(?) It's not Rollei so It's unfair to compare it to Rollei Optics I think.
So far I'm very happy and I'm still taking satisfying pictures.
here are some sample with Yashica Mat 124G

 

[Xmas]

A C330 is big & slow but whisper,... shuuuuuh so I can hear the shutter, your leica is noisy by comparison.

The other TLR are fixed lens, if you are gonna need wide and long you need the C330. When fitted with a standard lens it is similar to the others.

If you want fast handling then it is a 6 or 7 rngfdr.

Noel

 

[suzi_q]

and here is by yashica baby~ 🙂

 

[whitecat]

Yashica Mat Comment

Yashica Mat Comment

The Yashicamat is not a bad camera. While the Rollei is the best there are other options. I would mention the Minolta Autocord also.

 

[Mackinaw]

I went with the Mamiya C220 because it offered interchangable lenses. Not the smallest TLR around but a well designed, well engineered camera that is capable of taking excellent pictures.

Jim Bielecki

 

[350D_user]

I have Yashica MAt 124G for a while now, I'm sure rollei is one of the best out there but I have been very happy with my Yashica as a serious amature. I've got it from ebay for not cheap but almost new condition. I don't have proper hood nor filter, I just shoot holding filter in front of taking lens.
I wish I can try rollei, but it's far too expensive for my budget.
It's good camera for Serious Amatures and Hobbiest(?) It's not Rollei so It's unfair to compare it to Rollei Optics I think.
So far I'm very happy and I'm still taking satisfying pictures.

Curse you. Because of those first two photos, I've gone and put some FP4+ through my Autocord. 🙂

 

[raid]

A large negative will do the sharpness job, but the rest is really a matter of photography skills. If you have the "eyes" to take excellent photos, any of the TLR's mentioned above will get the job done. Sometimes, a TLR needs to be realligned to get maximum sharpness.

Raid

 

[photogdave]

I have a Rolleiflex and a Mamiya C33 w/ 65mm and 135mm lenses. Although I prefer the size, build quality and optical quality of the Rollei, I find it's uses limited to portraiture and general landscape.
The Mamiya is far for FLEX-able with its close-focusing capabilites, lens choices and parallax indicator. I'm using it more these days.

 

[sepiareverb]

pau3-
I was about to place an ad for my Yashica-mat 124G.
It is in nice shape, looks EX+, with a case also EX+. The shutter has been a bit lazy at slow speeds in very cold weather, I think it could use a CLA. I have the close-up lenses #1 & #2, and an 80B and UV filter. I'd let it go cheap- I haven't used it in about a year. PM me if you're interested.

 

[whitecat]

pm

pm

PM Sent just now.

 

[rich815]

Save for the Rolleiflex. That said if you are patient you'll get one for a good price. Here's my collection and the prices I paid:

Rolleicord II: $50 USD (since sold....stupid stupid stupid!)
Rolleiflex 622 Standard: $95 USD
Rolleiflex 2.8E Planar: $150 USD
Rolleiflex 2.8C Xenotar: $275 USD
Rolleiflex 3.5E3 Xenotar: $125 USD

Yes, even though all worked when I got them they all needed CLA's to a varying extent but Rollei's last forever and a good CLA is never a bad idea to make sure all is well lubricated, calibrated and working fine. Paul Ebel does mine for about $120-140 USD and has them done in about a week or so.

Yashicamats and Minolta Autocords are not bad cameras at all. But they are not Rollei's. Hold and try each, the first two feel like toys in comparison.

 

[clarence]

Since you have a Bronica SQA, it might be worth making a comparison with that particular system.

The Mamiya TLR and Koni Omegaflex systems are the only TLR systems, if I am not wrong. The Mamiya has a 6x6 coverage, like your Bronica, while the Omegaflex has 6x7 coverage, if I recall correctly.

In terms of size, the Omegaflex is the largest, by quite a good amount. The Mamiya will be taller than your Bronica, but lighter. People complain about the Mamiya's weight but this is only relative to other TLRs. 6x6 SLR systems have lighter bodies but heavier lenses.

You have a Leica. The Mamiya's shutter will be slightly louder and sharper, due to the leaf shutter being mounted on the lens and not within the body. Other TLRs generally have quieter shutters. Nothing will be as loud as an SLR's mirror slap.

If it is imperative that you get a system camera, the choice is obvious. The Yashica tele- and wide- attachments are almost universally condemned. If you decide that you are willing to use only a standard lens, then the options will be quite bewildering.

Clarence

 

[pau3]

There are very interesting comments here (and some contradictions, which
is even more interesting).

I must say that my doubts are between cheaper models like yashicas
and minoltas and rolleiflexes are because the formers are cheaper,
but between rolleiflexes and mamiyas (which may have 2.8 lenses)
the question is size.

Although a system may prove important in the future (thanks, Clarence),
it is not what a I have in mind. A 80mm might be enough. Image quality
and relative simplicity should be more important.
Pau