If you had to keep only one TLR...

i Just saw this thread. I used to hae a Yashica 124G and I loved it. I acquired a Mamiya Super Press 23 after the Yashica was stolen. I have gotten 4 TLRs since then: A Rolleiflex, a Yashica EM, a Welta Reflekta and a Welta Perfekta. The Yashica doesn't work, the Reflekta has never been used. The Rolleiflex is of course a great photo taker. But I really like the rendition of the lens on the Perfekta. I really like Zeiss glass! Still, I need to try that Reflekat. It's a Welta so it has to be good, right. ;-)

My problem has been the 6x6 negative. I just don't seem to appreciate it anymore after the Super Press 23, unless I am using them on a folder. I can't explain that, other than I just enjoy using folders.
 
Unfortunately I'm in the same boat. There's a Rolleicord w/ Xenar, a Rolleiflex w/ uncoated Tessar, and a Rolleiflex 2.8C w/ Xenotar that has lots of cleaning marks here.

They each have their advantages and issues, so yesterday I checked all the shutter speeds on each camera w/ a tester. Next I'll load them up w/ FP4 or Tri-X and haul them around for a day or so taking shots w/ all of them of the same subjects. When the negs get developed and I scan them for proofs I'll have my decision.

It's a lot of trouble and time but it's the only way I've been able to make these decisions and not have regrets later. No matter what, the camera that takes the best photos stays and the others go.
 
awww gawd, I have 6 Yashica TLRs (2x Mat 124G, 1x Mat 124 with the G meter part, 2x Yashica 44LM, 1x Yashica 44) and I'm willing to part with half of the lot. I would prefer to only keep one 6x6 and one 4x4, but one of the 124Gs has fungus and it was a gift so I can't give it away and the 44 is pretty... f****** up although still working, so I don't know if it's worth selling it. it has a lot of character though maybe that's why I won't be even trying :D
 
I feel y'all's pain. Since I made my post above I decided it was time and loaded some PanF in the Reflekta. I took a couple of shots here at home, and then put it in my car so I can hopefully finish the roll next week. Hopefully all will be well. If not, away it will go.
 
For me it's the Rolleiflex than stays (MX-EVS in my case), I sold the two Yashicas to make room and because they were not used enough.
 
rxmd said:
Of course it rocks. It's a Rokkor, it's built to rokk.
Click to expand...

Bwahahahhahahah!!! :D :D

Answering OP's question, I choose this one:

3651095096_445b4e0195.jpg


3657541813_950388b474.jpg
 
I have a number of TLRs, and I am hard pressed to say which one is the best. I think I would make the general statement, though, that those with four element lenses seem to do extremely well, and I wonder what the big fuss is over the Planar and Xenotar since I don't see that those are any better than the Tessar/Xenar/Rokkor/Yashinon. I'm still working on that one, though.

I have an MX-EVS that I love, but the finder is a little dim. I have late version Autocords that can produce terrific pictures, but the ergonomics of those cameras could be better (I'm referring to setting the shutter speed and aperture). The Yashicamats get looked down upon, but I find their lenses are quite good (maybe not quite at the top, but darn close) and their ergonomics are terrific.
 
Hi Raid,

My post should have been clearer - the pinnacle for me is a Rolleiflex 3.5F model, Type 3, 4 or 5; most easily identified by body serial number. This would be a Rollei with a body serial number greater than 2249999. And, if the camera has a Planar LENS serial number greater than # 2753001, the Planar lens had 6 elements. And if the lens is a Xenotar, and the LENS Serial # is greater than 2299546, the Xenotar lens had 6 elements. Otherwise, they had the standard 5 element versions.


I have sense you will own one soon :)

Dan
 
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I have used Mamiya and Yashica twin lens reflex cameras. If I had to limit myself to only one, it would be the Mamiya 220 with the 80mm normal, 55mm wide angle, and 180mm telephoto.
 
My grandfather's Seagull TLR, doesn't have a good rep but worked reliably over the years for me. Sides, heads will roll if i sell this, as after all, it was something left behind by my late grandfather.
 
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