Let's hear about your favorite TLR

[shadowfox]

TLR's are fun and funny in a way that we tend to stick with one brand/model kinda like pets (dog or cat or...? ). They are also uncommon (outside of camera geek radars, that is) and there are plenty variations out there that makes for interesting discussions.

This thread is just for that. Brag about how you got your favorite TLR, where you service them, why do you prefer it than others, how many have you tried, memorable moments, travel, post pictures from it, etc.

The key thing is: Your favorite, not other people's.

Let's start...

 

[tedwhite]

I was going to grad school in San Francisco in 1964 and wandered one day into a pawn shop and emerged with a beat up Rolleicord. I think it was that camera, more than the Pentax SLR that I got the same year, that turned a casual interest in photography into a passion. I had my own darkroom in the basement of the apartment on Green Street, complete with Beseler enlarger, and I was of course struck by the quality of the enlargements I could make from those (in comparison to 35mm) giant negatives.

Years passed, and I traded the Rolleicord in on a Kowa 6, a Hasselblad clone, and a very good camera in its own right, but a different beast altogether. Later on I got a Yashica 124G. It was OK until it broke. Than I tried a Mamiya 330 but didn't like it. It seemed clumsy, heavy, and bulky.

For ten years I was without a TLR. A few years ago one of my dear friends passed away. His wife asked me to appraise his camera collection, mostly Olympus OM and Nikon stuff, but in the last box of the lot I came upon a 1956 Rolleiflex with the 2.8 Xenotar, complete with the original leather case and neck strap. I bought it on the spot and sent it off to Ross Yerkes in Los Angeles for a CLA and a Maxwell screen. It sits on my desk next to me as I write this.

Except in photographs, I've never seen an actual Minolta Autocord. I'd like to pick one
up some day and play with it, but I'll always remain a Rolleiflex person.

 

[hans voralberg]

I have three, Mamiyaflex, Rolleiflex 3.5E, and Ikoflex. My fave is the Ikoflex although it is inferior to the other two in term of build and handling IMO. But I fixed it from a useless to a functioning camera so quite a strong bond there 🙂

 

[marcus]

Between a Rolleiflex MX-EVS, 2.8C, Minolta Autocord, and two Rolleicord V's, I'd have to honestly say I liked my last Rolleicord V best. Simplicity and Handling just suited me best.

 

[oftheherd]

My first TLR was a Yashica MAT 124 G. I loved that camera. The next was a Rolleiflex. I think mostly because by then I had a 6x7 RF, I just didn't cotton to the Rolleiflex. Still don't. I also have a Welta Perfekta folder. Quite a camera, but I don't use it much. Again, less love for 6x6 TLR, and it also has collector value, but mostly the former. It take nice photos even at its age.

For those that want to learn more than you probably want to know about TLR, you might try the Pop Photo thread http://forums.popphoto.com/showthread.php?455544-In-Praise-of-the-TLR-Dammit!!&highlight=praise which is rather long, but sure has a lot of information.

 

[spyder2000]

I prefer my Rolleiflex (2.8E) so much I stripped it down completely, cleaned and adjusted the shutter, replaced the focusing screen, set the focus and then replaced the original body leather with something very close to the original leather. The camera is fast and quiet plus I can shoot over my head.

I also have an RB-67 kit, plus a Graflex XL kit. As for the last, the Grandagon lens is awesome but the XL can be an operational nightmare. As for the former, I can't hold an RB over my head for long.

 

[andredossantos]

For me its gotta be a Rolleiflex. Ive owned a MX-EVS, a 2.8F, a 2.8D, and currently a 3.5E.

The 3.5E is my favorite and thus Ive sold all the others. Ive also used a Yashicamat 124G and a Mamiya C330 but those didnt grab me quite like the Rolleiflex.

 

[t.s.k.]

My favorite is one I don't have at the moment.
I had a 'cord Vb back in the 80's and wish I had one now in spite of having a 2.8, 3.5 and tele in the cabinet.
Rolleicords are so uber simple, uber light, and uber-licious 😀
And they handle so much nicer than their bigger cousins.

 

[PMCC]

Of the Rolleicords, the Rolleicord V is a well sorted model for me. It's the last of the right hand focus models, and the focus knob is the larger size. Starting with the next model (Va), the focus knob moved to the left. Using the shutter release extension on the left -- a little accessory that I find critical -- the handling on the V simply works, logically and easily. Has internal light baffles, and accepts common Bay 1 accessories. The camera is small and light enough to haul around, and the late model Xenar lens has no need to apologize for itself. The tradeoff is the lack of lever advance and automatic shutter cocking, and a lack of a detachable waist level finder for ease of screen upgrade (no biggie if you have a screwdriver).

The 'Cord V is an intelligent balance between advanced features on the one hand and weight and mechanical simplicity on the other, with no sacrifice of basic functionality and performance. A good place to start, and continue to return to. Cheap and abundant as well.

 

[AndysRollei]

I have Rolleiflex 2.8e3 and a Tele, and i like the Tele Better mainly because it is in better shape. I can see some lens separation around the perimeter of the lens but, it is still as sharp as can be.

Andy

 

[maddoc]

I borrowed a friends Rolleiflex 2.8 (don`t remember any more details) for a couple of days in the 80s and was hooked. At that time a Rolleiflex ( I was student) was out of reach for years to come. Only until recently, stimulated by a thread here at RFF, I bought a Rolleiflex3.5E from a shop in NY on-line. A great camera that worked well until last autumn when the focus jammed.

After two quick trips to Harry Fleenor the camera works well again, meanwhile I also bought two Rolleinar sets and a couple of filters here at RFF.

Two of my favorite photos that I took with this camera:

My other TLR is a very simple and small Ricohflex VII with Tessar lens. I bought it cheap in Nagoya for $90 and had it serviced later in Sapporo for $140.

 

[Pikapig]

i love minolta autocord for its lens..amazingly sharp! nv fail to impress me even when its a really dying model in my hand!
Pristine on the outside as per the seller stated, rotten in the inside which he forgot to mention!🙂

by e way, experts here can identify what model is this rolleicord? Stated on top is a DPGM, a compur rapid III

Just gotten a mamiya c330..think im beginning to love it alot!

 

[Todd Frederick]

I've used many TLR cameras over the years and all have been excllent, both expensive and cheap units.

Very recently I came across an old Russian Lubitel-2 that I ran a few rolls through and was very surprised at how well this camera worked.

Here is a link to another forum where I posted a short thread on my experience with a photo of the camera and sample photos (I simply have not learned how to post large images on this forum yet...help doing that would be appreciated).

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1060189@N22/discuss/72157626819465934/

 

[nikon_sam]

The only TLR that I own is a Yashica Mat 124g...I've had it at least 15 years...I found it at the old Buena Park Camera Show when they held it at the Sequoia Club and it took up two rooms...
It was/is in Mint Condition and it came with the leather case, strap and I think it even came with the box...The guy who had it was selling it for a friend...I asked if he was willing to make a trade...I offered two Pentax MG's (w/Winders) and a black Nikon FG (all three were just bodies, no lenses)
He called his friend and we did the deal...
For the longest time I thought I offered too much but not any more...
I don't use the meter, it works but I don't like it...
I don't use it as much as I should...I love the result with this one and always look forward to seeing the negs...
I don't need another TLR but I would like to try an Autocord someday...

 

[imokruok]

The Yashica 124G holds a special place for me as it was what drove me back to film a couple of years ago. But I've since gotten rid of it and have two Mamiya C220s as replacements.

 

[Coldkennels]

I thought I'd be on my own here, but actually, my favourite TLR is my Lubitel 2. I've got a Yashica Mat 124G, and I've used a Rolleicord, and I'm aware of the fact the Lubitel's a piece of crap, but honestly, I love the thing, despite all it's ergonomic flaws. It cost me £10, I can throw it in my bag and not care much about it, and the images I get back from it impress me every time. It's like the little camera that could.


Kennal Vale by Coldkennels, on Flickr


Sandy. by Coldkennels, on Flickr

Would I like to get my hands on an Autocord or a Mamiya? Yes, of course I would. But would I feel as comfortable taking them out on muddy walks in the rain and clambering up hills with them at my side? Probably not...

 

[Panther]

My short TLR-story:

When I wanted to start in MF last year and Hassy was much to expensive, I took the chance to buy a Rolleiflex 3.5F w/ Rolleinars, Hood, bag and strap in working condition. I suddenly felt in love and remembered those cams when I was a child in the 70's.

After a (longer then exspected) while I got use to the mirrored screen and took the cam very, very often with me.

Few months ago I decided to let it be CLA'd in southern Germany.
It came back like new, with silky smooth functions in a perfect condition. Internal meter works very precise when I compare it to my Gossen.

For me, the attraction of Rolleiflexes is a mix of respect for the precise and robust craftsmanship, easy and simple controls, nice feeling and great optical design. This commands my personal admiration more and more in these days whit short-life funny plastic-things without diligently thought-out creations.

Anyway, my little nice also loves the Rollei, there's hope!

 

[Mablo]

I'm using a Rolleicord V which my father bought as new in the -50's. All my own childhood photos were taken with it. I think it was used up to early eighties or so and then got buried in the closet when he got a SLR. When I started to shoot film a couple of years ago I one day asked my father what had happened to his Rollei. I was astonished to hear that he still had it. I immediately took it in my possession (my father was then and still is very happy I'm using it) and had it CLA'd. I've used it ever since.

 

[shadowfox]

This turned out quite well. Enjoyed the stories.

My first TLR is a Yashica Mat 124, not the G version, but the earlier hunk-o'-metal version.
I never liked the camera apart from it's handsome profile look. I think the controls are a bit fiddly and the results never really impressed me. Of course it's possible that my inexperience and untrained eyes back then was the culprit.

Ironically, long after I sold the Yashica, a musician took notice of a picture that I took of it and he ended up buying the rights to that picture for his (music) album's promotion material.

Then came the rivalry between a Hassy 500CM and Mamiya C330. I can't justify keeping both kits, so one has to go. The Mamiya lost not because of image quality, but because the Hassy comes with an extra lens. Sold the Mamiya (still think that the 180mm Super is the best).

Then an unexpected encounter with the Ricoh TLRs (my favorites):

The tiny and cute Ricohflex has IQ that belies its appearance. Being a triplet lens, it can also dish out swirly background with ease.

... and "chicks" dig it 😀

The Diacord, later replaced by the Ricohmatic 225, which is my go-to TLR. I used it in a high-school portrait session, even sold a few prints from it.

Cosmetically, it looks like it's been to hell and back.

But seeing the results from it is the reason why I don't think the Autocord is the only top-dog Japanese TLR.

to be continued...

 

[Ezzie]

I´ve a German TLR, a Czech, a Russian and soon a Japanese.

My favourite to use, and the results it brings is the Rolleiflex 2.8E3, even if I haven´t had it for more than a few weeks. Every operation is buttery smooth, the readout of the settings on top of the viewing lens, the smoooooth focusing, the wind and cocking mechanism, and the feel (heft) of the thing.

The Flexaret is an honest little camera. I could be quite happy to have it as my sole TLR, it does everything very well, just not exceptionally well. Its lighter, its easy to use, its lens is a good Tessar clone, so the results are more than fair.

The Ljubitel I haven´t used much yet, so I´ll reserve comment on that for now.

The one on the way I think may have potential to be my favourite. I´ve been looking for one for ages (since last summer). Its a Kalloflex. I started my MF voyage with a Kowa Super 66, still my favourite camera for tripod use. The lenses are very, very good indeed. And it has some quirky features that I find endearing. The automatic black slide, That both back and lens can only be taken off and mounted when the camera is cocked (logical really once you get to know the camera). Its easy to use in real life and easy to dismantle to a degree allowing for cleaning of mirrors, finders etc. And contrary to what I´ve read its rather well built. When I found out that Kowa made a TLR once upon a time, I knew I had to try one out. I has a good reputation too, I can´t wait.