Let's hear about your favorite TLR

[PMCC]

Shadowfox and Ezzie, those are such beauties.

 

[Mablo]

My current TLR row is here. I can't say if one is better than the other. They are all very very good.

 

[Darshan]

I cannot say which one is my favorite as I currently own only one..Yashica D (thanks to Ducky).

I am hooked at it's near silent operation, focusing and composing through a WLF, and the negatives are just gorgeous.

Someday, I would like to own a Rolleicord V or a Rolleiflex 3.5E/F. The former for it's small size and right hand focusing, the latter for it's lens. End of wishful thinking. 😀

 

[Darshan]

An off-topic bump to this thread: Is there any un-metered Rollei with the Planar lens?

 

[MISH]

An off-topic bump to this thread: Is there any un-metered Rollei with the Planar lens?

Had a quick look in my Rollei book and it looks like several choices available, Rolleiflex 3.5 E (type 2), Rolleiflex 3.5 E3, Rolleiflex 2.8C, Rolleiflex 2.8D Rolleiflex 2.8E

 

[shyoon]

My favourite is Eirik's 2.8E3 😀

A wonderful camera to use - as he said, everything is just smooth and the results speak for themselves. The ideal travel camera? It has all the right qualities - solid build, small, light, great lens and of course, all the benefits associated with medium format.

I do have a soft spot for the very first TLR I ever used though, a friend's Rolleiflex MX-EVS. It was in terrible shape; hazy lens, cracked ground glass and yet the results still blew me away.

 

[Darshan]

Had a quick look in my Rollei book and it looks like several choices available, Rolleiflex 3.5 E (type 2), Rolleiflex 3.5 E3, Rolleiflex 2.8C, Rolleiflex 2.8D Rolleiflex 2.8E

Thanks a lot mate, I don't dig the 2.8 models because of the cost but will definitely look into the 3.5 E2/E3.
Any online reference that I can look into?

 

[Lflex]

A small TLR collection by mandoflex, on Flickr

Of the 3 TLRs I own, the Rolleiflex T (in the middle) is most dear to me.
The Xenar lens has the pleasant character i appreciate - as illustrated in the photo below.
The old (1937-8) Rolleiflex Automat to the right is new to me so my preferences may change.


Taketomi Island by mandoflex, on Flickr

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Thanks a lot mate, I don't dig the 2.8 models because of the cost but will definitely look into the 3.5 E2/E3.
Any online reference that I can look into?

2.8C & D models can still be found at competitive prices equal or better than a 3.5E. Granted, most of them will have the Xenotar lens, but is that really an issue? Planar-equipped examples crop up less often also, if a Zeiss lens you must have, but will be a bit more expensive again of course.

More information:
http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/all_TLR.shtml
http://www.antiquecameras.net/rolleiflex.html

At the risk of blowing my own horn—I wrote this page yesterday. It's rather lengthy, and of course, contains only my own opinions, for whatever they're worth, but I hope it offers some good advice to prospective online purchasers of Rollei TLRs. It's still a work in progress. I wrote it because I have become fed up with dealing with dodgy sellers on the big auction site who are clueless, careless or just plain dishonest. Perhaps it's a reactionary comment, but I would like to see buyers better informed and better able to assess their purchases—and if this means more sellers are held to account—so much the better.

Regards,
Brett

 

[JeffGreene]

I have been using TLRs since the late 60s. I recently sold my Mamiya 330F, but my favorite TLR currently is my Primo JR. It takes 127 film and has a razor sharp 2.8 lens. I was having some flare issues with it, but recently acquired a Baby Rollei lens shade which works perfectly. Mark Hansen specializes in these cameras, and did an excellent job on the CLA. It's kind of a funny story how I acquired the camera. I have been using a local camera store for my E-6 and C-41 processing for many years. The owner, like many others, was an enthusiast who displayed his collection in the store. For about the last 25 years, I would always ask to see the Primo and then ask if he would sell it to me. His response initially was always the same, 'No, Jeff, it's not for sale'. As the years passed, he would shut me up by saying, 'Cut it out, you're in the will, ok! ' I thought he was kidding, until after his passing when I received the camera as a bequest. Here is the camera, with a shot of my daughter and I taken on a recent outing with the Philly RFF contingent by Thambar, Jim Shulman.

 

[Ezzie]

My favourite is Eirik's 2.8E3 😀

A wonderful camera to use - as he said, everything is just smooth and the results speak for themselves. The ideal travel camera? It has all the right qualities - solid build, small, light, great lens and of course, all the benefits associated with medium format.

I do have a soft spot for the very first TLR I ever used though, a friend's Rolleiflex MX-EVS. It was in terrible shape; hazy lens, cracked ground glass and yet the results still blew me away.

Thank you Seok-Ho. The camera is every bit as good as you described. I'm lucky to have done business with you.

Thanks a lot mate, I don't dig the 2.8 models because of the cost but will definitely look into the 3.5 E2/E3.
Any online reference that I can look into?

Dan. Many models as metioned had option of a meter, not necessarily delivered either with or without. Makes it a bit difficult to generalise. My 2.8E3 Planar is without.


Sorry for the interruption. More stories please. This is fun.

 

[Ezzie]

I have been using TLRs since the late 60s. I recently sold my Mamiya 330F, but my favorite TLR currently is my Primo JR. It takes 127 film and has a razor sharp 2.8 lens. I was having some flare issues with it, but recently acquired a Baby Rollei lens shade which works perfectly. Mark Hansen specializes in these cameras, and did an excellent job on the CLA. It's kind of a funny story how I acquired the camera. I have been using a local camera store for my E-6 and C-41 processing for many years. The owner, like many others, was an enthusiast who displayed his collection in the store. For about the last 25 years, I would always ask to see the Primo and then ask if he would sell it to me. His response initially was always the same, 'No, Jeff, it's not for sale'. As the years passed, he would shut me up by saying, 'Cut it out, you're in the will, ok! ' I thought he was kidding, until after his passing when I received the camera as a bequest. Here is the camera, with a shot of my daughter and I taken on a recent outing with the Philly RFF contingent by Thambar, Jim Shulman.
...........

Now that is a sweet story.

 

[shadowfox]

For about the last 25 years, I would always ask to see the Primo and then ask if he would sell it to me. His response initially was always the same, 'No, Jeff, it's not for sale'. As the years passed, he would shut me up by saying, 'Cut it out, you're in the will, ok! ' I thought he was kidding, until after his passing when I received the camera as a bequest. Here is the camera, with a shot of my daughter and I taken on a recent outing with the Philly RFF contingent by Thambar, Jim Shulman.

Jeff, that story is the kind of stuff that make this thread worthwhile. Thank you for sharing that.

 

[andredossantos]

Thanks a lot mate, I don't dig the 2.8 models because of the cost but will definitely look into the 3.5 E2/E3.
Any online reference that I can look into?

I have an unmetered 3.5E, type 1. At least, according to the serial number guide on antiquecamera.com. Anyway, they are brilliant cameras and I can't recommend them enough. They are cheaper than the F's yet practically the same.

Also, 2.8's are wonderful of course but the 3.5's seem to me to be much more comfortable ergonomically. Another benefit of 3.5's is you get a slightly wider lens (75mm vs 80mm). If you do think you may want a 2.8, the 2.8d and earlier models can sometimes be found for cheap(er). I had a 2.8d and it was my main camera for a while and it never let me down!

And yes, go unmetered! I prefer the unmetered versions.

 

[vitaly66]

Rolleiflex 2.8A (type 2): exquisite build quality and fantastic 80mm Tessar lens!


rush job by vmacchiato, on Flickr


media frenzy by vmacchiato, on Flickr

 

[hefty]

I don't have a particularly interesting story to tell about my Microflex but here goes anyway...

I bought it on eBay last October. The listing was simply headed "Microflx", the seller had only 3 previous feedbacks and there was a single blurry cellphone picture with the single line description, "its an old camera and i dont know if it works no returns thanks".

Not normally the sort of auction I'd bid on but I'd fancied a Microflex for a long time and put in a low bid of £77.50 (in honour of the 77.5mm lens). I was the only bidder until the last few seconds when someone with a similar idea bid £77 - meaning I won by that extra 50 pence.

When it arrived a week later (very poorly packaged) I could see straight away it needed work as it was jammed solid. The same day I sent it off to Newton Ellis in Liverpool who repaired, serviced and returned it for just over £120, so effectively I had a fully working (and quite clean!) Microflex for just under £200.

After just a couple of rolls of film through the MPP I sold my Rolleicord III, Rolleiflex 3.5E, Ikoflex and Yashica-Mat and never looked back. I think the Microflex is probably my all time favourite camera (of those I've owned and used) and I can't imagine being without it now - it's a keeper.

 

[KenR]

I had a Mamiya C330 with a couple of lenses. Got great results, but it was just too big and heavy to take hiking. I sold it bought an RF645 (which I found to be a delicate piece of junk compared to the C330). Sold that and now have and love a Mamiya 6.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

My E2 2.8 Planar came without meter, but during the subsequent CLA the technician told me he had a brand new Gossen meter for the Rollei in his box of spares and asked if I'd like it installed. So now it has a meter!
The WA came without a meter and the Tele has a meter.
I carry a Weston Euro Master with Invercone and a Minolta Spotmeter - no excuses!

 

[shadowfox]

I don't have a particularly interesting story to tell about my Microflex but here goes anyway...

I bought it on eBay last October. The listing was simply headed "Microflx", the seller had only 3 previous feedbacks and there was a single blurry cellphone picture with the single line description, "its an old camera and i dont know if it works no returns thanks".

Not normally the sort of auction I'd bid on but I'd fancied a Microflex for a long time and put in a low bid of £77.50 (in honour of the 77.5mm lens). I was the only bidder until the last few seconds when someone with a similar idea bid £77 - meaning I won by that extra 50 pence.

When it arrived a week later (very poorly packaged) I could see straight away it needed work as it was jammed solid. The same day I sent it off to Newton Ellis in Liverpool who repaired, serviced and returned it for just over £120, so effectively I had a fully working (and quite clean!) Microflex for just under £200.

After just a couple of rolls of film through the MPP I sold my Rolleicord III, Rolleiflex 3.5E, Ikoflex and Yashica-Mat and never looked back. I think the Microflex is probably my all time favourite camera (of those I've owned and used) and I can't imagine being without it now - it's a keeper.

Any photos of and/or from the camera you can share with us here?

 

[hefty]

Any photos of and/or from the camera you can share with us here?

Yes, as well as posting in this thread last night I also posted some results in the Your favourite photos taken with a TLR thread and some shots of the camera in the Show off your TLR thread. Rather than fill the forum with reposts here's just one of each:

The camera

A photo from it (Kodak Portra 160)

I really like the new Portra 160, I was never all that keen on the old VC or NC versions.