The Best TLR?

Spavinaw said:
Krosya,
I have an Airesflex that needs a CLA. Who did you send yours to? After you get it back, I'd like to know if you are pleased with the work and the approximate cost. Thanks for the info.
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I do all my CLAs myself. I'm almost done with it - just need to tweak final adjustments and finish putting new leather on it. ;)
 
I use all types of cameras, and all the formats. In TLR world, there are some advantages over other camera formats. If you have a sturdy neck, consider the Mamiya system. The biggest advantage for me is not the possibility to change lens focal, but the possibility to focus real close.
I bought the camera in first place to photograph my newborn son, just because I wanted a MF camera which I can use for close-up portraits.
I do have a Rolleicord, but it didn't get much use. If I don't need the short distance focus, I go with my Agifold, which fits in my jeans.
 
Best is what best fits you and no one else! My favorite user is a Rolleiwide its 55mm Distagon is a joy in itself!
 
I like the Mamiya C220/330 because of the interchangeable lenses, solid construction, and close focusing with the bellows. The 80mm and 105mm lenses are seriously good. That said, my Yashica 124G always took very nice pictures, but I stopped using it when I got the C220 kit. As a side note, yes - these are heavy cameras, but the C220 is a little bit lighter than the C330 and the only functional difference is that you have to cock the shutter yourself.

I haven't ever had one of the Rolleiflexes, but my understanding has always been that the lenses are incredible if you are willing to live with the fixed focal length. The shots I've seen from them on Flickr and here have some seriously nice bokeh and color.

This was literally the first shot I took with my C220/105mm lens combo.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alflauren/4694572759/
 
Just loving the Ricoh Diacord I picked up recently. Simply amazing results, built solidly, and compact.

I'm not complaining about my Mamiya TLR, mind, the extra lenses are lovely. But the truth is, it's a beast even without the extra lenses. I'm sure for some uses it's unbeatable, but the weight and sheer bulk make it a different prospect altogether when you're grabbing a camera on your way out the door. The Ricoh is small enough for it to really be fine to take along for some casual shooting, and yet enough oomph in the photos to make everyone pay attention.

The Mamiya scares people with its imposing presence. With the Ricoh, I get the impression people think I'm just slighly teched in the head. Which works for me and may well be true.

I think these comments might be generally true for most of the 'Cord (Rolleicord that is) copies.
 
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Armoured said:
Just loving the Ricoh Diacord I picked up recently. Simply amazing results, built solidly, and compact.

...Ricoh is small enough for it to really be fine to take along for some casual shooting, and yet enough oomph in the photos to make everyone pay attention.

The Mamiya scares people with its imposing presence. With the Ricoh, I get the impression people think I'm just slighly teched in the head. Which works for me and may well be true.

I think these comments might be generally true for most of the 'Cord (Rolleicord that is) copies.
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Glad to see another Ricoh -head :)
I sold my Diacord recently, because I don't like wasting a good camera just sitting there, might as well be used by others.

This is what I use now, which is exactly like the Diacord except for the lever instead of knob, and the film is loaded in different direction. A bit rough cosmetically, but 100% working:

4423552267_0b5c1eb557.jpg
 
I have to say the Rolleiflex 80/2.8 Planar and Xenotar models are the very best, although the Yashicas, Minoltas, and many other similar Japanese models are also excellent for the money.
 
I like my Rolleiflex Automat with Carl Zeiss Tessar 3.5 lens - it is a fun camera, very compact, and is certainly the best (the only!) TLR I own. :)
 
I'm in the process of acquiring said complete Mamiya C330f professional kit, with only Blue Dot lenses, 65, 80, 135 and 180.

I had a Mamiya C330f before and sold it.:bang:

The interchangeable lenses are what gives it the edge over other cameras, possibly even over the Rolleiflex 2.8GX :eek:
 
The thing I like about all TLRs except Mamiya is that they don't have interchangeable lenses. At the beginning of my career, I owned a Yashicamat TLR and a Nikon F with two lenses. When I picked up the Nikon, it invariably had the wrong lens mounted, but when I picked up the Yashica, it always had the right lens. As Picasso said, “Forcing yourself to use restricted means is the sort of restraint that liberates invention."

I especially like the simplicity of my Rolliecord after years of digital cameras and zoom lenses covering everything from 17 to 320mm (which I still have to use in my work).
 
Pirate said:
Yashica, Rollei, Mamiya....

Is there a Good, Better, Best, in the TLR world?
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I've had a Yashica and two Rolleis and the Rolleis win hands-down for me. I don't want a camera that's not a good shooter wide-open. I don't use f3.5 much but when I do I want the best performance I can get. I would think the newer the better, and the 4-element lenses (Tessar, Zenar, Zenotar and Planar) are best. Also I like the 80mm 2.8 lens better than the 75mm 3.5, if only for the extra 5mm FL.
 
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I have been mainly using a 2.8D Rolleiflex with the Planar taking lens.
On occasions, I use the Tele Rollei with the 135mm Sonnar and the 3.5 Rollei with the Planar.

They are for me "the best", but any MF camera with a clean lens can deliver excellent images if well used. At one time I used a cheap Lubitel for B&W photography. The Flektarex [or similar name?] did not work for me.
 
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Well concerning the "toy" comment, I don't quite agree. Several of the Japanese TLR's deliver outstanding images in the hands of knowledgeable users. The Yashica's and Mamiyas both made some inroads into the pro photography and journalism world in their day. Rollei's are truly outstanding no doubt, and my first preference, but I'd not dismiss this fairly serious competition at all.
 
ChrisN said:
I like my Rolleiflex Automat with Carl Zeiss Tessar 3.5 lens - it is a fun camera, very compact, and is certainly the best (the only!) TLR I own. :)
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Although I own a Rollei 3.5F, I just picked up a Automat MX-EVS (1956) with a Zeiss Tessar. It is also a great camera. Not only compact- also very light weight, with glass with a special look.

Cal
 
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