TLR owners/users (If you dare admit if)

[ErnestoJL]

I owned a Yashica 635, and sold it many years ago. I regretted doing so for some time, but at last I realized that using a camera without double exposure prevention was kind of a pain in somewhere.
Later I got a Meopta Flexaret VI and this one has film advance and shutter cocking with the same knob, a desirable feature.
I don´t use it so often (as well as my other MFs) just for the price of film.
Anyway it´s a valuable piece of equipment that I use when shooting weddings, birthday parties and some other assignements which do not require
speed but quality.

Ernesto

 

[David Goldfarb]

My only TLR is a Voigtlander Superb with an uncoated Heliar (early 1930s). I use it occasionally. This was a very innovative camera for its day. It was the first TLR with parallax correction--the whole viewing system tilts as you focus. It also has a frame counter and a racheting lever wind film advance (but no auto stop) for horizontal film travel. All the settings--aperture, shutter speed, and focus distance--are visible from the viewing position. The shutter speeds are reverse engraved so that they can be read with a prism, and there is a bullet level in the finder. I had the focusing screen upgraded to a modern screen, and the mirror, which was flaking, has been replaced.

Here's a scan of a color transparency (Fuji RMS) made with this camera in Central Park, Manhattan.

 

[boron9]

The professional labs I deal with on a regular basis now say that they cannot print black and white proofs any more onto black and white paper, since Kodak has discontinued their black and white papers. But they can still do contact prints onto black and white paper, of another source apparently. So, I sent in a roll of black and white film for the first time for contact prints - the camera was a Rolleiflex 3.5F, the film TMAX 100, and all exposures were measured by the incident method - results were great. I had just re-purchased a Rollei 35S originally intended for black and white work and this probably was a mistake, as contact prints from 35mm are just too too small to view. But the 6x6 contacts are indeed viewable, so an unexpectedly need is now fulfilled from an unlikely source, the TLRs.

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

I owned a Yashica 635, and sold it many years ago. I regretted doing so for some time, but at last I realized that using a camera without double exposure prevention was kind of a pain in somewhere.
Later I got a Meopta Flexaret VI and this one has film advance and shutter cocking with the same knob, a desirable feature.
I don´t use it so often (as well as my other MFs) just for the price of film.
Anyway it´s a valuable piece of equipment that I use when shooting weddings, birthday parties and some other assignements which do not require
speed but quality.

Ernesto

Hello Ernesto,
I have a Rolleicord 1a,which I bought recently from Greyhoundman, which is great,and which I enjoy very much.I notice that you use a Flexaret,various models of which are regularly available on Ebay here in Europe,and as I know nothing about them,I was wondering how good they are.Would you have time to give me some advice.
Cheers,
Brian.

 

[ErnestoJL]

I forgot to say that I also own and old Topcon Primo Jr 4x4 (it uses 127 film which is difficult to find). The negs from this one were really good, but film availability makes this camera most a collector´s item than a user.

Brian:
Owning a Rolleicord from G´man means you got a nice camera!
Flexarets are "rare" cameras here, as they weren´t imported in significant quantities, but the few I´ve seen were in good shape and working.
The lens quality isn´t bad (Meopta has a good reputation of fine enlarging lens makers). Mine is a model VI and has a pair of Meopta belar 75mm f3.5 which is a Tessar based design mounted in a Prontor SVS shutter (B; 1 to 1/500) but some models came with Pronto shutters made in the former DDR going only up to 1 /400.
Optically the camera is fine. The lenses have a very thin coating so most of them may have cleaning marks in the front lens. They take standard B30 bayonet filters and hoods.
I just can´t tell you about the other models because of the few imported, but I´ve seen one model III which has separated film advance and shutter cocking.
The later models called "automatic" (types VI and VII with all the variants) have both functions done with the same knob.
In fact is a very simple camera, not mechanically sophisticated as a Rollei but I´m aware that for general picture taking they are really good.

It´s general design goes in a different way than the Rollei and Rollei clones as the focusing isn´t done with a knob from the side of the camera, but with a lever that swings from side to side of the camera front and has the DOF scale engraved on it. Unusual but effective. This makes the focusing system a fine depart from Rollei as Meopta used a helix instead of a rack and pinion movement.

The shutter trigger is located at mid height instead of in the front lower part of the camera. It forces you to handle the camera with your left hand under the body, and focus & shoot with your right hand. Another depart from Rollei.

I received the camera as payment for the reassembly and CLA of a Compur Press shutter. Needless to say that both (camera and shutter) came in two plastic bags as a puzzle.

I had another type VI in my hands and it belongs to my girlfriend who inherited it from her dad, many years ago.
My general opinion about this camera is that it´s a good camera, which original price was far lower than a Rollei, but not lacking as much as the price difference may suggest. If you find one in nice shape, I guess you won´t regret it.

In case you want more info, feel free to PM or mail me.

Cheers
Ernesto

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Ernesto,
Very many thanks for your really comprehensive and very helpful advice on the Flexaret.This gives me the opportunity to look around with much more confidence.I will let you know how things proceed,

Best regards fom Wales,🙂

Brian.

 

[LazyHammock]

My user is a Voigtlander Brillant with the 75mm Heliar (circa 1938). I had a CLA on the shutter last year and it performs really well. It is compact, very basic (you estimate the distance, manually cock the shutter and estimate how far to wind-on since the peephole doesn't seem to line up with the film paper markings) but it produces some wonderful images.
The TLR is always in my bag alongside my RF. I like using the Voigtlander TLR so much that I have a Rolleiflex Automat MX winging its way to me as I write.
Nick

 

[Abbazz]

My user is a Voigtlander Brillant with the 75mm Heliar (circa 1938). I had a CLA on the shutter last year and it performs really well. It is compact, very basic (you estimate the distance, manually cock the shutter and estimate how far to wind-on since the peephole doesn't seem to line up with the film paper markings) but it produces some wonderful images.

Nick,

I fully agree regarding the Voigtlander Brillant. Mine is a later model ('focusing' Brillant), which offers a coupled viewing lens for easier focusing, as well as automatic film advance. The Heliar lens is great and you don't find so many TLRs with 5 glass lenses. The camera is lighter and much more compact than my Mamiya C330s. The only problem with these late Brillants is that they were lower end TLRs, so their construction is not very sturdy. The ones offered for sale are often plagued with light leaks due to a damaged light trap on the frail bakelite body and out of alignment coupling between taking and viewing lenses.

Cheers,

Abbazz

 

[LazyHammock]

Abbazz,
My Brillant is the earlier? metal version and it fits very tight when closed - I haven't had any leaks and the felt is in great condition. The best $20 I ever spent!
I've used a C330 on a number of occasions but I'm quite happy having just a normal lens and there must be at least 2lbs difference in weight!
Cheers,
Nick

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I'm trying to get the name of someone who can fix my Meopta Flexaret VI (the shutter has actually given up working on me now) and I will have the Ikoflex that I just got from Ebay. Both cameras, once in full working condition, will be used. Most likely extensively. I love square format.

 

[LazyHammock]

Stephanie,
I get the impression that TLR shutters are relatively simple to CLA, Hopefully someone will be able to give you a recommendation close to home. You should be paying <$100, although I'm sure there are plenty of experts here or on APUG that could guide you through the process. I'm sure you know this already!
Cheers,
Nick

 

[Greg_E]

I would say send it to me, but I've got a bunch of projects going right now, so it would be a while before I could even look at it, let alone determine if I could fix it. Aside from the stuff I've mentioned over at APUG, I've got an original model Rolleiflex that I want to rebuild. It's in decent shape for being 60+ years old, but does need some attention to get back to a working condition.

The one reason I would even consider looking at your Flexaret is because I think I would kind of like to buy one. But at the moment I have way too many cameras, and not enough time to even use the ones that work. Hopefully I'll start to have some time to fix the ones that don't soon.

If you really want it fixed, there is a guy who sells a lot of Flexarets on ebay from the Ukraine. You might try contacting him and see if there is somewhere to send yours (maybe back to Meopta). But this is another camera where the repair may cost way more than the price of a good working camera. The prices that I remember were under or around $100 including shipping, and most good CLA will run you around $75.

 

[Mackinaw]

How many own and how many actually use TLR's

Just bought an old Mamiya C220 which I'll be getting in a few days. While I also have an old Mamiya 6 folder, I like the C220 because of the option of interchangeable lenses. Looking forward to the TLR experience.

Jim Bielecki

 

[dreilly]

Actually, Cupog, the flexaret ebay seller, is based in Bratislava, Slovakia. A CLA with all the shipping might cost not much less than a "new" one from him but he's worth asking. I've spoken with him and he seems quite reasonble and knowledgeable, especially about the weird shutter on my Flexaret VII.

 

[giellaleafapmu]

How many own and how many actually use TLR's (poll suggested by FrankS)

I have one (and two lenses...guess the maker of the camera...) and I use it but not a lot.
For usual street stuff is big. For what enjoy most (products and still life at home) I like view cameras because of movements.

Giella lea Fapmu

 

[Rey]

Jim,

You'll like the 220. I have a 330 with a (black) normal and a wide lens. Great resolution. It shoots wonderful photos. Because of it's size, it feels more like a field camera. I almost always use it on a tripod. I also own a Rollei 2.8c Xenotar. Possibly heavier, it's more compact and can be used in more situations. Also with an exceptional lens.

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Just fitted a replacement viewing screen from Rick Oleson,to the fine Rolleicord 1, which I bought from G'Man earlier this year.It is a great improvement over the original screen,and I would recommend these screens to anyone considering a similar improvement.
I'm looking forward to my next film with a lovely camera,(and to seeing much more than my own reflection in the screen!) 🙂

Brian.

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Succumbed to the temptation of the Graflex 22 from Memphis.Looking forward to some photographic excellence from the USA.

 

[Filmnut]

I have an early production Rolleicord III (made in 1950, according to the serial number) that I inherited from an uncle of my wife's. It needed servicing, now works like a charm.
That was almost exactly ten years ago, I have used it quite a bit since then.

 

[bmicklea]

A few years ago I picked up a Rolleiflex 2.8d that is nice and smooth after its CLA. I've put about 20 rolls through it. Love using it for people shots as the lens softness wide open is quite flattering for most people.

Example here: http://www.micklea.com/gallery/rnd/alli_at_work_B_W