TLR owners/users (If you dare admit if)

[jpbob100]

Yeah, I have a Chinese Pearl River. I've never actually used it. Might try to soon though.

 

[KoNickon]

I have a lot of TLRs -- Yashicas, Rolleis (both kinds), Minoltas, Ricohs, Kalloflexes, Mamiyas. Also got a Flexaret that needs work. I love these cameras.

 

[lynn]

Yeah, I have a Chinese Pearl River. I've never actually used it. Might try to soon though.

I'd love a Pearl River for the sheer poetry of its name.
I'm funny that way.

 

[MelanieC]

I have a gorgeous Rolleiflex 2.8F that was also my father's, and I do use it, but not nearly as much as the Leica because the M3 fits in my purse and the Rollei doesn't. I've only managed a roll of 120 for every month I've been using the camera. But, one of my favorite pictures I've made so far was with this camera and I am totally blown away by the pictures that come out of it, especially since I barely know how to use it.

My brother is getting married next month and I plan on using the Rollei a lot at his wedding.

Anyway, this is my favorite Rollei photo so far:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=29544&cat=5809

 

[clarence]

I'd love a Pearl River for the sheer poetry of its name.
I'm funny that way.

Everything from China is named in a similar fashion.

The soy sauce that sits on my shelf - Pearl River Bridge Superior Light Soy Sauce
The sesame oil beside it - Silk Road Blended Sesame Seed Oil
And the Worcestershire Sauce - The Original and Genuine Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce

As you can see, we Chinese have a hackneyed knack for names that have a certain zing.

Oh and I love my Mamiya C220 and its 55, 80 and 180 lenses.

Clarence

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Rolleiflex 2.8E2, Rolleiflex 3.5F, YashicaMat 124G, Yashica 635 and a few more.
I use mine a couple times a week, used it yesterday as a matter of fact. I love mine, here are a few samples...

 

[jonasv]

I forgot to mention I used to have a Lubitel-2. Fun, but not exactly great quality.

 

[XAos]

I want one but I'm not buying more cameras right now. Was thinking a C330 but I need to brush up on the differences in the C22/33/220/330 and should keep an eye open for other bargains.

 

[lushd]

I have a Minolta Autocord (pic attached from a recent expedition) and 2 Lubitels. If I am doing MF, I like TLRs the best as they are easy to use handheld. I also have various Kiev MF cameras and a Seagull and a Moskva folder. For some reason, the wind-on lever on a TLR gives a small thrill.

 

[RicardoD]

Ok Todd, I want one of these medium format babies now, although your photos always make me want your equipment when in fact what I need is your skill.

In the auction I won with my Kindermann 35mm stainless reels I also got a 120 stainless reel which of course means I need Minolta Autocord now! (see the sickness that RFF has layed upon me).

 

[Scarpia]

I have a Rollei Magic II, a Minolta Autocord, a Mamiya C-3 and a Walz 4x4 with Zunow lenses. I also have an Agfa Flexilette 35mm TLR. I have used the Rollei and Minolta once in the past year. The Mamiya is very expensive to use as I carry all but pocketable cameras around my neck and every time I have carried the Mamiya a visit to the chiropracter was required afterward. After years of looking for a convenient place to have 120 film developed I found a portrait studio which also does developing literally around the corner from my house which develops a roll of 120 in one hour for $3.00. They are dissapointed when I don't order prints at 65 cents a piece, but I scan the negs on a Canon 9950 F and the results are excellent. I keep saying that I will use my TLR's more but somehow I mostly use RF's and P&S's now.
Kurt M.

 

[lushd]

Just read through this whole thread and saw a few people tempted by Lubitels. I have used both the 2 and the 166U a lot. The downside is that the controls are fiddly and the viewfinder only has a tiny spot of dark ground glass to "aid " focussing. They don't focus very close to anything either. That said, the results are often pretty good. I hooked my Lubitel 2 up to set of studio lights once and was very impressed with what came back. They are both better than they should be for the money and a lot of fun.

 

[fgianni]

Kin, dunno about your case, but here (Netherlands) Autocords are extremely rare and go for a price of 200euro+, while Rolleicords can be had for euro50 to 150 in reasonable working condition...

I know, I had to pay more than $200 for my Autocord, but it is money very well spent, it is as good (and some claim better) as any Tessar/Xenar Rolleiflex, and handles better than any other TLR .

I remember a couple of years ago you could get a good one for £50, but the price has been steadily rising since, and they are catching up fast with some of the Rolleiflexes (of course not the Planar/Xenotar ones).

I had a Rolleiflex GX for a while, superb camera, but the Autocord has a much nicer handling, so the GX went to a new home.

Is anyone aware of bright focusing screens for the Autocord? The Rolleiflex GX screen was definitely better than the one on my Autocord, and is the only thing I miss from that camera.

 

[DougK]

The lens on the Lubitel 166U is way better than it has any right to be if you go purely by the cost of the camera. I like mine a lot.

 

[clarence]

Francesco, Satinsnow can cut ground glasses and focussing glasses for anything, as long as it's rectangular. All you need to do is give them the measurements, if they don't already have the template for that particular model. Their prices were very competitive too, the last time I checked.

Clarence

 

[Joerg]

Mamiya C330, 55mm 80mm, and 180 lenses.
It so much fun and it is a different way of taking pic, much more deliberate....

Joerg

 

[clarence]

Hello Joerg,

I had a C330 once and my 180mm lens wouldn't fit on it, but it fits fine on my C220. Is it because the lens is old, or is it the C330 body that was too old?

Clarence

 

[tkluck]

Bought a Yashica 635 on a whim. Came with the 35mm adapter and I had to try it with a scrap roll of film, just to see if it worked. It works, but what a pain. I'll hang onto it in case 120 film disappears.
I find that the biggest attraction is the 12 exposure roll of film. Even more than the big negatives. Going to have to buy a bulk roll of 135 (but what kind?????), some more reloadable cassettes, roll my own again.
Using the waist level finder seems to be so unintimidating too. You are not "pointing" anything at your subject.
Crap. Now I want a TLR with a crank....

 

[ChrisN]

I'll admit to owning a Yashica 124G. I've put one roll through it, and loaded a second. I plan to take it on holiday with me next month (along with a load of other gear) and devote one entire day to shooting with it.

 

[Joerg]

Hello Joerg,

I had a C330 once and my 180mm lens wouldn't fit on it, but it fits fine on my C220. Is it because the lens is old, or is it the C330 body that was too old?

Clarence

Clarence,

got me! :bang:
I have a C33 and you are right that certain lenses wont fit. I try to sat with the black versions which are more recent.

Ciao

Joerg