TLR owners/users (If you dare admit if)

[oftheherd]

I have commented in a couple of threads on TLRs. I have read others comments and seen their lists of the TLRs they own. Makes me salivate with envy. I thought it might be interesting to post the four I own.


http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/Rolleiflex_copy.jpg

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/Reflekta_copy.jpg

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/Rediflex_copy.jpg

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/Schnapps-O-Flex_copy.jpg

The first is the venerable Rolleiflex. The second is a Welta Reflekta. Both use 120 film. The third is an Ansco Rediflex, which I have never used, but takes 620 film. I have yet to identify which film type the Schnapps-O-Flex takes. 😀 The pour spout is through the flash, which has a cork that fits into the "body."

For some reason I don't seem to be able to get the insert image icon to work..

 

[rogue_designer]

My first "real" camera growing up was a Yashicamat 124G, which I used for a good ten years before my little sister went to college and I gave it to her to use. When she didn't return it (she liked it too much) - I upgraded to a Rolleiflex E3 with the 2.8 Planar. I've also since bought another 124G and mounted a wide adapter on it. The Rolleiflex is one of two or three cameras that go just about everywhere with me.

 

[Scott --]

I own two Rolleiflexes (both Automats - a type I with uncoated Tessar, and a 3 with coated Xenar and SK viewing lens) and a mint Yashica 24 which doesn't get near enough use. I use the type 1 Automat all the time. It's my all-time favorite camera, though my Super Memar is awful fun to shoot... 😉

 

[Abbazz]

I just uploaded the first three pictures taken yesterday with my Voigtländer focusing Brillant TLR. The Heliar lens seems to be great. I will play a little bit with this one while waiting for the f/2.0 Heliar which should be coming with a CV R3M in a few days...

Abbazz

 

[oftheherd]

Interesting photos from Brunei. Good tonality too.

 

[Solinar]

Great images, truly "Brilliant". The Heliar looks plenty sharp to me. It looks like even at the age of 70 years old that you have a pretty nice street shooter.

 

[pesphoto]

Agreed, those are impressive pics.

 

[bob cole]

TLR owners/users (If you dare admit if)

I have one, too...A 1950s Rolleiflex 3.5 Tessar and as I have mentioned either here or elsewhere I had Essex Camera of New Jersey permanently convert it to 35mm with a Rolleikin adapter... It was my first Rollei and bought on time payments in upstate New York for about $150usd...I used to use it for family photos but rarely use it now, in favor of Leica rangefinders...Here's a picture: regards, bob cole

 

[MelanieC]

I find new reasons to love my 2.8F every time I use it.

I posted this in the Dogs thread already, but can't resist posting it again because I love this dog so freaking much. From the latest Rollei roll:

And the small auxiliary dog, the same day:

 

[Abbazz]

Thanks to oftheherd, Solinar and pesphoto for the sweet words. Usually, Brillant TLRs have very basic features, with Bakelite body, range focusing and poor viewfinder. The FSU Lubitel is a copy of those Voiglander Brillant cameras. On the Brillant, the lens is the sweet part: 4 elements Skopar (Tessar formula) or 5 elements Heliar. They are selling for cheap, so you can get a good price on one of the more "advanced" models featuring through the lens focusing and Heliar lens.

Great shots, Melanie. I love the composition and shallow DOF. TLRs are great for pets (or children) portraits, because you can shoot comfortably at dog level without having to crawl in the dirt.

Abbazz

 

[Solinar]

Gene M just posted this over at the photo net classics forum. The images are stunning.

 

[Greg_E]

I'll probably end up using this one fairly often (when it's finished):

 

[rogue_designer]

I'll probably end up using this one fairly often (when it's finished):
(image deleted)

Greg - Digital back? Cut through somehow? or are you using on of the cut film backs (did they even make those for the cords)?

 

[Greg_E]

Started by cutting a hole in a badly beaten back, but that isn't going to work, so I need to make something else, and probably modify the body too. I decide to stop messing around with a "clean" modification when it became clear that no one would be interested in having one built for a new back. The 16mp back costs around $13,000 and I really doubt anyone would want something like this. So I'll use it for me and enjoy it. Wish I had the money for a second back with a monochrome sensor.

 

[Ash]

I really wanted to do that, but then I realised that it'd be so costly that the money is better spent on a DSLR, and keep the 'cord for 120 film.

you CAN get sheet film back for the rolleicords, look on ebay. In any case you can pick up a spare back or two. You're living the dream 😀

 

[Rayt]

I have two Rolleicords both CLA'd by Harry Fleenor and with Hi Lux screens installed by Bill Maxwell. They take stunning pictures but I hardly use them anymore, mostly because I can't seem to use them handheld like I can with the 500c. On a tripod they are great.

 

[Greg_E]

Yes, if the larger backs were cheaper, it would be great! That's why mine will probably remain at a lowly 6mp for a long time.

 

[Lukedh]

Guilty as charged

Guilty as charged

The first new new camera I bought a Mamya C330F with 80/2.8. It has kama. Followed by 55/4.5, 180/4.5 lenses and a paramender. I like the ground glass focusing and the of the quietness of the shutter, quieter than a well known rangefinder (tin hat ready) or the report of an SLR. The Texan Leica looks heavy by comparison Oh and the big negs too.

 

[Ash]

Dont kill me Kim or any other moderator!!

Thought this'll be the best place to say it. I've got a Rolleikin, it's got everything but the different film winder/counter thing (that is apparently bought seperately with this version, but it might just be missing) - hence it won't work with my 'cord 3.

Anyone (preferably UK) want it for cheap, or trade for something?


sorry to the mod's for not putting it in the classifieds

 

[drmatthes]

Being a Zeiss addict, for me it's a pre-war ZI Ikoflex I (850/60) w/ (unnumbered uncoated Rodenstock) Novar Anastigmat f/3.5, 7.5 cm in innominate ZI shutter (1-1/100 s).
Found it in big camera store's used stuff section in Hannover last year, for about US$ 90. Not quite a bargain but still a fair price for a camera in this condition (A-, fully working).
Obtained good results at our German Protestant Church Convent last year. Easy to handle, nice magnifying glass in viewfinder for exact focussing, plus an exposure chart on the left of the collapsible viewinder shaft that renders a meter unneccesary (eh, just kidding, we call this the "pi times thumb-lenght" method over here).
Nice basic camera, anyway. These Novars are good lenses, too. A bit soft as far as contrast is concerned, but no absolute need for Tessars given the standard of the time IMHO.

Jesko