Too many TLRs?

My cupboard is almost bare. I have two Yashicamats, one that was owned by a major wire service and has some very interesting modifictions for the news photog who has everything else. This does not, of course, include he faux TLRs -- box cameras, really, that can take mighty fine photos if you pay attention. I also have two Rolleimeters -- curious but clever beasts that turn Rollie sports finders into rangefinders. I need to get my grubby little paws on a Rollei and a lens for my Crown Graphic and to fix the back on my baby Graphic, and to get my Yashica LYNX 14 shutter repaired, and to find out why my Bilora Bella shutter doesn't work (the model that uses 127 film) and on and on.
 
My two beauties are my Rolleflex 3.5F and Rolleicord V. Love them both but like the 'Cord more because of its right hand focus. I also have a Rollei 35S which is a 35.
 
Rolleiflex Automat RF IIIA
Rolleiflex T
Rolleiflex 3,5 F
Rolleicord IIb
Rolleicord III Triotar
Rolleicord IV
Ricohflex Diamond L
Meopta Flexaret Va
Mamiya C330f

They are too many, I know...
The first one I bought is the 3,5 F, the other ones have been bought when finding a bargain from people wanting to get rid of them.
Each of them has its own qualities and uniqueness that always makes for a good excuse to bring it somewhere and take pics and not to sell any 🙂
 
I only ever had one TLR at a time, but I confess that was more to do with funding than desire. I had some real beauties, and had started out with a Mamiya C220, moving on (among a few others) through Rolleicord (never a 'Flex, sadly) and - my favourite - a Microcord.

But, beautiful though they were, the bottom line is that I'm just not very good at using one to take photos. 😱

Thanks to all who show off pictures of your TLRs.
 
Microflex
Microcord
Rolleiflex 2.8C Xenotar

And I’ve had the Rolleiflex 2.8F Planar, MX-EVS 3.5 Tessar.
The most pleasing pictures seem to come from the Microflex, but the 2.8C (probably the sharpest) and the Microcord (probably least sharp, but we’re nitpicking here) are very good and I love all three.
The Microcord I keep because it is really light and lovely.
The Rolleiflex I had restored after a seller forgot to mention that the rear lens was full of fungus. Fortunately, I got it restored via http://www.focalpointlens.com/index.html (John did an incredible job, as this lens now performs on a par with my Rolleiflex 6008 Integral Planar 2.8/80mm !).
And yet, something about the Taylor Hobson lens of the Microflex is so compelling that I prefer it despite losing one stop in aperture and shutter speed.

I should add that I have replaced the focus screens on all three models.
I replaced them with Rolleiflex SL66 / 6000 / FX screens. (A tiny bit too small for the 2.8C but it still works wonders, and fine for the MPPs).
 
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I have too many. Lost count. A couple of 2.8C (all need work), a couple 3.5F models, an Automat, a prewar Automat, a very early Rolleiflex, several Rolleicords, two Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex Favorits, and maybe eight or nine of other Ikoflex models, as well as a couple of others, Baby Rolleiflex and two Reflectas.

Hmmm, too many, for sure.
 
ummmmm, a mamiya c220, rolleicord v, yashica d, Minolta autocord, yashica 44, AND a currently loaded primo jr.

the ability to do no-fuss, no-muss realllly close-up work makes the c220
one of my favorites...the compact and lighter rolleicord gets the nod when i want an easy to tag along camera.

i am half-way through my first roll with the primo jr. it is so small it will fit in some cargo pocket shorts.

laugh more, smile more.
the smiling gecko, aka kenneth, aka "hey you with the old camera"
 
Three is the right number.

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Autocord, Rollei 3.5F, Lipca Rollop 2.8. And my wife's Rolleicord IV. The Rolleiflex gets 90% of the use but I can't bring myself to part with a CLA'd Autocord with the lever replaced and the Rollop has an entirely different look. I'd use it for portraits if I shot more of them.
 
Rolleiflex Automat K4A
Yashica 635 that I rebuilt
2 Ikoflex IIa's (late version) that need rebuilding (someones left-overs from an unfinished project, and were given to me)
And a Super Ricohflex

I will say I wish I still had my C330F outfit.

PF
 
I have more than I can justify. No plans for more, but I would still love to have a Rolleiflex with a Planar/Xenotar.

My TLRs:

Mamiya C330f (with 80mm and 180mm Super lenses),
Mamiyaflex with 135mm chrome lens and porrofinder

Minolta Autocord CdS-III with Maxwell screen (I love this camera!)
Minolta Autocord Standard (also known as Autocord I)

Rolleiflex T

Yashica-Mat EM
Yashica D

Ricohflex

I also have a lot of Bay-1 accessories by Rollei, Minolta, and B+W.

- Murray
 
CMur12 said:
I have more than I can justify. No plans for more, but I would still love to have a Rolleiflex with a Planar/Xenotar.

My TLRs:

Mamiya C330f (with 80mm and 180mm Super lenses),
Mamiyaflex with 135mm chrome lens and porrofinder

Minolta Autocord CdS-III with Maxwell screen (I love this camera!)
Minolta Autocord Standard (also known as Autocord I)

Rolleiflex T

Yashica-Mat EM
Yashica D

Ricohflex

I also have a lot of Bay-1 accessories by Rollei, Minolta, and B+W.

- Murray
Click to expand...


Wow Murray that is quite a set.
Mamiyaflex with chrome 135mm sounds cool. Would ove to see some images and here more about that lens.
 
Hi Andy -

The Mamiyaflex body is pretty rough, but it appears to be functional. The lens appears to be in amazingly good shape and the shutter functions smoothly. I have heard that the Seikosha shutter in this lens produces completely variable shutter speeds (i.e. You can set it between marked speeds).

I'm disappointed that this lens doesn't appear to be functional on the C330f body, as the shutter cocking mechanism actually impedes cocking of the shutter on chrome lenses.

I shined a flashlight through the bellows of the Mamiyaflex and didn't spot any holes. I haven't run film through it yet, however, so I'm hoping that it will prove to be sound.

I'm just getting back into photography after a hiatus of several years. I received a little digital camera for a Christmas present, but I'm not proficient at using it and I have yet to learn how to post digital photos. If/when I get there, I will post an update to this thread. 🙂

- Murray
 
Just when I think I am cured another TLR comes along that I just have to own , Hi I am Steve and it has been 4 weeks since my last camera.
So far in the collection are.
Yashica-A grey
Yashica-mat EM
Yashica-mat 66+ Yashinon wide lens , UV filter,
Yashica-mat124g
Minolta Autocord early version 400sec shutter
Rolleicord IV
Rolleicord Vb+ Rolleifix,Rolleinars, prism finder, hoods, pistolgrip.
Rolleiflex MX EVS Xenar + rolleigrid, UV filter
Mamiya C33, + Sekor 80mm,105mm, 250mm lenses.
Mamiya C220
Topcon Primoflex Automate L.
Oh yes then there is the light meters , Canon EOS cameras, glass and Speedlites colections.
A lot of the above cameras are as old as I am and I enjoy owning and using all of them.
 
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