Which TLR?? Help!

[andrealimphotography]

Hi,

I need some advice as to which TLR you reckon I should get. I'm tossing up between a Mamiya C33, yashica44 or the yashica A. All 3 of them are going at 100. The thing is that I am aware that the mamiya is a far better camera however the lens has some webbing from mold.

The seller mentioned: "Mamiya C33 works well.. there is on the outside of the lens some light webbing from mold but only on the outside lens otherwise clear and should work for photography you can probably clean it (tips on it on google)"

I am obviously more keen on the mamiya, but the yashicas are both apparently like new.

I don't know if I should get the yashica or the mamiya...

What do you guys think?

 

[kanzlr]

Yashica 44 uses 127 film that is not really available anymore. Efke was the last producer and they ceased away.

The C33 is superb, but pretty huge and heavy, not at all for walking around.

I'd rather get a Rolleicord Vb, a Ricoh Diacord or Minolta Autocord.
Much better choices. Never ever buy a mouldy lens, it just gets worse, it reduces contrast and sharpness a lot.

 

[jdriffill]

A Yashica 44 takes 127 roll film which gives 4 x 4 cm images -- I believe (see http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Yashica-44 )-- a smaller size than the standard 120 film and not widely available. The other two take the standard 6 x 6 cm images. Unless you really want to use this smaller film, with all the problems of getting film, lack of variety, cost of it when it can be found, I would have thought either of the other two would be a much better bet. The description of the mamiya would put me off. I would go for the Yashica A, or wait and look around for something better. Rgds, John

 

[k__43]

get the Yashica A and the C33 and decide after you shot a film with it.

 

[hidejoshi]

Mamiya is useful for backpacking. Direct experience. You can self-defend medium growed grizzley with it.

 

[andrealimphotography]

Thanks for the advice! So it's either the mamiya or the yashica A now.

I'd love to get the ones you mentioned kanzlr, just that those 3 are my only options at the moment of which I can afford unfortunately 🙁

I was thinking of getting the C33 and perhaps saving up to get another lens for it, cos it's interchangeable.

I guess weight does play a part, but i carry a dslr around, so i'm pretty cool with the weight, also if it provides more stability in some sense.

 

[oftheherd]

...

Never ever buy a mouldy lens, it just gets worse, it reduces contrast and sharpness a lot.

...

The description of the mamiya would put me off. I would go for the Yashica A, or wait and look around for something better. Rgds, John

Would pretty much say it all for me. You may decide to do otherwise of course.

 

[rawhead]

That's cheap for a C33; and from the description I'd bet the mold will come off easily if you can get the lens out. I have a C330 Professional f and absolutely love it, even more than my Rolleiflex 2.8C Xenotar. You will love the fact that you're practically unlimited on how close you can get to your subject.

 

[Clark.EE]

Cold Cream

Cold Cream

You could get the Mamiya & take the chance that the cold cream trick will clean it up OK?
Some fungi eats into the lens & coating, some does not from my experience.
Where are you in the World?
From what i hear it seems our English fungi is easier to clean than fungi from hotter more humid climates?
Any other comments on this?
An interesting thread to start else where on this site maybe!

I find it is often harder to clean the cold cream off the lens. Than it was to get the fungi off in the first place!

 

[tunalegs]

Mamiya. The A is a very simple camera, and not really worth more than $30 or $40. I had one and I liked it, but they are common and cheap - definitely not a $100 camera.

 

[andrealimphotography]

decided to show you guys some photos. Sorry I'm kind of new to this. I thought the price for the mamiya is really good, but if the lens is not gg to do it any justice and I have to scout for a lens that's gg to cost me a lot, I had might as well just get an entire kit.

I'm in australia and summers are really hot.

 

[tunalegs]

Looks pretty nasty. Have you taken lenses apart before?

 

[andrealimphotography]

Looks pretty nasty. Have you taken lenses apart before?

Sorry misread ur previous question. Nope I haven't taken lenses apart before unfortunately.

 

[john341]

Hi cobber!

Hi cobber!

I have a Mamiya 220 and it is great! I also have a Yashicamat but while the lens delivers good pictures, it seems a little "tinny" compared with the 220. Unfortunately, the pix you posted of the Mamiya lens make it look like a train wreck-I doubt that you would get decent negs from such a lens. Another good TLR is the Ikoflex which come up-I bought one from Germany with a Tessar lens in fantastic condition for the money you are looking at. Good luck.

 

[mkvrnn]

100 Aus dollars = £65 in real money ?

Sounds about right for a C33 with a dodgy lens but you will pay the same again for a lens, so why not just buy a good one?

There are hundreds of TLRs on eBay. Any Yashica with a Yashinon lens is a better bet than the A model, and they're not expensive. You will find a Yashica Mat for that price.

One of the best buys is the Yashica 24 which was the top of the range when new. A lot of people think that they only take 220 film but in fact they take 120 as well, and for that reason prices seem to be lower than the virtually identical 124 model which makes them a real bargain. But don't tell anybody else.

 

[k__43]

100 Aus dollars = £65 in real money ?

😀 sorry .. made me smile

 

[leicapixie]

FWIW the Mamiyas are great. Super heavy. Save your money. wait for a good rig. They are out there.. A Rolleiflex TLR Automat the best. Yes the bigger Rolleis(size of camera) may have sharper better lenses.
A lens like shown is trash. The Yashicas are nice but tinny.The smaller format,127 almost obsolete.

 

[k__43]

my war time Automat was quite soft. If size matters I'd try to score a Rolleicord IV or later, they are quite sharp.
Mine 'cord V broke last christmas :-(

FWIW the Mamiyas are great. Super heavy. Save your money. wait for a good rig. They are out there.. A Rolleiflex TLR Automat the best. Yes the bigger Rolleis(size of camera) may have sharper better lenses.
A lens like shown is trash. The Yashicas are nice but tinny.The smaller format,127 almost obsolete.

 

[andrealimphotography]

my war time Automat was quite soft. If size matters I'd try to score a Rolleicord IV or later, they are quite sharp.
Mine 'cord V broke last christmas :-(

I found someone selling a rolleicord IV at AU$180, wondering if that's a reasonable price. It doesn't look very good cosmetically to be honest, but I could always clean it up.

But here are some photos. What do you guys reckon? Pass or?

 

[thegman]

I found someone selling a rolleicord IV at AU$180, wondering if that's a reasonable price. It doesn't look very good cosmetically to be honest, but I could always clean it up.

Don't worry too much about cosmetics, you'll just baby it if you do. If the Rolleicord works fine, no problems like bad shutter, grating focus, film transport works OK, then $180 AUD is a good price I think. However, if I were you, I'd try to find one in a store, and get a warranty.