Which TLR?

Wasn't the late Al Kaplan in the process of pimping an Autocord before the good lord took him away?

I seem to remember he was asking suggestions for colour schemes! 😀
 
Brian, at least my Rolleicord V have double exposure prevention (which can be switched off). I guess later models have that feature too. It does make things easier indeed. I always one or more double exposures or empty frames per roll when shooting with my Diacord.

Keith, I remember that too. We all had a lot of fun with it. Gosh, I wish Al would still be around.
 
I believe that switchable double exposure prevention is standard on the Rolleicord V. The shutter can also be tripped with the extension release button that screws into the cable release socket, effectively making a left-hand shutter release, which works well with the enlarged right hand focus knob. The Yashica D, in addition to the other virtues extolled by KoNickon, also sports right hand focusing with an oversize knob. My only serious gripe about the Yashinon-equipped Yashica D (in common with all pre-124G Yashica TLRs) is the lack of any internal light baffling. In this regard, the Ricohmatic 225, Autocord and late model Rolleicords are streets ahead.
 
Get yourself a Diacord or Ricohmatic 225.

The lens is as good as Rolleicords/Autocords and the focusing mechanism is more robust than Autocords.

Not a whole lot of people seems to know these facts (look at this thread for instance), so you should be able to get it cheaper.
 
Heh, I started out looking for a Diacord based on that reputation. I still haven't seen one locally but found the Rolleicord and Autocord each under $40. Are the Diacords somewhat rare by comparison?
 
Last week I saw a very clean Diacord L with working meter go for $52 on Ebay. Whoever won it got away with daylight robbery. In general I think Diacords are undervalued, but also thinner on the ground, especially the Ricohmatic 225s. Compared to the Autocord, the Ricohmatic 225 has better internal light baffling, stainless steel as opposed to diecast metal focusing levers, more robust meter, automatic exposure interlock (hood must be open to fire shutter), and dust shields for the focusing levers and focus distance indicator. In common with the Autocord but not other Diacords, the 225 has a top-to-bottom straightline film feeding path for better film flatness. I'm not planning to part with any of mine anytime soon, but if I were, the 225 would be the last to go. Meleica has a page on Ricoh TLRs here: http://antiquecameras.net/ricohflex.html
 
I think the Diacords were not made for very long -- certainly nothing like the Yashicas or Autocords. So they are indeed harder to find, but as PMCC shows, they aren't appreciated in the marketplace. Don't confuse these cameras with the Ricohflexes -- cheaper TLRs with the lenses connected to each other with gearing.

But having said that, the earlier Diacords were called the Ricohflex Dia and carried a "Ricohflex" badge above the lens board. They had the same focusing system as the Diacord and I believe the same lens and shutter. I have one that needs a great deal of TLC, but it's worth getting back in shape.
 
Get whatever's available and in your price range; the models mentioned will all make great photos if they're in good shape. If you found a good working Autocord and Rolleicord for $40 each I'd buy them both right away.
 
MPP Microflex, seeing you're in the UK. Join the MPP Owners Club.

Personally, I'd not want to add the weight of an MF camera to my 35mm bag, to say nothing of the fact that you're always having to decide which format to use. Choose one or the other but don't carry both on any one shooting trip.

Cheers,

R.
 
Interesting - I almost always carry a 35mm rangefinder and a TLR (or a small MF folding camera) together. I'm terms of decision making and shooting style, I find swiching to the MF cameras leas disruptive than a 35mm lens change.

Then again, the Rolleicord/Autocord/Zenobia are small MF cameras and I prefer compact 35mms. 🙂
 
I'd augment my earlier suggestion of a good Rolleicord with xenar lens by seconding Roger's recommendation of a Microflex. Moreover the Microcord (MPP's direct rival to the Rolleicord) is much easier to find and is also very good--and usually much cheaper than a Microflex. Some say the MC is also more reliable mechanically; but I've had no problems with either.

Regards,
D.
 
Brian Legge said:
Heh, I started out looking for a Diacord based on that reputation. I still haven't seen one locally but found the Rolleicord and Autocord each under $40. Are the Diacords somewhat rare by comparison?
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Nice to see the Diacord and Ricohmatic 225 start getting the buzz that they deserved.

I paid more than $40 for my Diacord or Ricohmatic 225. And I paid more to have them CLA'd because I intend to use them a lot.

But here's a story. I used the Ricohmatic in a studio photo-shoot. Shot after shot, it never failed to trigger a big Novatron strobe, while my friend has to hold his finger depressed on the flash contact of a Nikon D300, because it kept misfiring.

To me, seeing a 50 years old equipment working more reliably than a modern one is just funny.
 
Mablo said:
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One thing that I'd like to add. A TLR camera is a great system to use with filters especially when you shoot a lot of b&w. All Rolleicords, all Diacords and all Autocords (and some older Rolleiflexes too) accept common Bay-1 filters which are relatively cheap and easy to find. One set of Bay-1 filters with which you can use a multitude of TLR cameras is a good idea IMO.
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Plus one for filters. I keep a medium yellow filter on my Rolleis always, even though (and sometimes because) it eats a stop off my film. A TLR sees a lot of sky. You'll want to deepen that sky and pop the clouds a bit. Also does wonders for skin tone imperfections. I'm shooting Rollei and Leica in the Pays Basque in France for five weeks this fall. The perfect travel kit!
Vic
 
Had my first shoot with a Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex 1a (post-war), with the Opton Tessar lens. Simple looking but in practice a fiddly camera with multiple shutter-release interlocks, non-standard controls, non-linear shutter speeds and focusing that is neither easy nor smooth. Pretty good lensed-ground glass in a WLF that takes 4 movements to close. No one feature is a show-stopper, but the overall package defeated me. No doubt capable of producing fine pictures for those with more patience than yours truly. Not a keeper.
 
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wintoid said:
My Autocord certainly gives my Rolleiflex 3.5F and Hasselblad a run for their money. Sometimes I prefer it!
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People are going to think I'm nuts, but I once had a nice Hassy but I missed the comfort of using a TLR. Something about them just resonated more with me. After some research I sold the Hassy and picked up an Autocord.

I have no regrets.
 
Just received Rolleicord V from an RFF member. It's light, small, inexpensive, simple to use, super quiet and almost invisible to the subject. This is definitely the perfect companion for your Leica system. 😀

Scan-100808-0001.jpg
 
I would guess the OP has made a decision by now, but if not, or for subsequent readers, I can also vouch for the Yashica MAT 124 G. I used one many years ago and loved it. I would guess some of the earlier Yashicas were good photo takers as well. It was nice having both 35mm and MF on an outing, during travels in Korea. There were times I felt the larger negative was a must, and the photos usually bore that out.

Some have already suggested MF folders. Unless you are stuck on TLR, there are certainly some very good folders out there. These days I am more inclined to take one of my MF folders than any of the TLR I have. Any of the better folders will give you great photos. I really like Welta, and my 6x9 Zeiss Ikon is very light, has even more negative real estate, and the lens is very good. You might want to consider that as they are much lighter and smaller than TLR, but are still MF.
 
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