Rolleiflex TLR Advice.

SealBeard

SealBeard

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Rob
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Good evening everyone,

I'm currently looking for a nice small medium format camera to complete my film kit - I've had a blad 500c/m in the past, but for what I want it for (travel, walk about) its just a bit to big and heavy for me. I had thought about a Mamiya 330, but I find them pretty ugly if I'm honest (I'm sorry! - I know they are great)
I've decided a Rolleiflex TLR should suit me down to the ground (not to mention they look lovely!), and fill a nice hole in my kit bag :) After reading around however, I'm still none the wiser as to which model to keep an eye out for :shake: Could anyone with previous experience suggest which to go for? I dont care about built in metering since I have a meter already, I only care about build quality, reliability & usability.

My budget is around £200-300 - Any advice very very welcome, or if someone knows a site detailing the difference between models, that would be excellent. - thanks!

Rob.
 
seems I may have jumped the gun and bought a T type 1 model... *crosses fingers*
 
I don't see the advantages a TLR would offer you over the Blad, there surely cannot be much in it weight wise and there doesn't appear to be a convenience factor to add.
Nothing wrong with wanting a TLR though..:love:
I think if you are seriously looking for an MF camera for the reasons you say, its gotta be a rangefinder.
 
joxby said:
I don't see the advantages a TLR would offer you over the Blad, there surely cannot be much in it weight wise and there doesn't appear to be a convenience factor to add.
Nothing wrong with wanting a TLR though..:love:
I think if you are seriously looking for an MF camera for the reasons you say, its gotta be a rangefinder.
Click to expand...

Your right, in an 'ideal' world a rangefinder would be great, I've been tempted in the past with the Bronica 645RF, and the Mamiya 7. However nice they are though, I cant justify the price at the moment. Having got a 35mm Rangefinder already I fancied something a little different to go with that, hence the WLF on the Rollei to get some different perspective :) I like to have a go with all things at some point :)
It may not be too different to the blad, but only one way to find out :lol: (I definitely think its worth it for looks - blad = bleh! (run's) :thumbs:)
 
I love using a WLF, but it is just the same as the Blad, fixed lens RFs are still in your budget but I suspect you're gonna buy a TLR whatever...:lol:

I had a Bronica EC for a while, I loved it but it fell to bits, so for a long while I just used my Mamiya 6 for MF, but I missed the WLF so I bought a Mamiya 220 TLR.
Only put one roll of film through it before I realised that it wasn't the WLF I missed as much as the Bronica.
So I stopped fannying about, sold the TLR and bought another Bronica EC.

Sometimes you just need a fanny about to figure out what the hell you want..:lol:
 
Rob, you should have bought a WLF for your Blad, that prism weighs quite a bit, but even then it would be nowhere near as light as the Rolleiflex.

The best of the bunch is the Rolleiflex 3.5F, which was reckoned to be better than the later 2.8F.
 
I love using a WLF, but it is just the same as the Blad, fixed lens RFs are still in your budget but I suspect you're gonna buy a TLR whatever...
Click to expand...

I bought a Rolleiflex T type1 about 2 mins after my original post lol (itchy fingers), I LOVE to look of the grey exterior. I've never used a WLF - I've had a look at some but not extensively :) Cant wait to have a go!

Sometimes you just need a fanny about to figure out what the hell you want..
Click to expand...

Hehe, believe me, I know what you mean - I think I'm nearly there... maybe :naughty:
 
EdBray said:
Rob, you should have bought a WLF for your Blad, that prism weighs quite a bit, but even then it would be nowhere near as light as the Rolleiflex.

The best of the bunch is the Rolleiflex 3.5F, which was reckoned to be better than the later 2.8F.
Click to expand...

Hey Ed, you probably right... but you know me - I cant keep hold of stuff long enough lol... must...try... harder!

I did track down a couple of the ones you mention, but pricey, pricey - a bit much for my pottering around - look fab though, really like the way they are laid out, the leather cases are really nice and convenient too. I'll stick to the T 1 for now, see how it grows on me - nice and simple :)... I hope :thumbs:
 
That Rollei also has a sports finder. After focusing, you can hold it up to your eye for composition. When you flip up the WLF, you should notice a small, square cutout in the back. You look through that and open the front cutout. It comes in handy on occasion.
 
AlanSmithee said:
That Rollei also has a sports finder. After focusing, you can hold it up to your eye for composition. When you flip up the WLF, you should notice a small, square cutout in the back. You look through that and open the front cutout. It comes in handy on occasion.
Click to expand...

Ah nice, always good to know - never know when these things maybe handy. :)
 
I have the same T as you:
http://photo-utopia.blogspot.com/2008/06/rolleiflex-t.html
It is a wonderful camera, I think for me the only drawback is the close focus (not close enough) so my advice is to look for a Rolleinar (bay 1)

I also have a Blad (500c/m) the two are totally different beasts even with WLF attached. In operation the Rollei is silent, you can hang it round your neck and without holding it just press the shutter-no one will be aware.
I also have a 3,5F which I have to say is a wonderful camera too if slightly heavier.
TLR's have their uses and are not a panacea for every picture situation, but I have to say if you put a gun to my head and said pick one camera it would be a Rolleiflex TLR :love:
 
Also if you've never used a WLF before, have fun learning how to compose with everything mirrored. :D I have a MX-EVS Type II/3.5B and it's a wonderful camera, quite a conversation starter too.
 
Thanks guys - the post man should be dropping it off tomorrow, pretty dam excited!
 
Camera arrived yesterday, looks in good condition at first glance, have done a little diy glueing on some leather edging, and the case - but apart from that looking good.

A few questions I would ask...

*Is the focussing screen replaceable? I dont think it is, and I'm not really bothered, but worth knowing.

*The viewfinder mirror, is slightly out of alignment (slightly down on one side), is that user adjustable... or do I have to just live with it?

Thanks :)
 
Some of the Rolleis can accept an adapted Mamiya RB67 focussing screen (Google Rolleifix RB67 viewfinder for links and how-tos) and it seems to be a common modification to get a brighter view.

If you can confirm that your model will accept this mod I might be able to help.. I have a RB67 that came with a focussing screen where the guide marks had gone for a wander (I suspect they are waterslide transfers) and I've now replaced it with the grid screen. So I have the original "drunken ants" screen sat around doing nothing.
 
Alastair said:
Some of the Rolleis can accept an adapted Mamiya RB67 focussing screen (Google Rolleifix RB67 viewfinder for links and how-tos) and it seems to be a common modification to get a brighter view.

If you can confirm that your model will accept this mod I might be able to help.. I have a RB67 that came with a focussing screen where the guide marks had gone for a wander (I suspect they are waterslide transfers) and I've now replaced it with the grid screen. So I have the original "drunken ants" screen sat around doing nothing.
Click to expand...

I had read about the DIY Mamiya screen mod, I have a Rollei T type 1 - so I have access to the focussing screen, however its not like in a blad, whereby its 'dropped in' - as I think maybe the case with newer Rollei models. I'm having a bit of trouble finding out if I can actually exchange screens with this model. :bang:
 
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