tim_drake

I could not find on Sony Style an answer to the question and my closest Best

Buy did not have a A200 in stock. So if anybody knows if the A200 has mirror

lcokup I would be very thankful. Regards, TD

I've had both Dean Williams and Paul Ebel work on Ciro flexes for me. If Dean is tied up try Paul "Lens Services" in Wisconsin, 651-335-8759. Paul and Dean are both highly recommended on Photonet.

Thanks for the replys. My Minolta lenses are the 24mm 2.8, the 50mm 1.4, the 100mm Macro, and the 500mm reflex. I've just used the foot zoom in the past. The question came up because at Sony Digital Days, the Sony rep looked at me dumbfounded when I said I was thinking about picking up the Zeiss to put on a A100. Maybe not such a bad idear. Thanks, TD

I have several Minolta Maxxum lenses waiting for a DSLR body. Just thought the

Zeiss lens looked like a good addition but can the A200 make use of the up

grade? Is this like putting a hundred dollar saddle on a ten dollar horse? I

haven't ruled out the A700 and I am waiting for the big photo show at the end

of this month. The camera would mainly used for landscapes. Thanks

Hi, Dean did a great job on two Autocords for me. One was a tough case that I don't think anybody else could have done. Check here http://www.deansphotographica.com/

Hi Alex, Try this link for Konica information. http://www.buhla.de/index.html I have accouple of TCXs and since I'm not at home to pick up the camera, I'm going from memory. The TCX meter works on a readily available battery whereas most earlier Konica bodies do not. The shutter is mechanical and does not need a battery. This is a plus for night photography. Put the camera on a tripod with a cable release and a 2.8 28mm lens and shoot all the star trails you want. If I remember right the shutter does not have a broad range of speeds. Put a Konica Hexanon lense on it and you will record images as sharp as any Nikon of the day. Enjoy, TD

Last night it was a new moon and we had a crystal clear sky. I was out in a snow covered field from dark to 1AM painting with light and shooting star tracks. My camera of choice was the Mamiya C330s with the 55mm lens and 160T film. When your out in 15 degree temps for 5 hours you need a camera with a flat-straight line film path like the Mamiya. Pentax 67 and Koni Rapid Omega also have a flat straight film path, but the Koni's 58mm is slower than the Mamiya's 55mm. My Rolleicord Vb nor my digital would have worked. If the temps didn't bother me, you can guess the size and weight of the Mamiya does not bother me either.

Yes to your question. I had to send my ebay Rapid Omega body to Greg and I was very-very happy with the results. He cleaned up the view finder and made sure it was right on. Glad to hear you are using a tripod. I removed the hand grip and put an Arca quick release plate on the side as well as on the bottom. I mainly use the wide angle lens and had a custom made step up filter ring to fit 58mm filters. You'll be looking at image quality in the same league as Rolleiflex and Hasselblad.

I once read an article in View Finder magazine in which the featured photographer said Astia in 4x5 was his choice for all his black and white prints. The prints did look very good.

Adorama would be a big no for me. They have 44 negative feed backs on Ebay for this year alone. KEH is very good. I have a Pentax 67II and could not imagine photography with out it but I would not rule out 4x5 and film. I started out with a Burke & James 4x5 and several lenses for a lot less than what you are looking at on the Pentax. When people look at 20x40 inch prints in my office and ask me what camera I used and I tell them a 1940s camera like the reporters had in King Kong, their jaws drop. Maybe a call to Jim at Midwest Photo for a good used 4x5 setup. Another 6x7 camera that I really like is the Rapid Omega 200.

Thanks for putting the instructions together Carl. I'm going to try to get to my Mamiya tlrs this weekend. Thanks, TD

What sets the Mamiya tlrs apart from the Rollei tlr line is that it is a system camera with a very nice selection of interchangeable lenses. My Rolleicord Vb gets taken off the shelf about once a year whereas the Mamiyas get used several times a month. I mainly shoot landscape and on a tripod so the size differences of various tlrs does not make any difference to me. I like the dual focus knobs, the bright viewfinders, the standardization of mounting plates that makes using Kirke Arca Swiss plates a breeze, the focus lock on the C330S, the macro lens capability of pr괠near every lens, and the speed of the 65mm lens makes a great night photography lens. I can use the camera with a light weight carbon fiber tripod and carry the camera, tripod, and a couple of lenses on my dirt bikes with ease. I can use modern multicoated filters without having to use a series filter adapter. Sure a digital camera does all this but not with the same fun factor.

To see if it can be repaired check on google for Deans of Idaho (Dean Williams) and with Paul Ebel in Wisconsin. I use a hand held meter with my Diacord. Regards, TD

Very nice photo story. I'm just modifying a camera bag so I can carry my Pentax 67II on my BMW F650GS. Loads of thanks for the inspiration. TD

It is only Monday and I have already given out four sets of angel wings this week. Gave out loads last August on the Al-Can hiway.

Thanks for the replys and the link to the previous thread. TD

Does putting a super multicoated UV filter on the front of a Rolleiflex

improve image quality to any noticeable degree? Thanks

Are you talking about the fake 1880 tourist trap town at the Midland exit, north side of Interstate 90, and west of Murdo? If so, I drive by there all the time but I believe you have to pay to go in. Regards, TD

Hi Joe, The only Ciro-flex that I would recommend is one with the lens I listed. Very simple camera, about the only thing that can go wrong would be a shutter problem. I nenver found a Graphlex 22 with this same 4 element lens. Make note that the Ciro-flex is missing the side flash shoe mt for for sliding in a spirit level. When Dean Williams had his web site up he had a picture of a blue leather clad Ciro flex that he had built for me. My daughter loves the green leathered Diacord he built for her. If I had to cut your tlr list to one it would be the Mamiya C220F. Next choice would be the Autocord and third the Rolleicord Vb. The Rapid Omega 200 will always be in my collection. Not to confuse but there are great buys now on Pentax 67 and 645N cameras. And don't overlook the Fuji 645 cameras. Regards TD

James, very nice photos! Hi Joe, I do not know if you are still checking your thread but I thought I might add a few notes. You have done your home work well. You have a very nice list of high quality affordable cameras. I happen to have one through seven on your list. I shoot mainly landscape and almost always on a tripod, including my digital Casio. Every camera on your list can do at least one thing very well that no digital camera can, long exposure night photography.

 

1. I have a Mamiya 330s and 220f. Really like both, the 220f is smaller and lighter but the 330s has focus lock which I really like for macro. This system can do things that no other camera on your list can. Most lenses stop down to at least f32.

 

2. I have the Rolleicord Vb with a Maxwell screen. If I was left handed I think I would use this camera more, I just do not like the ergonomics. It also does not have a flash shoe mount on the side which I like to slip in a spirit level. A spirit level on a tlr really helps keep the trees and buildings from be off angle. Best features are the lens and the name.

 

3. I have the Yashica D with the Yashinon lens. I prefer tlrs without lightmeters. Dean Williams clad the shutter and turned this camera into a gorgeous camera with red leather. When I use this camera people always stop to ask me what camera it is. Dean is your best choice for buying a Yashica tlr and does great service work on every camera on your list. His email is deanw@bmi.net The Yashinon is a sharp lens but I would agree with others that the film winding is not the best.

 

4. The Minolta Autocord is a dream. Great ergonomics, super sharp lens with great color rendition, and readily available. On my son?s first trip to Brazil he had all his Nikon gear stolen at gun point. On his next trip he took an Autocord and came back with some of his best work ever.

 

5. I do not have the Omegaflex but I do have a Rapid 200. I had a Rapid M but sold it only because I like the all black look of the 200. This camera with the 58mm lens is stunning. As sharp as a Rolleiflex but a lot more versatile and a 6x7 to boot. This is one of my favorite night photography cameras using ektachrome 160T or 64T. I rarely finish half a roll in one night and can change film magazines while waiting for the next new moon. Also love black and white in this camera.

 

6. If you do not need a winding lever, the Diacord is a steal. Great lens and shutter, trouble free film winding (better than the Yashica D), and will produce better images than the most expensive vintage folder I own. Another dirt cheap camera not on you list with a top notch lens and shutter is the Ciro-flex with the 4 element Wollensak 83mm Raptar lens and Rapax shutter. You do have to use the ruby window though for film winding but I have never had a problem shooting Fuji Provia 100F through it. This lens is as sharp as every fixed lens camera on your list.

 

7. I am not exactly sure which model Ikoflex I have but it does have the Zeiss Opton Tessar with the red T. As mentioned elsewhere you have to use the ruby window to start a roll of film. Best to have the owners manual to get started. Left hand focusing, no flash shoe mount for the spirit level, and only stops down to f16. Capable of nice chromes but my least favorite camera on you list.

 

 

I think once you shoot some Velvia and or Rollei IR (a B&W negative film) developed in DR5 chrome you will see why loads of people are still in love with 6x6 medium format landscape photography. Regards, TD

I agree with Chuk. Of my five 67 lenses, the 75mm 2.8 is the one I use the most and as stated the AE prism for 676II is right on. Regards, TD

Mamiya tlrs take either a 46mm or 49mm filters. The 55 takes a 46mm filter. I put a 46mm to 49mm step up ring on mine to cut down on the number of filters. I really like a graduated neutral dentsity filter for landscape and I could not find one for 46mm but 49mm is available. Even with a 46mm filter, I did not see any vignetting. By the way I like both the 55 and 65mm lenses.

For Yashica TLR CLA contact Dean Williams at deanw@bmi.net

He's your first and best choice. Regards, TD

Get your money back ASAP and check out KEH or Midwest Photo Exchange.

Very nice pictures John! Alot of people on photonet believe a Rolleiflex is the only TLR worth having, the 180mm Super must be a secret they don't know about. I spent last weekend in the Badlands of South Dakota (only time of year the grass is green there) and had alot of fun using only one camera the Mamiya C330s and two lenses, the 55mm and the 180mm Super. It takes 10 days for me to get my slide film back but I know there will be some nice shots there. Regards TD