P3D Re: MF camera for stereo

[Greg Erker <erker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>I would like some advice on a good MF camera. As much as some
>people like the 'dreamy' quality of the Lubitel I demand pin sharp
>focus and well balanced contrast. As much as some people like the
>ease of a Sputnik I want the flexibility of dual cameras for
>hyperstereos and the ability to sync for action shots. As much as
>some people like Rollies or Hassys I can't afford that (the house
>already got mortgaged for the RBT).

  A Sputnik is the best value in MF stereo
IMO. With separate cameras you have to worry
about lens FL matching, shutter speed matching,
tripping the shutters together for sync. And
having to do a bunch of actions on each camera
(set aperture, set shutter speed, advance film,
cock shutter, etc) and the possiblity of errors.
But if hypers are what you want....

  TLRs are the best bargain in MF. And the 6x6
image size best fits the available Spicer MF mounts
giving you the most mounting options (sqare, portrait,
landscape, panoramic).

  In 3 element lensed TLRs there are the Lubitels
which are no longer made but can be found. The
geared focusing Ricohflex's are good but have
limited shutter speeds. The Super Ricohflex's
or Model VIIS's have the best set of shutter
speeds (1/10 to 1/200 plus B). Yashica A's
C's and some D's also have 3 element lenses.
I believe their shutters have more speeds than
the Ricohflexs but the prices are higher. They
also have no internal baffling I hear so they
may need some black flocked paper or baffles added
to give good contrast images. Some of the older
Rolleicords also have the 3 element Triotar lens
and a good selection of speeds. Don't know much
about them. Prices: Lubitels used to be $40 but
now maybe $50 to $60. Ricohflexs $30 to $60. Yashicas
$50 and up I'd guess.

  If you spend a little more you can go to 4 element
TLRs. Ricoh Diacords go for $80 or so and have a
full range of shutter speeds (1s to 1/400 or 1/500),
good baffling. Fresnel in the the viewfinder so
the corners aren't so dim. Yashica D's with the 4
element Yashinon lens go for a bit more but are
similar except for the lack of baffling (I hear).
In the $100 to $150 range you may be able to get
Rolleicord IV's with Tessar (or is it Xenar) 4
element lenses. In the $200 range are Yashicamat
124's which are popular and thus high priced.
They do have an f2.8 finder lens so the viewfinder
should be brigher than the previously mentioned
cameras which have f3.5 or f3.2 finder lenses.

  In the $400 and up range you can get into
Rolleiflex's some of which have Planar or Xenotar
lenses (5 or 6 element). Or the Mamiya TLRs (22,
220, 33 or 330) and their nice 80mm f2.8 5 element
lens. You may also find Bronica S2's with Nikkor
75mm 2/8 lens in this price range sometimes. There
are also new Kiev 60's and 88's though quality
control problems may make you wish you had bought
a used Japanese or German camera :)  Unless you
buy from a place like Kiev USA who rebuilds and
warranties all they sell.

Hope this helps - Greg E.