Twin Lens Reflex Cameras

[Torus34]

My Minoilta Autocord [purchased new] is still fully functional. It will be interesting to see how many of today's darlings can match that level of longevity.

 

[darich]

Check with the sorting office. Tell them a family member is sending you an old camera that belonged to your uncle Jimmy. Family heirloom and all that. See what they say and if you're ok with it, make me an offer on it.

i was talking to my bro in NYC about this very thing the other night. I was thinking of getting him to send me a camera via my sister as she returns from holiday there.
He said even though it'll be marked "gift" there is still a limt. He reckoned that limit to be around £170 or $170. Beyond that i presume normal rules apply whether it's a gift or not.

Getting caught has severe penalties.
confiscating of equipment
duties and taxes to pay on above equipment
penalty for tax/vat fraud
possible jail (extreme, i know but possible)
confiscating of transport (eg car if travelling from Europe)

i decided that since my sis couldn't bluff her way through a few questions about the camera i'm not going down that road. I'll be over there in November, so I'll pick it up then.

 

[303villain]

ive got a yashica 635 with the yashikor lens, it came with a 35mm adapter and a telephoto adapter thing, and i got a screaming deal, its probably my favorite of my cameras. tlr will teach you a ton about being aware of your composition!

 

[Mitica100]

Rollei....

A Yashica TLR with a Yashikor lens will cost around $100. Possibly less if you're patient and stalk eBay. A TLR Yashica with the Yashinon lens will cost you substantially more as the Yashinon lens is much more desireable. For the best idea of going rates, check eBay for completed items. It'll show you exactly what they've been selling for in the last few days or weeks. That said, there's always a deal out there somewhere. You just have to be in the right place at the right time.

Mitica, I think this is your cue to come in and give some sage advice on old TLRs. :hail:

And here I am...

You're right, the Yashica (mat, D models) with a Yashinon is very desirable. Do not shy away from one with the Lumaxar lens on, for is better than any of the Yashinons and Yashikors, or so the opinion goes. Mark Hama, a specialist in Yashica TLRs (he worked in Japan at Yashica) swears by the Lumaxars and thinks they're German lenses. Google Mark Hama and you'll find plenty advice on Yashicas.

Also, there are the Minolta Autocord, the Rolleicords, the earlier Mamyiaflex, they are more on the affordable side.

 

[duncanp]

And here I am...

You're right, the Yashica (mat, D models) with a Yashinon is very desirable. Do not shy away from one with the Lumaxar lens on, for is better than any of the Yashinons and Yashikors, or so the opinion goes. Mark Hama, a specialist in Yashica TLRs (he worked in Japan at Yashica) swears by the Lumaxars and thinks they're German lenses. Google Mark Hama and you'll find plenty advice on Yashicas.

Also, there are the Minolta Autocord, the Rolleicords, the earlier Mamyiaflex, they are more on the affordable side.

i thought the Yashimica were generally cheaper than them... as the reason i was looking for one was due to an article in AP about mamiyaflex TLRs and i think some of them came to £300+..