I just acquired a Weltaflex TLR

[sentero]

Hi, this is my first time I write here. I'm impressed by the quantity and quality of all that's written here. Hi to everyone.

To the issue. I just acquired a Weltaflex TLR and I wonder about the quality of this camera. If someone has expereince, I would appreciate if you share your view, or if you share pictures made by the camera. Thanks in advance.

[Digidurst]

Hey and welcome to APUG! And as for the quality of your new camera... If you like it then that's all that matters. Run some film thru that sucker and post the resuts.

[sentero]

I will see results tomorrow and I'll write. I like this old gear ...

[TheDreadPirateRobins]

I just picked up a Weltaflex at an "oh well, I could always just put it on the shelf if it doesn't work well" price.

So far, so good. I just finished a roll of 120 and I will be dropping it off tomorrow. We'll see if I get anything good from it.

Initial impressions:

* Weighs a ton, and I am used to using metal bodied 35mm cameras with metal bodied lenses. If I were ever to be mugged while using it I could just club the attacker over the head with it.

* Seems fairly well made. I wasn't expecting much given that it's not a generally well-recognized make.

* Viewer is very dim. I checked the mirror and it is seriously de-silvered. I have a replacement chunk of mirror I may try cutting and substituting.

* Shutter a little weird at lower speeds. The one second shutter speed was sticking, so I activated it several times in a row and it has freed up quite a bit. The controls are smooth, and I like the little depth of field feature on the focusing knob that lists approximate depth of field for different f stops.

* Seems pretty clean. The leatherette on the front is a little cheap looking. On the side it says "Made in Germany / USSR OCCUPIED."


I have found frightfully little out about these cameras online. It appears the company was eventually absorbed by VEB Pentacon. Opinions vary from "garbage-stay away" to "nice little shooter." I shot a test roll of Fuji Reala 100 and will know if mine is worth a darn as a shooter in about a week.

[Uncle Goose]

I've seen some results with it and they looked very nice, even for a triplet. No need to underestimate that "old gear".

[papagene]

I have an old Welta folder and the lens appears to be quite sharp... well at least when focus by guesstimation works.

gene

[TheDreadPirateRobins]

Originally Posted by Uncle Goose

I've seen some results with it and they looked very nice, even for a triplet. No need to underestimate that "old gear".

I am glad to hear this. I know precious little about Weltaflexes. I had been looking at a Yashica, but this came in at a price I couldn't refuse, and in better condition.

The controls feel very solid except maybe the lever that you use to cock the shutter. It's a little marginal, but seems to be improving with use. Given the back-story I got on the camera, it could very well be that no one has shot a roll in it in at least 20 or 30 years.

[TheDreadPirateRobins]

Originally Posted by papagene

I have an old Welta folder and the lens appears to be quite sharp... well at least when focus by guesstimation works.

gene

I will try and scan some prints (I don't have a negative scanner) when I get results.