TLR: How to use quickly?

A guy I worked with used to shoot high school basketball with a Rolleiflex. He was using electronic flash and Tri-X.

Cranked up the flash, closed to f/11 and zone focused and let it rip.

I think that sometimes he used the regular finder and other times he used the sports finder.

At the same time, he said there was another photographer who was still shooting with a Speed Graphic (this was in the 1970s). And that guy was using bulb flash.

I think the feeling was that they didn't have to get the framing precise. That could be handled in the darkroom.

And with 4x5, you always had plenty of negative for cropping tighter.

Focusing a Rolleiflex while holding it over your head isn't as difficult as it might seem. It's just trying to precisely frame your photo that takes time.

Press photographers didn't always worry about such preciseness. Getting the shot was more important than getting it perfect every time.
 
The Mamiya isn't exactly a fast camera, being mostly designed for studio.
But with a Rolleiflex, even using full aperture, you can be really fast. You just learn how to get quicker in your moves, how to adjust the speed depending on the light etc.
Flash lamps played a big role indeed for press photography. Zone focusing was the rule, and you understand when seeing some pictures of that time, that framing wasn't the most important when holding the camera above one's head.
 
This is pretty funny. I just got my first TLR, and at least for now I can't imagine using it quickly, although the manual for my Autocord has instructions for using the "Direct Viewer" for sports photography. The sports viewer is just a square hole in the viewer shade. This is funny also to me right now as well.
 
rolleistef said:
The Mamiya isn't exactly a fast camera, being mostly designed for studio ...
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Hi,

I just shoot a Rolleicord V on ebay the other day. Coming from the Mamiya I am plainly amazed how light it is (I choose the Rolleicord over a Rolleiflex on weight). I start to see what you mean about studio. Still if you are not relying on scale focus and use the magnifier in critical situations it will not be fast.
 
Do any of you use the porrofinders? I'm thinking about getting one for my C330. Going to start using it more, I've been used to a small Leica and want a change.
 
When you are using a Rolleiflex for portrait work, you keep your head down and move your entire body in and out to keep your subject's eyes in focus. It is easier to lean a few inches than it is to refocus.

You can shoot about 1fps with a Rolleiflex once you master the right grip and learn how to wind using the bottom of thumb down and the top of your thumb for the upstroke.

The Rolleiflex's twin aperture and speed wheels are very fast and easy to operate, again with your thumbs (provided your shutter controls aren't gummed up after 50 years). It's one of the most successful ergonomic designs ever.
 
The Rolleicord V I got has a split image rangefinder, which seems to help a lot with respect to fast focusing. Is that standard for these or did someone retro fit a different screen in my sample? -Ta-

PS: I know that split image finders are also available for the Mamiya, but with used stuff it is often hard to get hold of one.
 
Pherdinand said:
I don't think it is standard, Joachim.
Mine did not have it, for sure.
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Thanks Pherdinand. I am actually wondering whether it is a Flex screen. It is very hard finding a location when neither half is black. Indicating it was designed for a faster viewing lens. The Cord is f/3.2 viewing and the Flexes are (as far as I know) f/2.8 viewing lens speed. The upside is, it should be pretty accurate.
 
joachim said:
Hi,

I own a Mamiya C330f and use it mostly as a tripod camera. Typically I take my time to set it up. Focus using the magnifier which takes time and gets difficult in low light. I understand the C330f finder is not the worse. Old Rolleiflex and Rolleicord (say 50ies) can have really dim screens (no Fresnel lens).

Now, in their heydays (50ies and 60ies) TLRs were actually used for a lot of fast(ish) work, like reportage. How did photographers manage? Scale focus according to "F8 and be there"? Also how did they frame with a dim finder? I understand my C330f finder provides better shielding than the tyical 50ies and 60ies design.

Any comments?
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I supposed they used hyperfocal distance (or zone focus, if necessary) and maybe sports finders.
 
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