Carrying a TLR everyday?

[jmooney]

Anyone carrying/using a TLR everyday as your go anywhere recording daily life camera? Basically using a TLR like you would a Leica. If you are I'd love to hear how you get on with it, both ups and downs and any tips you might have.

Take care,

Jim

 

[le vrai rdu]

I do, some times I carry it daily for a week or two

it's fine as long as it is not an heavy mamiya C
there is no tip with mechanical camera, just anticipation 🙂

 

[Morca007]

I had never considered it, but now that I think of it, my Yashica-D might be less of a nuisance than my Bessa-R hanging off of my shoulder.

 

[jbielikowski]

+1, no problem. its ready to shot when haning on the neck, more comfy than carrying in hand Leica.

 

[jmooney]

I had never considered it, but now that I think of it, my Yashica-D might be less of a nuisance than my Bessa-R hanging off of my shoulder.

That's kinda of what prompted me to start this thread. A Rolleiflex is a lot cheaper than an M6 & 35 Summicron and I dare say maybe a bit sturdier and a bigger negative of course. Bigger camera too though. That's why I wanted to see what folks had to say about the whole idea.

Take care,


Jim

 

[le vrai rdu]

it is not heavier than, say, a minolta SRT + 50 mm lens, a TLR is big (but not too big) and it is a bit like an empty box 😀

the rollei is a good tlr, there are other excenlent one like autocord, diacord etc 😀

(BTW I love your avatar 😀)

 

[andredossantos]

Yup. I do it regularly. My TLR's are my most used cameras. Even my new Rollei 2.8D isn't that heavy to be a nuisance.

They are slower on the draw though so you have to be somewhat prepared. I get a feel for the general light and then scale focus for the street: say it's very bright and sunny I'll go ~8ft to ~15ft at f11 and 1/250 (to freeze motion). It also gets a bit trickier if it's darker but you'll get the hang of it.

Personally I love TLR's and think they are awesome for street shooting. Sure you have to more deliberate sometimes but not bringing the camera to your face doesn't trigger reactions from people. Also, there is something disarming and non threatening about them. The ultra ultra quiet shutter is another boon. My Rolleis are much quieter than a leica.

 

[crawdiddy]

Yup. I do it regularly. My TLR's are my most used cameras. Even my new Rollei 2.8D isn't that heavy to be a nuisance.

They are slower on the draw though so you have to be somewhat prepared. I get a feel for the general light and then scale focus for the street: say it's very bright and sunny I'll go ~8ft to ~15ft at f11 and 1/250 (to freeze motion). It also gets a bit trickier if it's darker but you'll get the hang of it.

Personally I love TLR's and think they are awesome for street shooting. Sure you have to more deliberate sometimes but not bringing the camera to your face doesn't trigger reactions from people. Also, there is something disarming and non threatening about them. The ultra ultra quiet shutter is another boon. My Rolleis are much quieter than a leica.

I'll agree with the non-threatening part. I was amazed at the reactions I got when shooting a TLR on the street. People seemed to be thinking-- "oh look at that charming Luddite, photographing with his antique film camera." They almost couldn't look away. I've got to try that again.

 

[andredossantos]

There was also a period where I carried a Mamiya C330 everyday. It was definitely a nuisance but I loved that glass. I'm sad I sold it.

I never got along with the yashicamat 124G. The winder crank noise kind've annoyed me. I liked how the lens rendered though.

Never used an Autocord but love what I've seen from them.

Personally, I am a fanboy and adore Rolleiflexes. A lot of nice deals out there for Automat models (MX, MX-EVS) with beautiful 75mm (~45mm in 135) Zeiss Tessar and Schneider Xenar lenses. I got mine in great shape for well under $200.

 

[andredossantos]

strictly business by andre dos santos, on Flickr

 

[andredossantos]

"people tell me i'm photogenic" by andre dos santos, on Flickr

 

[andredossantos]

Untitled by andre dos santos, on Flickr

 

[dnk512]

Me, too! Carry my Autocord more than any other camera. Wonderful results and a joy to use. Sadly, now days, it attracts too much attention, so I avoid using it with crowds.

 

[fong777]

I also carry one of my TLRs everyday as well as a smaller more compact RF, today it is the rolleiflex 2.8F + zeiss ikon rf, sometimes I'll carry two along. Personally I think that life looks better in a square 🙂

 

[Lilserenity]

Me, too! Carry my Autocord more than any other camera. Wonderful results and a joy to use. Sadly, now days, it attracts too much attention, so I avoid using it with crowds.

I've never found that to be too much of a problem with my Autocord. I just snap away, it seems to go fine.

 

[laurentb]

I do it most of the time when commuting to work. The camera is a 3.5 Rolleiflex, I usually carry it with some accessories in a 6$ home (from Crumpler), or a Nova Micro with less accessories when I feel lazy.

It works fine for me, sometimes I try to do street shooting, but most of the time it's more about close-ups of urban details.

I have a L208 lightmeter, which I use to have a basic idea of the exposure (I do not meter for every picture I make). I also use a table-top tripod, with a DIY extension (about 15 cm) when I need more stability.

 

[ruby.monkey]

My brothers gave me a Lomography Lubitel 166+ Universal as a 40th birthday present - and I carry it far more than I ever did my Rolleicord Vb. It's tiny and weighs next to nothing, and yet can produce pretty good results (and the Lubikin 35mm adapter adds to the fun).

I won't claim to carry it every day, but it ceertainly sees more than its fair share of daylight.

 

[branki]

That's kinda of what prompted me to start this thread. A Rolleiflex is a lot cheaper than an M6 & 35 Summicron and I dare say maybe a bit sturdier and a bigger negative of course. Bigger camera too though.

Jim

That's exactly the conclusion I was coming to a few weeks ago.
I have both a Rolleicord Vb and an M6 +35 (nokti) and I have the feeling there wouldn't be much of a difference when carrying around the 2.
The negatives of the 'Cord are impressive. And that at 1/8 of the price (M6=£790, Rolleicord= £100).

 

[Calzone]

I carry a Rollei 3.5F most of the time in NYC. Actually makes a great subway camera. I often carry two MF when I know I am going shooting and also own a Mamiya 6 with a 50/4.0.

At the Mermaid Parade, I was somewhat a tourist attraction because I was shooting a Tele Rolleiflex and a Rollei 3.5F.

My Leica gets less use, but is used mostly for low light hand held, and sometimes street.

The Rollei seems to be very friendly and gentile to the general public. I get approached all the time by strangers just because I'm so retro.

Cal

 

[dimkasta]

I am always carrying a camera with me, and size was never an issue.

Lately I have been feeling quite bored using my Nikon for street photography. The TLR/film was a nice change that brought my interest back, so I am shooting more now, while experimenting with film at the same time to see if it... floats my boat... 🙂

And I really don t mind the size of the Yashica 124G. Especially after getting used to a D700 with grip attached 🙂
A mamiya Cxxx might be a problem though... Especially for the extra attention in attracts because of its size and looks. but more traditional looking TLRs usually go unnoticed.