Carrying a TLR everyday?

[TheHub]

I tried using a Yashica 44 as a daily carry-around camera, but failed 🙁 Dealing with 127 film (cutting 120, respooling and so on) was a nuisance.

Nice camera, however.

 

[jmooney]

(BTW I love your avatar 😀)

Thanks! I don't know who enjoys the show more me or my daughters 😀

 

[jmooney]

I tried using a Yashica 44 as a daily carry-around camera, but failed 🙁 Dealing with 127 film (cutting 120, respooling and so on) was a nuisance.

Nice camera, however.

Was it just the odd film size that made you abandon it or was there something else as well?

 

[Gumby]

Probably .

 

[Steve M.]

I was carrying a Rolleiflex daily, slung on a strap over my shoulder like a 35mm camera. I finally tired of it and bought a 35mm camera for daily out and about. Trouble is, I just bought an Agfaflex and it's heavier than the Rollei! Looks like a smaller version of a Pentacon Six w/ a WLF and all, but I suspect that it weighs even more than the MF camera. So this ain't gonna work, obviously.

I considered carryinig a 6x6 folder since they're so small, but by the time you get the thing unfolded, slip a hood and filter on it, meter, cock the lens, etc whatever you wanted to shoot is long gone. That's the beauty of the TLR. It's really a pretty fast camera to use on the street. Now I'm thinking of getting a smallish SLR like an AE-1 or a Nikon/Pentax equivelent.

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

Carrying a TLR everyday?

why not? 🙂

 

[Matus]

If you mean truly daily carrying of the camera (including working days) that it much depends on the type of luggage you have along - I would not walk into my office with a TLR around my neck on daily basis 😛 The advantage is the boxy shape - nothing is sticking out or getting in the way.

However a camera like Rolleiflex T is still one of the lightest MF cameras (with decent optics and focusing) and it indeed is NOT too heavy the be kept around the neck or shoulder for a whole day of waking through a city. At the same time it is rather robust and resistant to accidental bumps. I take much more care when carrying the Mamiya 6 that I did with the Rolleiflex T.

 

[dnk512]

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

Maybe it is the country I am in, maybe the town, maybe I am getting too old and not enjoying the attention no more. But, I never took out my TLR and not get looks and/or questions/comments (98% positive). My DSLR is stealth by comparison!

I have carried my Autocord on trips, hiked mountains in Europe and USA. Shoot at kids' school events, birthday parties, zoo and back yard. Used it in freezing temperatures (-35 degrees). All this in the last 5 years. Always perfect results and an enjoyable experience. The carry around weight is just right and the cost of replacing/repairing is very good, too. However, as a dad, I have a video need, so I am adding a digital point and shoot for video clips and snapshotting. The DSLR remains my sports photography tool, though I do not find my self carrying my DSLR around every day... still not sure why... might be that 'old' thing.

 

[oftheherd]

Glad for all you guys who do. I have used TLR, but never as a carry all the time for every day use. I carried one when I expected to want a larger negative. But for weight, I prefer folders. I don't find them that hard to set up and use, any more than the TLR. You still have to set distance or "prefocus", and set the shutter (unless like the Yashica and Rolleiflex, they cock on winding), then look through the viewfinder.

But that's just me. I can assure you my Super Press 23 isn't a carry every day all the time camera!

 

[richardhkirkando]

Yes! I carry my Yashica-Mat with me quite a bit. It's as light as a 35mm SLR, maybe a little more bulky, but not by much. I'd agree that it does generate a lot of attention - mostly positive (with the occasional "where's the LCD heh heh heh" comedy genius mixed in). That may or may not be good thing, I suppose. I don't mind it.

 

[seike]

Especially older people recognize my Mat as an Rolleiflex, so I hear a lot of interesting stories from the past 😉

It is always interesting to carry an "old" camera with me.

 

[Calzone]

Yes! I carry my Yashica-Mat with me quite a bit. It's as light as a 35mm SLR, maybe a little more bulky, but not by much. I'd agree that it does generate a lot of attention - mostly positive (with the occasional "where's the LCD heh heh heh" comedy genius mixed in). That may or may not be good thing, I suppose. I don't mind it.

Yesterday I went to Guggal to drop off some film. Normally I develope all my own B&W, but I never did XTOL and used some Fuji Arco that was given to me, and I figure why not go to a pro lab just this one time. While I was at it I figured I might as well get two rolls of color processed (one roll has been in my fridge for about a year, but the second roll was taken after September 11th 2001 and has been in my fridge for nine years).

This guy behind me was admiring my Rollei 3.5F and inquired about my work. He wanted to see images and hounded me. When I told him I don't do anything digital, and I don't scan, he persisted and wanted to see my wet prints.

Even earlier yesterday, on my way to Duggal I met an art dealer named Charles on the subway. He admired my camera and we were fast in getting aquainted. He too also wanted to know about my work. I almost made him miss his stop, but he got out at 34th Street, and if I had a couple more stops I probably might have been able to make arrangements to show him my work that could of led to other things.

Interesting how an old Rolleiflex makes me stand out. Had the same happen at the Mermaid Parade, when I shot with my 3.5F and Tele Rolleiflex. I had a pole dancer put on a special almost private performance just for me. It seemed she posed and waited to me to get each shot as I emptied my TLR.

Recently I went to B&H to load up on chemicals. I ran into Luis Mendez, a rather celebrated photographer who uses Poloroid film and WEEGEE's camera to do street peotraits, "Where's your camera?" Luis asked me.

It seems many people look upon me and my camera as hard core analog and I am being taken as being taken as a very-very serious photographer. "Are you a pro," I am asked again and again. Funny thing is that I'm relitively new to TLR's and MF. I recently downsized my Leica kit and only have one M-body.

Cal

 

[Sonny Boy Havidson]

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 😀)

Yes and Sr-T + Rokkor MC 35/1,8 combination is almost a Blad's weight!

Whereas I am currently in an Isolette period, I consider a TLR a take everywhere able camera. Doisneau has proven it (well... I am not so fond of his work but he shows that a TLR can be a street camera).

 

[jpa66]

I find my Rolleiflex to be much easier as a walk-around camera than any slr ( but maybe not as easy as a rangefinder... ). All in all, it's relatively comfortable and, once positioned properly, un-cumbersome.

 

[thomob]

any format is able to be carried around everyday. if ur talking about comfort and ease of packing away and pulling out for those moments. then nothing beats 35mm.

My new TLR is for those shoots when i know i have the intention to go out and shoot a certain subject matter that i have control (of some degree) over. for the random outings for a shoot like on the street, the 35mm wins everytime

 

[Sjixxxy]

I've been wearing mine as an everyday camera for most of the year. I feel no significant difference between carrying it and my Leica.

It is having some sort of identity crisis though.

*Yes. I'm aware that the strap lugs aren't fully secured in that photo.

 

[Dave Jenkins]

Doisneau has proven it (well... I am not so fond of his work but he shows that a TLR can be a street camera).

With all due respect, I find it inconceivable that anyone would not love Doisneau's photography!😕 His work has influenced me greatly.

I carried a TLR as my daily walking-around camera some years ago, but nowadays, with the cost of film and all, it's my "art" camera. It lives in my car and goes with me on bike rides in a padded pouch.

My carry-all-the-time camera is now an Oly E-PL1. It looks so much like a point&shoot that I'm pretty much anonymous with it, which I like.

 

[Dave Jenkins]

If you seriously want to see what a TLR can do as a street camera, search out some of the books of Fritz Henle.

 

[kzphoto]

Anybody using their Rollei's with the prism? Always been curious but never tried one.

 

[Thomas78]

In my (not so long) experience a TLR ist a good everyday camera, especially a Rolleiflex.

Even though the Rolleiflex 3,5 F is much more convenient and faster to use, I prefer the Rolleiflex 4x4 as a everyday camera because of its compactness and low weight (around 730 g).
It´s Schneider Xenar gives very fine pictures (I prefer to take pictures at an aperture of 8-11).

Since 127 positve film (200 ASA) and 4x4 slides are available, this quite exotic format causes no promblems for me.


On the downside, you can´t put in in the pocket of a coat (or a cycling jersey) and there is no easy solution for physical connecting a small flash since it has no utility shoe.

Therefore I now try a 6x6 folder as an alternative, when the 4x4 TLR is to bulky.