TLR owners/users (If you dare admit if)

TLR owners/users (If you dare admit if)

  • Do own a TLR?

    Votes: 45 7.1%

  • If so, do you use it a lot?

    Votes: 134 21.2%

  • If so, do you use it some?

    Votes: 266 42.0%

  • If so, do you seldom use it?

    Votes: 116 18.3%

  • Does it sit on a shelf looking longingly at RF's

    Votes: 47 7.4%

  • Wouldn't dirty my hands on one and handle my RF's

    Votes: 5 0.8%

  • What is a TLR?

    Votes: 20 3.2%
  • Total voters
    633
I have a Rolleicord V. Great lens and nice to use outdoors, but I rarely reach for it.
 
I do own a Yashicamat 124G that I traded a couple of old slr's for.It was in mint condition and I wanted to try MF. I don't get it out as often as I should...I like the film size...6x6...it makes for nice enlargements.
 
Proud owner of a Mamiya C220 small system: I have a 80/f2.8 and a 65/f3.5 together with a nice paramender for very close shots. It's my summer camera, which is when I load it with a roll of Velvia 220 and take it for long walks in the woods.
I've taken it to Chicago a couple of times; the worst camera for street: people really see you and, worst yet, they won't resist the impulse to approach you and say something along the lines of "Oh, what a nice old-fashioned camera!" or "does that one shoot color?"

However, ever since my wife suggested to take a photo of each person who comes asking questions or making remarks about the camera, nobody has come by me again.

Wait! Yes, it did happen... but I forgot to ask the guy to pose for me.
 
Seagull 4A-109 here (the top-end model with the 4-element lens and crank film advance). The quality control on these is known to be spotty, but if you luck out and get a good one as I seem to have, it's a great shooter. I really do best with this camera from a tripod so it doesn't get taken out as often as it should. The overall picture quality is good enough for me although I'd happily trade every camera I own for a single Fuji, Bronica, or Mamiya RF. Now THAT would be a ton of fun in an easily portable package :)
 
2 Ricohflex, 3 Argoflex, 1 Lubitel, 1 Minolta Autocord, 3 Ciroflex, 1 Flexaret, 1 Weltaflex, 1 Kodak Reflex, 1 Kenflex, 2 Voigtlander Brilliants, 1 Seagull and enough Kodak Duaflex/Argus Seventy Fives to choke a large horse. Of course, the best one, the Minolta is jammed and the worst one, Lubitel works fine.
 
Most of my cameras look at the RF's longingly wishing to be used. Today I will be taking the N8008s out for a first time in a long time to take some Christmas Portraits at Nikki's school. I must use a flash setup, and want to use the SB-29.

The TLR's will have to wait for me to set the darkroom back up again. It's about time.
 
I own a Seagull 4a-107 that I bought to replace the Yashica 124 that I stupidly sold a few years ago. I don't use it very much because processing is such a hassle here. I would love to find a Yashica 635 with the 35mm kit but haven't seen one that's complete and reasonably priced. Plus the battery in my Canonette is still good so I'm NOT buying any thing "new" yet.
Rob
 
A few years ago I borrowed a Yashicamat 124G from the shop I worked at and had a bit of fun with it. Later I picked up a nice old bakelite Lubitel for myself but I’m almost ashamed to say I haven’t put any film thru it yet, it just sits amongst the Soviet RF's on my bookshelf.
 
Used to- the Mamiya C330.

Got rid of it for not much more than I bought it.

I've taken one of my better pix with it, and one of the ones that demonstrate so well to me why I don't like the C330 (lenses that excel at their mediocracy, think TESSAR/NOVAR WIDE OPEN BOKEH and multi specular highlights during a wedding...)

Otherwise, I'd rather just stick with the Universal.
 
The Lubitel 166B was my first Russian camera, bought new in 1987. Currently stands tall on my shelf of FSU cameras, but only had one roll through it this year. Probably not more than 20 in it's lifetime. As has been mentioned here, my scanner doesn't handle MF transparencies, if it did, I'd shoot B&W with the Lube. When time comes to upgrade the scanner, MF capability is a must.
 
What was your experience with the Lubitel like? I was thinking about getting one for when I want to take my TLR into environments where I wouldn't want to risk my Seagull (ok, so the Seagull isn't extremely valuable either, but work with me here :) ).
 
dkirchge said:
What was your experience with the Lubitel like? I was thinking about getting one for when I want to take my TLR into environments where I wouldn't want to risk my Seagull (ok, so the Seagull isn't extremely valuable either, but work with me here :) ).
Click to expand...

I think it's fine. Of course, I have a thing for cheap Russian cameras. But I've always been pleased with the results. Attached is a photo, rather low res, of the Grand Canyon I shot in 1990 with the Lubitel. The original print (which I can't lay my hands on just now) is quite sharp, better than the Ricoh SLR I was also using at the time.
 
Pretty impressive, nice shot KZ. I've heard a lot about softness in the corners but I sure don't see much in that particular shot. I have to admit, I also have a thing for cheap cameras so I might just have to pick up a Lubitel and see for myself.

I think if this thread goes much longer, we may have to try and convince Jorge to set up a TLR forum :)
 
All right, call me weak, call me a sucker if you will. I saw an eBay listing for a sealed, new-in-box Lubitel 166U and the lure was too strong. I'm sure I paid a premium for the sealed box, but it's still way cheaper than the Mamiya RF I was looking at :). I've heard QC on these can be spotty but what the heck, it can't be worse than my Holga :). Having a less valuable camera will certainly make taking it around a lot less intimidating.
 
You almost made me go look on ebay for another cheapy TLR, but I have a Ricohflex Super waiting for me at my parent's house that I still haven't picked up. I think I will make a visit today.
 
Rolleiflexes all the way!
Have a 3.5F and recently bought a 2.8F. Use it still for shooting model portfolios, around 4-5 sessions a month. They think the camera looks cute and a little antiquey, they prefer my F3 and F5/DCS for headhots, but are usually totally blown away by the end results, probably because it seems less imposing to be shot with a Rollei and so they're more at ease (and of course there's still strictly no competition between 6x6 and 135)
Had a 4x5 that I used to use with models but not so much any more - the Rolleis are about the limit these days. Have a 6x9 folder I used to use for pinups and landscapes, but that's been sitting awhile now, no call for originals with such high resolutions until more poster printing jobs come in...
So mainly it's the F5/DCS for quick (i.e. digital) jobs, and the F3 on film for headshots and action shots, Rollei for full length shots and my trusty old M2/35mm for what they used to call "candid" photography...
 
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I would love to use one if I had a half-decent one. Can't afford one at the moment, have other priorities :(
 
Just lucked into a Minolta Autocord at the local Sally Anne Store. What I am getting off that old Autocord has pretty well cured me of chasing after expensive Leica glass. Film size really makes the difference. Not as handy as an RF but it has it's place and from a cost to performance ratio point of view a real bargin. And now for a med format film scanner.

Nikon Bob
 
I have a Seagull 4A, too, and a Yashica Mat 124G. I've only put two rolls through the first (I need to get to know it better, I'll admit; it has quirks.) and four or five through the Mat. THOSE were a treat, supersharp, lovely feel...but for some reason, when I'm in the mood for 6 X 6, I always grab the Great Wall SLR. Me and it were meant to meet. :)
 
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