TLRs are odd, klunky beasts.

[shadowfox]

TLRs are odd indeed.
It's odd that anyone would come up with the design (two lenses?? what a waste of resource).
It's odd that they even work. But they do work, beautiful 6x6 frames say they do work, very well.
Second, you feel odd when using it the first few times. But then it grows on you, then you don't even correct the mirror when post processing 🙂

 

[johannielscom]

The few times I've tried them, my feeling was that I could never get used to the dim/flip-flopped viewfinder.
But much great work has been done with them, so it's just me I guess.

I've wondered why no digital cameras have been made with the same style waist-level viewing & shade as these and cameras like the Hasselblad. Seems like a good solution for viewing live LCDs outdoors.

+1 on that. A digital TLR would be sóóóóó cool 😎😎

 

[gns]

While I do agree that a lot of contemporary viewfinders are waste-level stuff, I'm not sure a waist-level viewfinder is an advance I'm waiting for. I always have to raise my C330 to the eye level in order to actually see something on it (and very often with the loupe). No chance to know if it is sharp or not otherwise.

Thanks. Usage errors were my downfall as a grade school student. Even though I no the difference, they still haunt me sometimes when I rush.

 

[dabick42]

Among TLRs, I've only ever owned and used Rolleis.
Along with the Nikon F and the Leica M3 ( which I also own and frequently use ), Rolleis have justifiably earned their ''icon'' status as one of the world's most beautifully made and reliable cameras.
Anyone who finds them unacceptably odd or quirky after a short acquaintance ( say 48 hours ) isn't trying hard enough to understand the allure of a legend.... (!)

 

[NaChase]

Haha. I meant "odd and klunky" in an endearing sense. They are undoubtedly cool cameras, and I wanted one for a while. The Mamiya appealed to me because of the bellows and close focusing, and the Ikoflex looks so cool and seems a little off beat given the lack of information about it online. I have shot a few rolls of Acros, I will post some shots when I develop them.

 

[film nut]

The only TLR I have is a SuperRicohflex and I really like it. It seems small when compared to some of the others. The hardest thing was getting a routine for advancing the film to avoid double exposures. I guess you can get used to what ever you have.. If you only have one and use it alot, you can get pretty efficient with it.

MIke

 

[Sanders McNew]

A Rolleiflex would have been awesome, but I can buy a dozen Zeiss Favorits or C330s for the price of one.

But why would you want a dozen second-rate cameras?

 

[Dave Jenkins]

Different strokes, obviously! I've always found the TLR to be the easiest, most enjoyable to handle of any camera body type.

 

[clayne]

Most TLRs are incredibly straight-forward.

Advance, cock the shutter if necessary, focus, click. Pretty much the same as any other manual focus camera.

 

[NaChase]

But why would you want a dozen second-rate cameras?

All of my cameras are better at taking pictures than I am. I bet my $40 Hi-Matic could blow away anything I can do with my Leicas, if only put in hands more capable than my own. Plus I like these cameras, the Favorit is the prettier one, but there is something to be said about something that was engineered entirely for function over form (the Mamiya).

 

[thambar]

I love shooting with my Mamiya C220 (a 330 sans auto shutter cocking, auto parallax compensation, and interchangeable screens). The great sleeper, though, with this camera is the 105/3.5 lens. Spectacular, sharp, and just unbeatable for protraits. It's about the only one I use--and lately I've been shooting about 5-10 rolls per weekend.

 

[Pikapig]

yea i love my c330...but bought a 220 for the size n weight...

i shoot alot with bronica sq-ai...its great....

i think the tlr and slr are all build for a reason

 

[johannielscom]

To the OP:

Nick,

I've seen your Flickr stream and the loads of beautiful portraits from your beautiful fiancee and really think you should borrow a Rolleiflex to shoot some portraits of her.
Chances are you'll sell the Mamiya, the Ikoflex and possibly even the Leica to fund one after that.

Yeah I know, heresy mentioning selling a Leica but the Rolleiflex folk know what I mean...😀

 

[NaChase]

Thanks, man. There will be portraits with these new cameras soon. Once the verdict is in then perhaps a Rolleiflex fund will begin. Still getting into the swing of using these things.

 

[one90guy]

I use a Ricoh Diacord L, the left right took some getting use to. It has a bright viewfinder and for me easy to focus. Tryed a Bronica SQ-A, never could get good focus, my daugher used it and it was not the camera. She has the Bronica and she returned the Ricoh, we are both happy.

 

[Photo_Smith]

All of my cameras are better at taking pictures than I am.

How so? I just placed a camera on the table about an hour ago–it's yet to do anything.
A camera is a tool that enables you to put your vision of a scene into a 2D artwork in order for others to share that vision.
If a certain model or make of camera helps you achieve that vision then that's good. I never got the "I can buy 12 cameras for the cost of that expensive one you favour" argument, for one if that expensive camera is favoured by me to help me create my photos and I feel I couldn't with an alternative then that camera is 'the one' after all it's my money!
Secondly 12 camera's are useless to me I can only use one at a time 🙂

Life is too short not to have owned a Rolleiflex. ;-)

 

[Sanders McNew]

All of my cameras are better at taking pictures than I am.

I waited years before finally screwing up the nerve to go into Ken
Hansen's shop on Madison to buy my first Rolleiflex. It was a quiet
day and Ken helped me himself. I confessed that I had waited some
years before venturing in to buy a Rolleiflex, and Ken asked why.
"Because I was not worthy of the camera," I replied. Ken found this
most amusing. He sold me a 3.5E -- I still use it.

but there is something to be said about something that was engineered entirely for function over form (the Mamiya).

I agree with the thought, but disagree with your conclusion. The
Rolleiflex is designed entirely for function. Their greatness as a
work of industrial design is that they are efficient and elegant at
what they do, and are beautiful as well.

 

[NaChase]

I waited years before finally screwing up the nerve to go into Ken
Hansen's shop on Madison to buy my first Rolleiflex. It was a quiet
day and Ken helped me himself. I confessed that I had waited some
years before venturing in to buy a Rolleiflex, and Ken asked why.
"Because I was not worthy of the camera," I replied. Ken found this
most amusing. He sold me a 3.5E -- I still use it.



I agree with the thought, but disagree with your conclusion. The
Rolleiflex is designed entirely for function. Their greatness as a
work of industrial design is that they are efficient and elegant at
what they do, and are beautiful as well.

You, sir, are a most persuasive salesman. Someday. Perhaps when I am flush with cash after I get back from Afghanistan.

 

[bojanfurst]

The only thing I found difficult in the beginning was the reversed image on the ground glass. It was actually comical because I kept bumping into things. Now I don't even notice it any more. In fact, my 124G is probably my favourite camera. There is no great secret really, but in the beginning leave your other cameras be. I used my Yashica for about three weeks straight as my only camera. It really helped to get familiar with the camera as well as the different style of shooting. Be prepared to waste some film and don't limit yourself to landscapes and stationary objects/portraits. Go for crazy, running kids, a busker or a local festival or parade. Soon, you will find that focusing and shooting will become second nature. Another thing is that you should also be prepared that people will approach you and ask about the camera - without exception they will tell you that it just looked so interesting and beautiful and will sometimes even ask you if you'd like to take their photo. How often does that happen these days?

Have fun

Here are a few street shots:
Zagreb, Croatia:

Split, Croatia:

Mummers in St. John's Newfoundland

 

[KoNickon]

I think there are a number of folks here who would be honored to hook you up with one for a favorable price when you get back (or even before)! Stay safe.