D1v1d

May 31, 2010 #26

I shoot both digital and analog. I've recently been shooting with my Olympus Trip 35s (just got a second one) - quite like the focal length at 40mm for 135 format. Also use my Nikon D40 with manual-focusing Nikkor lenses. It's a DX format so all my older full format lenses have a 50% 'tele' factor. My Mamiya C330 has by far the best image quality; I need a better way to hand hold off tripod. Is anyone in the group using a left-hand grip with the C330?

 

grahamp

May 31, 2010 #27

I have an L grip, but rarely use it. I find that either the neck strap or an angled monopod is enough support off-tripod. The problem I have with the L grip is that it means I have to focus, trip the shutter, and wind on with one hand. I often put my left hand under the Mamiya to support it, and can adjust focus while using my right hand for the shutter.

I probably do around half my work with a 5x4, with a mix of rangefinder and TLR for the rest. The choice of rangefinder or TLR really depends on the sort of mood I'm in. If I want to compose on a screen - more separation from the subject - I use the TLR. The rangefinders tend to be visual notebooks. It's one of the blessings (curses?) of being involved with photography for many years that I have choices

 

benjiboy

Jun 6, 2010 #28

I use the "L" grip with trigger release with my Mamiya C330F, and find it awkward sometimes when changing lenses because I'm left handed, other than that I like it fine especially with the prism for flash photography.

 

jreitsma

Jun 6, 2010 #29

Folks;

I started with an old Yashica "D" when I was about 11 years old....worked my way up to a Yashica MAT-124G which I bought for $60.00 brand new in 1974...progressed to the Mamiya C-220 with a Prism Finder in 1976 (which worked beautifully until it took a "header" off a tripod back in 1989). I replaced that with a Mamiya C-330 Professional and I've never looked back (although, I have been caught "lusting" after a Rolleiflex 2.8 F..until my wife of 21 years slapped me upside my head and started talking about paying the mortgage, etc.).

I love Twin Lens Reflex cameras......there's nothing like 'em (especially the Mamiya C-330/220 cameras...with interchangable lenses and finders......a beautiful way to get into MF photography if you're on a budget).

'nuf said....
Later--Joe:munch:

 

Rick A

Jun 7, 2010 #30

I know what you mean about TLR's, especially Mamiyas. I started with a Yashica D in the late 60's and still have one and a Mamiya C-220f, and a couple of Duaflex II's. Nothing gives the same feeling as shooting a TLR and looking down through a WLF and UP at the world.

 

MJFerron

Jun 19, 2010 #31

Too many to list. Besides my Rolleicords VA and VB I have a Leica M6, Oly om2n and Nikon FE2.

 

R gould

Jul 19, 2010 #32

A lot, becides my two tlrs I use several Original (German)voigtlanders, an ensign selfix 12/20,Ikonta b and welmy six, contina folder,retina 11b,also a couple of pentax autofocas lobs and a bronica etrsi with 200 and 50 lenses, the last 3 getting very little use these days,Richard

 

R gould

Jul 19, 2010 #33

I would guess that the largest part of my photography is done with my tlr'sRichard

 

sfj

Aug 10, 2010 #34

For the last 18 months, since getting a Mamiyaflex C2, then a Mamiya C330, about 95% of my photography has been done with them. When I travel, I usually take a Pentax K1000, though, and have a sentimental attachment to my father's Pentax Spotmatic. Until 2009 I had used those cameras exclusively for the previous 30 years, and had learned photography 10 years before using from my father's Pentax SV.

 

benjiboy

Aug 21, 2010 #35

You won't go wrong with Mamiya TLRs they are great picture taking machines ,and are very reliable, I've enjoyed using them for twenty five years .

 

Sasha Dulyachinda

Sep 27, 2010 #36

I have a kodak tlr! I can't wait to try it out.

 

R gould

Oct 9, 2010 #37

besides my 4 tlrs I have a collection of folders, a bessa 66, a welmy six an Ikonta b and 3 ensigns,a selfix 12/20and 16/20 plus a commando,and a collection of 35mm,two retinas, a 2 and a 1b, a contina 2 folder,3 voightlander vitos, a 1 and two 11, a Werramat and 2 voightlanders,a vitob and vitomatic 111c,and they all get used,Richard

 

Removed Account2

Oct 10, 2010 #38

Have a look at my sig-line there is a condenced version of what I use!

EP

PS wut, my APUG sig-line is disabled in these groups?? What goes on?

EDIT :

MF : Rolleicord, Zeiss Nettar, Agfa Isolette III, Agifold, Braun 29, Braun 35....
35mm SLR : Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Practica Nova, Praktina, Exacta VX..........
35mm RF : Leica IIIf, M3, M4, CL, Canon 7, Nikon, Kiev....

There for a shortlist!

 

benjiboy

Oct 25, 2010 #39

Have you noticed lately that photographic forums are full of posts from people who have bought medium format SLR s and are having problems with them caused in many cases by the complex linkage between the body and the back being out of sync. and failing to expose the film, I feel that TLRs as a mechanism are inherently much more simple and less prone to failure which is why I have never bought a Hasselblad.

 

benjiboy

Oct 25, 2010 #40

David-I'm using the left hand grip with trigger relese with my C330F I've had it more then twenty years and it certainly improves the handling because you can wind the film and focus with your right hand and relese the shutter with your left hand.

 

seafoto

Nov 18, 2010 #41

Just as an 'aside' I recall seeing a film of a photographer in USA who documented the young people in his neigbourhood using a TLR and then again some ten or so years later, the photographer claimed that as he used TLR, he was less threatening to the subjects as he was looking down, concentrating on the framing and focus rather than "aiming' a single lens at them which he believed would have received a different reaction from them.
I use a Rollei 2.8 F and it will be with me for ever.

 

kerne

Dec 4, 2010 #42

When I want the best image I obviously grab my C220, but for everyday snapshots and street photography I have a great little Pentax K1000 that'll also last for years. (And just in case I need a fill flash or am shooting sports, I have a Canon EOS 620.)

Just added a Polaroid 100 Land Camera to the family for fun instant photos with friends and family.

 

TheFlyingCamera

Dec 6, 2010 #43

I've got a Rolleiflex 2.8 E (with a non-functioning meter, natch). Thinking of grips, I recently acquired a Vivitar flash grip for medium format, which is great because it lets me use my Vivitar 283 with the Rollei. The downside is that it's a left-hand grip, so it makes it hard to focus the camera. I may just transfer it to my RB67 and look for a right-hand grip of some kind.

 

DWThomas

Dec 24, 2010 #44

Well, besides a Yashica 124G and a slightly unhappy Flexaret III, I shoot some Canon FD gear, a Bronica SQ-A, [whisper] an EOS 40D [/whisper], a Perkeo II and an Ercona II (6x6 and 6x9 folders). I also own an Argus C-3 I bought new in 1958 or so which I have put a roll through for Argus Day the last five years or so. I have a Minox B and a Canon Elph Jr which are pretty much decorations lately, plus a Burke & James 4x5 Press which is also pretty much inactive, lacking a suitable enlarger and slightly intimidated by sheet film prices.

I haven't had the 124G long enough to see much of a pattern, but I doubt it would exceed 10% of my shooting. Most of my "fine art" shooting is with the Bronica, and a lot of "other" shooting is done with - uh - "other" technology.

My historical archives are pretty sparse so far, but you can see some samplings of the good, the bad, and the ugly, spanning about 50 years, in my PBase galleries.

 

Leigh Youdale

Mar 17, 2011 #45

Have two Rolleiflex. An E2 2.8/80 Planar and a Wide Angle.
Otherwise I use a Leica M6, a Bessa R4A (for wides) or for any (shudder) digital needs I have a Panasonic GF1 with EVF.

 

IdahoPhotoist

Mar 26, 2011 #46

I was given this Rollie Magic II. by a friend, cameras seem to just come my way.... As a boy I learn with a yashica. I have had many cameras over the years, but I find I grab go with the Rollie. I have a Mamiya RZ with lots of lenses etc. but it is too big and heavy, I also have a Speed Grafic 4x5 and a Cambo SC If I want to get big and heavy. So I find my self leaving the T70, A-1, and the various Elan bodies home, and even the 30D in the bag, grab a pocket digi and bring the Rollie, why the Rollie? I think it is some primal instinct. the Magic II was produced in 1965 the year I graduated... woops dated my self... but it is just fun to shoot, and with freestylephoto.biz cheap source of B&W I can almost afford to shoot.

 

pgmarr

Mar 30, 2011 #47

I use a Rolleicord VA II. What a great little camera. Light, easy to use, great results. My other TLR is a Primo Jr. Not common, but wow... what an amazing little workhorse! It is very small, but easy to shoot. Literally fits in a pocket. There is not one thing I can find wrong with it. I use 4x4cm superslides in my work (geography prof) and the Rollei's 6x6cm slides gives me some wiggle room for cropping, but the Primo Jr. is just so cool. Got it from KEH for about $50 10yrs ago, had lens fungus and a stuck shutter. Sent is to someplace in DC (forget the name) and they put it right for about $130. Honestly, the best camera money I have ever spent. I would recommend either of these TLRs without reservation... they have made me convert.

-pgm

 

pbromaghin

Apr 14, 2011 #48

I just got my first TLR a couple of weeks ago - Mamiya C33 with 80, 105, 135 and 180 lenses. It's fascinating, like beginning all over again. My current walking-around camera is a 1948 Zeiss Ikonta folder. Before this my main do-everything camera was a Minolta x-570 and I recently snookered my wife out of her Canon eos rebel 35mm when she decided to go back to digital superzoom and 35mm P&S.

 

Anthony J. Martinez

May 3, 2011 #49

My Mamiya C3 was the first film camera I ever seriously shot. I was given a Rebel T1 35mm, and I ended up giving that away as I never used it. Developing the first roll of film I shot through the C3 was magical. I've got the 65mm, 80mm, and 180mm lenses for it though I've yet to use the wide or the telephoto. That said, the cameras I've been shooting the most lately have been my folding cameras. For my medium format needs an Agfa Isolette III handles my needs, and my general walk-around camera is a Kodak Retina IIa. 99% of my travels are done on my motorcycle and space gets filled up very quickly. Both of those cameras take fantastic photos while taking up very little space.

 

PhotoBob

May 23, 2011 #50

For film, aside from my Mamiya C330 Pro F, I also use a Mamiya 645 AF a Toyo 45 A II and pinhole cameras.