Composing with a Waist-level finder

[Kino]

I dislike the flipped image, so I use the waist level VF to focus and get a rough composition and then switch to the built-in sports finder to make final adjustments and take the shot.

Your mileage may vary...

 

[JerseyDoug]

My issue with the reversed image is not with the camera. 60+ years of switching back and forth between 6x6 WLF's and eye level RF's or SLR's seems to have resolved into automatically switching my brain when I look down or look forward.

The issue for me is that I often have a strong preference tor the right to left orientation of the subject in the print and I don't always get it right. There is frequently something in the scene that precludes flipping the negative.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Waist-level finders were a non-starter for me. I had access to 6x6 Rollei TLRs if I wanted to go that route. Not my cup of tea at all.

 

[btaylor]

I dislike the flipped image, so I use the waist level VF to focus and get a rough composition and then switch to the built-in sports finder to make final adjustments and take the shot.

Your mileage may vary...

I always liked this technique. When I have time I just use the waist level finder, magnifier to get focus and then flop it down and use the groundglass to compose. If things are moving pretty fast I’ll focus with the magnifier and then use the sports finder. Some Rolleiflex models had a little mirror that would hang down when using the sports finder and you could move your eye, focus, then move your eye back up to the sports finder window. And there was the Rolleimeter, a clever way to add a split image rangefinder to the sports finder.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

My first camera (60 years ago!) was a Yashica TLR. At that time and for the next 3 years, I had no issues composing through the WLF. Recently, I have returned to a TLR and have a hell of a time getting things square in the viewfinder. I found that by attaching a small spirit level to the hood helps, but It keeps getting knocked off so that is not a reasonable solution. Millions of photographers use WLF cameras, so it can't possibly be as difficult as it seems to me. What am I missing here? Just more time with the camera or is my brain so used to seeing things through a prism finder that I can't adapt to this new view?

with time , it will become 2nd nature.

 

[bdial]

“How do you get to Broadway… practice, lots of practice.”

You will know you’ve mastered WLF’s when you can compose holding the camera over your head. For example to get a clear shot from within a crowd.

Aside from that, built-in sports finders are your friend, especially on Rolleiflex’s with the reflex focusing magnifier.

 

[dave olson]

I've had my Rolleiflex for around 35-40 years and I find I reach for it less and less. When I want square I reach for my Hasselblad. I have the ubiquitous waist finder, plus a chimney straight down finder, a 90 degree finder and a metered 45 degree finder. Yes both the 45 and 90 degree finders add extra weight, but I balance that with the viewing convenience that they offer. An alternative is my Fuji 6x6/6x7.

 

[Pieter12]

I would love to get used to the reverse image thing. For one thing, it would make carrying my MF SLR much lighter without a prism if wanted.

 

[grain elevator]

It sure takes some getting used to, but the brain eventually adapts. Have some play time with the camera?