Rolleiflexes, TLRs...

NB23

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I Love TLR Photography so much.

I still remember 27 years ago when I purchased a Mamiya 220f and came back home with the Baby, and spent the next few years shooting it. All the fabulous images, the fabulous time I spent in the darkroom.
And then came in the rolleiflex. And a second one...

And here I am today, with a collection of TLRs I know by heart. Each camera’s subtle lens signature is not a secret to me.

And you should know a few things:

-One never owns too many TLRS

-One is always rewarded by the images a TLR gives birth to.

-One might think he is the artist, but the true artist is his TLR.

-By owning a TLR, one signs a binding contract of caring and repairing any TLR he owns, no matter how “economically sound”. Keeping a TLR alive is a good deed.

- Every and Each TLR sings a unique song. No two TLRs draw the same.

Are you a TLR man?

I am a Rollei-man. A Iko-man and a Mamiyaflex-man.
 
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Vaughn

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Go west, young man...
 

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Paul Howell

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I have a Yashicas, a D and 124, in the past owned a Konica Omega Flex, (not a true TLR) and a Mamiyaflex C33, I do like shooting with the Yashicas, I prefer the D, like the knob advance as I can shoot double exposures. In way of thinking another tool in the kit.
 

Kodachromeguy

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Rolleiflex 3.5E with 75mm ƒ/3.5 Xenotar lens. This one is the best of three Rolleiflexes that I have owned over the years. Everything must have been just right in its production chain. The photograph below is a former road in the Vicksburg National Military Park (Mississippi), Tmax 100 film, EI=80, yellow-green filter, tripod-mounted, light drizzle falling.

 

JensH

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Hi NB23,

I love to take one of my four Rolleiflex Originals. Made 1929 to 1930.
They are slow, what gives you time to think...
The uncoated 4.5/7.5cm Tessars are my sweet spot for mf, great with yellow filter and hood, sometimes Proxars.
Images look somehow naturely relaxed. Something I don't get with my multicoated Planar 80mm...
I like the 4.5 better than the uncoated 3.8 or 3.5 Tessars. Subtle lens signature? Or some kInd of projection?





Best
Jens
 
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Ron (Netherlands)

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etn

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NB23 said:
I Love TLR Photography so much.

Are you a TLR man?
Click to expand...
TLR are so great My Rollei FX is the last camera I will ever sell - and believe it or not the only MF camera I bought new 15 years ago (yes, I was that crazy back in the days - made quite a dent in my savings!) She has been my exclusive travel companion for over a decade. I like the convenience of MF quality and a light meter precise enough for slide film in a relatively small and lightweight package. I recently switched to Hasselblad, mainly for the convenience of changing lenses and film backs, but still regularly use the Rollei FX as well as my couple other TLR acquired in the meantime.

You forgot one point which makes TLR so great: square is the best format. Period.
 

Donald Qualls

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If I have my way, I'll never be without a Kodak Reflex II again. I had one in high school, don't recall what happened to it. I got another one fifteen or so years ago, had to clean the shutter and ease up the very stiff focusing threads, then reset the infinity and match up the reflex screen to the film focus. Yes, it's a 620 camera, but it'll feed happily from a trimmed 120 supply, so I just need a 620 spool for takeup -- and as long as I do my own film, those will last roughly forever.

 

guangong

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Bought my Rollei 2.8F in early 1970s. Never felt a need to supplement with any other TLRs. Being somewhat of a Zeiss nut, I have successfully resister temptation to acquire an Ikoflex.
 

Cholentpot

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TLRs is how I got into photography to begin with. I saw one in a movie or photo around 2012 and I had to have one. I hopped online and got a Richoflex VII and a Lubitel 2 along with a pack of Ektar 100 and Tmax 400. I had no clue about anything. Nothing. Zero blank nada.

FFW to now, I shoot around 100 rolls a year but have only recently jumped back into 120 full force. My supplier of cheap film, Shanghai GP3 dried up and it was getting expensive to shoot. I have another lead on cheap film these days so I've been shooting more 120.

And then my trusty Lubitel died. However I just so happened to find a Yashica A at an estate sale. So once again I'm back where I started. TLRs are where it's at. Sure i'd love a Rolleiflex or Mamiya but for now I'm just happy with a functioning camera.

 

campy51

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I have a Rolleiflex 2.8E Planar with the early stages of separation but doesn't show in pictures and I bought a Minolta Autocord with a frozen focus lever for $100 and took it apart and cleaned everything up, put a new mirror in and new leatherette and here is a test picture from it. I was really surprised how sharp it is.
 
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OP
OP

NB23

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Spread the Love!

here’s a shot from the 3.5f with xenotar lens, hp5@800
 

Vaughn

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While on a solo backpack trip to my old stompin grounds...
 

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Vaughn

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get along little doggies...
 

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Dali

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I own a Mamiya C330 since 1986, a great camera despite his weight... By the past, I owned Rolleiflex, Rolleicord, Ikoflex and Ricohflex. I sold them all as they were too "serious". Since last year, a use a couple of Lubitel (Lubi 2 & Lubi 166U) and I really love them. OK, they are not pro-grade but neither I am and negatives are way better than I could expect from such entry level cameras.
 

Cholentpot

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Shutter died on my Lubi, tried to fix it and it just shed parts all over. I don't know if I'll ever spend the money on another one. It did what I needed it to do and I've moved on to cameras a little better. Good learning camera, but I was limited by it the last few time I used it.
 

Vaughn

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RA4 contact print
 

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JPD

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It's personal preference, and probably projection if you project your feelings to how you want it to look and what cameras you use. Perfect, it you ask me. In large format, or 6x9, I think you would prefer the original 6,3 Tessar instead of the normal 4,5. It has what Paul Rudolph intended with the Tessar, and faster ones have more compromises. The Planar is excellent but more clinical than any Tessar and thus can feel boring in the digital age.
 

mooseontheloose

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When I decided to move up to medium format, the only good quality cameras I could afford were TLRs. At the time Rolleiflexes were too expensive, so I went with a Minolta Autocord. Over the years I've owned several of them, plus various Yashicas. Then I moved to a Bronica SQ system, then to a Mamiya 6 system, and now I'm back to a TLR, finally a Rolleiflex (it's an older model). I just like the simplicity and ease of use with TLRs and they remain my favourite camera to shoot with.

Here's an old self-portrait I took with my Autocord. I used to work in a living history museum and I loved working in this house, as I found spinning very meditative. It took a few tries with the self-timer to get myself back to the wheel and get it spinning in time for the shutter release.
 

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Martin Rickards

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I'm just a beginner with TLR's having put one roll of FP4+ through my Flexaret. I am awaiting an enlarger lens to be delivered to see the test negatives printed. Then I'll see whether there's anything in this TLR adulation thingy.
 
OP
OP

NB23

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Martin Rickards said:
I'm just a beginner with TLR's having put one roll of FP4+ through my Flexaret. I am awaiting an enlarger lens to be delivered to see the test negatives printed. Then I'll see whether there's anything in this TLR adulation thingy.
Click to expand...

TLRs are a way of life. La bohème, my friend.
 
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