Someone please tell me why I need both an SLR and a TRL.

[Bighead]

For me, its slightly the what and where which dictates which one I use but usually, its a mood... When I do standard portraits, I usually use my 645 (slr)... When I want to immerse myself in what I am shooting, I use the C330... But, many times, its just my mood...

 

[df cardwell]

Since fully 23% of all portrait clients die of shock when photographed by a 120 SLR,
it is essential to own a fine Rolleiflex, or Mamiya TLR. Or a Minolta Autocord.

If one insists on shooting with a Hasselblad, it is imperative to be paid in full before the sitting.

One should alway wear hearing protection when using a 120 SLR.

.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I'm down to 3 6x6 cameras (well, I've got two S2a bodies, so count 4 if you must)

Bronica S2a system--versatile, modular system that does just about anything I need from a MF camera.

Voigtlander Superb TLR--beautiful, innovative, lightweight piece of history, that's quiet and inconspicuous for street shooting.

Voigtlander Perkeo II folder--the "pocketblad" that goes anywhere, smaller than many 35mm rangefinder cameras.

 

[Don Mills]

Lets not forget the wonderfull Yashicamats!

 

[gnashings]

You have to be kidding! Why? WHY!?
Also - you think you only need one of each?! There are so many SLR's... not to mention TLR's... RF's... and on and on...

Jokes aside - you will soon find that there are situations where the TLR is king, some where it may indeed prove to be the only way to take a photo, and on the other hand - you will definitely run into situations where the opposite is true. I find a TLR such a great stealth camera - most people now days dont even know what one is, hence, they dont pay attnetion to it, or at lease have no idea whent the picture will come and - out of which end of the camera!
In the end, you will want all the pretty cameras - the only question is, given that we also need food and shelter and such, is which tog et first - and in that case I thin the SLR is a little more flexible therefore would get my nod (unless I had a TLR in my hand...- just kidding!)

 

[joeyk49]

Um, Joey, why would anyone enter a competition that can be won only by dying? Yeah, yeah, I know "count no man happy until he is dead," but that's a statement about the prospect of changes for the much worse, not about what it takes to be happy.

It's all to be had in the PROCESS! It's the continual attempt to achieve newer and higher goals of shutterbug nirvana...

Keep in mind that I'm a process person. I revel as much in the making of the photo, as in the image itself. So... its the acquisition of another, newer (to my collection) toy that starts the endorphins going and the prospect of what fun might be had in the ever ellusive quest for the photo that makes one truly happy.

Somewhat Quixotic, possibly, but FUN, none the less....

So, with that in mind: I really NEED an MF SLR.....

 

[joeyk49]

He who dies with the most cameras wins!

I stand corrected.....

 

[phatcactus]

HAH. You're all great. Thanks. But seriously, a good point was made about focusing while using dark filters. I'd like to try infrared with an opaque filter, so a TLR will be perfect for that. Not to mention that the smaller lens means a less expensive filter.

 

[Soeren]

HAH. You're all great. Thanks. But seriously, a good point was made about focusing while using dark filters. I'd like to try infrared with an opaque filter, so a TLR will be perfect for that. Not to mention that the smaller lens means a less expensive filter.

Well that depends..... Do you need a special mount for it Well there is of cource adapters. Actually I use my Yashica 124 for IR shots with the Maco IR 820c and a Heliopan 715nm Bay I filter. The true benefit from the small filtersize is it wont break if you accidently drop it, try that with 77mm IR-filter
Søren

 

[Robert Budding]

Might be a good idea to have two of each...

Two!!??? Not nearly enough. You need transparency film, color print fim, and B&W. Now add more cameras because you will need multiple ISO's for each film type. Then you need a few more because I need an N, N-1, and N-2 for each B&W film roll.

Glad I went through that - I finally understand why I have so many cameras!

Robert

 

[Dan Fromm]

Two!!??? Not nearly enough. You need transparency film, color print fim, and B&W. Now add more cameras because you will need multiple ISO's for each film type. Then you need a few more because I need an N, N-1, and N-2 for each B&W film roll.

Glad I went through that - I finally understand why I have so many cameras!

Robert

Interchangeable backs, that's what you need.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Keep in mind that whenever you have ONE tlr you actually have TWO camera obscura, stacked on top of each other. So by having a TLR and an SLR you are having in fact THREE camera, so at this point, you'd better stop trying to rationalize.

 

[benjiboy]

The question I would ask myself is, do I need another camera, will it improve my photography ? what will it do for me that my existing equipment will not for the type of work that I do, do I need it or just want it ? If I had a Bronica S2A outfit I wouldn't buy a Mamiya outfit, although I have used the Mamiya TLR system for more than twenty years, I would think the Nikkor lenses in particular for the S2a are better than the mamiya lenses, and the Zenzanons are at least as good.

 

[Jimster]

My guess is that you probably don't need both. Unless there is a money or
guilt issue with having two cameras, keep both. As previous posts have stated,
there are advantages to each. Use both. As you become more familiar
with them, then decide. You may find yourself using one almost exclusively.
Or they may turn into ornery siblings vying for your attention. Give it some
time, and have fun with them. Jim.