TLR Users

[bnjlosh]

hello! I use a yashica mat 124g and I really enjoy it...I also have a seagull that the focus glass is broken and I have yet to replace it...the 124g was my first real film camera...I use it for both color and black and white, always been pleased with the results

 

[Mark Antony]

Hi Benjiboy and bnjlosh
I had a Yashica (older than 124G) for a while I chose it as my first TLR over a Rolleicord IV as I could not focus the cord in the shop (too dark) I like it a lot, but sold it to buy a Mamiya 1000s.
Possibly i'll post some shots I took with it in 1985.
I also had a C330 for a little while, i liked the close focus and the red parallax indicator, as well as the interchangeable lens I think mine had a 80mm and a 135? anyhow I sold it when I started my wedding training when the gave me 'free' Rolleiflex F3,5 with Xentotar.
All good cameras...
Post some pics in the Album we only have 'flexes'
Mark

 

[Mattjcuk]

Hi,

Thanks Dennis & Mark for your comments and for checking out the Rolleinar, its much appreciated, I think I may leave it for the time being and see if there is another medium format camera suitable for macro work.

I'm getting to be quite a fan of Diane Arbus work, in her autobiography it mentions that she used a quite a few different camera's it seemed that when people started to copy her style with a particular camera she would change. I think she used the Mamiya C330, along with a Rollei 3.5F (among others) but not too sure.

Thanks

Matt

 

[Mark Antony]

Matt
I too saw the film Fur, didn't click with me at first she had a Rollei although I liked the film.
I seem to remember that there was a 'balloon' bellows for the Mamiya 645 system, I think SLRs are the way to go for Macro what with DOF preview.
My Rollei has been bought with a specific purpose in mind- portraits.
I think the Rolleinar 1&2 will be must haves after I get my camera back from CLA.
Another great photographer who uaed TLRs is David Bailey.
I actually met him once, a charming guy quite unlike his grumpy old man public persona.
His photos of Michael Caine and Mick Jagger are the '60's in essence (not that I'm old enough to actually remember)
Mark

 

[grahamp]

Although I keep a closeup set with my YashicaMat, it isn't my tool of choice for that sort of work. Though it is easier if I borrow the Mamiya Paramender. My Paramender has a mark for the 45mm lens separation. I just have to remember to stop there, and not use the full 50mm motion. The C220/C330 is better, but the 5x4 is about as easy and the screen is bigger . For serious closeups, the 35mm gets the dust blown off.

 

[Mattjcuk]

Hi,

I think I may have to either dust of my film slr or look for a different one and try closeup with that, thanks for the help.

Mark, if you enjoyed the film fur the book Diane Arbus by Patricia Bosworth is a really interesting read, I'll do some more investigation into David Bailey and his work.

Thanks

Matt

 

[hobbes]

Hi everyone, I have just joined. I bought my Rollei years ago and fell in love immediately. Now the set comprises of Rolleiflex 2.8d w/ Xenotar 80/2.8, Rolleinar 1.5 and 3, filters and lens shade. Before I used Mamiya C220 and couple other non-TLR gear Have a good day!

 

[Mark Antony]

Hi Hobbes
Thanks for joining. Feel free to post an image of your camera (or any pictures take with a TLR) in the album.
Regards
Mark

 

[hobbes]

Hi Mark, I'm Dominik - when I joined APUG I chose the login not knowing that it's going to be my 'nickname' I already posted nine to the album.

 

[Mark Antony]

Hi Dominik
Very intesting pictures of the disused cemetery and very ethereal feeling to them. I'm guessing it is a disused possibly jewish one?
Great images!
Welcome to the group.
Anyone else want to share some images taken with their TLR?
Mark

 

[Ian Grant]

Now my TLR's are back from service and repair, an hour ago, I'll join the group. I haven't used a TLR for over 24 years since my Mamiya C33 & C3 were stolen.

So the 1961 Rolleiflex f3.5 E3 and 1968 Yashicamat 124 will go back into use this weekend. The first 120 camera I ever used was a Yashicamat while still at school so it will be a bit of a nostalgia trip.

The Rollei will stay in the UK for the time being, and I'll take the Yashica back with me to the Aegean

Ian

 

[Mark Antony]

Hi Ian
Welcome to the group, nice to see you. How is your Rollei after the CLA? Am I right in thinking you sent it to the Bristol firm Black and White?
I sent mine to Brian Mickleboro, he seems a nice guy and is factory trained, he says a week to ten days-can't wait!
I too started with a Yashicamat i really should dig up some of the old VPS negs.
Mark

 

[dpurdy]

I know this is a TLR group, not just a Rollei group but I have to say I am more than amazed at the number of old Rolleis out in the world in the hands of photographers who love them. After becoming a Rolleiphile a few years ago and watching them on the web in forums and ebay it is just unbelievable to me how many. It is a testament to something. Or several things. And I know that is true for the Mamiya TLRs as well.
Dominik, I especially love the grave stone picture with the strong central tree. Very beautiful image.
Dennis

 

[hobbes]

Hi dpurdy, thanks for your comment. I don't know where this Rollei admiration comes from, I guess it 's been like this ever since. It's just the Internet that made the Francke&Heidecke's stuff popular and brought all the Rolleilovers up where they are heard and seen. To me, this 52 years old double glass box feels great in my hands, I can feel it and I know exactly what I'm gonna get pushing the button looking through the Beattie screen In the meanwhile I used couple of other gear - AF and manual SLRs (minolta, nikon, canon, chinon), Hassie 500C, Mamiya M645, Bronica ETRS ..yet I always managed to get the best results with the Rollei old chap. It's made like a tank, it works like a charm and never failed on me (neither in -30'C nor in +50'C).

 

[Mark Antony]

Hi
Just put a couple of images in the album the one of the girls was my first film taken on my first TLR (Yashicamat) The didgeridoo player was taken on my first Rolleiflex one with a Xenotar F3,5
Mark

 

[hobbes]

Hi, I have just uploaded photos from the battle of Warsaw 1794 Reenactment in 2007, I used Rollei 2.8d (/w Xenotar 80/2.8) loaded with old (19 years after exp. date) Orwo NP15 and NP22, developed in Rodinal 1+35 at 22'C for (respectively) 10 and 12 minutes. Beyond that, I can note that people usually react well on someone approaching them with an old TLR, I had a pleasant talk with the guy on the second picture who had a Lubitel 166 ..then he called up his people to pose

 

[Ian Grant]

Dennis etc, Mark contacted me before he set up this group, he had originally intended to call it the Rollei users group. I suggested that it should encompass other TLR users as well as it would broaden the potential membership, after all the cameras are all fairly similar, and based on the Rollei concept

Yes Mark, Black on White in Bristol have done an excellent job of servicing my two TLR's, less than a fortnight.
Ian

 

[mabman]

In the last month or so I've acquired a Mamiya C330. Although its repair history was unknown, with an 80mm (black) lens and 180mm (silver) lens it was $250, which seemed reasonable to me (and it was being sold through a local camera store I love to visit). And, as it turns out, it all works

I tested out the 180mm at a local event - it seems to be good for headshots, but too tight for other portrait work. So, I recently acquired a 135mm (black) for it. Haven't tried it out yet, but it looks good.

So, just wondering what focal lengths/lenses other Mamiya C* users prefer, and if you use each for a specific style/task.

Also, given what other people have recommeded, I'm considering getting a prism finder (not porrofinder), as I've missed some shots already from the WLF perspective.

I've also been testing the close-focussing capabilities - impressive

 

[Ian Grant]

I had a 55mm for my C33 & C3 it was a great lens very sharp and contrasty, I got used to shooting fast with them and never considered a prism.

Ian

 

[benjiboy]

Mabman- The 135 lens pair is an excellent portrait lens, I too have the 180 lenses and as you say is good for tight head shots, but I mostly use the 135, especially in my small studio, or domestic rooms, you just have to be careful not to get dirt into the rear of the taking lens, where the diaphragm is behind the rear element of the lens, and exposed.

 

[Mark Antony]

I had the 135 and 80 for my 330, the lenses were a lot higher in contrast than my Rollei. My film of the time was NPS 160(late 1980's) if I'd been shooting wedding on Agfa Portrait or Kodak Portra (which I started using later) I may have kept the camera longer.
I really loved the close up facility and for me that's the cameras other main advantage (along with interchangeable lenses)

 

[Mark Antony]

A question to all Rollei owners.
What strap do you use?
I've seen scissors straps in various different conditions, are they secure?
I've noticed that some people feel that they aren't the best method are their fears founded in realty?
What strap should I buy?
Mark

 

[arigram]

I can't speak for others with an older Rolleiflex, but the leather strap of my new 2.8FX feels very sturdy and secure and can't imagine it snapping away, although I can understand an old, worn one to be needing a replacement.

 

[dpurdy]

I have never had a problem with the scissor part of the strap but some of the straps still around are dodgy looking and would make me nervous. I have a new one and the only problem I have with it is it is narrow but it actually looks more uncomfortable than it is. Straps in general make me nervous as I am awalys afraid I am going to be carrying the camera or taking if off the tripod and loop the strap around something and wrench the camera out of my grip accidentally. I don't use one for that reason and because I nearly always use a tripod. Otherwise a good condition Rollei strap is fine I think.

 

[Mark Antony]

Dennis
Perhaps you can answer this.
The old Rollei I had had a post on the body of the camera for the scissors to clip on my T doesn't have that.
http://www.cosmonet.org/camera/rollei_e.htm
The above shows the post.
I hate to be a pain, but I don't want to have the CLA then have the camera drop on the floor....