TLRs are odd, klunky beasts.

[NaChase]

I recently acquired both a Mamiya C330 and a Zeiss Ikoflex Favorit, and while they're cool cameras, they seem to come with a steep learning curve. For all you veteran TLR shooters out there, how was your experience getting used to the weird idiosyncrasies of these cameras?

[Brian Legge]

I've avoided the Mamiya C2/C3 line specifically because of their beast-ness.

The smaller TLRs make a lot more sense to me. I've used a Rolleicord and Autocord, both of which seem light and agile compared to MF SLRs like the Bronica.

Give it time.

[Messsucherkamera]

TLRs are odd, klunky beasts

So am I. Why I don't own one is a mystery to me...

[S.H.]

I take my time shooting pictures, so I do not find TLRs unpractical. For quick action shots, I agree with the learning curve though ...

[benlees]

TLR's do take awhile to get used to. You can take it slow and use the ground glass or take some risks with zone focusing and use the sports finder!

[NaChase]

I take my time as well, one of the reasons I find medium format so appealing. I guess I just need to learn to see things backwards, particularly since everything is reversed in the viewfinder of these cameras. I am looking forward to burning through a few rolls of Acros 120 to see what I get. These cameras certainly have character.

[NaChase]

[S.H.]

Strange, but I often find it actually helps to compose, having the image reversed. (this is more the case in large format, where the image is also upside down)

[Spanik]

The only problem I ever have with them is that the advance and shutter cocking isn't coupled on the C220. The C330 is a breeze to use. If I look at your gear list then I wonder what you compare them with.

I like cluncky, at least you can get a grip on it, not like those latest mirrorless wonders. Heavy isn't a problem if you don't have to lug them on a transcontinental walk.

[Bobbo]

Buy a Rollei next time and you won't have to worry about kludge. My Rolleicord III was even pretty sweet before the cat knocked over the box of parts during a CLA .

[Murchu]

Also find them klunky as regards operating them, but keep my Rolleicord because I like the square so much, and also find 6x6 contact sheets a thing of beauty. Was hoping to find some tips here on shooting the beasts too, but seems most tlr shooters keep their secrets close to their chest Would love to get on top of shooting the Rollei, but suspect salvation for me is in one day plunking down for something like the Bessa III/ GF-670..

[NaChase]

A Rolleiflex would have been awesome, but I can buy a dozen Zeiss Favorits or C330s for the price of one.

[buzzardkid]

Really, there's no secrecy involved when shooting a TLR. It's all as easy and straightforward as can be.

Just take your time when shooting and make sure you understand the manual.
In case of uncoupled transport and shutter, you gotta choose when to advance the film: always right after a shot or always just before it. Do that and you'll be fine, don't do that and you'll end up with either double exposures or blank frames that you skipped.

Enjoy shooting those TLR's!

[Roger Hicks]

Odd, yes. Klunky, no. They're among the smoothest, quietest, simplest-to-use cameras that I've ever owned.

Cheers,

R.

[Dana B.]

Focusing can by clunky. I love my Rolleicord Vb, and have gotten super images with it. But I've never gotten used to focusing without the loupe (I've noticed Vivian Maier focused without it by just gazing into the ground glass). To shoot, you've got to open the top, snap up the loupe, then make sure one of the flaps on the inside isn't partially blocking the glass. Press your eye into the loupe, and fire away (and for extra clunkiness, the shutter is a lever you've got to press to the left at the risk of jarring the camera). The horizon takes some getting used to, but once you get it, it's like riding a bicycle. It's well worth the learning curve, however, when you compare the pics with a any 135. I have a GF670 rangefinder, but with the Rolleinar diopters the TLR, capable of close-ups, is the more flexible of the two.

[Argenticien]

It depends what you're shooting, too. Landscapes? Totally. Toddlers running at high speed between bright sun and full shade? Not so easy. (Yes, I know it can be done, and someone will doubtless post such thing to prove it!)

As to Klunkiness, if you're used to setting shutter speed on a camera's top deck, and frequently consulting DOF scales etched onto the lens barrel, then the C330 with rim-set shutter speeds on the side of the lens barrel, and the weird DOF bar on the side of the camera, does require some learning. TLRs like your Favorit or most Rolleiflexen or the Yashica 124, with at least a heads-up display of shutter speed and aperture, can be a better ergonomic first step away from SLRs or conventional rangefinders like your M3/M6.

Remember the trade-off with the Mamiya is that in exchange for bulk you get lens interchangeability. I'd recommend getting one or two other lenses (besides the 80 mm) and see if you use them. If you find you're always using the 80 mm anyway, sell the Mamiya, stick with your fixed-lens 75/80 mm TLRs like the Favorit and save a kilo of weight in your kit. I find I almost never use my 135 mm (my only other lens), although long was probably the wrong direction for me; I'll likely get a 55 mm or 65 mm and see if I use it, as a last try. If not, the Mamiya's going on the auction block now I've got a Rolleiflex.

Finally: You can stabilize the C330's bulk with a grip that screws into the tripod bushing. Mamiya's grip might be more pricey; a cheap generic one probably won't have a shutter release linkage.

--Dave

[Crazy Fedya]

Originally Posted by Argenticien

It depends what you're shooting, too. Landscapes? Totally. Toddlers running at high speed between bright sun and full shade? Not so easy. (Yes, I know it can be done, and someone will doubtless post such thing to prove it!)

...

--Dave

Don't doubt. These photos were taken with different TLRs.









As you can see, TLRs are not so bad for extreme action photography.

[farlymac]

I've had three TLR's. A Mamiya C330F, a Yashica 124G, and a Super Ricohflex. The Mamiya was a very versatile camera, and I had most of the accessories and lenses for it. The Yashica was a great have-all-the-time camera, very light and easy to use. The Super Ricohflex, which I still have, is clunky. Too easy to trip the shuttter by accident, only takes push-on filters and hood, which are easy to knock off, and you can't set anything without looking at the front of the camera.

Never should have got rid of the 124G, but a shipmate bugged me forever about it, so I sold it to him. The shutter broke two weeks later. I think he did it, because it never gave me a bit of trouble. And I gave him the Minolta Autopole, too. Sigh...

The C330F had to go, as I was in a tight spot at the time, or it would still be in the stable. I loved that camera.

Right now I have two Ikoflex IIa's in need of repair that will fulfill my TLR longing once one of them is up and running. But I still would like to rebuild a C330 outfit.

TLR's are the best. And they don't keep secrets.

PF

[matt_mcg2]

I think it comes down to personal preference. I've never used a Mamiya TLR, but I find my Rolleiflex to be one of the easiest cameras to use. Compact, light, and reliable. Prices vary, but my 3.5E cost me about twice the cost of a C330 with 80mm lens. So they aren't necessarily super expensive, either.

I've taken sports shots with the Rollei, and while tracking movement with the waist level finder is hard at first, the leaf shutter and a finder that doesn't blackout means that I've had more 'keepers' (by far) than shooting with a fast motor-drive autofocus SLR.

For me, at least, if I had to pick just one camera/one lens to use forsaking all others, it'd be the Rolleiflex.

Matt

[Dylan Hope]

I sometimes use a C330, and I gotta say, it does take some getting used to. Not from a shooting perspective, I found it pretty easy to adjust to that; it's the weight and bulk that throws me off after reading about how light TLRs are supposed to be compared to MF SLRs, but the C3 series is pretty notorious for being xbox-hueg, the trade-off from interchangeable lenses.
A rolleicord or one of the earlier 'flexes is probably a good option for a light and cheap option

[Photo_Smith]

Not sure about clunky, the reversed image takes some getting used to especially for moving objects, but the winder on my Rollei is smooth as are the shutters–so sweet using my 'blad feels clunky! ;-)

My tips for TLR use is remember not to shoot up peoples noses from the waist, if you have a Rollei buy a Rolleinar close up (one of the big benefits of the C330 is close ups)
I think for cheap high performing cameras Rolleicord/Yashica/Autocord takes some beating.

You might like to look into a Rollei T which has a Tessar lens with most of the 'Flex DNA with regards to finders, film advance and accessories.



The little Tessar lens is no slouch either, after ƒ8 it is comaparable with Xenitar/Planar types (in my opinion)



They make good street camera's (hard not to shoot from the hip unnoticed) and people are incredibly positive when I'm out and about with it which is a double edged sword if you just want to get on and not chat

[thegman]

My experience of Rolleiflex is very positive, they're built like Leicas and work just as well. They're pretty small and light too. Never used a Mamiya C330, but to be honest, if don't mind carrying something that big and heavy, a Hasselblad seems a better option.

What I don't like about the Rolleiflex (or any other unusual looking camera) is the stares, sometimes people looked at my like I'd just removed my clothes. I prefer not to be noticed, so it does not suit me.

[Roger Hicks]

Originally Posted by NaChase

A Rolleiflex would have been awesome, but I can buy a dozen Zeiss Favorits or C330s for the price of one.

Dear Nick,

Have you ever wondered why the price differential exists?

Cheers,

R.

[thegman]

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

Dear Nick,

Have you ever wondered why the price differential exists?

Cheers,

R.

Also, £200 will buy you a meterless Rolleiflex or Rolleicord. They really don't need to be that expensive. Like Leica, they get pricey, but they start affordable.

Garry

[John Roberts]

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

Dear Nick,

Have you ever wondered why the price differential exists?

Cheers,

R.

I think that I know the answer to this!
It's because all the best photographs by the world's best photographers have been taken with a Leica or a Rollei. Haven't they?

Regards,
John