Tlr???

[winlow]

hey guyz
recently came across this TLR camera... wat is it? Does it use normal film? cos the price look quite quite affordable and some models look quite cool(retro) hee....
winlow

[ckiang]

Uses Medium Format (120) Film. About $4-5 a roll I think. Takes typically 12 exposures in the 6x6cm format (which most TLRs are in).

Regards
CK

[Wai]

"T" in TLR stands for twin?

[dreamseeker]

TLR stands for twin lens reflex.

Film costs about $3.50 per roll for 120 NPC-160. WHich is cheaper than the 35mm.

Like Ckiang mentioned takes 12 shots on 6 x 6 square format.

DEveloping is $3.50 per roll for negs same as 35mm format. For prints cost about $0.50 for 4S.

If you shoot slides, you'll be amazed at the pics.


For more info.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/asiaTLRphotography/

[winlow]

so do i go for normal lab to develop?? saw some of the pics.... like the colour contrast...

[dreamseeker]

Hmmm, not too sure whether the local neighbourhood shops can do it themselves. Maybe they just collect it and send it some where else.

As for me, I normally send it to 35mm Colourlab at Bukit Timah or FotoElite at Aldephi.
Colourlab takes about 3 days though. SO I guess most likely the neighbourhood ones send it out.

Personally I don't mind paying more to send it to the pro ones above as they usually give me the quality especially prints. As you only have 12 shots, so no point trying to scringe on the prints.

Slides will cost about $5-$6 a roll.

Regards.

[dreamseeker]

One more thing, about TLRs they have a little parallax error.

And the image is lateral inverted. Not too sure what is the correct term but you have to move the camera to the left if you want include more of the view on the right when you compose.

Very different from SLRs but just a matter of getting use to.

TLRs slows down your shooting as everything is manual but the chances of getting higher hits shots increases.

For more info check out the following links. There is a wealth of info there.


http://people.smu.edu/rmonagha/pw/suggest.html

http://www.photo.net/rollei/tlr

Parallax Error
Depending on which model. Most of them have parallax correction from 1 meter to infinity.

Laterally inverted image
You will find this not only on TLRs but even on the most expensive, latest and most advanced medium format SLR cameras like the Mamiya RB/RZ, Bronica SQ/ETRsi, Hasselblads......


TLR slows down your shooting
For a beginner TLR user perhaps. An excited and seasoned user can use it as quickly as a Nikon FM.

[Ansel]

Quote: Originally posted by winlow hey guyz recently came across this TLR camera... wat is it? Does it use normal film? cos the price look quite quite affordable and some models look quite cool(retro) hee.... winlow

TLR or twin-lens reflex was actually invented by Rollei, but popularised by Yashica and Seagull (haiou, china made) in Asia. They are relatively simple, thus inexpensive, even today when compared to other medium format cameras. These cameras are popular in the sixties and seventies. I remember my Kindergarten "graduation" photo in the seventies was taken with a seagull TLR by a professional studio photographer.

I currently have three TLRs. The best TLR I have is the Yashica 635 (check avatar on the left) made in the sixties which today still takes beautiful slides.

[winlow]

wah! thanks for all the reply! think the reason why i asked abt this kinda camera is that i like manuel stuff... slowly taking my own sweet time to take a pic! haha! cool... does anyone of you have any model to recommand? i'm looking for a low end one lar.... prob seagull.... know where i can get? the 4B-1??? heard abt it oni...
but i dunno how it works actually... similar to slr?? think film loading the kinda stuff might be different right?
hee...
thks thks!

[Ansel]

Quote: Originally posted by winlow wah! thanks for all the reply! think the reason why i asked abt this kinda camera is that i like manuel stuff... slowly taking my own sweet time to take a pic! haha! cool... does anyone of you have any model to recommand? i'm looking for a low end one lar.... prob seagull.... know where i can get? the 4B-1??? heard abt it oni... but i dunno how it works actually... similar to slr?? think film loading the kinda stuff might be different right? hee... thks thks!

You can get seagull from a shop on 2nd floor of Peninsula (same building as Cathay, same floor as Alex just directly opposite the other end). But their price a bit on the high side, but still OK, about $200.

Film loading is slightly different, bu on seagull should be easier. Some models have window on back to see exposure number on film paper back. But no worries, it is not that difficult. How diff from 35mm, just imagine an Nikon FM without meter and you should be quite close to it.

[OpenLens]

I've got 3 of 'em...an Eastern, Seagull, and MuDan...and I use them often. They take wonderful slides and are great for B&W street shooting because of the contrast the lenses produce plus the wide 6x6 format gives great "roomy" images and allows for multiple cropping 2 print options.

Where to buy?
Besides K-13 recommended by Ansel, you can buy the Seagull TLR from Ruby Photo or MS Photo(Ang Mo Kio).

Take your own sweet time to shoot?
It will only be a matter of practice to learn to use a TLR rather quickly just like the Nikon FM SLR.

How does it work?
Like any other manual camera. Aperture, shutter, film winding and shutter cocking are all set manually on the 4B-1. Exposure readings to be obtained from a light meter. Loading wise isn't too far off from 35mm cameras except for the spool movement. Film size is generously larger.

With plenty of enthusiasm you'll get used to it real quick. Enjoy and have fun discovering.

[GitS]

thanks for all the great advice everybody....have been tempted for very long now...heheheh!

[Ansel]

Quote: Originally posted by GitS thanks for all the great advice everybody....have been tempted for very long now...heheheh!

Go for it man!!