I used 2 Yashica Mat cameras when I was a wedding, portrait and Press photographer in the 1960s. To shoot at eyelevel we focused at waistlevel and then folded down the front panel in the hood and used the direct vision finder to take the picture. It's fast. Try it. Rolleiflex cameras have a hood with a mirror behind the fold down panel and two viewing options. Viewing through the lower hole you could focus the image on the ground glass, and then shift your eye up to frame and take the picture. Wala. That's how the press photographers in the old news films are keeping their cameras at eye level shooting and winding on. Also we use to hold the Tlrs upside down above our heads to enable us to photograph over people's heads. There, that's the secrets of a 76 year old retired press and wedding photographer. You're welcome.
I was once shooting with a TLR on a tripod in a city at night (doing long exposures.) Someone came up to me and asked me if I was shooting for the local newspaper. Such cameras were indeed used by newspaper photographers over 50 years ago. Though it does seem odd to ask that question in this day and age.
Must have been an older person? That’s an interesting question. I could also see it being just a friendly conversation starter though. Tripods, cities, and nighttime are pretty much a guaranteed formula for an encounter with new people when you go take pictures in my experience!
You can hold a tlr upside down and up in the air to shoot from above. You can see the glass while holding it upside down when you look up at it. Vivian Maier used a tlr and her photographs are amazing, no one cares about parallax when they see her photographs
Good job on this boss. I'm shooting a rolleicord and mamiya 645 and have several analog videos uploaded. I personally prefer waist level most of the times if I had a choice. Yeah eye level can be tricky.
I will certainly agree that certain cameras do attract a degree of attention but some more than others.I do have a Rolleicord V that I shoot now and again but mainly I use a Leica M4,. It's sometimes quite nice for people to show interest and just want to chat because I have something interesting but occasionally it can be a little bit of a nuisance being mid shoot and then being interrupted.Some days I just take something anonymous out that nobody really notices or cares about and in that case it's usually something like a Contax T!
Quintet Of Four Trio Music thanks for stopping by and interesting name. I’ll have to check your channel. I get where you’re coming from with being interrupted. God forbid you have one with black paint 😂
No,it's not a black paint example but it is a nice low serial number chrome one.Although I have used Leica M's for many years my M4 is a bit special to me.My best mate of almost 30 years died suddenly almost five years ago and his pride and joy was his vintage mid 80's 6 series BMW (which oddly enough I sourced for him).After his death his sister offered me the car.However,not having the room to park up and keep such a beast,the car was sold and she gave me the money instead.Always fancied an M4 so had to get one didn't I? In effect that camera is therefore his car but in a different form.I came damn close to having a full on heart attack last year when I mistakenly left it in the back of a taxi and thought I'd never see it again.Talk about depressed? By luck the cab driver managed to track me down the next day and I was reunited with it but not until I'd insisted I gave him £50 as a reward!
All good points. I actually got my Rolleiflex because I wanted to stand out in a particular place (and because I wanted a vintage-looking camera that was easier to carry/operate than a Graflex). That being said, I've also often found that the waist-level finder (and quiet leaf shutter) actually makes it easier to be discreet. That's because it makes people think you're just fiddling around with it, and not consciously pointing it at them, when you're actually composing a shot of them.
Derek Konigsberg thanks Derek! Yes it’s interesting how quiet the shutter is. Photographers unfamiliar with it will probably think it’s broken the first time they fire a shot. Almost no sound or vibration. With my old Yashica the only surefire way to tell a shot was taken was to look at the blades. It’s true that someone might not recognize when you’re taking a picture. Mostly because they’re probably trying to determine whether or not it’s even a camera! However, it does still attract attention in my experience. More of the “what is that!?” type and less of the “why are you taking a picture!?” type. I will never understand why so many people _asked_ me to take _their_ photo with it.
@@CertainExposures I'm thinking of getting a TLR/medium format to play around with, and that's why I watched your video. Good job! "I will never understand why so many people asked me to take their photo with it." I'm laughing at the thought of this conversation. I'd probably be like, "each picture I take costs me $5 between film, developing and scanning, and this roll only has 6 shots on it, so let's take a selfie with my phone instead."
That's the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico. Sometimes I consider sharing a few pictures from there and more video. I was surprised at the view from the top. However, I didn't shoot film :-). Wikipedia link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_of_the_Sun
As a user of TLRs for 40+ years, I agree with most of what you said; however, I think you might have been better off if a Mamiya TLR was in the mix. They have interchangeable lenses and you can purchase an eye-level finder. I believe some Rolleis can use eye-level finders, also.
Those Mamiya TLRs are great, but they sacrifice one big advantage of TLRs for their versatility: They are enormous and very heavy, while other TLRs are rather small and light weight for a 6x6 camera.
I'm glad you found it useful. Did you have a specific question? In general, I tend to frame a little wider than I think I need to for things the closer they are to the camera.
@@CertainExposures It sure does attract the 'right' kind of people, people who know what the cameras are. But when its busy Amsterdam streets, no one bats an eye.
TLRs are a great way to tap into medium format. First, I would learn film photography on a 35mm for economic reasons. A TLR has one lens (well, most do), and by reason of its focusing, is slow working so you have think about what you are doing. No "spray and pray" there. That said, the Yashicamat is a deplorable choice of camera. It sold for as little as $80 new in the late 1980s, so paying $175 to 300 for a used one now is ridiculous, given its (politely) inferior optics and rough build. Rolleiflex may be over your price range, but for less than or equal to a Yashica, you can find Rolleicord, maybe Minolta Autocord (best), Ricoh Diacord, Kowa Kalloflex (if lucky to find), and others which have much superior optics and better designed mechanics. If you have to go Yashicamat, pay not more than $125 for one in nice shape. Of course, if you are just scanning your 6x6cm negative with an Epson flarbed and posting the image on Intsagram or here, it doesn't make any difference what you use. as all will look the same.
Thanks for sharing your insight here. I am always happy to see another perspective. I wouldn’t call a Yashicamat a deplorable camera but I agree with you about prices on Yashicas, specifically the 124G, getting high. Lesser known Yashicas with comparable quality cost much less. I’ve found 8x10 darkroom prints from the 124 and 124g nice but I’ve never held a print from a Rollei or Hasselblad for comparison.
The problem was the cost of film, even HP5 is $0.90/click when shooting 6x6... that's like shooting Instax wide prints, every time you click the shutter. Portra 400 is even costlier. Moved to used Fuji medium format and an X100. Shockingly it's cheaper.
mamiyapress unfortunately, it looks like we’ve failed to communicate here because we do not disagree. Regardless, thanks for watching! You can see a few of my TLR photos in this video: th-cam.com/video/KlC-VpyzKcw/w-d-xo.html
I used 2 Yashica Mat cameras when I was a wedding, portrait and Press photographer in the 1960s.
To shoot at eyelevel we focused at waistlevel and then folded down the front panel in the hood and used the direct vision finder to take the picture. It's fast. Try it.
Rolleiflex cameras have a hood with a mirror behind the fold down panel and two viewing options.
Viewing through the lower hole you could focus the image on the ground glass, and then shift your eye up to frame and take the picture. Wala.
That's how the press photographers in the old news films are keeping their cameras at eye level shooting and winding on.
Also we use to hold the Tlrs upside down above our heads to enable us to photograph over people's heads.
There, that's the secrets of a 76 year old retired press and wedding photographer. You're welcome.
Great tips thanks! I’ve tried that first one with a direct vision finder on my Yashica. It works for sure.
I have enjoyed shooting my TLR for over 20 years. A+
Thanks! They are lots of fun.
I love my TLRs. Everything from the distinctive look to the square format and the simplicity.
Daniel Stewart yes, they are lovable cameras if a WLVF, distinctive looks and the compact body suit you!
I was once shooting with a TLR on a tripod in a city at night (doing long exposures.) Someone came up to me and asked me if I was shooting for the local newspaper. Such cameras were indeed used by newspaper photographers over 50 years ago. Though it does seem odd to ask that question in this day and age.
Must have been an older person? That’s an interesting question. I could also see it being just a friendly conversation starter though. Tripods, cities, and nighttime are pretty much a guaranteed formula for an encounter with new people when you go take pictures in my experience!
@@CertainExposures Yes it was an older person who asked that question. Still, I would have expected that question to be asked in the 1950s or 1960s!
You can hold a tlr upside down and up in the air to shoot from above. You can see the glass while holding it upside down when you look up at it. Vivian Maier used a tlr and her photographs are amazing, no one cares about parallax when they see her photographs
Great points!
Good job on this boss. I'm shooting a rolleicord and mamiya 645 and have several analog videos uploaded. I personally prefer waist level most of the times if I had a choice. Yeah eye level can be tricky.
Thank you! Nice gear. I’ll check out your channel.
Nice clean video man. Liked the non-technical POV for making a purchase decision.
Thanks! I hope it helped you.
@@CertainExposures yeah man, not buying it haha. I think I prefer SLR type body. Looking in to Pentax 67
Great vid!! I found one of these at Savers for $15 and had a 20% off coupon. I can’t wait to use your helpful tips!
Glad you liked it! Have fun. That’s a crazy deal
I will certainly agree that certain cameras do attract a degree of attention but some more than others.I do have a Rolleicord V that I shoot now and again but mainly I use a Leica M4,. It's sometimes quite nice for people to show interest and just want to chat because I have something interesting but occasionally it can be a little bit of a nuisance being mid shoot and then being interrupted.Some days I just take something anonymous out that nobody really notices or cares about and in that case it's usually something like a Contax T!
Quintet Of Four Trio Music thanks for stopping by and interesting name. I’ll have to check your channel.
I get where you’re coming from with being interrupted. God forbid you have one with black paint 😂
No,it's not a black paint example but it is a nice low serial number chrome one.Although I have used Leica M's for many years my M4 is a bit special to me.My best mate of almost 30 years died suddenly almost five years ago and his pride and joy was his vintage mid 80's 6 series BMW (which oddly enough I sourced for him).After his death his sister offered me the car.However,not having the room to park up and keep such a beast,the car was sold and she gave me the money instead.Always fancied an M4 so had to get one didn't I? In effect that camera is therefore his car but in a different form.I came damn close to having a full on heart attack last year when I mistakenly left it in the back of a taxi and thought I'd never see it again.Talk about depressed? By luck the cab driver managed to track me down the next day and I was reunited with it but not until I'd insisted I gave him £50 as a reward!
Thank you so much!
You're welcome, Greg!
great insight on TLRs
Thanks! I looked at your channel and it seems like you’ve got some good film photography content too. I will check you out 👍🏿
Please consider making a video of the technicalities of using a Yashica Mat with Flash
I made a video on that. You can watch it here. Skip to 00:15. th-cam.com/video/zEisWpIv-FA/w-d-xo.html
What a great review!
Thanks! Hope it helps you
Really useful video! Helped me make my decision from a more informed point of view.
Luke Watson Awesome, I’m glad this helped you.
Thanks so much for your efforts . Excellent !
You’re welcome! Be sure to check out some of my latest videos like the Ferrania P30 image review!
Excellent video
Thanks! Stay tuned for more.
All good points. I actually got my Rolleiflex because I wanted to stand out in a particular place (and because I wanted a vintage-looking camera that was easier to carry/operate than a Graflex).
That being said, I've also often found that the waist-level finder (and quiet leaf shutter) actually makes it easier to be discreet. That's because it makes people think you're just fiddling around with it, and not consciously pointing it at them, when you're actually composing a shot of them.
Derek Konigsberg thanks Derek! Yes it’s interesting how quiet the shutter is. Photographers unfamiliar with it will probably think it’s broken the first time they fire a shot. Almost no sound or vibration. With my old Yashica the only surefire way to tell a shot was taken was to look at the blades.
It’s true that someone might not recognize when you’re taking a picture. Mostly because they’re probably trying to determine whether or not it’s even a camera! However, it does still attract attention in my experience. More of the “what is that!?” type and less of the “why are you taking a picture!?” type. I will never understand why so many people _asked_ me to take _their_ photo with it.
@@CertainExposures I'm thinking of getting a TLR/medium format to play around with, and that's why I watched your video. Good job!
"I will never understand why so many people asked me to take their photo with it."
I'm laughing at the thought of this conversation. I'd probably be like, "each picture I take costs me $5 between film, developing and scanning, and this roll only has 6 shots on it, so let's take a selfie with my phone instead."
Good video dude 👍🏾
Thanks! Glad you liked it
What was the HUGE pyramid that you show at 0:15-0:16?
That's the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico. Sometimes I consider sharing a few pictures from there and more video. I was surprised at the view from the top. However, I didn't shoot film :-). Wikipedia link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_of_the_Sun
As a user of TLRs for 40+ years, I agree with most of what you said; however, I think you might have been better off if a Mamiya TLR was in the mix. They have interchangeable lenses and you can purchase an eye-level finder. I believe some Rolleis can use eye-level finders, also.
For sure! I’d like to try out the wide lens on one of those Mamiyas some day.
Those Mamiya TLRs are great, but they sacrifice one big advantage of TLRs for their versatility: They are enormous and very heavy, while other TLRs are rather small and light weight for a 6x6 camera.
Nice information. I 've Yashica tlr. Is there some tips and trix about parallax problems? Greetz.
I'm glad you found it useful. Did you have a specific question? In general, I tend to frame a little wider than I think I need to for things the closer they are to the camera.
really nice content, mate!
Renas Artwork Thank you!
Wow, all great points! Very well done!
Arthur Sadowsky thank you! Stay tuned for more.
I was actually stopped just yesterday while I was shooting with my TLR in a park. Such a weird experience
Stopped by a photography lover hopefully!
Excellent comments.
Sounds lika nice ' side ' style camera but maybe not your main film camera.
It depends on what you enjoy to photograph and how you feel about square images or cropping. Spend time with one if you can!
Very interesting, I've actually found a TLR more discreet than anything
that's surprising! If I had a dollar for every conversation mine started I could afford to shoot FP100C
@@CertainExposures It sure does attract the 'right' kind of people, people who know what the cameras are. But when its busy Amsterdam streets, no one bats an eye.
TLRs are a great way to tap into medium format. First, I would learn film photography on a 35mm for economic reasons. A TLR has one lens (well, most do), and by reason of its focusing, is slow working so you have think about what you are doing. No "spray and pray" there. That said, the Yashicamat is a deplorable choice of camera. It sold for as little as $80 new in the late 1980s, so paying $175 to 300 for a used one now is ridiculous, given its (politely) inferior optics and rough build. Rolleiflex may be over your price range, but for less than or equal to a Yashica, you can find Rolleicord, maybe Minolta Autocord (best), Ricoh Diacord, Kowa Kalloflex (if lucky to find), and others which have much superior optics and better designed mechanics. If you have to go Yashicamat, pay not more than $125 for one in nice shape. Of course, if you are just scanning your 6x6cm negative with an Epson flarbed and posting the image on Intsagram or here, it doesn't make any difference what you use. as all will look the same.
Thanks for sharing your insight here. I am always happy to see another perspective. I wouldn’t call a Yashicamat a deplorable camera but I agree with you about prices on Yashicas, specifically the 124G, getting high. Lesser known Yashicas with comparable quality cost much less. I’ve found 8x10 darkroom prints from the 124 and 124g nice but I’ve never held a print from a Rollei or Hasselblad for comparison.
The problem was the cost of film, even HP5 is $0.90/click when shooting 6x6... that's like shooting Instax wide prints, every time you click the shutter. Portra 400 is even costlier.
Moved to used Fuji medium format and an X100. Shockingly it's cheaper.
All good as long as you're enjoying photography! 👍🏿
Your voice is so fckn cool
Hey, thanks!
Shit, I should have looked at this video 3 days before ... Thanks, anyway.
Corona Virus haha you’re welcome
Nonsense! TLR's are great, look at the work of Vivian Maier. I have had a Yashicamat 124G for over 30 yrs. without one day of problems.
mamiyapress unfortunately, it looks like we’ve failed to communicate here because we do not disagree. Regardless, thanks for watching! You can see a few of my TLR photos in this video: th-cam.com/video/KlC-VpyzKcw/w-d-xo.html