TLR Challenge User Errors

TLR Challenge: 1 – User Errors

By Geoff Chaplin

There are no mistakes, only learning experiences. After about 8 weeks from the start of my challenge I’ve had plenty of learning experiences so I thought it would be worthwhile sharing what I have learned having shot a dozen rolls of film. Images here were taken on a Yashica Mat 124 and a Rolleicord Vb.

Handling Issues

Jammed Wind-on

First just a note on what to do if the film refuses to wind-on after taking a shot – something that happens regularly with my Mat. Cock the shutter, cover the lens and fire the shutter again. This clears the jam.

Muscle Memory

In my first article (‘The beginning of a TLR Challenge’) I said the problem with using a TLR was “nothing more than unfamiliarity with the camera shape and controls”. If you’re coming from a 35mm background then indeed the first hurdle is ‘muscle memory’. The shape of the camera, control positions and viewing method are unfamiliar to your arms, hands and head so body parts need to be taught to react naturally to the new kid on the block. It is this unfamiliarity that leads to fumbling and making mistakes like a novice, and the only solution is practice. But I’ve come to realise this is only part of the problem.

The Elephant in the Room

There is a more fundamental problem than this, which interferes with the mere mechanical handling of the camera. It is often said that an 80mm lens on 6×6 is equivalent to a 44mm lens on 35mm (or similar statements) but this ignores the elephant in the room. Composing for square format is very different from composing for 35mm format. Having fumbled around to get your hands, arms and head in the right positions and looking down into the viewfinder you then realise the image you wanted to take is not a good image in square format. Pre-visualisation needs to be re-learned as well as handling the controls.

Trying to learn all of these at the same time is a necessary evil but worrying about one problem causes you to lose concentration on other aspects with the result that mistakes are made.

Mental Block

And there’s more. As time has gone on and I’ve been using TLRs more, I’ve noticed there is another issue constantly lurking in the depths of my mind. A TLR is a grown up camera compared to 35mm and a flexible carry-around tool compared to LF. Shooting 35mm I’m generally documenting somewhere or looking for texture shots, sometimes nothing in particular and just snapping away. Shooting LF I have pre-planned subject matter and it’s primarily a documentary process. When I pick up a TLR there is pressure to do something more creative than my usual small or large format approaches, to do something photographically more artistic and unusual. Somehow my usual style won’t be sufficient. I’ve been shooting far less than with my Leica because of this, sometimes taking the TLR out and not taking a photo at all.

I’m not sure how to handle this. Suggestions please …. or recommend a good shrink.

Depth of Field

Using 35mm regularly setting aperture to get sufficient depth of field has become second nature. Moving to MF the change in focal length decreases DoF for a given aperture setting and increases bokeh – both effects have to be relearned by experience in order for setting to become second nature again.

Rolleicord Readability and Handling

I found it difficult to read the f-stop and shutter speed settings easily on the Rolleicord when I was wearing distance glasses. The numbers are viewed at an acute angle if you look vertically down. This once (out of half a dozen films) led to misreading the f-stop setting and accidentally over-exposing PanF (not the most forgiving film) by three stops and having far less depth of field than I wanted.

Unlike the Yashica Mat and the Rolleiflex where the shutter release, wind-on and shutter cocking is all done on the right hand side, the Rolleicord wind-on is on the right, cocking front right and release front left. To reduce the risk of camera shake I found it helpful to hold the camera in the left hand for the first two operations but then shift to holding in the right hand leaving the left hand free to fire the shutter rather than have to hold the camera steady and fire the shutter at the same time.

Unexpected Development Errors

Having said the above the first problem turned out to be none of the above, and nothing to do with the camera. I had two disasters related to going from regular 35mm processing to MF processing. The first error not entirely my fault. I was using a large Paterson tank and a single third party reel. A test film loaded successfully and 500ml of developer in, 20 inversions and ‘see you in an hour’. After fixing and washing I discovered the third party reel was not a tight fit on the central column; during the initial inversions the reel slid down the column and only an edge of the film remained in the developer. I was surprised to find that even with only a miniscule amount of developer soaked into the film during the 20 inversions there was an image that could be recovered (featured image – and I have to say I rather like it: it looks like it was taken 100 years ago and badly developed and preserved). The second blunder was entirely my fault – and an example of processing on autopilot. With two reels in the tank I poured in the usual amount of developer for two 35mm films (2x300ml), so again one film only had a brief wash in developer (image below).

TLR Challenge User Errors
My pad in Brussels

A Red Herring

Rodinal stand development has been my go-to process for 35mm allowing me to develop any combination of films (e.g. Tri-X and PanF) together and leaving me free for an hour to make bread or lunch, go for a walk, fulfil my task list from the boss, or whatever. After developing some batches of film including three FP4 films I found one FP4 was covered in blotchy patches. After some internet searching I suspected 120 film may be less forgiving of stand development so tried Rodinal 50:1 for the next batch but got the same results for two more FP4 films. Checking the batch numbers it turned out that 4602 was a faulty batch – and all three blotchy films were from this batch. I apologised to Rodinal; stand development now reinstated!

TLR Challenge User Errors
From a faulty batch of film

The Blunders

I won’t show all the errors.

TLR Challenge User Errors
Focus error (one of a series)
TLR Challenge User Errors
Focus error (number 4 of a series)
TLR Challenge User Errors
Light leaks appearing on the first frame and no others
TLR Challenge User Errors
Focus error (number 7 of a series)
TLR Challenge User Errors
Don’t forget to set aperture and shutter speed
TLR Challenge User Errors
Earthquake in Brussels station
TLR User Errors
Unintended double exposure

Going forward in order to help re-learn composition for square format I decided to set myself two main themes.
1. Put the subject in the centre or find a symmetrical composition
2. Take minimalist compositions
I’ll mix these themes with ‘freestyle’ composition when an appropriate image for one of the themes isn’t available.

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About The Author

By Geoff Chaplin
Primarily a user of Leica film cameras and 8x10 for the past 30 years, recently a mix of film and digital. Interests are concept and series based art work. Professionally trained in astronomical photography, a scientist and mathematician.
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Comments

Timothy Hancock on TLR Challenge: 1 – User Errors

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

Good read - thankfully I send my films away for developing as I can’t use any chemicals with our septic system. On the photographic side I have encountered most of your fun experiences- on composition we are so geared to rule of thirds type thinking from somewhere in our brain, and that doesn’t work on 6x6 imo. Full on, centre placement is best as you say.
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Harry Weide replied:

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

Depending on where you are located, you could consider "Black, White, and Green" developer from Flic Film. It's advertised as non-toxic and safe for septic systems. Readily available here in Canada (the company is Canadian), there is at least one UK vendor, not sure about the US. I'll be picking up a bottle this week. I'm looking for a non-Rodinal, lower-grain developer that has a long shelf life even after being opened, because I develop film sporadically and have been tossing too much stale developer. Eco-friendly is also a big plus. Here's a link to a review: http://www.alexluyckx.com/blog/2022/03/28/developer-review-blog-no-27-flic-film-black-white-green/

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

Thanks Timothy. Composition is the interesting part I think, doesn't have to be centre placement, that usually works but can be boring.

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

Harry, thanks for the info, how about fixers?

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Andrew on TLR Challenge: 1 – User Errors

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

Crikey- there’s someone in Brussels station who has not had their bag snatched…..yet! Happened to me I’m afraid, and I try to avoid the place like the plague.
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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

No there isn't such a person - we had a bag snatched a few years ago. Things of sentimental value rather than commercial - more painful that way. An appropriate warning to anyone traveling to Gare du Nord especially.

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Andrew replied:

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

I’m an ex-British civil servant, and when Britain was still part of the EU, I visited the Commission on a regular basis. We had a bizarre convention whereby since we were on a fixed 24-hour subsistence rate, we stayed in the cheapest possible hotel. That hotel being the now vanished Hotel Gascoigne, sandwiched between a sex bookshop and a blue cinema on Boulevard Adolphe Max. Gare du Nord was the arrival station from Brussels airport, and one cannot say that the area was safe, especially at night. The hotel dining room only had light bulbs in half the fittings, and I made the mistake of asking once why that was. The answer was that the hotel hadn’t been re-wired since WW2, and the wiring wouldn’t take more bulbs. It’s a wonder we survived, really! And why am I telling this story? I guess because photographs, especially city photographs, are social history, and your photo of the Gare brought it all back to me. For current travellers, I believe that Gare du Midi is a lot safer, but nonetheless traveller beware!

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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

Thanks Andrew. Cheapskate civil service? An interesting story. Nowadays trains from the airport seem to arrive at Midi and I agree it does seem to be much safer.

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Ken Rowin on TLR Challenge: 1 – User Errors

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

Aside from faulty emulsions, it is good to see that other people make the same mistakes as I do. Focus? Aperture? Shutter speed? Steady hands? All the same rookie mistakes that I make after 40 years. But occasionally I get it all correct and I actually get a good photo. (All too occasionally).
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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

One stunning image out of a hundred frames is an excellent result I think. Most images turn out to be 'practice shots'.

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Gary Smith on TLR Challenge: 1 – User Errors

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

Hi Geoff, great article! I forget was your TLR challenge made to everyone? Part of me wants to play but the other part of me knows I have enough cameras and I'm not set up to scan 120 film. I actually like the bubble effect on your faulty rolls. I've also found that using the waist-level finder on my Mamiya requires extra effort on my part to nail focus. My Perkeo folder gives me 6 x 6 but I have been sending those rolls out. I like the shot of your pad in Brussels, I bet it really runs up a heating bill in winter.
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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

Ha ha! Thanks Gary, my pad is actually just round the corner, down a narrow cobbled street, a rented bed sit. I'd encourage you to use the Perkeo and join the implied 6x6 challenge - composition is the interesting part.

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Jeffery Luhn on TLR Challenge: 1 – User Errors

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

Hi Geoff,

Your narrative is funny! I think parts of it could have been used on a Seinfeld episode.
I plan to participate in your TLR challenge. I still haven't taken my newly acquired Rolleicord in for repair, but I've taken my Mamiya C33 out twice since you posted your challenge, so I just need to print some images.
Your camera fumbling; It mirrors my recent experience with an Intrepid 4x5 camera I bought a few months ago. So many things are conspiring against me: Pinholes in the bellows, bad lens ordered on eBay, inability to maintain focus while loading film holders, ad nauseum. It begs the question: Why do we seek obstacles in life?
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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

You remind me of the first Matrix film - early versions of the matrix failed: life was perfect and people simply rejected it. Back to the real world. I'm surprised there are pinholes in the bellows of a new camera. Initially I used a Wista 4x5 - looked gorgeous but weak and couldn't cope with being dragged up mountains (this was when I was young - now I can't cope). Since that I've used Toyo Field. Your C33 is a great camera if you can cope with the weight, much preferable to the 'cord.

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Philip Boreham on TLR Challenge: 1 – User Errors

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

I'm off on a TLR challenge next week, to Northumberland, so a timely piece. Thanks Geoff. I have a Rolleiflex T, which appears to have a fairly logical arrangement of buttons and knobs for a basic box - no light meter to complicate matters. I use it infrequently, but every time I see the results I really think I should use it more. Then it's back in the box and I default to 35mm for ages. Let's see how this challenge goes, as I learn to use a TLR again, again.
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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

Good luck! My reason for the initial challenge article was I knew it would take time. After about 20 films I'm starting to become confident not simply in the mechanical aspects but more importantly choosing appropriate compositions.

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Paul Quellin on TLR Challenge: 1 – User Errors

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

A good read Geoff. Made me consider my own TLR journey with my Mamiya. Like a cruise liner stuck in Belfast, my journey didn't get going properly for months due to the infuriating front focus issue. After several wild goose chases and a rather Heath Robinson test I devised, the camera went to a specialist. A dollop of money later and the Mamiya is shaping up really well. I even tried some panning shots of motorcycle road racing. Foolish, but fun. Your article made me think I need to analyse exactly what I do differently for composition with 6x6. I know I think and frame differently, but it would be good to understand that more.

The Mamiya has a setting for double exposures, great, but I have also gone the other way, forgetting the intention and winding on when the multiple exposure was set. The ability to change lenses on the Mamiya, I suppose sets it apart, but they came up with an odd labelling protocol. I have been okay with this until the most recent roll, when I got about 4 barely usable shots, the rest were wiped out by light. I had a moment after a lens change when I thought something wasn't right, but told myself I must have taken the lock off again at some point. I had changed the lens on that occasion with nothing between the two front gaping holes and the film. Parallax is the thing that catches me out most. I have a Mamiya paramender; I keep the tripod plate on that so I can't forget it... then I simply forget to turn the rise lever before pressing the cable release and there goes another close up of the lower half of a flower. Be interesting to hear how you are getting on with parallax if you have done any closer shots.
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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 02/10/2024

Thanks Paul, at first I thought you were talking about the weight of the Mamiya! I bet you got some interesting blur shots from your panning experiment - it would be good to see them. No close shots yet but I'm aware of the parallax issue. Perhaps I'll look for a paramender before I try.

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Jeremy on TLR Challenge: 1 – User Errors

Comment posted: 03/10/2024

I strapped a 3D printed adapter on my C220 and fit it with a Kiev 88 prism. From there on things got a lot easier:)
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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 03/10/2024

Thanks Jeremy and well done for your creative solution. I quite like the TLR screen except when there's sun in the wrong position. I tried a prism finder on a Hassy years ago - the experience is immersive and emotional whereas the TLR screen requires you to mentally distance yourself from the image and be more objective.

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Tony Warren on TLR Challenge: 1 – User Errors

Comment posted: 03/10/2024

I have loved and used TLRs for over 50 years Geoff so I am sure your new cameras will mature in your hands. Totally agree about the Rollei shuffle, the reason I have avoided them with one exception. Your experience with Pan F is useful. I had similar results with the film in 5x4 and I put it down to Rodinal not playing nice with it but I maybe had a bad batch too so I will perhaps have to give it another try. I have posted a response to your challenge but not due for a while yet. Interesting to read about your journey.
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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 03/10/2024

Tony thanks, the posts after this will (hopefully) be less about errors and more about photography. Yes I've found the 'cord a bit too much of a pain to use and I'm not keen on the lens rendition - probably good for portraits but less so for my subject matter. Watch this space! I'm looking forward to seeing your post.

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Louis A. Sousa on TLR Challenge: 1 – User Errors

Comment posted: 05/10/2024

One of the nice things about using a TLR is the way it draws people in to conversations, sometimes leading to photo opportunities.....Don't give up, there are good images to be made....
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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 05/10/2024

Thanks for the info Louise: you are clearly a people photographer - I'm not! I generally carry a TLR on a short strap in one hand; people don't notice it and I must have shot 25 or so films at this point.

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