Self-Portrait with a TLR

I read once that you are not a photographer until make a self-portrait on a mirror using a TLR camera. I know, it´s stupid, but, what the heck! Why not?

At that time I had two TLR cameras: Rollei Magic and Yashica MAT.

It could have been any of both, but I took Yashica to take this picture.

It´s a bit blurred because I had to use slow shutter speed (something like 1/15).

The camera was great. I loved that camera. I found it on a used furniture store (no kidding!), covered in dust, meter working perfectly even in low light. All it needed was a CLA that cost me almost the same as I paid for the camera (was very cheap).

I didn´t use it too much, maybe 4 or 5 rolls of film, until I sale it to a friend, but the pictures were very good. The Yashinon 80 mm f/3.5 lens was sharp even to the edges and was fantastic for BW photos. I can´t tell the diference between the pictures taken with this camera from those taken with a Rolleiflex.

The only color film I shoot with this cameras was an expired Kodak 64T which is set to Tungsten lamp and when used at daylight renders this blue color.

It´s stupid to say you are not a photographer until take a picture of yourself on a mirror using a TLR camera, but I can say you may become a better photographer when you exercise your look with a TLR.

6 thoughts on “Self-Portrait with a TLR

  1. I wish I had a working TLR, but so far I have only a broken Flexaret. It is definitely on my list to get a working TLR and have a nice self portrait with it :-)

  2. Go to a flea market like that in Eger. Rolleiflex are the most expensives but you don´t need one. Any other TLR is great and much cheaper. Going out to shoot with a TLR is a great experience. Congrats for your last post. All your posts are fantastic.

  3. Some time ago I was really about to get a Yashica Mat 124, but at the end I decided to get my Pentacon Six TL overhauled and buy some film instead. But you are right, I am sure I will find something on a flea market :-)

    Cheers, Gábor

  4. nice! im getting a yashica mat this week, its in the mail! love that rollei too. looks a real beauty. couldnt really afford one n didnt wanna dump too much cash on something that im not sure i’d use. great stuff here, following now :)

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