jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Do any of you remember discussion and controversy when the SLR was introduced and threatened the TLR? When I got into photography, the SLR was the "standard," although the TLR was still popular. I had a nice Yashika Mat 124, which I used interchangeably with my Miranda and Nikon.

I'm wondering if TLR users thought the SLR was going to take over. We now have mirrorless cameras with excellent specs producing excellent photographs.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

The TLR and 35mm SLR were considerably different formats/cameras with a different style of shooting.
I had a couple of Mamiya C-330's (TLR) and an RB67 (Medium format SLR) along with my 35mm cameras and used large format too.
They were very different tools and, depending on the project, one was usually better suited than the other.
Jerry, I think you may have started before me, but I remember no controversy, though there was the jovial Nikon/Canon debate at the paper where I worked and the Bronica*/Mamiya/Hasselblad conflict.
(A couple of us even used our Mamiya RB67s for a while at high school football games to show the IQ from that camera was far better.)

I think a lot of mirrorless and DSLR cameras are closer in they way they are used.
People seem to forget there are still medium format digital cameras and at least two, the Fuji GFX and Hasselblad X1D, are mirrorless.
Again, different format, different way of working and different strengths/weaknesses.


(* the repair guy at Clark AFB photo lab said that if you shot Bronica, you needed 5. One to shoot, one as a back up, one going to repair, one being repaired and one coming back from repair.)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I got my first SLR, a Miranda Sensorex, in about 1968.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I was shooting with a Kodak Brownie (127 film) when I processed my first roll of Verichrome about 1969. Still have a photo in my portfolio I shot with my Miranda G. It was one my mom made me shoot for her. Wish it were with the Mamiya, but it was slower to operate and maybe a bit more intimidating to the subject. Neither (Miranda or the Mamiya) had meters.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

My first camera cost $0.98. It was a half frame 120 camera from a drug store. Push the shutter lever down for one photo and then push it up to take another. I was probably 8 at the time.

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

In college in the 1970's I was at the library reading some old photo magazines from the late 1950's, like 58 or 59, talking about how 35 mm would never be a serious, pro, camera. It was a tourist camera, etc. They used the example of a sporting event, because back then you set a 4x5 view camera up at the top the the stands and did a shot of the whole field with every play, so you could get all the action in one shot then crop to what you want. They could not comprehend, due in part to slow films and lenses, being able to get an action shot with a small handheld. Made me laugh.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Interesting. It's easy to get satisfied with the status quo.

RickL Loc: Vail, Az

I used Twin Lens Reflex Rollies for years. Still have three. Eventually went over to single lens reflex with Nikon. Enjoyed both.

turp77 Loc: Connecticut, Plainfield

Jerry I agree, History repeats it's self. ( "TLRs are here to stay, SLRs is just a fad and will never catch on. What with less IQ.")

BebuLamar

Now it's SLR to EVIL

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I had a Ciroflex and later a Mamiya C3, never thought abut 35mm taking over in general, 4x the negative size gave so much better enlargement , if I was willing to carry it the 2 1/4 square was king, 35mm was easier to carry, or for slides, remember 127 slides?

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I got my Miranda G about 65, Sensomat about 70, and Sensorex direct from Interstate Camera, the importer some time after that, still have a Miranda bellows if anyone wants, Bob.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I remember duplicating that size of slide.
Had to adjust for the size difference to get all of the image.
Weren't they called "Super Slides"?

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Yep, rather flimsy too, not much cardboard in the mount, used to be able to buy them at most tourist traps

JohnK

I had a Rollie T and a Rollie Wide. Learned on a 4x5 Speed Graphic and a Rolliecord. Later had a Bronica, which was very noisy, great lenses, and a bear to crank 4 times to advance the film and cock all the shutters! They had a curtain to block off the viewfinder, one to cover the part of the mirror that flipped down, and the the actual shutter. A lot went down when you actually took the picture. If you were in a room everyone turned to see what the noise was about! Later I picked up some Minolta Autocords on Ebay, and it was hard to adjust to the dim viewfinder and to get used to trying to follow any action because of the reversed image. My first 35 was a Pentax, the first SLR with instant return mirror. So small and convenient.