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Photo : Classic camera : Classic 120 format : TLR

   Rollei, can be called, father of TLRs, even now, it's only one now that is surviving the SLR age, 135 age, and now digital age. Why the TLRs still alive and sought after, what make it less popular, the reasons seem to be like one that kill some Rangefinders (RF) out of the market. Started in 1930s, Voigtlander and Rollei produced their first TLRs Voightlander Superb and Rolleicord I to compete with each other, seems that longer live and legendary Heliar optics of Voigtlander helped it won Rollie at first. But, later Rollie developed many models while Voigtlander still have only 2 models in TLR market and take seems to move to another market already. The advantages of TLRs are :
  • The unique machanical and optical design make are very eye catching.
  • The viewfinder is large and real (1:1) scale (to film in size) and you can look at it with both eyes giving you different view than 1 eye.
The disadvantages of TLRs are :
  • The limitation of lens availablity, it's very limited choice compare to interchangable lens SLR, especially the wide and tele version of Rollie are very rare and really expensive.
  • The focusing knob, shutter release button which someone may find difficult to use and handle the camera steady.
  • Parallax correction for close-up and macro require additional accessories like filters.

Brands and Models available :

Rollei family
(Rolleicord and Rolleiflex)		 Voigtlander family Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex family
Rolleicord
Rolleiflex
Voigtlander family
 Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex family
 

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