29 Comments
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Jennifer Carr's avatar

Lovely example images, that looks like a wonderful neighborhood to explore! I’m rubbish at zone focusing, it’s something I’ve been working on 😏

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Razlyn Lysaught's avatar

It definitely takes time and practice!! I was horrible at it when I first started. Instead of making it easier on me, it cause more anxiety. 🤣 but now I feel I’m fairly good at it. I still miscalculate at times though!

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Rick Vega's avatar

Zone focusing is the best! Once you learn it, there’s no coming back. I’m enjoying my IIIf leica because of it. Otherwise would be super slow. Great pics, Raz. Medium format is in another level of sharpness.

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Razlyn Lysaught's avatar

Thanks, Rick! Yeah, zone focusing is a game changer!!!! It’s the only way I shoot my M3, because without that I really don’t like rangefinders lol. I’m so happy you got that camera!!! It seems like it’s working so well for you 🥳

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Dom Francisco's avatar

Where is this neighborhood? Looks quaint!

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Razlyn Lysaught's avatar

It’s a little area called stroudsburg village in Pennsylvania. Pretty neat neighborhood. Theres a restaurant and a few other shops there too.

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scott norton's avatar

I’ve got a Rollie here that I’m fixing for a friend and it doesn’t have the knob with the white line - just the basic DOF scale :(. Seems like a super helpful addition.

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Razlyn Lysaught's avatar

Such a bummer!!! It really is a helpful addition. I’m taking it with me to NYC in a week or so! I want to test it out in a fast pace environment. It’ll be a good challenge

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scott norton's avatar

That’s awesome. I just spent a couple days in the park taking shots. Not always my cup of tea, but it was the first time in a long while, so was fun. Have a great trip. Look forward to seeing the shots.

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Razlyn Lysaught's avatar

Yeah, I try to photograph the things people don’t typically shoot. The last time I was there, was during Christmas time. I’m happy my husband will be working cause I like being alone when I take pics. That or with other photographers that GET IT. Ya know? 🤣 I always feel like I inconvenience NON photographers. We should do a Substack meetup in NYC! I’d totally come into the city for something like that!!!!

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scott norton's avatar

We definitely should! There are some pretty cool spots out here in brooklyn worth a look. And obviously Manhattan is a treasure trove of opportunities. Are you bringing just the Rollie on this trip? Would be interesting to see how limiting yourself to 6x6 contribute to your compositions.

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Razlyn Lysaught's avatar

Well, the plan is to bring just the rollei and a digicam (canon SD1000). I just converted one rollei to 35mm with a conversion kit. Soooooo, I’m thinking of bringing that one. But I’m torn lol.

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scott norton's avatar

This would be the first rolls with the 35mm adapter? That would be interesting - just to see if the TLR adds anything above/beyond your favorite 35mm cameras. I’m trying to figure out whether I should try to bring a film camera to Spain - going there for work in July. Too many horror stories of security not having time to hand check, but seems a crime not to try.

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Razlyn Lysaught's avatar

Well, I am testing it out this weekend. The lab I go to processes film pretty quick. If I like the results and have a good grasp on using it with 35mm, I’ll bring it. If I have doubts, I’ll bring my other rollei that isn’t converted. I’m hoping I love it! Cause I want to use it more since I love the camera so much.

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scott norton's avatar

Where are you headed in NYC?

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Razlyn Lysaught's avatar

Midtown, a couple blocks from Central Park. I usually don’t stay in midtown but my husband is there for work and I’m going to have a full day of photo adventuring!!! I’m super stoked. It’ll just be a quick 1.5 day trip but I’ll be taking the Amtrak in just to make it extra special lol

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George Appletree's avatar

In the guess of having one with that knob, because previous models like mine have not depth of field reference. Even if pre setting exposure with sunny 16 rule, just framing in the dimly defined viewfinder is a portenty even forgetting about focusing. Not to mention I need the magnifying lens because I never carry the reading glasses. Yeah, Vivian Maier did it well but rarely action shots. For architecture can be really good

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Razlyn Lysaught's avatar

Yeah, I have a Rolleiflex T that doesn’t have a depth of field knob and I can’t zone focus with it. I need the magnifying glass because the focus screen is dim. That’s what makes the 3.5f WITH the knob useful. I honestly didn’t realize what that knob was for until several months ago 🤣. I wasn’t using the camera to its fullest potential.

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George Appletree's avatar

Even without the knob you can roughly have an idea, though too many things to control for every single (candid and quick) shot 😅

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Razlyn Lysaught's avatar

Yes! You’re so right. I think that’s why I don’t try to do it with my Rolleiflex T, cause I’m already preoccupied with exposure and composition. 🤣.

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George Appletree's avatar

You can carry both and check dof in the knob 🤣

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Razlyn Lysaught's avatar

HAHHAHA!!!! I’ll need to try that next time 🤣🤣🤣

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George Appletree's avatar

A pity you can’t do double exposures with the Rolleiflex 😮🤓✌️

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Ralph Turner's avatar

Zone focussing can be so useful. Great images too. That's an interesting looking place..🙂

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Liam Jones's avatar

Always wanted to try one of these but don’t know anything about them yet.

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