Many of us (in the UK) may have experienced snow over the past weeks, a great opportunity to get out with a camera as Danny McClure has shown on the front cover. Some readers have mentioned the convenience of using a twin lens Rolleiflex. When out and about, a camera, a lens hood, a filter, an optional exposure meter and some film is all that is needed to take excellent photographs. There is little weight in this kit, no decision making as to which lens to use and the camera can always be at the ready.
Following on, I have a number of books in my library but in view of these comments, I remembered a couple that I have had for a number of years – see "A Corner of England" and "New Forest Drift" on right. Although some of the photos have probably been staged, it is clear that the photographer must almost always carry a camera to be able to capture un-repeatable images. Henri Cartier-Bresson was a master of capturing the decisive moment. I confidently say that there would be only have been two cameras that fit the bill - being light and ‘quick to draw’, although there are many others now – a Leica and a Rolleiflex. Both have been used to take the sort of images that we see in everyday life. There are many photographs by others that I see and say to myself, “I could have taken that”. If only I had been in the right place at the right time, carrying my camera at the ready and been quick witted enough to capture it...
Another point that has been mentioned at various times recently – 'mechanical cameras will go on forever' - provided that film is available. Of course, they can be repaired, and if necessary another camera can be sacrificed for spares.
On a larger scale, my son has said that he would like to restore a MG Midget - but the tools are somewhat heavier than the fine screwdrivers used in camera repair! After some searching two have come to light. The first is in a very sorry state - see below; the second is much better but needs a new engine. Historic cars, being purely mechanical are almost always restorable, whereas in a few years, modern cars with their computers and circuit boards will become useless - very much like modern digital cameras - the electronic spares will be unavailable. I have a Rollei Timer unit for the 6000/3000/2000 cameras from the 1980’s. It has a simple fault but the faulty component is unavailable now....
Contents:
Front Cover: "Winter Woods" by Danny McClure
3 John Clare: A Poet for all Seasons by Peter Moyse
4 My Rollei and Me by Steve Dey
7 Why I like my Rolleiflex by David Charles, F.R.P.S.
8 Canals by Jim Graves
10 Readers' Photos
11 The Harrow Photo Centre by Brian Brading
12 Giant 'Baby' Rolleiflex by Stuart Whitworth and Wanted
13 Your Forum
15 2.8F versus 2.8E2 by David Morgan
16 Stuff Magazine - "Film Cameras" by Simon Osborne-Walker
19 October Meeting photos by Ray Plassard
20 Why was the TLR so Popular with Pros? by Ian Parker
22 In Passing by David Morgan
24 I bought a Rollei Digital Camera by Ian Parker
26 Reader's Photos by Denis Camp and Peter Moyse
28 Welcome to Ludwigsburg Carneval by Denis Camp
Back Cover: Photos by Anthony Sandles: "Shooting the Weir" and "Resting"
