Comments on: Waist Level Democracy, a Guide

By: Tim Connor

Tim Connor — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:15:15 +0000

I’ve been looking for something new to jog my way of seeing. Thanks for this.

By: Jason Campbell

Jason Campbell — Tue, 29 May 2007 04:51:17 +0000

Nice post… I don’t know about what he used in the past but, the last couple of times I’ve seen Larry Fink he has been shooting with a Mamiya 6…

By: Mike Peters

Mike Peters — Mon, 28 May 2007 22:07:18 +0000

Thanks Michael. I do have to clarify that I use a 45Â° prism on the Rollei and the Hassy that I currently use. Much easier for this guy to focus with. Looking down into it is still not quite as off-putting as a 35mm set up.

The real beauty of old MF cameras as you touched on is that it telegraphs your intentions to take a photograph in a way that people seem to understand and accept without objection. I think it eliminates the sneaky quotient from the equation, and by sheer size and differentness, separates us from the masses weilding their digicams.

Wrestling with the beast is also a good way to get yourself to truly concentrate on what you are doing. Rollei’s and Hassy’s are so counterintuitive to use that you really have to practice to be good at it, but it rewards that practice with images that are a wonder to behold, and exhibit.

By: Max

Max — Sun, 27 May 2007 09:58:01 +0000

Sorry, I meant to ask HOW do I scan 6×6 negs…

By: Max

Max — Sun, 27 May 2007 09:57:05 +0000

Interesting. But do I scan 6×6 negatives? Need a special scanner?

By: Brian Ulrich

Brian Ulrich — Sat, 26 May 2007 17:20:15 +0000

Waist Levels Rule!

By: Martin

Martin — Sat, 26 May 2007 13:59:11 +0000

I traded in a Pentax *ist DS for a Rolleiflex T a few weeks back after my Autocord bit the dust. Interesting that you write about it’s usefulness as a street camera, as it’s already become my main camera for this purpose.

I love the advantage it provides of being both more and less conspicuous than an SLR or rangefinder.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 25 May 2007 23:54:13 +0000

The only pictures I’ve ever seen of Diane Arbus shooting showed her holding her Mamiyaflex chest high or even higher, right up to her face (I assume looking down into the magnifier).

The TLR viewfinders are so wonderful, but I find it hard to get used to reversed direction of movement — things move the opposite way I expect! On the other hand, waist-level is great for full-body portraits because you’re dead in the center of the body.

And those 2 1/4 negatives — so gorgeous.

By: Gustaf

Gustaf — Fri, 25 May 2007 11:00:33 +0000

I’ve noticed this too when approaching people with my Rolleiflex. I have a set of street portraits here all shot with a Rolleiflex.. It’s actually quite rare for people to decline when I ask if I can photograph them. Sometimes people just come up to me to as about the camera. Still wish I didn’t have to do all that scanning though…

By: Michael David Murphy

Michael David Murphy — Fri, 25 May 2007 05:08:31 +0000

A few (contemporary documentary) examples of squares: Brian Finke's 2-4-6-8
Dave Anderson's Rough Beauty
Nathaniel Welch's Spring Broke