Vintage Twin Lens Reflex Cameras
A TLR camera or twin-lens reflex camera is a type of camera with two objective lenses of the same focal length. One of the lenses is the photographic objective (the lens that takes the picture), while the other is used for the waist-level viewfinder system. In addition to the objective, the viewfinder consists of a 45-degree mirror (the reason for the word reflex in the name), a matte focusing screen at the top of the camera, and a pop-up hood surrounding it. The two objectives are connected, so that the focus shown on the focusing screen will be exactly the same as on the film. However, many inexpensive TLRs are fixed-focus models.
The simple, sturdy construction of many TLRs means many have endured the years well. Smaller TLR models include the most famous "Baby" Rolleiflex and the Yashica 44. The TLR design was also popular in the 1950s for inexpensive fixed focus cameras such as the Kodak Duaflex and Argus 75. The smallest TLR camera is the Swiss-made Tessina, using perforated 35mm film forming images of 14×21 mm.
The simple, sturdy construction of many TLRs means many have endured the years well. Smaller TLR models include the most famous "Baby" Rolleiflex and the Yashica 44. The TLR design was also popular in the 1950s for inexpensive fixed focus cameras such as the Kodak Duaflex and Argus 75. The smallest TLR camera is the Swiss-made Tessina, using perforated 35mm film forming images of 14×21 mm.
