[Camera & Gear] STARTER GUIDE FOR TLR FILM CAMERAS: load, advance, shoot and unload film

Complete guide on how to use a TLR film camera, especially for beginners wanting to get into shooting film photography. This is the ultimate starter pack to operating a TLR camera.
Specifically, this video covers:
00:40 What you will need to insert 120 film into a tlr camera (new roll of film, empty spool, tape)
01:19 How to load 120 film into a tlr camera
03:22 How to advance 120 film on a tlr camera
03:48 How to operate and shoot on a tlr camera (shutter, aperture and focus)
05:00 Self-timer function on tlr cameras
05:17 How to unload 120 film on a tlr camera
Watch also:
"[Street Photography PoV] ON FILM, ON COMPOSITION, ON HONG KONG - Kodak Ultramax 400 & Minolta 5000": • [Street Photography Po...
Read also (from my photography blog):
"[Pho.Snap] TLR Cameras: Load, Shoot, Advance and Unload Film": www.belindajia...
Shop:
Ilford HP5 400 120 film (5 rolls): amzn.to/3mTWyWw
Sony A7ii Full-Frame Mirrorless E-Mount Camera with Kit Lens (24-70mm): amzn.to/3mY7BPw
Adobe Photographer Plan: clk.tradedoubl...)
Find me on Instagram: / _bjiao__
Background Music "Chill Noons" by Kronicle via Soundcloud, available here: / chill-noons
DISCLAIMER: This description contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links included, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you! Thank you for your continuous support, making it possible for me to create content consistently for you all.
#filmphotography #tlrcamera #middleformat #ilfordhp5 #dblackandwhitefilm #usetlrcamera #filmcamera #120film #load120film

[@jeffkelly5972]

I found this channel while searching for film and can't stop watching this is a great photo channel.

[@BelindaJiao]

Hey I am glad you enjoy watching Jeff it’s been my pleasure!

[@DianHere]

I found my late grandfather’s TLR. It’s the Yashica Mat EM. Unfortunately it no longer works but because of it, I got interested in film photography again. I’ve been tempted to get a TLR but am not sure if I’m ready to buy one. Your video was definitely useful and it made me wanna get a TLR camera more!

[@BelindaJiao]

hey Dian, lovely to hear! I think that a TLR could be a bit of a jump if you are not familiar with film as a whole, but TLRs are the most economical way of trying out medium format film, so if that's what you'd be interested in, grab one before prices soar! :)

[@DianHere]

@@BelindaJiao thanks for reply Belinda! I have been dabbling in film photography and would like to extend my collection but would want one that will last. Would love to see more videos on the TLR that you’re using in the future!

[@BelindaJiao]

Dian, brilliant, am actually planning to do more of these though the british weather is such a huge bummer lately! haha

[@IADchannel]

So Useful and clear tutorial for start-up TLR camera, It encourages me to challenge again the TLR shooting;)

[@BelindaJiao]

cheers ricky! this is the most basic model i believe - whats different on yours?

[@IADchannel]

@@BelindaJiao haha, my TLR is more classic model. It’s haven’t count down function. The aperture and shutter speed not so clear

[@scarlettchen8069]

So glad to watch ur video 😍

[@BelindaJiao]

cheers mom!

[@AlexanderMerc18]

Awesome video, as usual

[@BelindaJiao]

cheers alex!

[@ElMikey225th]

Love the video ! So every time I finish a roll I have to have a winding spool on me or I can’t shoot another roll ?

[@BelindaJiao]

hey Michael, well technically if you just leave one spool in the camera forever, you will be set for life because every new roll comes with a spool already. You only need two spools :)

[@ElMikey225th]

@@BelindaJiao okay thank you that makes sense , I was confused for a minute lol . Do you have any tips of shooting with a tlr since the taking lens is a little lower than the view lens . I still find it confusing that your focusing on the subject from what you see in the viewing lens but is it actually focusing in the actual shot since the taking lens is a lower lower ? Hope this makes sense lol

[@BelindaJiao]

Michael, yes you are right the lens you are looking through is slightly above the actual lens through which the image is taken. Though from my experience, the difference is not huge, and so you can just take the photo based on what you see from the viewfinder :)

[@benjaminchen6357]

Great video! This is my first tlr and this video is a great help. I just received this exact camera from my grandmother. I've tried to clean out the fungus and everything seems to be working properly. However, when I rotate the film advance knob, the film counter number does not move from 0 to 1. The film advance knob just advances endlessly without resistance. I do not have any film in the camera as I don't have any 120 film on hand. Is this normal for the camera? Would I need to have film in the camera for the film counter to advance? Or is there something wrong with it? Thanks!

[@BelindaJiao]

Benjamin, congrats! This is an amazing camera not just to start with, but basically make amazing pictures on medium format. This is normal - once you have loaded it with film, the number 1 then comes up. Otherwise the knob will turn endlessly without resistance - same situation with when you are done with a roll. Have fun shooting!

[@benjaminchen6357]

@@BelindaJiao thank you! Do you have an Instagram account? I love your content on KZbin, would love to follow you there!

[@BelindaJiao]

Benjamin, you are most welcome, and yes I have! It's @_bjiao__ :)

[@32ndFoto]

Trying to find out the name of the TLR camera.. Great video by the way.

[@BelindaJiao]

Hey thank you there! This camera probably needs some digging because it is a really old model, but the brand should be called "Seagull" :) are you looking to buy one?

[@jasontay4704]

Belinda, this comment comes 3 years late, but you should not need to use a bit of sticky tape to stick down the exposed roll paper strip, because it has a bit of dry adhesive on it, you just lick it (like licking an envelope) and stick it down. It will prevent the end of the roll from coming unwound and ruining your roll.

[@silvestersze9968]

I just started using 6x6; stopped using 35mm. Let’s see what’s gonna happen. haha 🎉

[@invisibility1987]

Does the name plate of this camera say “shanghai” instead of “海鸥” ？ Never seen one like it before

[@BelindaJiao]

Hey yea it reads ‘Shanghai’ but the brand name is actually Seagull. Think the brand still exists somewhere - they just don’t make cameras anymore