DIY TLR Plastic Camera - Is it Worth a Shot?

[@235_10]

I really appreciate you including photos that didn’t turn out well and talking about them instead of just curating a selection that turned out well.

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

Thanks, I appreciate the comments.

[@gatblau1]

I have this camera kit but have never ventured to build it. Maybe one of these days. Looking at the photos you got doesn’t give me much optimism in the capabilities of the camera.

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

Take a look at my subsequent videos when I eliminate some of the light leaks, the results do improve. Thanks for watching.

[@firstletterofthealphabet7308]

it’s a good fomapan consumer! (if you self-dev it might even be worth the cost!)

[@philamburgey]

Just remember the counter is always the same amount of film that passes “one revolution”. The “wind knob” is variable. Meaning as you roll film on the advance knob the amount of film per revolution “stretches”. Being as the film builds it changes diameter, as the counter never changes how many sprocket holes is “ one full revolution”. I recommend some window weather strip near the sprocket putting pressure at the film/sprocket meeting spot. I haven't tried it yet but will post something when I figure it out. my shutter also only opens after I release the shutter knob, but I left it like that thinking it might be kind of interesting to shoot and once you hold it whatever picture you take you take but you hold it until you want that picture .

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

Thanks for the tips, something else to try next time around.

[@ceritat625]

I found this video very interesting! I am actually pleasantly surprised, the centre of the images are sharp, including the one in the tube station. Thank you for your entertaining comments as well :). I notice someone in your home sews and knits, as do I, so I notice these things.

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

Thanks Cerita; my wife is the knitter/sewer (sewist). This is the first out of 3 attempts with this camera (3 separate videos over the next couple of months), they do get better (the results) by the end as I plug the gaps! Glad you enjoyed the video and my commentary 😊.

[@davidmoseley5744]

Hi Chris another great and interesting video you had very good patience to assembly that camera I hope you won't to disappointed with the results,some of the photos were and looked bit arty do think if can solve the light leak it would produce similar images to the Holga,it was very clever of you to work out the film spacing,looking forward to see how you progress with the camera.

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

Funny you mention the Holga David, my next video is me trying to fix the issues with the TLR and then pit it against the Holga....Glad you liked the video.

[@aaronmoore2691]

I've never shot film with this camera but I've built it and beem messing with it a lot. I could tell immediately that there were going to be light leaks at the top and bottom of the frame by the way the backplate is. The frame indicator thingy works if you press in on the backplate right where the counter sprocket is. Here I go, I'm gonna try to fix the light leaks on the backplate and load up some film tomorrow.

[@aaronmoore2691]

Also my view finder focus works flawlessly. At least when I move the lens the image in the view finder becomes clearer or blurs

[@aaronmoore2691]

Also also, if you shine a light through the view finder in a dark room and look into the compartment where the film should be, it should tell you if you have a light leak from your viewfinder. In my experience my viewfinder is tight it's just the backplate.

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

I did a a couple of subsequent videos on my channel with this camera after attempting to fix the light leaks and the shutter. I'm glad I got it working better but not sure if I'm going to use it again. Thanks.

[@wendyedgecombe2966]

What patience Chris!!

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

Thanks.

[@celoalvear]

Witch film is good for this camera I bought one in Temu and I wanna give it a try I don’t know if duty 100 or 400 iso 35 mm film can you help me?

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

I only tried iso 400 film, just make sure you plug any areas that light can enter.

[@brianwalker6849]

Hi,Chris i have just finished watching your latest up load and I must say what a good sport you are for demonstrating the assembly of the TLR Toy camera . I don’t know how you kept a straight face when bits started to fall of the assembled item ??? And as for the results after the London photo shoot were a bit disappointing to say the least they reminded me of those early photos off a 100 years or so ago when they came out all cloudy? I hope you had as much fun making this up load as i did watching it . Thanks it was interesting as usual Brian.

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

Thanks Brian. This is the first out of 3 attempts with this camera (3 separate videos over the next couple of months), they do get better (the results) by the end as I plug the gaps! Even so, in this video it was still fun to assemble and use.

[@Ado-Desu]

how do u upload photos from old cameras ive taken loads but i wanna upload them to my pc

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

There are lots of options depending on what gear you have. Companies can scan them for you or you can use a digital camera and a macro lens. I do it this way then use a Photoshop plugin called CNMY invert to convert the negative to a positive image and then edit it like I do any other digital image.

[@Ado-Desu]

@ okay thankyou so much i always wondered how on such old cameras people where able to get them on pc this helps so much

[@KenjiHouston]

Having the same problem with focusing. Thought maybe the screen is on wrong. Currently rough side up.

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

I just left it screwed in as far as it went, I had better luck on my third outing so might try focusing again with it the next time out.

[@KenjiHouston]

Were you able to correct the light leaks

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

@@KenjiHouston Yes! Third video in a few weeks highlights this 😁

[@philiphunter3966]

I saw this on sale in Waterstones in January. Almost bought it. I have enough silly cameras so, for once sensibility won.

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

Hi Philip, I've done 3 videos with the TLR now coming out of the next couple of months and the results definately improve when you identify and address the main area where light can leak into the negative chamber. It was fun to make despite the poor results in this video. Thanks for watching.

[@Ploddypop11]

has anyone put lubitel lenses on one of these? i have a broken one but the lenses appear to be in good condition...and prefer 35mm

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

I haven't tried any other lenses, not sure whether it would be possible without some serious modifications to the body.

[@verydistractedreader]

Hi Chris, thank you for this video! You mention a helpful video regarding the shutter mechanism, would you mind giving me a link to that? I'm struggling massively with the "Shuttle plate feeder" not snapping back up, leaving the shutter fully closed or partially open.. Thanks!

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

No problem, glad you liked it. Here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJSnkKiblMtpgrc.

[@verydistractedreader]

@@ChrisEdgecombePhoto Thank you!!

[@Somethingwithfilm]

Had one of those too. Not very reliable but I liked it. Think I managed to put 5 rolls through it before I accidentally dropped it. If you wanna go a step further, there is a paper camera design called Rubikon. A pdf is available online to download and print. The pictures are even worse 😂

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

Thanks AFD; I eventually got some decent images from the camera when I solved the light leak issue. If the quality is worse with the paper camera I think I'll pass 🤣.

[@GucciNathan]

100th like!😂

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

Thanks, appreciated.

[@MrCuddlyable3]

I tried to count the number of times he says "kind of".

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

Thanks for that, I did wonder myself 🤨.