I was amazed to read on an internet forum a post from a chap who wanted try medium format and had found an old 1950’s Rolleiflex in a junk shop. “I know it’s not the best camera in the world”, he said, “but would it do as a start?” What? Does he know nothing? I’d say that in its day, the Rollei TLR was the best camera in the world, bar none. Today they can still make great shooters. My Rollei is back from its service and now going click-zzzzz-click just as should and just like it did 35 years ago when new. So what is it that makes these things so great? Quality for one thing. Superb Ziess and Schnieder lenses combined with ingenious design and great build quality. History for another. The original Rolleiflex came out in 1928, and you can still buy a new one today. Many of the best photographs of the 20th century were made with a Rolleiflex. And then there’s simplicity. It does what it does very well as it’s not trying to think for you. As a functional tool it’s a perfect camera to slow you down and make you think about what you’re trying to do.

So here’s one I made today. Something Linda bought to make my old house look pretty. Just as well we kept it, it looks good in a photograph!