The Mamiya C330 twin-lens reflex camera is shown with a 105mm portrait lens.
You can make use of old technology to make modern, striking portraits that will be unlike anything shot with digital cameras. Twin-lens reflex cameras haven't been made in a while, but if you have one or pick one up cheap, they are great experimental cameras. And they can teach the basics of photography to novices who want to really understand the process.
Instructions
1. Get to know the camera before setting up a shoot with a live model. Mamiya is the most common TLR camera available that also has interchangeable lenses. Since you want to shoot portraits, this is important because you will need moderate telephoto lenses to give the true portrait effect. That effect is the subject in focus while everything in the background is blurred or set back.
2. Learn change film, change lenses and set the shutter and aperture well before going on a shoot. The Mamiya C330, for example, has a simple mechanical locking system to keep the lens in place. Make sure this is secure and locked before you take photos. There is no autowinder, so the film must be advanced manually. The shutter speed and aperture also are manual, so these should be calculated and set.
3. Practice with the camera on near objects. Because the viewing lens is slightly above the "taking" lens, there is a slight difference between what you see and what the film records. This is called parallax. At a distance, this isn't a problem, but for portraits and other close-up subjects, it means the image will be off center. All it takes to correct is a slight angling upward of the camera just before shooting, but it takes some experimentation to get it right.
4. Use a tripod. While you can shoot fast film in daylight without visible blurring, the idea of portraiture is to get the best image possible. A tripod steadies the camera and allows you to leave it where it is while taking light readings.
5. Use a hand-held meter to calculate exposures. You can set the film speed on the light meter and it will then determine shutter speed and aperture for you. Take several readings to get an average for the exposure.
Tags: Mamiya C330, shutter speed, shutter speed aperture, speed aperture
