3 reasons why my favourite Medium Format camera is a TLR?

I had been dabbling in the 35mm film photography world for some time and naturally i was curious of the (120 film) medium format side of things. It is somewhat the same, but also very much different at the same time. So i set out to search for a medium format camera that suited me.

My first medium format camera the Yashica MAT TLR.

The world of medium format covers generally five main sizes which are 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7 and 6x9cm. And, to make matters complicated, there were different styles of camera that fall into each of those format from rangefinders like the Fuji GW690iii "Texas Leica" to a Pentax 67 SLR with its distinctive thunderclap shutter and to the legendary Hasselblad cameras which is a modular system camera to name a few.

But after months of research i ended up with a Yashica MAT TLR (Twin Lens Reflex)

Here's why:

1. It's fully mechanical

After my beloved Olympus OM4 died (battery leak/electronics malfunction), it dawned upon me that however a good camera you have with you, it is of no use if you can't use it. I'm sure you could replace the battery, but the moment is gone. I'm also sure you could repair the camera, but i rather not have it to die on me again.

Most TLRs are fully mechanical camera. No batteries, no electronics. I'm not saying that it will never break, but it is one thing that would breakdown.

2. Weight

I carry my camera to almost everywhere i go and i didn't like the idea of sore shoulders especially after a hike or a full day of walking.

Most common TLR only weighs a little over 1kg (2.4lbs).

Your shoulders will thank you.

3. Waist level finder

It was something new, something refreshing for me coming from a tiny viewfinders on the cameras i had. To compose was a new challenge, it took a while to get used to but after a while i begin to fall in love with the big waist level finder. With a bright ground glass and the viewing lens at f2.8 even in the darkest areas, focusing with a TLR was a breeze.