Reflekta TLR - confused

[Garfield]

Hi

I recently bought a 1950s Reflekta TLR with a 75mm f/3.5 lens and am totally confused how to shoot with it.

Here's a picture, for reference: http://www.flickr.com/photos/twoodward/2724223315/

I'm used to SLRs and shutter speed ranges of, say, 1" to 1/1000. With this Reflekta I have the option of 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 and bulb.

Fortunately the aperture range is a bit more straight forward as its range is f/3.5 to f/16.

So my question really is how on earth do I use such limited shutter speeds? I've loaded it with Fuji Superia 400 120 roll film and have a Leningrad 4 light meter, which I'm fully able to use but coming from SLRs with so many shutter speeds I don't know where to begin!

Any help would be most appreciated.

[beejaybee]

So my question really is how on earth do I use such limited shutter speeds? I've loaded it with Fuji Superia 400 120 roll film

Mistake. Old cameras like this - without fast shutter speeds - need slow film. Load ISO 100 film, set the shutter to 1/100 and forget about it, f/16 for bright sun, f/11 for hazy sun, f/8 for bright overcast, f/5.6 for dull overcast/shadows. If you're using a light meter that doesn't have 1/100 marked, just use the indication for 1/125 instead, it's near enough for negative film (colour or monochrome).

[taxor]

Try using an ND filter. A 0.3 or 0.6 should bring the exposures into the right ballpark.

[Terrywoodenpic]

If any thing shutters of this vintage are likely to be slow they were fairly hit and miss anyway.
But as the latitude of black and white film is so huge.
just use them as if they were 1/30 1/60and 1/125

As the shutter will be slow use a half stop smaller aperture to compensate.

[Garfield]

If any thing shutters of this vintage are likely to be slow they were fairly hit and miss anyway.
But as the latitude of black and white film is so huge.
just use them as if they were 1/30 1/60and 1/125

As the shutter will be slow use a half stop smaller aperture to compensate.

Thanks for that. I finally came up with a solution - I bought a Bronica ETRS :-)