The TLR Film Project

My Minolta Autocord twin-lens reflex with my seven rolls of Fuji transparency film

Although I've been almost exclusively a digital photographer for many years, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for film cameras and still have several of them -- a Canon EOS A2, an Olympus OM2n, a Canon AF35ML, and most especially, a Minolta Autocord twin-lens reflex, or TLR.

From my beginning in photography in 1968 through the early 1980s I owned Rolleicords and Yashicas and used them frequently before moving on to medium format single-lens reflex Bronicas, Hasselblads, and Mamiya RB67s. But I always liked to keep at least one TLR around.

If you'd like to know more about why I like twin-lens reflexes, you can read about it here, in one of my earliest blog posts.

 Currently, I have only one TLR, a Minolta Autocord that I bought nine or ten years ago. It makes beautiful pictures, but to my shame, I haven't used it very much. 

Also to my shame, I have seven rolls of 120 color transparency film -- Fuji Provia and Astia that have been in my freezer for years. 

Reading up on longevity statistics, I found that a man my age has an average life expectancy of four years. That spurred me to determine that, if possible, I would not leave this life with those rolls of film unexposed. 

So my new project is to carry the Autocord with me everywhere until all the film is used. This may take a while, because this is not the best time of year for photography, unless we get some interesting weather.

And then, after each roll of film has been exposed, it will have to be sent away for processing. And when the transparencies come back, they will have to be scanned. Then, finally! -- I'll have pictures to post.

So we'll get there eventually.  

And when all the film has been exposed and processed, I will sell the camera and kiss that chapter of my life goodbye.

Click on the link at left for information about ordering original signed prints from the Rock City Barns book.

If you like my pictures, visit my online gallery at https://davejenkins.pixels.com/  

Signed copies of my book Backroads and Byways of Georgia are available. The price is $22.95 plus $4.95 shipping. My PayPal address is djphoto@vol.com (which is also my email). Or you can mail a check to 8943 Wesley Place, Knoxville, TN 37922. Include your address and tell me how you would like your book inscribed.

Photography and text copyright 2026 David B.Jenkins.

I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday unless life gets in the way.

Soli Gloria Deo -- For the glory of God alone.

Tags: photography   film photography    cameras     film cameras    twin-lens reflex    TLR    Minolta Autocord camera    Rolleicord camera    Yashica camera    Fuji Provia film    Fuji Astia film    120 transparency film