Franke and Heidecke Closing

Al Kaplan said:
I've heard it before, and there's enough used Rollei TLR's out there to keep people happy for awhile.
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I was thinking more of the Sinar and Leaf products, but I know what you mean, I guess I was not part of the solution as I always bought my Rollei products used, have had several TLR Rolleis for a very long time.

I also liked the Rollei 6x6 SLR's, but from all accounts the supply is exceeding the demand in SLR's, though I hear clean late TLR's are bringing almost the same price as a Hassleblad 500CM kit.

John
 
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They were a small maker of very expensive products for what's become a niche market. It's a real shame to see another of photography's respected names close.
 
TLR Rolleis were about impossible to wear out and with a shrinking market it can be expected. They were also expensive compared to the Minolta and Yashica competition.
 
It is a pity indeed - I have never had the possibility to try one of the later models to be able to compare to my Rolleiflex T. Indeed - the market for their products was very small - especially given their prices (above 3000 if I remember correctly). Most people would simply go with Mamiya 7 instead. I am wondering how many did they sell.

Who knows whether more "spartan" model (a modern Rolleicord ?) could have been brought to the market for a more sensible price.

Still - a modern TLR with TTL metering must be very nice. I like my 'T' but having a build it meter would be great ...

But who knows - if the film will be doing fine (at least OK) than who knows - maybe the Voigtlander will make some TLRs for us for more reasonable prices with AE in some 20 years (the current Rolleiflexes must all end up in the hands of collectors before this can happen).
 
The current Rolleiflexes that were used by pros LOOK like they were used. I just checked some prices in an old Popular Photography annual for new ones back in the sixties. Rolleicord $99.95, Rolleiflex T $185, Minolta Autocord $99.95, Yashicamat $59.95. A botton of the line Yashica A was $29.95. Seems cheap enough, but multiply those prices by six for 2009 for an idea what they'd sell for new these days.

The Rollei SLR's never managed to attract any Hasselblad shooters and their Rollei 35 was cute and pocketable but again overpriced for the market.
 
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The last two FX 80mm were just produced today, they have enough parts for one more Rolleiflex FW.

Unless someone swoops in and rescues, that is.
 
Unfortunately the rise in prices has outpace general inflation. $185 in 1965 is the same as $1250 today. The new Rolleiflexes were about $5000. Besides 1/2 stop on the lens and TTL metering, what's the difference between the new ones and the old ones.


Nonetheless, sad to see another great company go. The Rolleiflex TLR is iconic. I just got my first yesterday.
 
I asked DAG one day about parts when Leica was refusing to sell them to independent repair people. He laughed and said no good repair person ever has a parts problem.

BTW, some letters by Leica Historical Ass. member, who is a lawyer by trade, wrote some letters and rectified the situation. Their actions were illegal.

How will Rollie parts be handled?
 
Ronald M said:
I asked DAG one day about parts when Leica was refusing to sell them to independent repair people. He laughed and said no good repair person ever has a parts problem.

BTW, some letters by Leica Historical Ass. member, who is a lawyer by trade, wrote some letters and rectified the situation. Their actions were illegal.

How will Rollie parts be handled?
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If they close up, it may be "first pig to the trough", but some countries require companies to retain some services, though I would not count on it.

In Czech Republic, I believe all repairs of any kind have to have a six or twelve month warranty.

Some US importers refused to sell parts unless it was for equipment they specifically imported, I think Bogen refused to work on Metz Flash equipment they did not import, or so I was told by my shop.

Rollei and Honeywell had a repair center here, and when it was closed, the repairmen just "retained" all the parts. I bought a NOS meter cover for my Rollei, and found they made two sizes, my cracked one and the one I bought. ;-)

As the number of Rollei's with cracked meter windows, perhaps it will be easier to find another Rollei to fit the replacement window?

Bronica's demise seriously depressed their used prices to give away levels around here, I had to superglue my wallet to keep from buying a 645, in excellent condition, three lenses, two backs, in fitted case for $300.

I always thought of Rollei in general as in a class of their own.
 
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There are plenty of used Rolleis out there to keep the serious users happy and F&H has never really catered to the members of TIFA (The International Fondlers Association). They should make an attempt to "go out with a bang, not a whimper" by producing exactly 500 titanium bodied Rolleiflexes equipped with a specialy designed 80mm Leica f/2.5 Aspheric Apochromatic Summarit, again limited to a production run of 500, then make a big show of destroying the production machinery. Perhaps even announce that THERE ARE NO SPARE PARTS IN EXISTANCE. Prepaid orders before 31 Dec. will be $29,999, then jump to $49,999.

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com
 
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Rollei, Leica, Sinar -- all very expensive film cameras that, at one time, were the cream of the crop. But the chances are that their day is over.

I'm old enough to remember when quite a few pros used Rollei TLRs, but that's a good while back. Same with Leica. But tell that to the manufacturers and marketers nowadays. Bronica bit the dust, and there have been several brands of 35mm SLRs that are no longer in existence.

Remember vinyl LP records? What happened to them when CDs came along? Yes, there were those who thought the old way sounded better, just as there are those who still feel film outdoes digital. But the majority have made the change, and they are not likely to go back. And you don't need to pay Leica prices for good digital.

The Nikon F and its descendents spelled the end of the reign of rangefinder cameras. Technology will always come up with new ways to do things, and lamenting the bygone days or the demise of once-famous brands and equipment won't change things.
 
dll927 said:
Remember vinyl LP records? What happened to them when CDs came along? Yes, there were those who thought the old way sounded better, just as there are those who still feel film outdoes digital. But the majority have made the change, and they are not likely to go back.
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I'm not sure whether that is a good analogy. Over here in Germany at least, vinyl records are quite established again, admittedly in a niche, but the niche looks quite solid. For example, the largest chain of consumer elctronics stores (Media Markt, something like the German Best Buy) started to sell vinyl records again some years ago, after they had all but vanished from the shelves for a decade. I was quite surprised because it's the kind of company that looks at every penny, but apparently people want to buy them.
 
rxmd said:
I'm not sure whether that is a good analogy. Over here in Germany at least, vinyl records are quite established again, admittedly in a niche, but the niche looks quite solid. For example, the largest chain of consumer elctronics stores (Media Markt, something like the German Best Buy) started to sell vinyl records again some years ago, after they had all but vanished from the shelves for a decade. I was quite surprised because it's the kind of company that looks at every penny, but apparently people want to buy them.
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A record pressing outfit kept the equipment, while making other items, and is now pressing more than pre CD days. Interesting, the CD may not certainly be long for this world.

Maybe all the Rollei machinery can be shipped to China?

John
 
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