Bernie/Is/No/More.
Member
valdas
Veteran
wow, prices for Rolleiflex are really going up, especially white face... the set and condition is impressive though... but if it's for taking pictures, not staying on the shelf, then maybe you can find 2.8F for the same price in very decent condition?
Several years ago I was bidding in two auctions at a time hoping to win in one (3.5F, late version with 6 elements planar, but not white face) ...but was the highest bidder in both auctions. I said to myself - stupid, stupid, stupid. Now that I look back - I paid for each about 400 EUR... does not look that much those days...
Several years ago I was bidding in two auctions at a time hoping to win in one (3.5F, late version with 6 elements planar, but not white face) ...but was the highest bidder in both auctions. I said to myself - stupid, stupid, stupid. Now that I look back - I paid for each about 400 EUR... does not look that much those days...
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
That's a nice camera for a collector at a collector's price.
Last week I bought a Rolleiflex 3.5F "Whiteface" at Adorama for $999.00. It came with a case missing the meter cover, a dry rotted scissor strap, a mirrored lens cover, and a manual. My TLR features a Xenotar taking lens.
While mine displays some wear it is still fresh and good to go. The 120/220 switch option is a big bonus, as well as being metered. Although I am not experianced with a Maxwell screen, my later original screen is mighty bright.
Currently, at Adorama is a 3.5F with a Planar for $799.00. I still could buy a second Rolleiflex 3.5F and still be ahead. Think of all the money I'll save. Granted that I feel I got a pretty reasonable deal, especially since my 3.5F is in great shape and clean. Recently, when I went to B&H to get a lens hood, a salesman asked to open my camera to check the backplate for wear. He stated that my camera at B&H would be sold for $1,200.00 without any of the extras.
Good luck, but I would pass.
Calzone
Last week I bought a Rolleiflex 3.5F "Whiteface" at Adorama for $999.00. It came with a case missing the meter cover, a dry rotted scissor strap, a mirrored lens cover, and a manual. My TLR features a Xenotar taking lens.
While mine displays some wear it is still fresh and good to go. The 120/220 switch option is a big bonus, as well as being metered. Although I am not experianced with a Maxwell screen, my later original screen is mighty bright.
Currently, at Adorama is a 3.5F with a Planar for $799.00. I still could buy a second Rolleiflex 3.5F and still be ahead. Think of all the money I'll save. Granted that I feel I got a pretty reasonable deal, especially since my 3.5F is in great shape and clean. Recently, when I went to B&H to get a lens hood, a salesman asked to open my camera to check the backplate for wear. He stated that my camera at B&H would be sold for $1,200.00 without any of the extras.
Good luck, but I would pass.
Calzone
Paddy C
Unused film collector
Nice camera, but I wouldn't buy it to use it.
The price is probably not unreasonable, but might be a bit high.
You can get something that will take pics just as well for a lot less.
The price is probably not unreasonable, but might be a bit high.
You can get something that will take pics just as well for a lot less.
Bernie/Is/No/More.
Member
Yep, you're right guys 
The camera has a collector's price and I'm going to pass. Thanks for sharing your stories. I'll check at Adorama, Calzone!
Best regards,
Bernard
The camera has a collector's price and I'm going to pass. Thanks for sharing your stories. I'll check at Adorama, Calzone! Best regards,
Bernard
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Just to let you know that B&H has no Rolleiflex's in stock. They had a 3.5E with a Planar posted on their website at a good price, but when I got down there it was gone.
BTW my salesman at Adorama knocked down the price so he could throw me a full one year warranty instead of the usual 90 days. They also have a 7 day return policy. I once had to return a Nikon F2AS that was minty because when I got it home I discovered the meter was off by two stops.
It is doubtful that you can find that level of safety on EBAY. I hope this inside info helps in securing you a great camera. Be aware that you enquire about the condition fully. At both B&H their rating scale can be sometimes loose. I have gotten some items marked excelent or 9 that were like new, but conversely I have been shown some lenses that were over rated.
The salesperson named "Andy" seems to be the Rollei/medium format expert and even though I went to another salesperson initially I was defered to him.
Good luck.
Calzone
BTW my salesman at Adorama knocked down the price so he could throw me a full one year warranty instead of the usual 90 days. They also have a 7 day return policy. I once had to return a Nikon F2AS that was minty because when I got it home I discovered the meter was off by two stops.
It is doubtful that you can find that level of safety on EBAY. I hope this inside info helps in securing you a great camera. Be aware that you enquire about the condition fully. At both B&H their rating scale can be sometimes loose. I have gotten some items marked excelent or 9 that were like new, but conversely I have been shown some lenses that were over rated.
The salesperson named "Andy" seems to be the Rollei/medium format expert and even though I went to another salesperson initially I was defered to him.
Good luck.
Calzone
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
UPDATE: I discovered yesterday that my 3.5F needs a CLA. Oh-well. Still a lucky find.
The film advance intermittently gets stuck after tripping the shutter. I was able to empty the camera by using the lens cap to trip the shutter a second time by using the double exposure feature to trip the shutter a second time. Seems like the firing of the shutter is not registering with the rewind release and allowing me to advance to the next frame.
The shutter timing seemed to be right on, even though my camera saw little use. I was hoping of getting a few rolls through the camera before needing to send it out.
I also noticed that the "Whiteface" above does not have the 12/24 switch, a feature that my "Whiteface" has. The first roll of film was Tri-X 320 in 220, and already I'm spoiled. Less reloading and more shooting is good. I'd hold out for a Rollei with this feature. Also I took note that my screen has a larger diameter circle. I have a very bright screen and my friend at B&H recomended that I don't change it.
Although I have a one year warranty, I'm going to send it out to one of the big three who specialize in Rollei repairs BTW, and I had expected needing to have service performed anyway. Thanks for the opportunity to share my rant.
Calzone
The film advance intermittently gets stuck after tripping the shutter. I was able to empty the camera by using the lens cap to trip the shutter a second time by using the double exposure feature to trip the shutter a second time. Seems like the firing of the shutter is not registering with the rewind release and allowing me to advance to the next frame.
The shutter timing seemed to be right on, even though my camera saw little use. I was hoping of getting a few rolls through the camera before needing to send it out.
I also noticed that the "Whiteface" above does not have the 12/24 switch, a feature that my "Whiteface" has. The first roll of film was Tri-X 320 in 220, and already I'm spoiled. Less reloading and more shooting is good. I'd hold out for a Rollei with this feature. Also I took note that my screen has a larger diameter circle. I have a very bright screen and my friend at B&H recomended that I don't change it.
Although I have a one year warranty, I'm going to send it out to one of the big three who specialize in Rollei repairs BTW, and I had expected needing to have service performed anyway. Thanks for the opportunity to share my rant.
Calzone
chris00nj
Young Luddite
Yep, also seems pricey. I got my Rollei from Igor's Camera Exchange. His assessment of condition was very good, and his prices were very competitive. Right now, he has a 3.5F in Mint- for $795 as well as a few older models for less.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The 3.5F with 12/24 in E- condition is gone. The price was $799.00.
Calzone
Calzone