Focusing on a Rolleiflex-Wide

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Calzone

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I imagine the focusing on a Rolleiflex-Wide to be more vague than on a Rolleiflex with a 75mm or 80mm lens. Is this true.

In use is scale distance focusing more useful and practical?

Also for you guys that own a Rollieflex-wide and a Rollie-normal what percentage of usage does your Rollei-wide get?

Thanks in advance.

Calzone
 
Not different from WA focusing on any other SLR - focusing tends to be less precise as it is harder to see when the desired spot goes from out-of to in focus, but focusing is just as much less critical as well...
 
My FW has a center spot with a spit image, that certainly helps. You're working with a 50mm lens, so dof isn't what one gets with a 28.
 
I got a ground glass High Lux screen from Bill Maxwell and it is bright and focusing easy.
 
I've been shooting Rollei TLR's for 15 years, but when I finally got the RolleiWide 5 years ago, I use it 90% of the time.
 
Thanks for the responses.

I want one badly, but have to be good for a while. Perhaps I'll buy a lottery ticket. I believe here in NYC a Rolleiflex-Wide would be a good thing.

Calzone
 
Ditto. So far, I get considerably more focus errors w/the Wide-Angle Rolleiflex than the regular versions, especially when I need to focus quickly, but that tracks my experience when using wides on manual-focus SLRs, too. Basically, it takes me twice as long to focus wides. Confirms my general preference for RFs! ;)

Per sepiareverb's & RayT's posts, I use the Maxwell Hi-Lux RF/Split RF & use the center focus aids for rough focus & then use the rest of the screen for precise adjustments.

Edit: As far as percentage of use, I've only recently started using TLRs, but so far I've used the Wide-Angle 'flex a little more than 1/4th of the time, which is a bit less often that I use the 35mm focal length when shooting 35mm. I'm sure I would use it more if the lens were faster.

sevo said:
Not different from WA focusing on any other SLR - focusing tends to be less precise as it is harder to see when the desired spot goes from out-of to in focus, but focusing is just as much less critical as well...
Click to expand...
 
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sepiareverb said:
As do I. I've been focussing with my reading glasses which has helped.
Click to expand...

I'm at that point (over 50) where I could use bifocals; but, because I'm stubborn, I have resisted. I will tell you that I can focus faster and more accurately when I'm wearing my distance glasses, which I can't use for reading.

If you have glasses for seeing distance, I'd use them.

Calzone
 
furcafe said:
Ditto. So far, I get considerably more focus errors w/the Wide-Angle Rolleiflex than the regular versions, especially when I need to focus quickly, but that tracks my experience when using wides on manual-focus SLRs, too. Basically, it takes me twice as long to focus wides. Confirms my general preference for RFs! ;)

Per sepiareverb's & RayT's posts, I use the Maxwell Hi-Lux RF/Split RF & use the center focus aids for rough focus & then use the rest of the screen for precise adjustments.
Click to expand...

I'm a lucky guy, but I'm suffering Rolleiflex Gas. I recently found a Rolleiflex 3.5F with Zenatar, meter, case, strap, lens caps, and 120/220 switch in nice condition with very little wear. I was thrilled because it seemed hardly used, I paid only $999.00, and later learned that it is a "Whiteface."

I was in heaven, until it seemed that the camera was gummed up because of disuse, but I knew and allowed for a CLA in my buget. Now my 3.5F is at Harry Fleenor's for a shutter rebuild, a film transport rebuild, and a Maxwell screen with a split image/microprism.

I'm also lucky that the current wait at Harry's is currently only ten weeks. Perhaps my camera might be shipped back to me mid April. The repair bill is just under $500.00, so I own a really nice clean/fresh Rolleiflex for under $1.5K.

I'm psyched. I already bought out the last stock of Tri-X 320 in 220 from B&H and Adorama (this pro film is scheduled to be discontinued). With 52 rolls, perhaps I'll set a goal to try and shoot and develope one roll a week over the next year, and then get ready to wet printing with a pile of negs.

If it weren't for the support and wealth of information in these forums, I surely would not be so lucky. THANK YOU FORUM MEMBERS AND CONTRIBUTORS.

Calzone
 
The rollei wide is really more fun in use than the plain flex. Focusing with the regular flex is especially a pain in the arse when close focusing where additive focusing lenses (rolleinars) are to be added in order to close focus.

None are requiered with the rolleiwide, you can frame portraits and landscape without rolleinar, neat!

The DOF is bigger so scale focusing is possible, I mean really more realistic than with the 2.8 flexes!
 
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