Rolleiflex 3.5F for 6x9 or 6x7 RF?

[valdas]

I have too many TLRs - two Rolleiflexes 3.5F and Mamiya C330f (with 55mm, 80mm, 105mm and 180mm). I love square and l love my cameras - size, reliability and quality of Rolleiflex and flexibility of Mamiya, but sometimes I feel I's a bit limiting - for some subjects 6x7 or 6x9 would do better. I don't want to buy one more camera (I have too many already), so I'm considering selling one of Rolleiflexes to finance... don't know what... Mamiya 6, 7? Fuji 690? Anything else? What would funds from user condition (but fully functional late model) Rolleiflex will buy?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

[raid]

If you insist on selling one of your 3.5F cameras, I would get a GL690 with a 100mm/3.5. The 6x9 negative or transparency from such a camera can be awesome. There exsits a 100mm lens with AE and one without AE aperture priority. Both are super sharp. The AE lens is not often seen for sale. A GL690 in good shape and with lens can go for $550 or so. There are less expensive offers out there, but beware the condition of such old cameras. They are built like tanks, but I would double check the condition.

The 3.5F is one of the finest of all Rolleflex TLR cameras.

 

[Phantomas]

I've got Rolleiflex 3.5F and a Fuji GW690 III.

Flex > Fuji, but that's my preference, I love squire format. As a matter of fact 690 is getting no use past the first two rolls. It's too big for streetphotography (that's what I got it for, but didn't realise it'd be so big) and for slow shots I prefer to use 6x6.
I'd trade you my 690 at a drop of a hat, but I already got 3.5

If you only had one TRL I would advice to keep it, but since you got several, why not, got for an MF RF.

 

[valdas]

is that the one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fujica-G-690-3-...=ViewItem&pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item255b6271b6

 

[valdas]

I've got Rolleiflex 3.5F and a Fuji GW690 III.

It's too big for streetphotography (that's what I got it for, but didn't realise it'd be so big) and for slow shots I prefer to use 6x6.
quote]

I agree, it's too big for street. I was thinking more landscape+portrait. For street I prefer 35mm RF.

 

[Calzone]

If you only had one TRL I would advice to keep it, but since you got several, why not, got for an MF RF.

Although I'm new to MF, I own a Mamiya 6 with 50/4.0, a Rolleiflex 3.5F, and a Tele Rolleiflex V1. As mentioned, selling a 3.5F could be a big mistake. Whenever someone tells or asks if my 3.5F is old, my response is that they don't build old German cameras like they use to. I was considering getting a 2.8F with a planar, but soon learned the balance, handling and weight savings together to be more valuable than a half f-stop.

If one 3.5F has a planar and the other a Xenatar, consider yourself very lucky; and I would be extreamly jealous. My 3.5F is a Xenatar, but I have a Planar on the Tele Rolleiflex so I no longer have gas for a Planar.

Shooting the square and keeping MF consistent is a bigger advantage to me than having multiple formats IMHO BTW. Why would you want to make MF more complicated? Is there a good/valid reason to add a differant format? I say maintain the square and be happy.

Also the Mamiya 6 with the 50/4.0 is a great rig. Paired with a 3.5F mine fits in a Domke 803 (I use the side pocket inserts from a Domke J-1 to pad the cameras perfectly). For wide angle a range finder is better than a TLR. The Mamiya 6 is a very fast shooter BTW and fantastic for street. Not too heavy to carry all day in NYC. Kind of makes a perfect two camera MF kit, while the 3.5F with the Tele Rolleiflex gets a bit heavy in comparison.

Good luck.

Cal

 

[valdas]

If one 3.5F has a planar and the other a Xenatar, consider yourself very lucky; and I would be extreamly jealous.

Both are Planars (hyped late 6 elements version - personally I'm not sure if that's worth an extra $).

Well, 6x9 allows different composition, that's it.

 

[Calzone]

Both are Planars (hyped late 6 elements version - personally I'm not sure if that's worth an extra $).

Well, 6x9 allows different composition, that's it.

Now I understand. You are still lucky to be able to select the best 3.5F. Other premiums for me would be 120/220 switch, meter and over all condition.

If you like shooting wide for street the Mamiya 6 with 50/4.0 is a great rig. Using AEL mode it works like a point and shoot and the rangefinder is a marvel. One of my favorite rigs for street is a Leica IIIG with a Canon/Serenar 28/3.5 (a tiny lens). I stop down a bit and meter off the back of my hand using zone focusing. The Mamiya with the 50/4.0 is a 28mm equivelent. I'm in heaven and for me the M6 on steroids (knicknamed "Junior") is my dream come true.

Not sure if this is good for you. The Mamiya 80/3.5 is very sharp, but some of the criticism is that it has harsh bokeh. For me the Rollei at this FOV has the look.

Recently I saw at Adorama a LN with box Mamiya 6 sell for $1k. M6's seem to sell fast. 50/4.0 are also fast sellers, probably for good reason. In my search I was sniped twice, but I ended up with LN examples at a modest premium. I'm very happy I did.

Cal

 

[filmfan]

I have a 3.5F and have never considered accepting the various trade offers I have received: Pentax 67, Hassy 500c, etc...

 

[raid]

Let us know what you will do,

 

[Matus]

Maybe I could share my Rolleiflex story too 🙂

After shooting 100 films with Rolleiflex T I came to conclusion that I really like to get more lens choices and order a Mamiya 6 with 50 and 150 lenses (75 will come as well) and built-in meter. I will have to sell the Rolleiflex (that will be a sad day) to compensate a bit - if the Mamiya will turn to be what I hope for.

But indeed - shooting a TLR is just ... different. One of the main advantages in my eyes is somewhat lower point-of-view what results in interesting portraits.

 

[Calzone]

For me the Mamiya 6 with 50/4.0 is better and perfered over a Rollei-Wide because of the rangefinder. There is no compromise.

My Rollei 3.5F is what it is and for me that 75mm Xenatar is kinda magical.

In a practical sense this two MF camera kit fits well in a Domke 803 sachel/bookbay weighing in at around 11 pounds with a lot of film. (Added Domke side pocket padded inserts to further protect the two cameras).

I'm not so keen on doing lens changes, so carrying three lenses doesn't work for me. Carrying two cameras that compliment each other for me is the best solution.

Cal