Rangefinder for Rollei TLR

[Calzone]

I recently received an unsolicited offer to buy a Rollei made rangefinder that was offered as an accessory. I have only seen this rangefinder accessory on a camera being sold in the RFF classifieds, otherwise I know nothing about it.

Is this a useful accessory or just a rare novelty? In use how does it work? What comprises the complete kit? Also is this rangefinder model specific?

My two Rollei's are a 3.5F Whiteface and a Tele Rolleiflex V.2.

Thanks in advance.

Cal

 

[dabick42]

Calzone - the Rollei TLR rangefinder attachment is called ( confusingly ! ) a Rolleimeter.
They were designed by Rollei to ease focussing on the earlier, darker, all-matte screens fitted to 3.5 and 2.8 TLRs with non-removable hoods, i.e. up to 3.5E and 2.8 E .
They are NOT usable on later standard models or the Tele and Wide.
I use one on my 3.5E , even though it has the later split-image screen fitted, as I can then follow moving action easier and focus quicker by looking directly through the hood aperture and the Rolleimeter.
Great to use in low light, too.
Highly recommended for users of the earlier TLRs but sadly unusable on later ones.

 

[chris00nj]

Interesting. I never knew these existed. I have a automat which can be difficult to focus in low light.

 

[sreed2006]

The complete kit includes:
- A zippered clamshell leather case 4" x 4.5" x 1.5".
- The Rolleimeter device itself, stamped as either "2.8" or "3.5" on the swing-arm.
- A calibration disk. This disk is used to determine the correct setting of an adjustment on the device's swing-arm, and it is only needed for initial set-up. Then the disk can be safely stored somewhere never to be found again.
- An instruction booklet. (This can be found on-line.)

There are different Rolleimeter models for Rolleiflexes with light meters and without light meters. The Rolleimeters for Rolleiflexes without light meters cannot be used on Rolleiflexes with light meters - the light meter gets in the way and the Rolleimeter cannot be attached to the camera.

I have used a no-light-meter Rolleiflex 2.8C with the Rolleimeter. It works, and I found it easier to get accurate focus, especially since the 2.8C still has its original focusing screen, which is old and dim. Low-light focusing is a lot easier.

For street shooting, the way I used it was to have the Rolleimeter attached at the top of the camera, a pistol grip attached at the bottom of the camera, and the leather strap for the camera placed over the head and around the neck. With this setup, the camera is held much higher than waist level, so if the goal is to have waist level perspective, you have to sit down.

For tripod use, put a Rolleifix on the bottom of the camera instead of the pistol grip. I have put a Rolleiflex on a tripod and then had to use a step-ladder to get tall enough to see the focusing screen. A Rolleimeter solves that problem.

The Rolleimeter cannot be used when Rolleinars (close-up lenses) are on the camera, because the close-up lenses change the focal length, and the Rolleimeter has no way to adjust for that.

 

[Calzone]

Thank you for the responses.

It seems like I have an opportunity to acquire this rangefinder, but this also means that I'll have to eventually get another Rollei, not a bad thing, but this would have to happen way down the road.

Any idea of what these go for as far as price?

BTW that 2.8C sounds like a hot rig.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

but this also means that I'll have to eventually get another Rollei,

haha. I caught you... I knew you weren't done buying Cal. 😉

 

[dreilly]

I've used on on a 2.8C I think, unless my alphanumeric soup is all mixed up. I really enjoyed it! Turns the "sport finder" in an open-air rangefinder. Very unique way to shoot and see the world. I was very skeptical at first but it worked really well.

 

[Calzone]

haha. I caught you... I knew you weren't done buying Cal. 😉

I got hyjacked in B&H. I was minding my own business and was waiting on line to buy a Gossen Digisix meter to use with my F2. A salesman/friend saw me waiting on line and left his station to intercept me. Anyways he wanted to tell me about his most recent gear acquisition and somehow in conversation it came up that I'm into Rollei's, while my friend is passionately into large format.

Because my friend has seen my negatives he has been trying to get me into large format. Anyways he also builds/constructs large format cameras and somehow bought this Rolleimeter, but he owns no Rollei's.

Anyways, it so hard being me.

Cal

 

[gbealnz]

I've got one of those Rolleimeter gizmo's, never used it, but you are right, they are camera specific. Great concept.
This thread, and forum in general has me getting the Rollei stuff out, and I mean there is a swag of stuff. I was thinking to sell it off, but now, with all you waxing lyrical about it I might just have to fondle it all a bit and use it.
Gary