Rolleiflex for street photography?

I added a Maxwell screen to my 3.5F and it's a joy for viewing. A worthwhile upgrade to a wonderful camera.

Gene
 
Is it a worthwhile DIY project? I haven't really looked into it other than to note on one of the repair service websites that he (not surprisingly) advises against doing it yourself.
 
John,

If your Rollei has a removeable hood (later models) then it is extremely easy. And the difference is startling.

Otherwise it is do-able, but apparently non-trivial. One of my colleagues just bit the bullet and had a camera tech do it.

I notice that you are up in Dutchess, I'm in Lower Westchester and have found Jimmy Koh out on Long Island to be very helpful, he's a Rollei-trained tech. I'm sure he could install it and would be reasonable. http://www.kohscamera.com .

Ted, did you call Maxwell? Those instructions sound odd -- he's a good guy, he offered to walk me through the installation of mine over the phone...

JT
 
JT

I've been busy in the studio and darkroom, but I intend to call him today.

I'll let you know what he says.

Ted
 
JT -

Thank you very much for the info - I actually work in Bronxville. I'm going to contact Koh and arrange to have the screen changed and the camera CLA'd.

Thanks again.
 
Ash

You can still get 220 film (24 frames 6x6) , if your TLR will accept it, some do.

Noel

P.S. Thanks for pic
 
JT:

The Maxwell screen came today, but I decided to send both camera and screen off to Ross Yerkes in L.A. to make sure it's installed correctly.

And, yes, I did call Mr. Maxwell back. I guess the shims go between the camera body and the hood. Still confused.

Anyway, DIY is a moot point now.

Ted
 
It's not about quantity it about quality. The Rolei is excellent for candid work. Look at the work of Imogen Cunningham. I met her in San Francisco in 1975 on Ansel Adams recommendation. I spent an afternoon at her home chatting and looking at her negs and prints.

It takes a littl getting used to the reversed VF but it's not that hard to get thehang of. Square is also a very good shape to shoot to.
 
Ross called me last Friday. He had received the camera and Maxwell screen. He said the camera was one of the best (cosmetically speaking) he had seen in quite some time. However, he said, "The film advance is a bit stiff and the shutter speeds are slightly slow. So this means the lubricants are dry and it needs a good CLA. What's nice about this is that this camera has never been opened by anyone before, and that's good news."

So I told him to go ahead with the CLA (at $100 I think it's a pretty good deal).
 
You guys are really inspiring me to take the Rolleiflex on hit the streets. Thank you very much! Great exaples shown here of what the camera is capable of.

This new brighter screen. Is it expensive and can somebody perhaps provide a link?

Roel
 
I have Beattie screen in my 2.8F - makes a huge difference. They are not cheap.

I agree with earlier posts about the 12 frame thing being as much a help as a hinderance. Be a sniper not a machine gunner.

For some the change to composing in the square format can be a challenge - takes practice but is good when it works.

C
 
The Maxwell screen is $155 shipped. If your Rollei has the slip-off hood apparently you can install it yourself. If your hood is not the slip-off kind, then you would be better off sending the camera and screen to a Rollei repair expert (Mark Hanna in Atlanta, Ross Yerkes in L.A.) for installation, as there is some shimming involved. For example, the screen on my 2.8E is 0.050 thick. The Maxwell screen is 0.060 thick.

I sent the screen and the camera to Mr. Yerkes because I live in Arizona, and I've had good luck with him the past with Kowa 6 repairs.

I don't know what the Beattie screen costs.

Ted
 
Rollei for street photog? Oh yeah! Definitely! You don't need to be a pro photog to see the diff. It's also a fantastic photo school because of the huuuuuge VF - 6x6 man! - and the 12 (or 16 if you own a 3.5T) frames per roll, that make you be much much careful.
Out of 12 photos, I usually get 6 I'm happy with and up to 4 that definitely are worth printing. Do you get 12 trully good photos with a RF? In this you're really to join the National geographic team or the Magnum Agency. See what I mean? ;) Here are a few exemples.

Also : you can have a real contact with the person you're photographying since you don't need to hide behind your camera, and people are not afraid of that big toy that almost look human (less than a rolleidoscope though)

plus a few examples of photos I made in MONTMARTRE (aha you're so jealous because I take a bus and a tube and i'm there lol) on my blog http://photophoto.bloxode.com (sorry i'm not quite a pro with wet printing)
 

Attachments

  • japonaischamps.jpg
    japonaischamps.jpg
    39.1 KB · Views: 0
  • monsieurtrain.jpg
    monsieurtrain.jpg
    32.6 KB · Views: 0
  • metroplusbeau.jpg
    metroplusbeau.jpg
    32.7 KB · Views: 0
Last edited:
If you are a little bit handy, and can unscrew 4 screws and 2 spring clips, you can change screens yourself on the pre-F Rolleiflexes (and other TLR's.)
 
true, but you need to reset the infinity by removing the front plate, because of the thikness difference between the original and the new screen...
 
Which is why I sent mine off to Ross Yerkes for installation. Maxwell said his screen is 0.060 thick and the original is 0.050, thus the requirement for shims. Perhaps with the shims one doesn't have to reset the infinity?

Ted
 
tedwhite said:
Gabriel, you are just the person I want to talk to.

I have a Rolleiflex 2.8E and want buy a Maxwell Hi-Lux Brilliant Matte focusing screen for my camera. As you know, they are a bit difficult to see through with the original screen. I will be interested to know your opinion after you've had a chance to use the Maxwell.
Click to expand...
Hi Ted, sorry, I hadn't seen your post before.

I can only say this: get the Maxwell screen; I highly recommend it. I installed it myself, it was easy; slightly laborious, since you have to recalibrate the focusing (which is done by adjusting the mirror), but very well worth it. I got the one with the gridlines.

The guy (Mr. Maxwell) is extremely helpful, and will give you written instructions on how to do your own replacement if you choose to do so.

I still have to develop the few rolls I shot in Paris with it. No night shots, though; I was planning on using it more during the last week I was there, and that "last week" never happened.

It's certainly a camera you want to use once you have that screen on. The other incentive is to bring the Rolleiflex and nothing else :eek:

Edit: oh, I see you've already done it! :D
 
Last edited:
aha can't wait to see your shots in Paris, even though people living there aren't really kind with their neighbour, there's quite a photogenic athmosphere!
 
I agree with what many here have said. Shooting with a Rolleiflex is a different experience. You take your time. A couple of rolls of 12 can take all afternoon to use up, but then you'll find that your composition improves greatly and if used properly, your negatives will be outstanding in every way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom