The Rolleiflex XF: I got back a roll of film

[raid]

I just got back a roll of film with the Rolleiflex XF. It has only automatic exposure control like many other cameras, but it is usually frowned upon and not viewed as a real Rolleflex. It sports a Sonnar 40mm/2.3 lens.

Raid

 

[FrankS]

You can't fault the lens on this camera, Raid. What are the exposure control options?

http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/RolleiXF35/index.html

 

[raid]

Frank: You can only change the ASA settings. There seems to be a limited pairing of aperture/speed settings that will be picked for you depending on the exposure. This limitation is of course a serious shortcoming when compared to your fully manual Rollei 35. On the other hand, this makes the XF very useful for street photography.


Raid

 

[FrankS]

That would be a good camera to hang on to Raid, for when you need an auto camera with a great lens.

 

[raid]

Frank: They go for very cheap, but the lens is still a Sonnar. The collectors despise them.

Regards,

Raid

 

[BILLC]

Raid,
I used one for years with great results. I bought something new (old) and put it on the shelf where it still sits. Perhaps I'll take it down and put some film it.
Bill

 

[raid]

Bill: I also had the XF just standing there without use, but now I can see that for B&W and outdoors, it actually can deliver the goods.

Raid

 

[BILLC]

Raid,
When my 2 girls were about the age of yours pictured above we went to see the easter bunny and the only camera I had with me was the XF35. We were inside a shop so I put the matching Rollei flash on but it never did trigger. I thought it was faulty but the shots were great. The camera must have a brain to figure out what all it needed to do in that light. Color print film 400 speed most likely. The oldest is about to graduate from collage and the other is two years behind, where does the time go?
Bill

 

[raid]

Bill:
Time goes by fast and then you find yourself and the people around you different.
The XF seems to do a great job without flash. I don't know whether there is any flash synch setting on the camera. I still have not seen anywhere a lens test for the Sonnar 40mm/2.3 lens.

Raid

 

[ZeissFan]

Technically, it's a Rollei XF. Rollei reserved the "flex" name for those with reflex viewing (except for the Rolleicord) ... the TLRs and SLRs.

Viewfinder cameras get the Rollei name -- no "flex."

Oh, almost forgot. Love the photos. Very nice tones.

 

[BILLC]

Raid,
Under the lens you can select A-B or a GN. I have no idea how to use that or what it means. Maybe someday I'll track down a book for it.
Bill

 

[Tarzak]

Bill:
The XF seems to do a great job without flash. I don't know whether there is any flash synch setting on the camera.
Raid

I haven't used a flash with mine but on the bottom of the lens you can dial in the GN of your flash and it will then limit your focussing range to match the flash.

 

[raid]

Raid,
Under the lens you can select A-B or a GN. I have no idea how to use that or what it means. Maybe someday I'll track down a book for it.
Bill

Bill: yes, I can do this, but does the XF know which shutter speed to use?
Raid

 

[BILLC]

Raid,
A leaf shutter will sync at any speed. The exposure is based on the GN of the flash and the F stop. And the film speed of course.
Bill

 

[Jeremy Z]

I had a nice example of one, with only a little brassing.

The other poster is right. Yours doesn't say 'Rolleiflex' does it?

Despite the f/2.4 Sonnar lens, I didn't like the camera. Autoexposure-only was just too limiting. If I want auto exposure, I'll probably want autofocus too. ...and a built-in flash. So basically, this was a point & shoot camera before autofocus and crappy lenses became common.

It doesn't have the character of the Rollei 35 or the usefulness of the Japanese rangefinders of the era.

However, there is no doubt that it can take sharp pictures. Another guy recommended to save it for an autoexposure camera. I think he was saying the same thing I am, but much more diplomatically, hehehe.

One big advantage to this camera is that it will take the common 76 batteries instead of forcing you to jerk around with mercury adapters and so forth.

 

[raid]

The XF has an excellent lens, and it is very inexpensive. I think that this camera could be used effectively as a street camera. The meter is powered by readily available batteries, which is a plus. It is a camera that should be compared to P&S camera.

 

[Jeremy Z]

When I was digging around for some RF info or another a few days ago, I found that the Rollei XF35 is really a identical copy of a Voigtlander. I've never seen the Voigtlander, but I have seen a couple of XF35s.