Bougth a Mint planar 2,8 (and it scares me)

[vha]

A week ago or thereabout I got my Rollefilex F (Planar 80mm 2,8) in the mail, been looking around since February for a flex, but was more like thinking for a 75mm 3,5 since that was the one I was stupid enough to sell 5 years ago.

Anyway, one afternoon i was looking at foto.no (a photography forum in Norway)
and in the adds i´v found it, "in mint condition like new, not used more than 3 films, selenium cells changed, shuttler cla´d"

1334 usd.

After a 45 minute phone call the deal was closed, but I wanted one day of thinking, just in case of .. Then some googeling, a quick surf at e**y, and realizing that the price tag was just about 300 usd more than I had to pay for a planar 75mm in "well treated condition". A final 5 minutes with the calculator, understanding the life as a broke student was to continue, but with a nice camera in the mail.

And one day a note from the post office was there, walk home from there with a new toy to play with.

Couldn´t say anything else than the package was well prepared for the mail, and the camera was in the original box from 1965.
Scary.
Was even more silent when i saw the bubble wrap, and the camera strap, crisp leather as new.

Then I understood what the guy who sold it meant by asking "are you really going to use the camera ?"

I´m not used to this, unpacking a 42 year old camera, knowing I would be the first real user, and have to buy a small bag for keeping the everready case form getting scratches. . . . 😉

vha

 

[colyn]

Don't worry.. Just box it back up and ship it to me COD and I'll dispose of it.

 

[vha]

some more from the unpacking

some more from the unpacking

. . . . and notice the nifty plastic bag for the camera strap, hopefully in mint condition too 🙂

 

[vha]

From the first roll of XP-2

From the first roll of XP-2

Got time to scan a film at work this evening, just some minor adjustments done in photoshop afterwards.
And I realized one thing : have to get used to keep the camera in level again, both ways. A lot to remember and learn again.

And the girl at the photo is a friend of mine who uses a hassy, looking sceptical on this new item i´v got .. telling her that this one is less noisy 😉

vha

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,
I can understand what you feel. I only buy users just to avoid these feelings.
But, a camera is made to be used. So, use it and be careful .

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[Photog9001]

"are you really going to use the camera ?"

it is a scary phrase indeed..

 

[motosacto]

Look at it this way: your camera sat for 42 years practically unused waiting for you (or someone else) to give it some life. Remember, it was made to take pictures, not sit on a shelf. Rather than condemn it to more waiting, I'm glad to see that you are giving it the life it deserves. Enjoy it. If it has a soul, it will too.

 

[David Murphy]

Awesome camera -- no other words to describe it - good luck

 

[rover]

Very nice indeed.

yes, very nice.

 

[rolleistef]

use it! Or here's my adress... You'll definitely love it!

 

[thafred]

ahh .. ummp ..woa wow! a NIB Rolleiflex for what 900€?!?! ...äöhem .. ´scuse me but wouldn´t that be worth like double or tripple for a collector (I mean I´m in the use it boat but if you can get a just mint one and 1000 bucks spare wouldn´t this be just as nice?) ...man I´d try to give this to an Auction like Westlicht or something..

otoh..that poor rollei never saw a roll of film....THAT makes me sick! good that you finaly givin it good use!!
cheers
fred

 

[rich815]

If it's truly MINT I'd sell it to a collector and get another EX+ condition one for something like a few hundred USD$ less.

 

[agianelo]

I'ts not a camera unless you take pictures with it! Forget all that collector stuff and remind yourself that you ordered a "used" camera, it just needs to be broken in!

I bought a new Rolleiflex G because I got tired of trying to find replacement lens caps for my Yashica 124.

Take advantage of your good luck and enjoy that camera.

Angelo

 

[clarence]

It's easy to talk about using mint condition cameras rather than worrying about their condition and keeping them at home, but there is a significant premium that you have to pay over the price for a used one. The problem comes when you have to sell the camera you've bought, and you end up getting several hundred dollars less because you've sullied it with a few marks.

Clarence

 

[KoNickon]

All I can say is, use the case and let it get a little scuffed up -- that's what it's meant to do rather than the camera. Another piece of advice: don't sell it, ever!

 

[Pherdinand]

well. I think i found the best solution.
Use it once, carefully (as you did already)! and sell it and get a used one and keep the change.😀

Anyway
It's a miracle that without any use, the shutter still works fine, actually.

 

[raid]

I sold two minty 2.8 Rolleis (2.8E and 2.8F) and kept the non-mint 2.8D. I use the camera.

Raid

 

[vha]

Thanks to the respond, yes I´v been thinking of selling it to earn some money, but that was for like 15 min or so, think I would not get the same chance twice, and a such camera deserves finally to be used, 42 years is long enough waiting I say 😉

But the idea of just collecting something and keeping it mint still scares me, kind of having the camera but not the chance to enjoy it . . but as long as you do as you prefer, no problems . . . .

Bought a case for the camera and the everreadycase , mostly in case of rain and for improving the carrying comfort, and taking care of the camera but use it without worrying every 2nd minute . . (lowepro Lens Case 5s and the shoulderstrap that came with my reporter 200aw)

Think I can get used to this.

Almost done for now, or was it content ? 😉

 

[summilux]

this is the first time i have seen the original outer box for the 2.8F.

 

[Dfin]

Cameras are tools, take care of it, but use it. Put your patina on it. All this collector stuff and nonsence, bah humbug, burn film baby, burn film!!!!