3.5E Planar is fantastic!

[Phil_F_NM]

A week or so ago I posted a thread on Krimar Photo's amazing work on my Rolleiflex 3.5E Planar.
Well, the camera is clicking away faithfully and is truly a gorgeous piece of mechanical engineering. The lens is at least as good as any Leica lens from the 1950's and in my opinion it can give every modern optic a run for its money.

Here are a few shots from my first few rolls:

Grab shot of a motorcyclist.

The Thinker sitting outside the Rodin Museum.

Symmetry in reading.

Man in a suit sitting at the Rittenhouse Square fountain.

Gymnasts practicing in Rittenhouse Square.

This recent move to the different mode of composition and focusing has seen me slow down incredibly. I find myself centering compositions mostly due to ease of focusing but also since using the Rolleiflex is a different photographic experience completely. I haven't shot a 6x6 with a waist level finder in maybe four years so I'm a bit rusty but it'll come back soon, I'm sure.

As for the camera, it is an amazing piece of equipment. I can't stress enough how fine the camera is.
Thanks all.

Phil Forrest

 

[Field]

Jealous...

 

[RanceEric]

Well done. I really like the photo of the gymnasts. 🙂

makes me want to go relax in Rittenhouse Square and people watch..

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Thanks for the praise!
As for jealousy of the camera, I completely understand. It's just so incredibly nice.

Rittenhouse and Washington Squares are great for people watching. I'm near Rittenhouse almost every day so it's easy photographic fodder for me. Endless supply of subjects!

Phil Forrest

 

[Field]

No 35mm or DSLR short of medium format can touch it...

 

[Calzone]

Focusing on ground glass makes for a different way of seeing that helps create great compositions.

I find shooting my Mamiya 6 not as satisfying as shooting with my Rollei's.

Cal

 

[thompsonks]

What a nice Rollei to have found. I like it best because:
the Planar is better than TEssar at wide apertures;
it's not as heavy as the 2.8's; &
if it doesn't have the optional meter, all the better.

Maybe I have a suggestion (though it's hard to judge from the web): Try more exposure & less development? MF can produce subtler tones, esp. highlights, than I saw above.

Just my 2 cents,

Kirk

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Thanks for the praise and recommendations.
I exposed well and there is a lot of detail in the negatives. The scans were done by a minilab quickly one afternoon so I think that's where the breakdown in the imaging chain lies. I can see some subtle tonal differences in some of the bright negatives that I don't see in the scans but I wasn't expecting excellent results from a local minilab. I'm going to have a friend of mine scan them for me with a much better scanner and we'll see what I get.

My 3.5E does indeed have the meter and it's spot on across the range. While that's convenient, I still prefer using a handheld Luna Pro and sometime soon I'm going to get a Rollei meter 'diffusor' to help reduce the amount of light hitting the selenium in order to preserve it as long as possible.

Thanks.

Phil Forrest

 

[KoNickon]

I agree with the comment above that the 3.5 Rolleis (Planar and Xenotar) are maybe the best compromise between weight and performance of the line. Congratulations on your acquisitions -- it won't let you down.

The diffusor is a nice addition. Just be careful that it doesn't fall off when you're not looking!

 

[noeyedear]

I just bought an immaculate 3.5F, but had not the time or any half decent weather to use it. It's so beautiful I'm scarred to take it out anyway, I had a T which I have given to my daughter. I have had about one roll through the 3.5F but not processed it yet. I bought a C41 processor off ebay, I have just ordered some chemicals and will test it before putting the exposed rolls through I have here, most shot on the T or Minolta Autocord.
I fondle the Rolleiflex more than I do my Wife, I can see some jealousy becoming an issue soon.

Kevin.

 

[Bobfrance]

I started with a Yashica 124g and was blown away by the medium format look.
I upgraded to a 3.5E but had to give it back to the shop I purchased it from a few months later as the focus was poor.
On impulse I bought a Hasselblad 500c/m - a wonderful camera, but it aint a Rolleiflex.

A week later I swapped it for a 3.5F. I couldn't be happier to be shooting TLR again. 🙂
(Although I still want a Hassy too!)


Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr

 

[andredossantos]

Out of all the Rolleis I've tried, my current 3.5E is my favorite (and favorite camera!).

 

[ianstamatic]

I started with a Yashica 124g and was blown away by the medium format look.
I upgraded to a 3.5E but had to give it back to the shop I purchased it from a few months later as the focus was poor.
On impulse I bought a Hasselblad 500c/m - a wonderful camera, but it aint a Rolleiflex.

A week later I swapped it for a 3.5F. I couldn't be happier to be shooting TLR again. 🙂
(Although I still want a Hassy too!)


Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr

Nice shot !!

 

[maddoc]

Rolleiflex 3.5E Planar / green-filter

Tri-X / Rodinal

 

[Mablo]

Rolleiflex 3.5F Planar, fully open:

 

[raid]

I have a 3.5F Planar, which is an amazing camera too.