A 1939 Rolleiflex Automat and a roll of Fuji NPH 400

[Swift1]

My last major camera purchase was a 1939 Rolleiflex Automat RF111A. It came to me with a stuck shutter, so I sent it off for a CLA, and finally got it back in early November. I've just finished the 2nd roll in the camera, so I thought I might share some thoughts on the camera, and some images from the 2nd roll.

So far, I really like the camera, more than I figured I would. It's not in collector condition, but it is in fairly nice condition. All the metal work and black surfaces are mostly scratch free, and everything operates smoothly. The lenses a clean, and the viewfinder is pretty good (could be a bit brighter). The uncoated Tessar seems fairly sharp from what I've seen so far. I haven't really figured out how best to expose for the low contrast uncoated lens. Most of my scans come out initially with low contrast, almost like they're overexposed and the shadows are all midtones. I feel like I'm having to adjust the levels too much after scanning, but I love the final results.
These photos are all from the same roll of expired Fuji NPH 400. They were all shot on two separate occasions, in downtown Medford, Oregon. Fellow RFFer GerryM helped me with most of them.

​

 

[f16sunshine]

These all look very nice.
The uncoated lens tessar definitely gives a nice pastel like color pallet with the fuji400.
The tree in the second to the last one gets a nice framing effect.
Like a wall mural that extends to real life.

Best!

 

[teddy]

Great photography. I like the 2 last shots. Well done. Nice colour.

 

[x-ray]

Love the subjects and the beautiful soft contrast. Nicely done.

 

[BillBingham2]

I rather like the elks lodge reflection towards the front.

B2 (;->

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

These pictures, viewed as a group, have something that is difficult for me to put words to. I like them, and I don't know why.
They are all pictorial, but somehow abstract. Every one could have people in them, but they don't. There could be a person in the Mailbox shot, but not sure. Where did they all go?
Or is it all about the camera and how it works now?

 

[Swift1]

Thanks everyone!

These pictures, viewed as a group, have something that is difficult for me to put words to. I like them, and I don't know why.
They are all pictorial, but somehow abstract. Every one could have people in them, but they don't. There could be a person in the Mailbox shot, but not sure. Where did they all go?
Or is it all about the camera and how it works now?

I most often take photos of ordinary scenes without people, so while the post is about the camera and how it works, the photos are meant to be part of the ongoing collection of my work.

 

[farlymac]

I like the way you pick your subjects, Colton. For one thing, your perspective is different from most everyone else due to the lower shooting angle. But you have a way of isolating certain elements to give the photo a particular feeling.

And a shout out to gerrym for being your assistant. If you ever come to the Blue Ridge, let me know.

PF

 

[charjohncarter]

Beautiful, I'm old but it still surprises me how these close to 80 year old manufacturers made such quality products. I think all the way through high school I only saw one Rolleiflex. We only had Brownie Hawkeye Flash cameras that were top of the line.

Very nice processing, beautiful images and all from a 1939 camera.

Carter

 

[Swift1]

I like the way you pick your subjects, Colton. For one thing, your perspective is different from most everyone else due to the lower shooting angle. But you have a way of isolating certain elements to give the photo a particular feeling.

And a shout out to gerrym for being your assistant. If you ever come to the Blue Ridge, let me know.

PF

Thanks PF 🙂
I would love to go out east and see more of the continent, but air travel is quite difficult for me now. I will look you up if I'm out that way though.
Gerry is great and has been helping me take photos for a few years now.

Beautiful, I'm old but it still surprises me how these close to 80 year old manufacturers made such quality products. I think all the way through high school I only saw one Rolleiflex. We only had Brownie Hawkeye Flash cameras that were top of the line.

Very nice processing, beautiful images and all from a 1939 camera.

Carter

Thank you, Carter.
One thing that really impresses me about Rolleiflex is that, at a time when most camera makers were still in the early stages of concepts like ergonomics and ease of use, Rolleiflex figured out a design that really didn't need any improvement for nearly a century. In terms of use , my 1939 Automat operates nearly exactly the same as a 2014 Rolleiflex.

 

[leicapixie]

A really nice set of pix.
The colors very muted.
The lens is definitely prone to flare!
I have a later Automat (54 about)
Use a lens hood! I do, makes a difference.
I find most TLR shots esp. mine all look like taken long ago.
Guess that's the style.
Enjoy, make more images.

 

[johannielscom]

Love the shots.

Uncoated lenses rule. The muted colors are an oasis of calm in an oversaturated, HDR kinda world. It's why I hang on to my Super Ikonta B with uncoated Tessar 480mm 2.8.
And flare? Sometimes life itself blinds us so why shouldn't it blind a shot every now and then? 😉

 

[Richard G]

I agree with the others. Very fine work.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I have an Automat from 1938. Same uncoated Tesaar. I haven't used it for any color work in 20 yrs, just BW. I may have to go get some color film to run through it after seeing your photos.

 

[x-ray]

I have an Automat from 1938. Same uncoated Tesaar. I haven't used it for any color work in 20 yrs, just BW. I may have to go get some color film to run through it after seeing your photos.

Same here. I have a beater 1933 Art Deco Rolleicord and need to shoot some color. I think it has a Triotar but can't remember.

 

[lynnb]

Lovely work Colton. I've been following it on Flickr. You have a very good eye for composition and colour. Looking forward to seeing more 🙂

 

[Lucadomi]

Love the Automat, it is my fav. Rolleiflex.
I usually would go for B&W but the color tones in your images really look great. Thanks for sharing them.

 

[Gerry M]

Hey Colton,
That pre- war Rollei may become a constant companion. The results, IMO, are just about perfect. Fits your style to a "T". 😉

 

[valdas]

Automat with Tessar was my first Rolleiflex... I don't know why I sold it...

 

[farlymac]

My Automat took a dive off the workbench one day, caving in the lens standard, so I traded it for parts. Then I got a K4a which I really like, and a 'Cord V to go with it. They all had/have S-K lenses, but give the same performance wise.

PF