Any Rolleiflex TLR users here?

I shoot with Rolleiflex TLRs, have an MX-EVS with Tessar, and 3.5E with Planar. The Planar is much sharper than the Tessar, and I've been very happy with it.

Been considering adding a Xenotar to the bunch (sharper than Xenar) as it has a slightly different look to it.

Will have to wait though, as I'm putting together a Hassy kit at the moment.

The Rollei TLRs are the best of the TLR. They invented the format, and know what they're doing. Super quiet shutters, light weight, and glass that is unequalled in any other TLR. The f/2.8s don't do anything for me, as I shoot mostly around f/5.6 to f/16 or f/22.

When you find one, spring for a CLA no matter what the seller says, and you'll have at least 50 years of trouble-free service.
 
I've always wanted a Rolleiflex TLR, but I've always thought that it would be only an effect of GAS.
Lately, I've tried one (Gabriel M.A.'s rolleiflex) and honestly, I fell in love ... I keep my Leica gear, but I WANT I NEED a Rolleiflex TLR. What a camera, quieter than a Leica M, more discreet for street photography, very easy to use ...
You all know that, anyway I need to express my enthusiasm.
My preference would be for a Xenotar; I don't know why, but I find the Planar a bit "colder" (more "clinical" as says FranckS) than the Xenotar ... oh well ...any Rolleiflex would be fine for me.
Marc-A.
 
Hi All,

Im new here, I recently aquired a Yashica Lynx 5000E and Ive been researching the forums here on sprucing it up to sell it. Of course after reading the forums here, and seeing the images captured I have been reconsidering that move. lol. The purpose of this particular post however is to ask how reliable the KEH.com's grading is. I found the website via a post here, and actually bought a Minolta Autocord CDS III from there last night in "Excellent" graded condition for NINETEEN DOLLARS!! I was amazed. Personally I think it was a misprice, hopefully no one will notice and Ill get it for an awesome price.

FYI, AMAZING shots from this TLR thread, you are all very talented.
 
KEH:

I recently bought a BGN Super Takumar 35/3.5 lens from them for $27. It looks brand new and works perfectly. If this is an example of a "bargain" lens in KEH ratings, then I'm always buying the BGN stuff from now on.
Ted
 
Just got my 2.8E back from Ross Yerkes with the newly installed Maxwell screen.

It is unbelievable what an improvement this screen has made.

Ted
 
I have a Rolleicord 2.8 Xenar and a Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex 3.5 Novar. The former is quite good, I've taken some pretty appealing pictures with it; it's definitely not equal to the SL66 + Planar combination---the bokeh is simply the best I've seen on an MF camera (anybody disagrees?---I'ld love to know), but it's perhaps not meant to be so. The latter is a curious piece of equipment; haven't quite got the hang of it yet. Judging by the few rolls I've passed through this camera, the lens sometimes appears even better than the one on the Rolleicord, and sometimes utterly worthless.
 
First pic from newly CLA'd Rolleiflex 2.8E with new Maxwell screen. The scan doesn't do justice to the wonderfully sharp image and the smooth tonal range.

I'll try again.
 

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Dave:

How do you go about registering. The first question asked is "What is the brand name..." etc. I typed in Rollei, Rolleiflex, Rolleicord. All were wrong.

What did you do?

Ted
 
Oops! I now see what you mean Ted. I'll find out what is wrong and repost here.
It sure is odd.
Sorry about this.
 
Well, it seems to work now.
Click on the 'Join...' link in left panel, and then click on "register' on the top banner.
The security question comes up, type in rollei and it works.
Lots of good info on the Rollieclub site
http://www.rolleiclub.com/
 
Thanks, Dave, it worked. Pretty strict enrollment procedure. You would think you were opening an account with ING or some off-shore bank.

Ted
 
Unlike our RFF, this Rollei site seems quite academic and a bit dry. What's your take on it, Dave?

Ted
 
Yes, I have a Rolleiflex 3.5T on the shelf.

. . .oh you said "use."

OK I used it last year for street photography. Not too discrete. A guy came up, "Hey what's up with the old box camera?"

It's an excellent portrait camera, since you can raise your eye and look directly at your subject. I don't take portraits, though. And it's excellent for carefully considered landscapes. The separation between the eye and finder lets you study the composition.

I'd like a model with separate adjustments better than the cross-coupled EV system. But I don't use it enough to worry about that. I like the Hassie better. Still, I keep it around, just in case.
 
Tessar: has four elements in 3 groups, and is of the Taylor-Hobson-Cooke triplet type; the first fully successful photographic lens design. Designed by Paul Rudolph of the Zeiss works in the early 1900's and still a viable lens type today. Very sharp in the center, and very smooth transistion from in-focus to out-of-focus areas.

Planar: a Symmetrical Gaussian lens, also designed by Paul Rudolph. Where the Tessar is limited to f/3.5, the more comples Planar is good for f/2.8 in the Rollei, and f/2 and faster in other cameras. Very low distortion, very high quality.

Xenar: The Schneider equivalent of the Tessar. Schneider had some trouble supplying enough of them, and Rollei had to reject some for incorrect assembly.

Xenotar: Schneider's version of the Planar. The Planar has more mystique among fans, but teh Xenotar is just as good. Some say it's better.

Triotar: A low-cost three-element entry-level effort.
 
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