Considering a Rollei - Which One Though?

The built in meter is handy but older selenium cell meters are prone to die. You'll end up using a seperate meter or doing without the camera for awhile if you can find someone to fix it. On the other hand a camera with a dead meter is often much cheaper than one with no meter at all. There are some bargains out there!
 
There are two common reasons for meter death:
1. The selenium cell gives up the ghost after 50 years of reacting to light. (Not a problem for cameras that have sat in their cozy dark case for 50 years.)
2. The thin wire connecting the cell to the needle display corrodes (from moisture) and breaks. I'm pretty sure that's irreparable.

As Al said - you may get a better price on one with a broken meter, and you'll get better metering with a handheld.
 
May I suggest a late 3.5E3, XENOTAR OR pLANAR (MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IN PICTURE QUALITY): this has no light meter, so buy a Gossen digisix instead ($125); the Rolleiflex costs around $ 500 on the bay; then send to Fleenor or Kirkar (?) for a CLA and adjustments (another 400 $ maybe), and a new Maxwell screen.

Then use it, please. And enjoy for ten years before the next CLA etc. I shoot Kodak 400 VC with a 2.8F. I would also get a Rolleifix and a metal lens shade. That is a relatively cheap ticket to beautiful pics all around that you will never regret.
 
Last edited:
I now have a 2.8D with the Planar taking lens, a Tele Rolleiflex first version, a 3.5F with the Planar, and two Automats. One of the Automats has a Zeiss Tessar 75mm 3.5 while the other has a CZJ Tessar 75mm 3.5. These are cameras to use and to admire.

Eddy Smolov is very knowledgeable in Rolleiflex TLR cameras. He would be a relatively less costly repairman to approach for repair.
 
If you enjoy or must shoot everything wide open most of the time, get the f/3.5 Planar or Xenotar.

If you think that you need the f/2.8 Planar or Xenotar, go for it.

Otherwise, a nice postwar Automat with a coated Tessar or Xenar will be an excellent camera and be very good value.

The Rolleiflex T is vastly overpriced for what it is.

And of course the most important factor in any purchase of a classic camera is the physical condition of the body and the lens.
 
Whoa.. I did NOT think my question would generate so many responses. Thanks a ton folks... :)

I've been browsing ebay and the prices seem somewhat reasonable - I guess I expected "cheaper" Rollei's (I've been looking at the f3.5 versions)

They seem to range from a few hundred for "questionable" ones upwards of $1500 for decent ones.

What to do.. what to do... :)

Cheers,
Dave
 
Camera show coming up

Camera show coming up

The Photographic Historical Society Fall Fair is coming up on October 4 at the Soccer Centre on Martin Grove Road. (Toronto area)

There are always a lot of Rolleis on display for sale. John and Sue Wooten, who also run camera shows, specialize in them. (suewoooten@hotmail.com or705-857-2659) They are likely to be at the PHSC show.

I bought a Rolleikin adapter from them for my 3.5 MX Type 1 Rollei.
Mine has the original screen and everything works. I have owned it since the mid50s. I use it very occasionally . . .hard to beat digital.
 
easyrider said:
The Photographic Historical Society Fall Fair is coming up on October 4 at the Soccer Centre on Martin Grove Road. (Toronto area)

There are always a lot of Rolleis on display for sale. John and Sue Wooten, who also run camera shows, specialize in them. (suewoooten@hotmail.com or705-857-2659) They are likely to be at the PHSC show.

I bought a Rolleikin adapter from them for my 3.5 MX Type 1 Rollei.
Mine has the original screen and everything works. I have owned it since the mid50s. I use it very occasionally . . .hard to beat digital.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip :)

I know (re: digital) but I guess I want the that Medium Format big neg again.. I too only used my Hassy on occasion once I went digital but when I did and did some prints I went "wow. . . !!" :)

Cheers,
Dave
 
I've had excellent dealings with a Dutch couple who are collectors and sellers of all things Rolleiflex. They sell through EBay as well as privately. It might pay to make an enquiry of them.
<herwil@xs4all.nl>
 
Koh's Camera in NY has a 3.5F Xenotar for $645.
Adorama in NY has a 3.5F Planar for $699.
These might be good options, as you get return privilege if the condition doesn't satisfy you.
::Ari
 
Autocord!

Autocord!

One more vote here for the Minolta Autocord. I've had one for 10 years and it has a great lens. It was my gateway drug for 4x5.
 

Attachments

  • HalfDome.jpg
    HalfDome.jpg
    137.5 KB · Views: 0
My workhorse has been for twenty years my 2.8D without any meter or removable screen or any other other options available on later models of the 2.8E and 2.8F. The Planar lens is razor sharp and the camera is a joy to use. I may have paid $275 for the camera at a local camera store where the owner of the store did the CLA before selling it to me.

I added the Automat for the Tessar lens. There are occasions when for a portrait I would rather use a Tessar than a Planar. The Automat is also lighter than a Rolleiflex with a 2.8 taking lens.

The last Autromat intriguesd me due to its Zeiss Jena lens. Eddy Smolov is still looking for a missing part so that he can fix the slow speeds on this camera.

The 3.5F came to me out of the blue [ebay] many years ago. It turned out to be a camera with a great lens. The Planar 3.5 is a super lens by any standard.

The Tele has a long story, but it came to me from Australia, followed by the camera being sold to someone in Germany. Then the the camera got damaged in the mail to Germany, so I decided to buy it back. I got partially refunded by USPS even though the camera wa sinsured for $800, and then I got spare parts from someone in Holland to get the camera fixed in the USA. Now, the camera is with me and it works well.
 
Hi Dave,

I am using a postwar Automat with the 75 f 3.5 Schneider Xenar lens on loan to me and I have a Series E with the planar lens coming to me for Christmas that will be my baby.

Shooting medium format through this camera is addictive.
 
Well.. I found one locally - it's a Rolleiflex T - it looks to be in awesome condition - the seller is asking $500 CDN for it - not a bad price but not a bargain either I take it.


Hmmm.. what to do what to do...

Dave
 
If it's clean and in working condition that's about what they go for. The hinged front lens cap, case, a strap with the Rollei clips, a hood, filters, etc. would increase the value and make it a better buy. Just make sure that the filters, hood, etc. are bayonet series I, but if you can get some series II or III they'll bring a lot more if you sell them. A soft nylon strap can be fed through the camera's lugs if you can't find a strap with the Rollei clips, or just use split rings.

The hood for the Rollei F series will fit (if you can find one), and allows for eye level focusing.

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com
 
Thanks Al :)

The case is in good condition, same with the strap for the case. it's definitely bayonet filters but it doesn't have a lens cap with it.

It is extremely clean - I think I"ll pick it up and play with it :) The seller seems like a nice enough guy too :)

Cheers,
Dave
 
Al Kaplan said:
If it's clean and in working condition that's about what they go for. The hinged front lens cap, case, a strap with the Rollei clips, a hood, filters, etc. would increase the value and make it a better buy. Just make sure that the filters, hood, etc. are bayonet series I, but if you can get some series II or III they'll bring a lot more if you sell them. A soft nylon strap can be fed through the camera's lugs if you can't find a strap with the Rollei clips, or just use split rings.

The hood for the Rollei F series will fit (if you can find one), and allows for eye level focusing.

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com
Click to expand...

IIRC the Minolta Autocord and Yashica 124 TLRs use Bay I accessories, so there may be 3rd party Japanese hoods/filters/caps available at much lower cost than Rollei originals.

For a strap, try this OpTech one that has loops at the ends that can be slip-knotted onto the Rollei strap lugs, as well as quick-release clips for when you don't want the strap swinging around your tripod.

And, as I mentioned previously, the LowePro Nova Mini AW shoulder bag is a perfect fit for the TLR and a few accessories/film -- but it's not an ER case, if that's what you like.

::Ari
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom