Curious about Rollei RF

[christian.rudman]

I know it's a rebranded cosina bessa camera, but I love the look quite a bit. Out of curiousity I was wondering how it compares to the bessa, or holds up to a Ikon RF, or G1/G2.

I'm really wanting to get a decent user 35 RF that has full manual control (I love my Yashica, but I need more control than that can give me...) and I'm looking to get a lens/camera combo for $1000-ish. ( I want 50/40mm or wider) I'm looking for dependable metering, nice feel in the hands with some heft, prefer a quiet shutter but not mandatory (I know the Rollei's is not that quiet), and mechanical durability! I know it's a whole lot to ask of manufacturers nowadays for all that, but a boy can dream, eh? I don't even mind getting 2 out of 3, but looking to start on m-mount bodies and lenses.

I cannot afford a Leica nor care to buy one right now, so I'd appreciate keeping those suggestions out.

Point is, I'm interested to hear what anyone's experience has been with the Rollei. If you have used both that and a Bessa/Ikon/G1/G2 I would love to know which you prefer and why? Or do I just need to get over it and go the Contax G route?

(Just a note too, I wear glasses nearly all the time, so I'm also looking for 1:1 finders built in...)

 

[thegman]

Well, I understand that the Rollie *is* a Bessa, so build quality etc. is the same. My first RF was an Ikon, and I now own a Bessa R4A.

I think the Ikon is actually the best 35mm RF out there (from what I've used), and without doubt the best value second hand. The Bessa is a nice camera, but my Ikon was much nicer to behold and feel, it got admiring glances and comments a few times.

The Ikon is the only camera I regret selling, although I'm not sure I care quite enough to get one again, although I can't rule it out. The Bessa R4A is without peer if you like 21/25/28mm lenses, but otherwise, get an Ikon.

For regular focal lengths like 35mm/50mm, I love the Ikon. Although you say you cannot afford Leica, I got my M3 for less than I sold my Ikon for, so don't rule out Leica just on cost. If you choose to rule out Leica because you'd rather an Ikon, I can't blame you.

For 1:1 finders, as far as I know, it's just the R3A and R-D1 which has that.

 

[back alley]

the best thing about the rollei rf is the 40/2.8 sonnar that was attached to it.
the camera itself is fine but you're paying more money for it than the bessa version.

 

[ChipMcD]

I started my rangefinder experience with the Rollei and the 40mm Sonnar. The camera is adequate and the metering is accurate. I have not used it as much as my Nikons or more recently my Leica; however, for hobbyist use, it should hold up pretty well.

That Sonnar, however, is a really remarkable lens. It gives a look that I just don't see elsewhere. That is a purely subjective impression, without the benefit of rigorous lens analysis, but I now have a fair number of Leica lenses with vintages between the late 30s and this year and of varying focal lengths. The Sonnar stands up to any of them as far as the way it draws. I think the fairly high prices that one sees for this lens used suggests that others agree about its qualities.

I think you'll be pleased if you can find the camera and the lens at a reasonable price. If you ever trade up to Leica or Zeiss Ikon bodies you can take the lens with you.

 

[robbeiflex]

I have had both Rollei RF and Zeiss Ikon. If you want fully manual control and 40mm then the Rollei is the way to go. The Zeiss strengths are aperture priority and accuracy for focusing fast 50s. Both are very good options for glasses wearers like me. I never had a problem with the shutter sound of the Rollei, it's more metallic and higher pitched than a Leica but not that much louder (if at all) and pretty much the same as the Zeiss. I found the Rollei strap lugs to be too far forward on the camera causing it to turn over if I carried it on a neck strap with a light lens on it. The Zeiss body is a bit heavier, and personally I preferred its finish and covering, but these are personal factors, if you like the Rollei look and feel then better grab it now as they are rare in mint and complete with matching lens. Mine was in user condition without the famous 40 sonnar, which perhaps explains why I sold it after a few months, but when I look back at the photos I took with it I have no complaints.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[noimmunity]

The Sonnar stands up to any of them as far as the way it draws. I think the fairly high prices that one sees for this lens used suggests that others agree about its qualities.

The prices have risen considerably in the past 18 months. Before that, seemed like nobody really wanted them. But they've always been priced higher than the 40/2 C Summicron or the CV 40/1.4 Nokton, both of which are very fine lenses.

I agree about the lovely way it draws. I remember A. Wilder did a test that showed remarkable resolution on center (higher than a summicron) with marked loss of resolution towards the corners. In real life use, that clarity + smooth loss of resolution (the sonnar look) produces images that really can draw the viewer in.

The 80 Sonnar that goes with the set is even rarer.

 

[ljsegil]

If you can find the Rollei 40/2.8 Sonnar lens on its own, it mates beautifully with the Bessa R3A (or M). The R3 series has the 1:1 viewfinder you want, with a nice bright rangefinder patch, excellent metering and aperture priority mode in the A version, and built-in 40mm framelines just begging for a Sonnar on the camera (though the framelines are hard to see in their entirety with glasses on). It's a great combination, and with luck might be pieced together for less than the Rollei RF.
Larry

 

[christian.rudman]

Thanks for all the wonderful responses folks! I'm basically wanting to start on my M mount lens collection and looking for a good body to start off with. The Ikon is a dream camera as well, and like stated early does seem to be more expensive than most of the Leicas I see before M6's. The Rollei I understand is the Bessa with an higher priced finish basically, but I still dig the rebrand quite a bit.

I just want a good user camera to start off with, and start worrying about mint condition later on. I really love my Yashica, and am totally digging running around with the RF. It's a completely different beast from my D300s and the RB67 Pro-S I have, and I love it! Did some shooting of the Occupy movement here in Austin with the Electro 35CC and really liked how it changed the way I was shooting, so I am wanting to delve more into RF. As such, I am also (in conjuction with shooting with existing cameras) want to start prototyping my own version of the RF and I really want to start understanding the camera as a whole more. I'm going to start farming parts from old junkers my camera shop is tossing out to create my own frankencamera.

Back on track, I really think the options are narrowing down to the Bessa/Rollei or the Contax G's. I just wish the G's were M mount! I'll be putting back money for this purchase now, so we'll see what options are available when I am able to purchase.

Thanks again for the thoughtful answers, I appreciate it.

Cheers!

 

[Pablito]

The chrome finish on the Rollei is quite ugly and cheap looking in my opinion. It looks like chrome finished plastic, not metal. For me, I would get the Bessa. But I'd get the Rollei if it were cheaper than the Bessa since I don't really care about looks. However, I'd never pay extra for a camera that looked tacky compared to a cheaper version.....
just my personal opinion of course....

 

[ray*j*gun]

First time I handled one I thought it looked and felt cheap. The images were ok nothing special. For the money I think there are lots of better choices.

 

[christian.rudman]

First time I handled one I thought it looked and felt cheap. The images were ok nothing special. For the money I think there are lots of better choices.

Was it actually a plastic or metal body? I have yet to handle one, but I am seeing them around for about the same price as the R2, and I have read that they have a slightly closer focus ability built into a remodeled coupling. Not a huge deal since I don't plan on a whole lot of that, but I do love wides and getting in close. It's been more of a visual appeal lean towards the Rollei, and since the prices are similar for the host model I don't feel like I'm gyping myself over a bessa version red dot. 😛

If it does feel plasticky I don't know how good I would feel about that still, I'm a big fan of a good solid and weighted feel. Can't stand taking photos with shaky feathers formed into cameras...

 

[meandihagee]

Go for one of the Bessas R2*, R3*, R4*, it's all your ever going to need. Cheap, reliable, a lot of them floating around. I bought mine new.

Superb handling and dead-on meter. Apart from the dust that the viewfinder absorbed (even though I babied it) and those stupid lugs, it's by far the coolest 35mm RF, if you don't have the Leica condition. The G2 is cool also, but the small viewfinder killed it for me.

I played around with an Ikon at a local dealer, and it's not three times better, even though it's three times more expensive. No regrets here.

If you care so much about the looks, I can tell you that the matte black on the R*A (not the R*M) is pretty awesome.

I read this ^ and it sounds like an advert 🙂) but I love this cam