First post and first TLR. Hi!

[cerber0s]

Hi!

First post, a few days overdue but... I got busy 🙂

I just got my first TLR this week, a Rolleiflex Automat Model 1 as far as I can tell. I got it at an online auction for $50 without knowing what worked and what didn't. I was worried about the lenses but they are both clear and look to be in great shape. The shutter however sticks in open position at speeds longer than 1/10th of a second and the self timer... Well, it works but at around 30 minutes (it does make for some interesting shots).

I thought servicing it myself but decided it deserves a professional service so I took it to the local camera repair guy who said it would cost anywhere between $250 and $700 but he couldn't tell me which until he first checked it, which would cos tme $120. I said thanks but no thanks!

There is a company here that specializes in Rollei and Leica and they offer CLA's at fixed prices ($190) but I'll have to ship the camera to them, which I will.

Meanwhile I bought a roll of film to see if everything else works as intended.

I mostly shoot digital using a Fujifilm X-H1 and when I feel like using film I use either a Nikon Nikkormat FTn or a Nikon F2. I still have everything I need to develop B&W film and I even have an old enlarger that I haven't used in many years. Maybe I should set it up again...

If you've made it this far I just came to say Hi 🙂

 

[cerber0s]

For now, it makes for a pretty nice model.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Welcome to the forum. I love TLR's so Ill encourage you to get yours running properly. There are men and women on this site that know pretty much all there is to know about gear so you should not hesitate to ask, good luck with your enlarger, I just got rid of my dark room due to space issues in my downsized house. Look fwd to your photos.

 

[robert blu]

Welcome to this forum 🙂 I sometimes still use my father's Rolleiflex! They are great cameras!

 

[wpb]

Just a tip for anyone who purchases a "vintage" camera: Unless you are willing to repair or pay to have the camera CLA'd, I never touch the self timer. I have had more issues with the self timer on camera bodies and folding camera lenses than anything else.

 

[KoNickon]

Absolutely agree about the selftimer. It's really tempting to play with it, but unless the camera has been serviced, it's best to leave it alone. As for the slow speeds, of course that's an indication the camera needs service, but you probably can get along fine without using them. If the faster speeds are unreliable, that's a different matter of course. But if the lenses are clear and the film transport is working properly, you probably can use the camera as is. A great bargain at $50.

 

[cerber0s]

Welcome to the forum. I love TLR's so Ill encourage you to get yours running properly. There are men and women on this site that know pretty much all there is to know about gear so you should not hesitate to ask, good luck with your enlarger, I just got rid of my dark room due to space issues in my downsized house. Look fwd to your photos.

Thank you! Yes space is an issue, I'd need to clean out thevgarage. Just photographingvthe negatives seem much easier, even if it's not quite the same.

 

[cerber0s]

Welcome to this forum 🙂 I sometimes still use my father's Rolleiflex! They are great cameras!

Thank you 🙂

 

[cerber0s]

Absolutely agree about the selftimer. It's really tempting to play with it, but unless the camera has been serviced, it's best to leave it alone. As for the slow speeds, of course that's an indication the camera needs service, but you probably can get along fine without using them. If the faster speeds are unreliable, that's a different matter of course. But if the lenses are clear and the film transport is working properly, you probably can use the camera as is. A great bargain at $50.

It's loaded up with a roll of film now and the film transport as well as the film counter seem to be working. The faster shutter speeds seem reasonable so I have semi high expectations 🙂

I rarely use the self timer on any camera so that's not a big issue.

 

[KoNickon]

Great! Do yourself a favor and get a proper lens hood for it -- makes a big difference. Any Bay (for "bayonet") I size hood will fit.

 

[wpb]

I'd run a test roll through the camera using the higher shutter speeds just to make sure it doesn't have any nasty surprises. If any issues pop up it can be addressed during the CLA. Also just exercising the slow speeds sometimes, after a few dozen shutter releases, they will start to work normally. The slow speed escapement often becomes slow just from sitting around unused and once you start using them they get closer to normal. Start with 1/30th and work your way back to a full second, releasing the shutter numerous times on each different setting. Lastly only engage the 1/500th shutter speed with the shutter un-cocked, you can move it from 1/500th to a lower speed with the shutter cocked but don't do it the other way around. Happy Shooting!

 

[oftheherd]

Welcome to RFF. I have had and used both the Yashica MAT 124G (my first), and a Rolleiflex (I forget which model). I really liked the Yashica but just could not bond with the Rolleiflex. My problem, not the Rolleiflex. It was probably the fact that I had a Mamiya Super Press 23 by then.

I am sure once you get it working right you will love it.

 

[CMur12]

Welcome to RFF!

I, too, am a longtime fan of TLRs, since I got a Kodak Duaflex IV for Christmas in 1959.

I took a summer school photography course a couple of years later and the instructor had a Rolleiflex, which really impressed me. I was determined that I would get one some day.

Now, I have some ten TLRs, including a couple of Rolleiflexes. My favorites are actually the Minolta Autocords and Mamiya C-series TLRs, though they are all wonderful cameras.

- Murray

 

[cerber0s]

Great! Do yourself a favor and get a proper lens hood for it -- makes a big difference. Any Bay (for "bayonet") I size hood will fit.

Thanks! I was wondering which ones would fit.

I'd run a test roll through the camera using the higher shutter speeds just to make sure it doesn't have any nasty surprises. If any issues pop up it can be addressed during the CLA. Also just exercising the slow speeds sometimes, after a few dozen shutter releases, they will start to work normally. The slow speed escapement often becomes slow just from sitting around unused and once you start using them they get closer to normal. Start with 1/30th and work your way back to a full second, releasing the shutter numerous times on each different setting. Lastly only engage the 1/500th shutter speed with the shutter un-cocked, you can move it from 1/500th to a lower speed with the shutter cocked but don't do it the other way around. Happy Shooting!

I'm 3/4 of the way through a test roll but had to order new developer so I won't know the results until mid next week. I've tried the slow speeds but the shutters just sticks in fully open position and never closes again until I turn it to bulb. I did notice that it didn't want to go to 1/500 with the shutter cocked so I didn't try to force it, thanks for the heads up!

Welcome to RFF. I have had and used both the Yashica MAT 124G (my first), and a Rolleiflex (I forget which model). I really liked the Yashica but just could not bond with the Rolleiflex. My problem, not the Rolleiflex. It was probably the fact that I had a Mamiya Super Press 23 by then.

I am sure once you get it working right you will love it.

Thanks! There are lots of cool cameras out there, including some really sweet looking Mamiyas. I never tried one though.

Welcome to RFF!

I, too, am a longtime fan of TLRs, since I got a Kodak Duaflex IV for Christmas in 1959.

I took a summer school photography course a couple of years later and the instructor had a Rolleiflex, which really impressed me. I was determined that I would get one some day.

Now, I have some ten TLRs, including a couple of Rolleiflexes. My favorites are actually the Minolta Autocords and Mamiya C-series TLRs, though they are all wonderful cameras.

- Murray

Cool! I never heard of the Minolta Autocords, I'll have to check it out.

 

[Dan Daniel]

There are lots of TLRs to think about, but a suggestion: love the one you're with. By the time Rollei was making your model, they had pretty well figured it all out. The mechanics are about the same for the next 40 years. More bells and whistles were added, cosmetic changes, but when it comes to the basics- shutter, focus, film advance- your camera is very close to the last F made.

Get the shutter cleaned at some point and avoid slow speeds until then, maybe a new mirror installed, and just relax and shoot for a while. No need to be slutting around with every TLR that comes along! And you can use the Fuji to digitize negatives and process in a computer, instead of buying a scanner right off.

So, now that I've saved you a ton of money- go buy a few dozen rolls of film and go shoot. Once you see those 6x6 negs you'll know why people like medium format.

Suggestion: practice with the reversed image viewfinder. Really spend some time, no film in the camera, moving around, getting used to that weird reverse thing. Do some deliberate practice. Go follow cars on the street, kids playing, dogs running. At some point it all just clicks into place and you don't even realize it. Then you go to use another camera and find yourself going backwards- that's when you know you've got it.

On a lens hood- highly recommended. That lens is not coated. Gives great sharpness and quality but flares out easily if light gets a chance. You'll see two types on places like Ebay. One is plastic and cheap and mounts on the inner part of the Bay I mount. The metal ones mount on the outside and allow you to use filters on the inner mount. Either style will help you out.

 

[cerber0s]

There are lots of TLRs to think about, but a suggestion: love the one you're with. By the time Rollei was making your model, they had pretty well figured it all out. The mechanics are about the same for the next 40 years. More bells and whistles were added, cosmetic changes, but when it comes to the basics- shutter, focus, film advance- your camera is very close to the last F made.

Get the shutter cleaned at some point and avoid slow speeds until then, maybe a new mirror installed, and just relax and shoot for a while. No need to be slutting around with every TLR that comes along! And you can use the Fuji to digitize negatives and process in a computer, instead of buying a scanner right off.

So, now that I've saved you a ton of money- go buy a few dozen rolls of film and go shoot. Once you see those 6x6 negs you'll know why people like medium format.

Suggestion: practice with the reversed image viewfinder. Really spend some time, no film in the camera, moving around, getting used to that weird reverse thing. Do some deliberate practice. Go follow cars on the street, kids playing, dogs running. At some point it all just clicks into place and you don't even realize it. Then you go to use another camera and find yourself going backwards- that's when you know you've got it.

On a lens hood- highly recommended. That lens is not coated. Gives great sharpness and quality but flares out easily if light gets a chance. You'll see two types on places like Ebay. One is plastic and cheap and mounts on the inner part of the Bay I mount. The metal ones mount on the outside and allow you to use filters on the inner mount. Either style will help you out.

Thanks for the tips! I'm not in the market for another TLR, or any camera at all really at the moment.

Here's from the test roll. I screwed up the development and got a dark streak through the left side of the entire film.

 

[charjohncarter]

Rolleiflex: What's different about her (Rolleiflex)?
I don't really know
No matter how I try
She just makes me cry

Stolen from the Stones, but changed slightly (Heart of Stone).

 

[wpb]

Definitely looks like it would be worth getting the slow speeds sorted out. A new mirror can often make a huge difference in the brightness of the focusing screen and isn't very expensive (mine cost $12 for an MX Automat) may want to look into that if you are having the camera CLA'd. Cleaning the focusing screen should be part of the job so the mirror should be accessible.

Very nice; Classic Rollei rendering of the image.