hmmm. Do I buy the Rolleiflex 2.8D?

RdEoSg

RdEoSg

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The store I work at just got a Rolleiflex 2.8D with Xenotar lens. I have wanted a rollei for as long as I have known what a twin lens camera was.. I own a Yashica 124G that I NEVER use. I even have 3 nice heliopan filters for it.


I just can't decide. The rollei is just one of those cameras that I have always wanted. Not for any practical reason. I won't use it that often, but I just want one. They are some of the most beautiful cameras and take amazing photos.

The Yashica has meaning to me because that model camera was the first medium format camera I ever used. Some cameras I buy and sell off all the time. I don't care much to hold on to the digital cameras. I get what I want and thats that. These older cameras though. I can't bring myself to get rid of them.

The Rollei is in great shape, everything working good, looks in Ex + condition and I can probably pick it up for about $400-450. I really shouldn't spend the money right now, but it is just one of those cameras that we don't see often and I have always been in love with them.

The Leica rangefinder cameras, the Rollei TLR cameras, the Contax point and shoot cameras... The Nikon F.

HEEEEELP!

oh and btw. If anyone has some feelings on the rollei lens vs the yashica let me know. I know the yashica is no slouch, but those rollei shots.. mmmm the glooooow!
 
you can send me that M4 that was being brought by your store, and i'll send you a 2.8 Planar E3 ;)


hmm... maybe anyway.

(if you decide to buy it, there are no regrets. I have 2 yashica mat 124G's, and the Rolleiflex. Both yashica's have been in the shop twice over 2 years. The Rollei goes just about everywhere with me, and I've never had a hiccup. The yashica's stay home now.)
 
That guy came back in with an M3 and a pair of lenses. We gave him a price and he asked how late we would be open, but we haven't seen him since.. That was about a week or two ago, but he doesn't come in all the time so we don't know if he didn't like our price, or maybe he just hasn't showed up or something!

Yea I had the Yashica overhauled for the meter and advance.. Then a year later I had it overhauled again. The meter didn't work again even though it had sat in the dark the whole time.. The adv still doesn't feel that smooth, but I think it is all of those cameras, I have never felt one of them that did, not compared to the rollei anyways!
 
After reading only the title: Yes!

Ok, now that I've read the post I still have to say yes, but with reasons. I totally understand what you mean about not wanting to give up an older camera. If I had the Rollei 2.8D in decent condition I would never let it go. I'd sell my digital kit worth 4 times as much before I sold the Rollei. If the camera makes you happy then get it. The reason it makes you happy does not matter. You can like it more just because it says Rollei instead of Yashica, the point is you will be happy and as a result you will probably want to shoot with it a lot.

That said, I too have a 124 G and I love it. It gets more use than any of my other film cameras. Would I give it up for a Rollei 2.8D? In a heartbeat. The Yashica is wonderful, but the Rollei is a Rollei :) It's a bit like asking if you'd give up a Canonet for an M4. Assuming you can swing the cash without starving to death then go for it!

My two cents.

Jared
 
400 for a E+ 2.8D? I'd say yes. Keep in mind how expensive was a NEW Rolleiflex - about 2000 or 2500 current $ - It is a really great shooter. If you start using it, it will soon become your only camera. And the lens is absolutely superb. Technically speaking, I think the Xenotar resolution is about 80-90 pair of line/mm. Can you imagine how many pair of lines you get on a 60mm wide film?
The shutter is quiet, much more than those on leica, and it's a contact-prone camera : go in the street, and let the people ask you questons about your camera.
 
That's a good price. Plus you're not buying it sight-unseen. I would buy it in a hearbeat.
 
excellent price for a safe buy 2.8 xenotar! go for it! You can always sell it for same price or more if you realize it's nothing for you (which you won't :D )
 
Well You guys all came up with some great points and though I am sure I would love the camera, I think I am going to let this one pass. I just really don't have the money to spend on a camera that would get little use. I figure if I really wanted to use that format, my yashica wouldn't have sat in my desk for the past two years straight with out a roll through it.

Someday I will have one, but I just can't justify it now :(

Thanks for all of the advice all the same! Much appreciated!

Besides, there is still a rumor that some guy is bringing us in a bunch of Leica stuff including my coveted 75 lens to the store so yea.. :p
 
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I have been using a 2.8D (Planar) since over fifteen years, and Ikept it even though I sold off my 2.8E and 2.8F. The 2.8D is a basic camera with excellent lenses. I added Maxwel screen and eventually had Mark Hama overhaul the camera. It is a wonderful medium format camera. There is no difference between the Planar or Xenotar models. Some insist that the Schneider lens in the 2.8C is better, but this has not been scientifically shown. More importantly is the condition of the glass and the camera.

$400 for an excellent condition 2.8D is a good price. I would say, go for it.


Raid
 
i will pay twice anytime for a mint 2.8D. the pleasure of owning can't be measured by money.
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What Pherdinand said. If it turns out not to be your camera after all, selling at a profit is easily done, since that is a really good price for a camera you can inspect before buying.

And, what about asking your boss the shop owner if you can take it out for a day, maybe do a downpayment? If he is at all confident and content with you, he would/should allow you to test drive!?
 
RdEoSg said:
Well You guys all came up with some great points and though I am sure I would love the camera, I think I am going to let this one pass. I just really don't have the money to spend on a camera that would get little use. I figure if I really wanted to use that format, my yashica wouldn't have sat in my desk for the past two years straight with out a roll through it.

Someday I will have one, but I just can't justify it now :(

Thanks for all of the advice all the same! Much appreciated!

Besides, there is still a rumor that some guy is bringing us in a bunch of Leica stuff including my coveted 75 lens to the store so yea.. :p
Click to expand...

Well done! A rational choice. It's hard to be rational all the time but not buying something that the younger 'you' wanted, which the older 'you' knows that you won't use, has to be the right choice.

Cheers,

R.
 
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I agree. I've got a 2.8E and I think I might run 4 rolls through it per year. If I locked up all my other cameras I might use it more. But as it is, a rational person could build a good case for selling a camera that expensive that gets so little use.

However, I tend towards the irrational.
 
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