Identifying my new Rollei 3.5F

[rayfoxlee]

After not owning a Rollei for about 7 years, I’m back in the game with a mint condition 3.5F. A chance look at one of the UK bigger second hand dealers revealed the camera described as ‘good condition’ – it wasn’t ‘good’, it was almost as new with not a mark on it. The leather has that pristine slightly dull look, before wear and handling gives it a polish. Lucky or what?!

Any way and out of interest, I am trying to identify the model type and approx. date. I think it may have been bought new in France, as there was a name and address label in the case. It is metered, has the shutter speed showing in the peep window nearest to the camera body which would indicate Type 3 – but it doesn’t have the pressure plate release pin that was supposedly fitted to Type 2, 3 & 4 models. With a serial number of 2,826***, this looks to be a late model, but my version of Evans Collectors Guide to Rolleis shows only model numbers up to 2,815,050 for model Type 3, with model Type 4 coming in thereafter. Trouble is, my camera doesn’t have the 120/220 counter either, so it can’t be a Type 4. I know that Rollei numbering was a bit of a black art and none of the on-line websites can really help further, so I wonder if any of the RFF community can help me here?

Meanwhile, I am waiting with great anticipation for a new supply of FP4 to arrive.

Thanks to all who may wish to help with this.

Best wishes to you all.


Ray

 

[valdas]

Have you checked this site?

http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/serial_numbers.shtml

 

[rayfoxlee]

Have you checked this site?

http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/serial_numbers.shtml

Yes, I have, but thanks. That seems to suggest Type 3 (or 4), but even then there is the question of the pressure plate pin which is should have, but hasn't got. Perhaps the French versions had a slightly altered spec.

Ray

 

[mfogiel]

My Rollei TLR complete manual places your serial nr. as 3.5f model 4 manufactured between 1965 and 1976. I'd say, the main point is, if it takes good pictures. I recommend to check the focus with a target at 1m, and if all is OK, just shoot away. BTW, remember to keep a hood on at all times. A Rolleifix for the tripod, the grip, a couple of filters, Rolleinar 1, the prism and the Maxwell screen would round the kit nicely - that will set you back around 500 EUR 😀

 

[valdas]

Yes, I have, but thanks. That seems to suggest Type 3 (or 4), but even then there is the question of the pressure plate pin which is should have, but hasn't got. Perhaps the French versions had a slightly altered spec.

Ray

Probably there were different versions. Myself, I've got two 3.5Fs with serials starting 2.815.xxx (very close numbers) - one was with the light meter, another - without (light metered version was bought in France, no meter version - in Italy)...

 

[johannielscom]

It's a 3.5F if the hood comes off and the meter is coupled.
It's a 3.5E if the hood comes off and the meter is uncoupled.

Pressure plate pins? Haven't heard of that before. Got a picture?🙄

 

[rayfoxlee]

It's a 3.5F if the hood comes off and the meter is coupled.
It's a 3.5E if the hood comes off and the meter is uncoupled.

Pressure plate pins? Haven't heard of that before. Got a picture?🙄

It is definitely a 3.5F, no question, Johan. The designation '3.5F' precedes the serial number on the front name plate. As far as the pressure plate release pin is concerned, this lies to the right of the right hand film guide rail. This is shown in Evan's Rollei book under the entry for the Type 2 and is supposedly one of the identifiers for cameras from type 2-4. It would appear that Rollei's records and type specs were just a bit unreliable.

Ray

 

[johannielscom]

It is definitely a 3.5F, no question, Johan. The designation '3.5F' precedes the serial number on the front name plate. As far as the pressure plate release pin is concerned, this lies to the right of the right hand film guide rail. This is shown in Evan's Rollei book under the entry for the Type 2 and is supposedly one of the identifiers for cameras from type 2-4. It would appear that Rollei's records and type specs were just a bit unreliable.

Ray

Ah,, I was totally unaware of that. I love RFF posts that teach me something new!
Currently enjoying a 2.8C Xenotar and a Rolleiflex Tele, both old but fully functional.

Happy shooting with the new camera!

 

[hanskerensky]

Claus Prochnow describes in his book "Rollei Report 2" that the 3th model (no 4th model in his book) from serial number 2.815.000 onwards had no longer a preparation for the glass plane option. This probably would explain why there isn't a pressure plate release pin.

However no mention about the non-presence of a 120/220 counter (except for the early 3th model cameras till serial number 2.299.547)

 

[Bisakok]

Yes, the internal release pin is to accept an optical glass pressure plate (to ensure film flatness).

2826*** is a late model 3.5F... John Phillips lists the 3.5Fs as running to 2870419(?).
(His question mark, not mine).
Production of the 3.5F ended around 1976, I believe.
The basic variants of the 3.5F are Xenotar or Planar, 12 or 12/24, and glass facility or not.

According to Phillips no cameras produced from 1966-73 had a glass facility.
Also, according to him, the 12 and 12/24 options were available right up to 1973 (Planar) and 1976 (Xenotar). (Disagrees apparently with your other source).

Parker lists Type 2 (serial numbers 2230000-2241500) and Type 3 (2250000-2299999) as having a glass facility. He makes no mention of it for Type 4 (serial numbers 2800000-2844999) and Type 5 (2845000-2857149) suggesting it was dropped.

If yours has a "whiteface" - a plain face with the 3.5F preceding the serial as you say - it is an early Type 5.

As you've learnt there are no absolute hard and fast rules on the serial number at which everything changed... parts availability, inventories, customer wants etc etc all affected things... Rollei was in a state of continual upgrade for almost a century.

In the end, one can get terribly hung up on this stuff.... or one can shoot some film.

Cheers