Just bought a Rolleicord Va II

[KoNickon]

You will find yourself getting a Rolleiflex at some point, I am sure. But don't let go of the Rolleicord! Its light weight is really nice, and the Xenar is excellent -- if you shoot at f8 or smaller (which I tend to do anyway) you really won't see the difference as compared to the Planar or Xenotar. Loading the Rolleiflex remains the simplest and quickest of any TLR, but it's not as though loading the Rolleicord is a chore.

Keep having fun!

 

[archeophoto]

KoNickon:
You probably think about loading the older Rolleicords with the red window. The newer 'Cords are as simple as can be: Put the film in, line up the arrows on the film with the red dot, close the camera and turn the knob until the counter shows the first frame. I find that a lot easier then fiddling the film through the film feeler rolls of the 'Flexes.
In the field I can load the Va or Vb Cords while standing up. With my 2.8C 'Flex I have to sit down or at least set the camera down to load the film.

Also while the film feeler of the Rolleiflexes are a remarkable engineering feat, they are a bugger to fix if they fail.

But I don't want to start a discussion on which is better 'Cord or 'Flex 😉

I just want to say that a 'Flex is not necessarily an "upgrade" to a 'Cord. It has different features which may or may not be important to you.

hausen:
If you love the 'Cord, shoot the heck out of it and save the money you would spend on a 'Flex for some film. Also consider upgrading your focusing screen. Now THAT is an upgrade worth doing...

Have fun! Awesome photos BTW!

You will find yourself getting a Rolleiflex at some point, I am sure. But don't let go of the Rolleicord! Its light weight is really nice, and the Xenar is excellent -- if you shoot at f8 or smaller (which I tend to do anyway) you really won't see the difference as compared to the Planar or Xenotar. Loading the Rolleiflex remains the simplest and quickest of any TLR, but it's not as though loading the Rolleicord is a chore.

Keep having fun!

 

[MCTuomey]

good gawd y'all, one just popped up on B&S!!

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/pho...hp/product/33955/title/rolleicord-va-ii/cat/4

 

[hausen]

That is exactly the same one as mine and if that is the price then I got a great deal🙂

 

[hausen]

Archephoto, which screen would you recommend?

 

[archeophoto]

Rick Oleson's screens are a good deal:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-175.html

Also the redleica screens are ok. I have one in a Va and it works great:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Rolleiflex-R...aultDomain_0&hash=item2ebdd5e86a#ht_790wt_936

If you want to go all fancy you can put in a maxwell screen. But it will cost more then the camera cost most likely. I bought one for my Rolleicord Vb because it's my main shooter.
http://www.mattclara.com/maxwell/index.html

All of those screens are a huge improvement over the original.

Archephoto, which screen would you recommend?

 

[hausen]

Thanks for that. Just ordered one from redleica. Seemed the easiest option.

 

[archeophoto]

Good for you! When you install it, double check that the focus is still on. The one I ordered from redleica dropped in and the focus was spot on, so you should be ok.

Thanks for that. Just ordered one from redleica. Seemed the easiest option.

 

[hausen]

Archeophoto I think I agree with your thoughts on differences between 'cord and 'flex. I couldn't resist a 'flex 3.5F that came my way and after 3 or 4 rolls through it I think I prefer the look of the 'cord. The 'flex is certainly nice to use but results wise the cord seems to me to be the look I am after. Think I will send my flex in for a CLA before I pass judgement on it but early days the 'cord wins.