Looking at a used Rolleiflex - advice?

[River Dog]

Tomorrow, I am going to look at a Rolleiflex 2.8E Type 1 Model K7E with planar lens in good condition and mint, boxed close-up lenses. Price is going to be around £200 ($320). Serial number checks out.

1. Is this a good price?
2. What should I be looking for? Any inspection checks I should do?
3. Known problem areas.

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[Vickko]

2.8E for only $320? Wow, that is cheap, but I'm more familiar with 2.8F pricing. Check ebay to see if you are in the right range.

Things to watch for:
- defects and degradation of the coatings on the taking lens
- check for mechanical operation, shutter, self timer, film advance, etc
- check that the lens board is straight and parallel to the body, no signs of having been dropped
- check for the ease of adjustment of the aperture and shutter - it shouldn't take a lot of force to work the little wheels.

....Vick

 

[PatrickT]

If you don't buy it, I will (seems like a great price) 🙂

Good luck!

The cameras are pretty simple, but im far from an expert...I'm sure someone else will chime in!

 

[Frank Petronio]

Hellya good price, just look it over. Maybe it needs a CLA but still a deal.

 

[River Dog]

If you don't buy it, I will (seems like a great price) 🙂

Good luck!

The cameras are pretty simple, but im far from an expert...I'm sure someone else will chime in!

Recent eBay sales appear to max at around £480-500 ($770-$800) which is why I want to check it as thoroughly as I can. I have started looking in the local classifieds and this may be a bargain.

Seller sounds genuine on the phone. He hasn't used the Rollei in 10 years but it is cased in a dry place, apparently.

Appreciate the advice so far.

 

[t.s.k.]

Heed the advice - go get it!
Bring a penlight to check the lens.
Major dents can be a problem with light leaks.
Other than that, go now. 😀
g'luck and report back

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Sounds like a very low price. Maybe you will luck out. Not everyone wants to or even checks auction sites or internet store listings. I agree it should be around $700 US, and myabe even higher. (Also, oftentimes auction site prices can be higher than actural brick and mortar stores.)

 

[MISH]

when purchasing my Rollei (which had sat unused for about thirty years) the problems I found was the film advance turned hard, and shutter speeds ..... a simple test for this would be to trip the shutter at one second and see how long it stays open. I sent it off to Krimar for a little TLC and got back a camera that looks like new and now functions like new

 

[River Dog]

Thanks for the tips. I will let you know the result tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

 

[farlymac]

If it's been sitting for ten years it's bound to be a bit stiff. Be gentle on trying out the operation of the winder, and expect the shutter speeds to be sluggish. Look out for excessive haze on the lenses, and give the body a good sniff. You'll know very quickly if it has been dry stored. It will most likely need a CLA, but is well worth it if all works okay. See if he has any accessories that go with it. Sometimes they forget or don't think to list them, and you may luck into a good set of filters and hood.

PF

 

[River Dog]

So.... I bought the Rolleiflex for £220 (£350) including the close-up lenses and a Weston V meter.

I haven't run a film through yet. It needs a good clean. Knobs and movements were a little stiff and graunchy but nothing a squirt of silicon lubricant couldn't smooth out.

The plastic meter cover is cracked which has probably let in dirt over the years, so the needle doesn't always want to move. It may clear itself with some use. It appears accurate, but it's not coupled so I will use the Weston anyway.

Shutter speeds work all the way through and don't sound sluggish. Lens board appears parallel and not warped. No dents. Indications of normal use, like worn paint where one would expect etc.

The camera hasn't been used in 14 years apparently. The self-timer is losing its mojo and won't fire the shutter but I don't care much about that - never use it. It will also need a new screen when I can get around to it.

I won't be able to comment on anything more until I see some negatives, hopefully tomorrow. Then I will save up for a proper CLA.

Next step will be to compare it to my Yashica Mat and decide which one is the keeper

 

[Frank Petronio]

Nice find. Sounds like you can use it for a bit and make sure you like it, then decide whether to pop for a CLA and focusing screen... or resell it for a profit.

I probably wouldn't fix the meter, perhaps they can replace it with a smooth piece of metal for a cleaner look?

You could actually spend half as much on a hood ;-) They are nice hoods though!

 

[VictorM.]

Looks like a real bargain! But don't squirt any kind of lubricant anywhere!

 

[River Dog]

Looks like a real bargain! But don't squirt any kind of lubricant anywhere!

Don't worry, it was just a little on the meter dial with a cotton bud, which freed it up nicely. The rest can wait for the CLA.

 

[River Dog]

Nice find. Sounds like you can use it for a bit and make sure you like it, then decide whether to pop for a CLA and focusing screen... or resell it for a profit.

I probably wouldn't fix the meter, perhaps they can replace it with a smooth piece of metal for a cleaner look?

You could actually spend half as much on a hood ;-) They are nice hoods though!

The meter seems to want to work some more now. It's getting quite perky, in fact. Must have been some dust in there that is moving around. I have stuck some clear tape over it. Your idea is a good one though.

I was looking at hoods, yikes! The seller had an ugly homemade one that was obviously going to vignette. He gave me a Bay III filter converter, so a rubber circular one may do the trick in that? Otherwise, I will look at the cheaper clones. I just want to shoot with it but it is sure nice to look at 😎

 

[Vics]

Is this one of the models that needs to have the shutter released before you move the speed from 1/250 to 1/500? I,m checking now...

 

[Vics]

No, I think it's not one ot those. I wondered why the knobs were resistant to move. Just inactivity I guess. Send it right in to your local CLA for Rollei guy. My two Rolleis seem to spend more time in the shop than my other cameras. Nature of the beast, I guess. You might want to inquire about a Maxwell screen if yours is dim and doesn't respond to cleaning.

 

[River Dog]

No, I think it's not one ot those. I wondered why the knobs were resistant to move. Just inactivity I guess. Send it right in to your local CLA for Rollei guy. My two Rolleis seem to spend more time in the shop than my other cameras. Nature of the beast, I guess. You might want to inquire about a Maxwell screen if yours is dim and doesn't respond to cleaning.

14 years is a long time in a dry, centrally heated house doing nothing. Can I remove the screen? It could do with a clean but can't find much info.

 

[River Dog]

Is this one of the models that needs to have the shutter released before you move the speed from 1/250 to 1/500? I,m checking now...

No, but the speed and aperture knobs are all moving better now - still stiffer than my (albeit newer) Yashica Mat 124G though.

 

[Mprice]

You might try Ebay for the meter cover, I found one for my 2.8F for relatively cheap, took about 5 minutes to install.