My RolleifLex 3.5 F

[Peter Browne]

Well, some might recall my lusting for a Rolleiflex E2 on auction at eBay about a month ago. What started for around AU$400 ended up going for around AU$1300 and I wasn't going anywhere near that price. Especially given stuck shutter, lens separation and who knows what else...

Recently I came across what I thought was a reasonable Rolleiflex 3.5 F for auction (not eBay). I didn't think I would win it, not a hope in hell, even though the price was starting at around AU$450...

Well as luck turns out, I won.

Rolleiflex

 

[Dan Daniel]

Looks very clean.

Ebay has gotten out of hand on Rolleiflex pricing. And on the amount of junk being sold at top dollar. Going to other places is probably a good practice.

 

[KoNickon]

If you can return it for a refund, should be low risk. How much did it cost (if I may ask)?

 

[rayfoxlee]

Peter, judging by the serial number, that looks like a late model 3.5F, which is more than likely to have the 6 element Planar, rather that the 5 element - not that the extra element makes any difference in the real world, apparently. It does look in pretty good shape, so even if some of the controls are a bit stiff through the grease drying out, it will still be worth spending a few $/£s on a CLA.

A bit of cosmetic damage might be under what looks like some tape on the side of the viewing hood. This could well be where one of the strap crocodile clips has rubbed against the lid. The clips are supposed to only fold out away from the camera body, but a worn clip can fold enough inwards to rub the lid. The chinese copies are a worthwhile replacement, in my experience. The screen looks a bit scratched possibly from over zealous cleaning, but those can be polished out with care with something like Brasso or a gentle car polish.

I've owned 2 2.8F's - the first a mint condition Planar version that I never really gelled with and the second was a beat-up E3 with a Xenotar lens. I thought the E3 had nicer image rendering. The 2.8's are certainly heavier than the 3.5F's, if saving weight is important to you. The late and much missed Roger Hicks reckoned that the 3.5F was sharper - certainly my 3.5F gives all the sharpness I need, but so does my Rollei T. The 3.5F is a fantastic camera, no question, so it looks as if you have landied a nice one, hopefully at a sensible price.

Let us know what you think when it arrives! Enjoy!!

Ray

 

[Range-rover]

It looks like a great camera and in nice shape, I found one awhile ago
on ebay and at a great price, the only thing there a small (really small)
nick in the front glass. When I took pictures they came out fine no effect.
enjoy yours.

 

[Peter Browne]

If you can return it for a refund, should be low risk. How much did it cost (if I may ask)?

AU$480... 😱

 

[KoNickon]

That's $350 US -- a good deal I think!

 

[DownUnder]

Congratulations!!

You are living proof that all good things eventually come to those with the patience to know how to wait - A$480 for a 3.5F is surely the bargain of a lifetime (says he, enviously)...

Re the post by rayfoxlee (#4), many years ago I had an email discussion with the late Roger Hicks about the Rolleiflex 3.5, unfortunately those emails have long disappeared - I kept printouts, again alas! I can't find these in the debris of our recent interstate move with everything to do with my photography still mostly in too many storage boxes - I recall he confirmed what rayfoxlee wrote and I also remember he didn't particularly care for TLRs or Rolleis as he found them too slow to work with, being throughout his life a Leica man.

At my age, camera weight is an important factor in my photography and I too find the 3.5 weighs significantly less than the 2.8, it's also less bulky and consequently I'm able to handle my 3.5E2 that much easier in the field. My Rolleiflex Ts and Rolleicord Vb are also lighter than the 3.5s and have a better ergonomic 'feel' for me, but this is getting off-topic a bit and I'll say no more.

Now comes the fun for you of finding accessories for your new Rollei 'baby' - you'll need a lens hood and initially an H1 (UV) Rollei filter, then more filters, close-up sets (there are three available for each Rollei lens size), maybe a 35mm Rolleikin, and no end of other small bits. Prices for these can be high, but if you can look out of the clutches of Ebay you may find bargains in name-brand items out there, notably at weekend fetes and some old wares markets where sometimes sellers don't know the real value of what they are flogging.

At any rate, your first purchase should now be 120 film - in this area Ebay has a lot to offer and you may find bargains in expired films which currently seem to be on offer from a fair few reliable sellers.

Off you go with your new TLR, and enjoy! Come back to us soon with some photos, please.

PS At A$480, don't you DARE return that camera! If it doesn't suit you, sell it off to one of us for a (small) profit.

 

[Peter Browne]

Congratulations!!

You are living proof that all good things eventually come to those with the patience to know how to wait - A$480 for a 3.5F is surely the bargain of a lifetime (says he, enviously)...

Re the post by rayfoxlee (#4), many years ago I had an email discussion with the late Roger Hicks about the Rolleiflex 3.5, unfortunately those emails have long disappeared - I kept printouts, again alas! I can't find these in the debris of our recent interstate move with everything to do with my photography still mostly in too many storage boxes - I recall he confirmed what rayfoxlee wrote and I also remember he didn't particularly care for TLRs or Rolleis as he found them too slow to work with, being throughout his life a Leica man.

At my age, camera weight is an important factor in my photography and I too find the 3.5 weighs significantly less than the 2.8, it's also less bulky and consequently I'm able to handle my 3.5E2 that much easier in the field. My Rolleiflex Ts and Rolleicord Vb are also lighter than the 3.5s and have a better ergonomic 'feel' for me, but this is getting off-topic a bit and I'll say no more.

Now comes the fun for you of finding accessories for your new Rollei 'baby' - you'll need a lens hood and initially an H1 (UV) Rollei filter, then more filters, close-up sets (there are three available for each Rollei lens size), maybe a 35mm Rolleikin, and no end of other small bits. Prices for these can be high, but if you can look out of the clutches of Ebay you may find bargains in name-brand items out there, notably at weekend fetes and some old wares markets where sometimes sellers don't know the real value of what they are flogging.

At any rate, your first purchase should now be 120 film - in this area Ebay has a lot to offer and you may find bargains in expired films which currently seem to be on offer from a fair few reliable sellers.

Off you go with your new TLR, and enjoy! Come back to us soon with some photos, please.

PS At A$480, don't you DARE return that camera! If it doesn't suit you, sell it off to one of us for a (small) profit.

Thanks Oz. I will post some photos soon hopefully.

Absolutely no intention of returning the camera (Zurich...). I was a bit tongue in cheek in my original post when I said 'junk', the camera looks like it has seen little use, (just looking at the winder base...) especially judging by the leather case which looks practically new.

Considering that Rolleiflex Fs go for up to $5k on eBay, I think this was a steal.


Looks like a filter case and a lens hood case attached to the case strap, so I'll wait and see.

 

[Ronald M]

Most all these were worn out pro cameras. This not obviously not. Nice find.

Invest in some repairs if required.There is a well respected man in Oceanside Ca. Forget his name

 

[DRSummi]

Hello Peter, Years ago when we had camera buy/sell swap meets in the Boston & NYC, USA areas, real bargains could be found. I found a 3F with 3.5F Schneider lens with full CLA at a bargain price (because an individual put the name on the body). It was "made like new" by Jimmy Koh Camera (in New York City). I bought it for my son's high school photo classes. It's been about 30 years and I still have the 3F. I'm having it CLA'd for Christmas 2020. Plan is to have it ready for my grandchildren's visit during the Holidays. My son's kids! I hope COVID-19 allows it.

 

[KoNickon]

Most all these were worn out pro cameras. This not obviously not. Nice find.

Invest in some repairs if required.There is a well respected man in Oceanside Ca. Forget his name

That's Harry Fleenor, well known to folks on this forum.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Given the OP is in Australia (I’m assuming?), Vic Plant is well regarded if it does need a service 🙂

 

[Peter Browne]

Given the OP is in Australia (I’m assuming?), Vic Plant is well regarded if it does need a service 🙂

Thanks Nick. I'm in Perth, but I guess I could ship to Melbourne if needed. I will keep Vic in mind. I know Max Dellaway in Perth (semi retired) does vintage camera repairs and owns 5 Contax (I have a Contax II...). Also Jorg Heumuller in Melbourne at European Camera Service

Peter

 

[Peter Browne]

I might be opening a can of worms, that probably has been already opened.

In terms of replacement screens, and for that matter mirrors, but more so screens. I have read that a Maxwell/Beattie screen can transform the Rolleiflex viewfinder, but potentially make focusing more difficult (I wear glasses for reading and photography).

I think I would be looking to have one put into this Rollei down the track. But I'll hold off until I get accustomed with the camera, and avoid the slippery slope while I can. But still that's part of the fun...

Where would one buy a Maxwell screen? Maxwell Optics don't seem to have a website that I can find or access.

Does a replacement screen need to be fitted by a technician to have the focusing adjusted for the screen?

 

[Dan Daniel]

Where would one buy a Maxwell screen? Maxwell Optics don't seem to have a website that I can find or access.

Does a replacement screen need to be fitted by a technician to have the focusing adjusted for the screen?

I don't know how to purchase a Maxwell screen these days.

Rick Oleson has comparable screens for sale. he is in the US but I am certain can ship to you.
https://rickoleson-brightscreen.com/

Rolleiflexes with the removable hood and screen do not require focus adjustment when you change screens. The index surface is the bottom/focusing surface of the screen so remains the same no matter the thickness of the replacement screen.

 

[JPD]

Do you have it in hand yet? The original focusing screen is a fresnel one and quite bright already and easy to focus on, both indoors and outdoors. I would try it before thinking about replacing the screen. I personally think it's more fun to use cameras as original as possible.


The only Rolleis I have trouble focusing are the pre-war Rolleiflex Standard cameras, and that's more because the the focusing mechanism is low geared and the viewing lens has a smaller opening than the Automats, so I have to turn the knob back and forth a lot before finding the correct focus. I don't have that problem with the later Automat models, and never with the 3,5 F.


I am nearsighted and should buy a pair of prescription reading glasses soon. I need to hold books at an arms length with glasses on, or 15 cm from my eyes with the glasses off. It's getting ludicrous.

 

[Bendj]

I've had two 3.5f models over time and they both had excellent screens. I had an E3 which had a dim screen so I cut down a screen from an RZ67 and it worked a treat.

 

[astrosecret]

You got an amazing deal if it's as good as it looks. Looks almost perfect. good for you skipping the 2.8-- the 3.5 is better. i have never paid less than $600 usd for a decent 3.5F even ten years ago, and they all need a CLA. The maxwell screens are great but these F screens aren't too bad. try it first and see. I have had a couple maxwells and in some ways they are worth it, but I think I am going to try an oleson or mamiya screen next.

 

[Peter Browne]

Do you have it in hand yet? ...

No not yet! Rollei is in Zurich. I'm in Perth, Australia. Still have to arrange shipping too.

The auction house, Schuler Auktionen, doesn't ship items and it looks like they get a cut from the local shipping company to pickup, pack and send. This will cost me roughly the price of the camera, about AU$500. It's worth it to me, the camera looks as good as new, but I have never paid that much for shipping from anywhere in the world. Exploring a few other shipping options...

Anyone know some kind person in Zurich? 🙂