parallax error and Rolleinar 2

[unostrazos]

Hello, this is one of my first posts in the forum but I have been reading for a long time. I have recently acquired a rolleinar 2 bay III for my Rolleiflex 2.8C
I have developed the negatives and I am surprised at the parallax error. I was framing someones face in a close portrait and I am now seeing that I have cut the forehead in most shots. I was very careful when composing so I
attribute this to parallax error when close. I though that since I am using both pieces on the rolleinar this would not be a problem.
Is there a specific orientation of the rolleinar, or can you share some tips on how to frame with it?
Thanks
Marc

 

[Goody]

Does your Rolleinar have two lenses that fit together for the viewing lens (earlier model) or just one piece for the viewing lens (later model)? On the earlier model the second part of the viewing Rolleinar is a prism which corrects for the framing - it sounds like either that part is missing or it isn't oriented correctly - or if you have the one piece viewing lens then it's oriented incorrectly. Once you have it correct then the framing is pretty much on. Sorry, I don't have the Rolleinar in front of me so I am going from memory. Hopefully someone will chime in who has a Rolleinar handy. Or play with the options with a piece of tracing paper in the film plane and compare the framing with the viewer till you get it right. But to answer your question directly there is a correct orientation and the viewing Rolleinar is not the same as the taking lens Rolleinar. Once you get it working I suspect you'll be impressed with it.

 

[Ferdi]

Look for the red dot. It's on the piece for the viewing lens. When mounted, it should be "up".

 

[Dan Daniel]

For all of the talk of the Rolleinars 'correcting' for parallax, they simply don't. Parallax is the difference in view you get when you look at the same object from two different positions. The prism in a Rolleinar helps change the overall framing, but you are still viewing from point A and the taking lens is viewing from a different point.

The only way to completely eliminate parallax is to frame with no prism, then put the taking lens at the same point in space for the actual shot. Minolta made a devise that does this; people make spacers for tripod collars, also. Sort of clunky for portraits, though!

Still, your negative looks a bit extreme. Note the posts above about the correct use- thick prism on upper viewing lens, not lower lens. Red dot to top. Looks as if the prism might have been on the lower lens?

 

[Emile de Leon]

Parallax and Rolleinars...definitely dont agree...

 

[unostrazos]

Thanks everyone for the input. I understand now red dot wasnt on top . Also i understand there will be some parallax error but will be bearable. Thanks!

 

[Huss]

Thanks everyone for the input. I understand now red dot wasnt on top . Also i understand there will be some parallax error but will be bearable. Thanks!

Cool! I've never had issues using Rolleinars. They make the camera so much more useful I wish I bought them years ago!

 

[Goody]

What makes the parallex error not too bad is the limited range of focus in each Rolleinar. The various models cover different distance ranges and have different "amounts of prism" built in. Like Huss I've never had an issue with framing. BTW Huss -- didn't I buy a Canon P from you? It's still working great!