Rollecord TLR Should I buy it?

gb hill said:
I visited a camera store today and behind the counter sat an old Rolleicord TLR. Very clean looking. The sales person was real honest and stated right off the bat that the shutter stuck at 125. the rest of the speeds were fine. I have been wavering on trying medium format, but I am a complete novice at them. The camera is visually new looking. It has no case nor a strap and the lens is a 75mm. Other than that I can't tell you anymore about it. The price is $100.00. Is this a good price on this Rolliecord & do you have any idea why the shutter may be sticking at 125. Any advice would be helpful. Also is the film for this camera 120 or 220. They dont make 220 film any more do they? Also any tips on what to look for if I go back to look at it. Oh and one more thing. It was real tempting to walk out of the store with it.;)

Thanks
gb
Click to expand...
Look for the post war models since they have the better coated 4-element lenses like the Tessar. You can find them for <$100 fully working if you are patient. Forget 220 film IMO, most med fomat cameras use 120 anyway.
 
Thanks everyone for your wealth of knowledge. You guys have been a big help. I'm going back tomorrow & am taking Dan's price/model list with me. I totally forgot to mention that the shutter speed goes up to 500. So this rules out the older models whose SS is 300. According to Dan's list if it's a later model & has the Xenar lens then maybe a cla might not be a bad deal?
 
I went back to look at the Rolleicord today. It is a modle V. The shutter fired good at 125. but it's the slow speeds that are sticking. When the sales person fired the shutter at 30th of sec. it stuck. There is no oil on the blades. He said it could be anything from a warn out shutter to a weak spring tension. So i'll guess I may have to pass on this one.:( bummer
 
gb,

I'd pass.

Repair and CLA's can be expensive if you use Krikor $$$+ (3 week or less turnaround ), or Fleenor ++++ ( 3 months turnaround ). I dont know Paul Ebel's pricing, but I hear he is also a good option.

There are others who can do CLA's on the Rollei's for a low of $ 90-125. Still, there is such a rich market for almost any Rollei right now, I would buy from keh.com or find a good seller on ebay.

Dan
 
Alternative CLA location

Alternative CLA location

I have the Rolleicord V which exhibited the same slow speeds that you have noticed. I sent it to Mark Hansen whose email is classcamera@aol.com. He repaired it and checked focus and shutter speeds for much less than the $100-$150 estimates mentioned. I'm hesitant to tell you the actual price because I think Mark should do that. He did a great job and I am delighted with the Rolleicord.

I believe that the Rolleicord is simpler to work on than the Rolleiflex and therefore costs less for a CLA.

I think you should buy it but at a lower price since it is jammed!!

Dave
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom