f/stopblues
photo loner
Here's the basic situation: I have a Cambo 4x5 view camera that I never use. I hate being strapped to a tripod. After hanging onto it without much use for a year, I'm finally going to sell it.
I'd like in its place a nice solid TLR. I love WLF's, big negs, quiet shutters, and small, simple cameras. I owned a Mamiya C330 once and it was just too big and clunky!
Rollei seems like a perfect solution, but there's so many models with so many prices that I'm having trouble getting a bearing on it. Can I expect to get something with a good quality lens for less than $500? I'm not sure what ballpark I should be in. Any basic info would be helpful!
Thanks!
I'd like in its place a nice solid TLR. I love WLF's, big negs, quiet shutters, and small, simple cameras. I owned a Mamiya C330 once and it was just too big and clunky!
Rollei seems like a perfect solution, but there's so many models with so many prices that I'm having trouble getting a bearing on it. Can I expect to get something with a good quality lens for less than $500? I'm not sure what ballpark I should be in. Any basic info would be helpful!
Thanks!
Lemures-Ex
Jared S
Exactly what Cambo do you you have? Any lenses come with that? Anything else?
I have a Rolleiflex 2.8E in nice condition that I may be willing to trade to you.
Please send me a PM.
Jared
I have a Rolleiflex 2.8E in nice condition that I may be willing to trade to you.
Please send me a PM.
Jared
motosacto
Member
Best lens at the best price: Rolleiflex 3.5E1 with either a Xenotar or Planar lens. Lowest cost solution: Rolleicord Vb. Middle ground: Rolleiflex 3.5T.
If you're going to shoot wide open a lot, then go with the Xenotar or Planar. The biggest problem with the 3.5E1 is that the ground glass may be pretty dim. If you're going to stop down for depth of field, then the Rolleicord Vb is a great bet. The 3.5T kind of splits the difference--it handles more like a Rolleiflex, but has a simpler Tessar-formula lens.
Hope this helps,
If you're going to shoot wide open a lot, then go with the Xenotar or Planar. The biggest problem with the 3.5E1 is that the ground glass may be pretty dim. If you're going to stop down for depth of field, then the Rolleicord Vb is a great bet. The 3.5T kind of splits the difference--it handles more like a Rolleiflex, but has a simpler Tessar-formula lens.
Hope this helps,
easyrider
Photo addict
500 is good
500 is good
You should certainly be able to get a good Rollei TLR user for $500. Look for a fairly recent 3.5 Tessar with a recent CLA and maybe a modern screen.
(The 2.8 Planars are terribly overpriced -- although the offer above to trade looks good.)
One of the members here has a list of Rollei models+prices. I don't remember his handle but I am sure he will surface.
500 is good
You should certainly be able to get a good Rollei TLR user for $500. Look for a fairly recent 3.5 Tessar with a recent CLA and maybe a modern screen.
(The 2.8 Planars are terribly overpriced -- although the offer above to trade looks good.)
One of the members here has a list of Rollei models+prices. I don't remember his handle but I am sure he will surface.
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KoNickon
Nick Merritt
That's Dan (meleica). Can't recall his site offhand but I bet he will come forward.
JohnM
Well-known
I have owned three Rolleis - a T, a 3.5A and a 2.8F. I still have the latter two and I dearly miss the former.
The Rollei T - sort of underrated, I think. The lens is plenty sharp enough, has a pleasing character in a much lighter and easier to carry camera than some of the other Rolleis. I like the EV system of setting speed and aperture. I had one and sold it and I regret it. Sometimes I come across a camera that just strikes me as a sweetheart to use and this was one of them.
The 3.5E - I currently have the first version. Had it CLA'd by Harry Fleenor. Great camera - kind of a bargain, even with the CLA cost built it. Given a choice, I generally carry this one - I find the Planar lens to be extremely sharp. Sharper, but heavier than the Rollei T - in hand, it feels as heavy as the 2.8.
The 2.8F - No way around it, it is sort of expensive. With a CLA from Krikor Maralian and a Maxwell screen, I have more money sunk into it than I care to admit. It is a budget buster if you're looking to spend $500.
If you can keep your eyes out for a good T or 3.5 E or F at a decent price and then perhaps send it out for a CLA, you'll have something that you will enjoy for decades.
Good luck!
The Rollei T - sort of underrated, I think. The lens is plenty sharp enough, has a pleasing character in a much lighter and easier to carry camera than some of the other Rolleis. I like the EV system of setting speed and aperture. I had one and sold it and I regret it. Sometimes I come across a camera that just strikes me as a sweetheart to use and this was one of them.
The 3.5E - I currently have the first version. Had it CLA'd by Harry Fleenor. Great camera - kind of a bargain, even with the CLA cost built it. Given a choice, I generally carry this one - I find the Planar lens to be extremely sharp. Sharper, but heavier than the Rollei T - in hand, it feels as heavy as the 2.8.
The 2.8F - No way around it, it is sort of expensive. With a CLA from Krikor Maralian and a Maxwell screen, I have more money sunk into it than I care to admit. It is a budget buster if you're looking to spend $500.
If you can keep your eyes out for a good T or 3.5 E or F at a decent price and then perhaps send it out for a CLA, you'll have something that you will enjoy for decades.
Good luck!
VictorM.
Well-known
That trade sounds good-depending on the condition of the Rolleiflex and how much 4X5 stuff you have. I too have a 3.5E with Planar and would say that one with a cla should be under $500. It's my most used camera.
f/stopblues
photo loner
Thanks for the info guys.
So in the heirarchy of Rollei's, the 2.8's are lettered chronologically, correct? For instance, the 2.8E came previous to the 2.8F?
Are there any major functional changes within the line?
I've already PM'd Jared.. I hope we can work something out! Unfortunately I'm not terribly sure what price ballpark I should be in with the 4x5. Looks like more research will be in my future!
So in the heirarchy of Rollei's, the 2.8's are lettered chronologically, correct? For instance, the 2.8E came previous to the 2.8F?
Are there any major functional changes within the line?
I've already PM'd Jared.. I hope we can work something out! Unfortunately I'm not terribly sure what price ballpark I should be in with the 4x5. Looks like more research will be in my future!
Ash
Selflessly Self-involved
Chris it all depends on your Cambo.
Post on LFPF http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/ and get some rough info on your camera, they're a nice bunch.
Once you have photo'd the kit you want to trade and all the accessories, then you'll have a fair value in mind. If it's a rubbish Cambo Cadet it's only worth an old Rolleicord. If it's the higher end Cambo's with extra movements it's worth a 70's rolleiflex I think.
Post on LFPF http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/ and get some rough info on your camera, they're a nice bunch.
Once you have photo'd the kit you want to trade and all the accessories, then you'll have a fair value in mind. If it's a rubbish Cambo Cadet it's only worth an old Rolleicord. If it's the higher end Cambo's with extra movements it's worth a 70's rolleiflex I think.
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
Yup - as a for instance, even a great condition Master PC with WA bellows and the trimmings comes in between 600 - 800 USD.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Cambo-Master-PC...-w-Extras_W0QQitemZ180028837636QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Cambo-Master-PC...-w-Extras_W0QQitemZ180028837636QQcmdZViewItem
f/stopblues
photo loner
Thanks Ash.. I'll go talk to them. Unfortunately I think I have a sort-of entry level Cambo. I may have to sell it outright and put the money towards a Rolleiflex. I have a nice tripod to go with it though 
Ash
Selflessly Self-involved
Well find out the value for the stuff, depending on the tripod and stuff, you could raise enough money.
Someone was trying to sell a Cambo monorail not dissimilar to my Calumet, they were asking about $375 and no bites.
Post some pics and ask for info/value. Then look up if any similar models are on ebay, then post some pics here and try to trade. You may get a better deal if someone here wants the 4x5 and you want their rollei.
Someone was trying to sell a Cambo monorail not dissimilar to my Calumet, they were asking about $375 and no bites.
Post some pics and ask for info/value. Then look up if any similar models are on ebay, then post some pics here and try to trade. You may get a better deal if someone here wants the 4x5 and you want their rollei.
Vics
Veteran
There's a price guide posted on this forum somewhere. Something like "criticize my site" or the like. It looked pretty right on to me. See if you can find it. I think you just want to avoid the 3-element lenses (Triotars?) Mine have a Xenar & a Xenotar respectively. The Xenotar is a BEAUTIFUL lens. I use my TLRs a LOT.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Vics
Veteran
350D_user
B+W film devotee
There's also http://www.tlr-cameras.com/index.htm. This site's loaded with information on more TLR's than just Rollie.
motosacto
Member
The biggest functional change between the E and F Rolleiflexes is the waistlevel finder. The Type 1 3.5E waistlevel finder is not removable. The E2, E3, and F Rolleiflexes have removable finders. The finder design makes replacing the ground glass with a better solution (i.e., a Maxwell screen) harder with the earlier cameras, since the screen has to be shimmed by a skilled repair person to yield correct focus. The later cameras are set up for easier screen changes. These differences are one reason why the E1 cameras are cheaper than later E's or F's. The other difference is in the coupling between the F meter and the camera exposure/aperture settings. This coupling is lacking in the E meters--you read the meter measurement, then manually dial it into the camera exposure/aperture.f/stopblues said:
Interestingly, the Rolleicord Vb has the nice removable waistlevel finder like the Rolleiflex F's. I think that the 'cord Vb is a great bargain if you find a clean one.
Hope this helps....