Rolleiflex 3.5E: Wow and Double Wow

I hate my TLR, A Rollei Automat, with Tessar!
The wrong way round viewing, the short length film.
Imagine your 35mm with 12 exposures or Digital!

Then you get back your shoot (Color done by lab).
I have more successful exposures than any other of my cameras.
Years ago i exposed a 220 roll and had 23 images worth big enlargements!
Looking at negatives over the years, I realized that I would have shot less and saved money!
A pro when I began pro work advised me, "Go medium format!".
Advice instantly forgotten in age of SLR's..
A few years later jumped onto medium Format with Mamiya because of need of long lenses, for portraiture. 135 mm and 180 mm.
If one has chance to use Medium Format TLR grab it!
 
The Xenotar and Planar were identical lenses made to Rollei specifications by different manufacturers. I've had (and have both) over the years and never saw a difference. Any difference people see between the two I put down to subjective opinion.

The little Rolleinars are a great addition.
 
well, to be pendantic, the xenotar and planar are somewhat different designs, and objectively measure differently, but I do agree they are both great. I got a 3.5F not long ago and am loving it too, can't get enough really. It's just so fun to shoot and great image quality in a very compact package.
 
I also have a Rolleiflex 3.5E Xenotar, it's my favourite camera. I am almost always happy with the results from it. The dog photo below was only possible using the Rollei, it was the last frame on the film. I had just taken 3 or 4 shots of the dog with my Canon rangefinder but none of them worked as well - wrong angle. Luckily the owner and pup were very patient for me.



Bulldog and woman
by Hugh B, on Flickr
 
Lovely photos!

It's always hard to beat a Rolleiflex TLR. I've had four or five of them over the years—my favorite was a lovely 1951 MX with the Zeiss Tessar lens. Just a great camera: light, compact, and amazingly versatile.

G
 
I know with their idiosyncracies, they're not for everyone, but I'm with Roscoe....If you get it, the rewards are great. I've used many medium format cameras including the Mamiya 6 & 7, RB67, Fuji Texas leicas in 6x7,6x8,6x9 & both 65 & 90 lenses, Plaubel Makinas. Had a Rollei 2.8F & 3.5. The one that stuck with me is a '58 Rolleiflex T. It's done many travels as an only camera. It never ceases to amaze me. Most recent shot with TMY2, rolleinar 1. A 20" print on Ilford Classic FB. IMG_8463 by , on Flickr
 
I use my Rolleiflex for street photography. Most people do not have any idea what it is, let alone how it works, which makes capturing candids infinitely more effortless than when using a "normal looking" camera.

The Planar lens on my bay II is the sharpest lens I have ever used. That combined with the size of the negative and the dynamic range that is possible means that, for my purposes, I am not making any compromises by using film.

I use all three Rolleinars. They are good for portraits, and of course cat pictures.

U74372I1558444153.SEQ.0.jpg
 
I've been shooting TLR's for going on 11 years, starting with a Series E 3.5 Planar Rolleiflex, then a couple of Rolleicords and a Mamiya C220f kit (just need the 250mm lens and I'm complete). Recently I traded my Hasselblad 500 C/M kit, I love Zeiss glass, who doesn't? I just didn't like shoot with it as much as my TLR's, so I traded it for a recently overhaulled Type 3 Rolleiflex 3.5 F with the Planar lens, I couldn't be happier.
 
At the moment I have these Rollei's:


Rolleiflex Original, 3,8 Tessar.
Rolleiflex Standard, 4,5 Tessar
Rolleiflex Standard, 3,8 Tessar
Rolleiflex Standard, 3,5 Tessar
Rolleiflex Automat, 1937, 3,5 Tessar
Rolleiflex Automat, 1939, 3,5 Tessar
Rolleiflex 3,5B ("MX-EVS"), 3,5 Tessar
Rolleiflex 3,5 F, 3,5 Planar
Rolleiflex 4x4 ("Sport") 2,8 Tessar


Rolleicord I, 4,5 Triotar
Rolleicord I, 3,8 Triotar
Rolleicord II, type 1, 3,5 Triotar
Rolleicord II, type 4, 3,5 Triotar
Rolleicord 1a, type 1, 4,5 Triotar
Rolleicord 1a, type 2, 4,5 Triotar
Rolleicord 1a, type 3, 4,5 Triotar
Rolleicord 1a, Polizei, 3,5 Triotar


I used to have more models, like the 2,8 F, 2,8 E, 3,5 E3, Tele-Rolleiflex, 3,5 A (MX), the first postwar Automat, the grey 4x4, Rolleicord II type 2, 3, 5 and 6, III, IV and V, but sold them. Can't use them all. 🙄

They are beautiful cameras with a rigid feel to them, and easy to use. A big plus is that they don't need servicing as often as SLR cameras, and how quiet they are. My favourite focal length is the normal one for every format, so I don't miss the option to change lenses. The Tele-Rolleiflex was wonderful, but I didn't have much use for it.

Lately I have used the 1939 Rolleiflex Automat. It's in mint condition and the Tessar is excellent. It's weighs less than the 3,5 F and is easier on the neck. The 3,5 F with its coated Planar is of course better for colour.
 
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