Rolleiflex 3.5F w/Planar - I'm in love.

B

Brian Legge

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I've only had a strong desire to print two photos since I started taking pictures again a few years ago. Both were taken this year, both were taken with the Rolleiflex 3.5F Planar. I don't know what it is about this camera - or when I use it - but I love what I'm getting.

8376033446_5af189fd1f_c.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/8376033446

8256935726_4c537b5a78_c.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/8256935726

The size here really doesn't do this the detail here justice. Check out larger sizes if you are at all interested in how well this holds up. Both of these were scanned with a Canoscan 8800f and the out of box holders - not exactly the pinnacle of sharpness as the negatives droop, etc. I was going to have the negatives scanned professionally but when I saw that Panda Labs does enlarger based prints I had to give it a shot.

I went by today and saw a print of the second photo which was drying. 16x16 on RC paper. Its still there to be flattened and spotted but I'm already excited about getting it mounted and on a wall.

As an aside, Panda is amazing. They had 3 copies of the print with different contrasts, etc. Asked me which I preferred before moving forward wrapping it up. This was my first time using them but the service really impressed me.
 
Nice shots.

Yeah, it's nice when a camera seems to fit so well. It's like playing a better tennis player or chess player- I have to up my game to respect the quality of the Rolleiflex and its lens.
 
Very nice shots. Can't get enough of that Rollei love. The 75mm/3.5 Planar is a lens I'd love to take out for a spin someday, perhaps on an unmetered 3.5E2 or E3.
 
Thanks all!

Dan - I know exactly what you mean. After seeing the results from the color shot above, I feel like I understand now how much I lose by not using a tripod (or some other sort of brace) more often. I may

f16sunshine - I'll definitely be using them more in the future. Its a bit of a hassle getting there but definitely worth it for prints. I may start using them for all my color film development if I can manage to make it there on Saturdays more often.
 
Brian,

Congrates. Rollies are magic cameras that inspire. I have a "Whiteface" 3.5 F with a Zenatar. Bought it at Adorama for $999.00. It was mis-priced and they did not realize it was a Whiteface. Had to have it overhauled right away because it was a very clean shelf queen that was so gummed up through non-use.

Now that you know that Rollie's are like fine watches (they need to be used a lot) be prepared to shoot crazy amounts of film.

Cal
 
What's the story with that first picture? Has the jungle taken over a barber shop? Or is this some tropical section of Venice? Really interesting picture, that. Can't agree more about the camera. Mine has a Xenotar, and it's the same quality.
 
All Rolleiflex TLRs are in a class of their own, especially when fitted with f3.5 Planars or Xenotars.
Even adding the 1.5x Mutar for extra reach gives no noticeable deterioration in image quality from F5.6.
Truly amazing cameras...
 
Nice photos, love that barber pole. I have to agree with your assessment, my 3.5f has the best rendition of any camera I have ever used.
 
Excellent Photos!

I recognized that first photo as Vizcaya the INSTANT I saw it! (I've been there many times and have taken that same shot a number of times as well).

Took this one with my Rolleiflex FW on Kodak Ektar.

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