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

Film cameras I have. :Linhof Technika 5x7, 3 Pentax 67, Corfield wa67, Plaubel Peco 5x7, Minolta Autocord, Art Deco Rollei and a Rolleiflex 3.5F, plus Canon Ds and X digital.
Easily my favourite is the Rollei 3.5F.
 
A few more from a recent series. My success with portraits with the camera at an RFF meetup made me cautiously optimistic about how these would turn out. I was very happy with them. All were taken with a Rolleinar 1 around f/3.5-f/4.

The amount of detail is insane, particularly as I scanned the negatives with an inexpensive flatbed scanner.


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http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/9132333378

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/9130127095

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/9130129795
 
Yes, Brian, those are superb portraits and a wonderful series--an whimsical updating of the Family of (Greasepaint) of Man (and Woman).
 
it looks like you have a good and sharp example. Beautiful detailed portraits! It's better to keep the camera because you may not find another one this good. Unlike what many people want to tell you there are IQ differences from one Rollei to another. I've had a few Flexes but never a stellar one. Still my Rolleicord V is the sharpest Rollie I've ever had.
 
Great shots, I have two Rollei's a 3,5F Xenotar and a Rollei T. If I could only shoot with one camera it would be a Rollei, the shoot from low angle gives a very different view of the world. I chose the Xenotar over the Planar but the preference is mild the Xentar is sharper in the centre the planar better balanced wide open, at ƒ5,6 you can't tell them apart.
One thing I tell all Rollei owners is to buy a Rolleinar close up lens, the only achilles heel in this great camera is the minimum focus distance.
(I can see by the portraits you've already found that) ;)
 
Thanks all.

These photos are from the Fremont Solstice Festival aka Fremont Solstice Parade. If you search Flickr for it you will likely find a massive number of shots of the 'naked cyclists' who ride before the parade itself. Some of the body paint artistry is spectacular, some humorous... its really an impressive sight.

Not sure how to phrase this, but the overall spectacle can be so huge - with so many people - that I felt some of the photography dehumanized the subjects. My goal with this series was to highlight participants in the parade in a more intimate, personal way.

...

Yes, Rollei is bitingly sharp which still surprises me at times, particularly shooting wide open. I also expected the Rolleinar to degrade the quality slightly but it doesn't seem to at all. at all. I actually softened one shot in a few places as some of the detail weren't exactly flattering. I'm definitely holding on to this camera.
 
Brian, I definitely know what you are talking about that 3.5F Planar can be too sharp even with Rolleinar and wide open. So I have to find another triplet TLR to satisfy that need.
 
Very nice shots indeed! I have Fuji Reala in my 3,5F and will try to shoot with the Planar wide open for a couple of shots, and maybe use a Rolleinar. The pics here are truly inspiring.

z.bruce.li said:
Brian, I definitely know what you are talking about that 3.5F Planar can be too sharp even with Rolleinar and wide open. So I have to find another triplet TLR to satisfy that need.
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Pre-war Rolleicord with Triotar! The optical flaws are interesting when you shoot wide open, and the lens is very sharp stopped down.

Or a Yashica with Yashikor. I bought a Yashica A for my dad, and that lens has a dreamy softness at 3,5 and sharp stopped down to 8-16.
 
I wish I still had mine. Sent it in for a CLA (along with a 2.8E) over two years ago and never got either one back. A 'White Face' model too. Bob.
 
My Rolleiflex 3.5F early production 6 element lens is by far my favorite general walk around camera. I know that it seems like only a little difference, but I greatly prefer the 75mm to 80mm view. It somehow seems more natural to me in the field or city. The 75mm Planar compares well to my Super Ikonta 532/16 80mm Tessar, Hasselblad 500CM 80mm Planar, and Mamiya 6 G-75mm lens.
 
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