Rolleiflex indecision...

[hexiplex]

Camera ordered and on it's way - getting a hood and a light yellow filter without cost, the seller also informed me (and e-mailed a receipt of) that the camera had a CLA just a year and a half ago. Can't wait for it to arrive either tomorrow or monday, already unwrapped my 120 film!

 

[Ezzie]

A recent CLA is decisive. Good luck, if you don't like the Planar, then I think you need examining, not the camera. 😉

 

[bucs]

3.5F was clearly the best deal of them of all. congrats on your new camera!

 

[marduk]

Congrats on the purchase, you will like it.

 

[raid]

The 3.5F has a very sharp Planar taking lens.

 

[raid]

Rolleiflex 3.5F

 

[raid]

Rolleiflex 2.8D Planar

(in color)

 

[raid]

Tele Rolleiflex 135mm Sonnar

 

[raid]

Rolleiflex 2.8 C Xenotar 80/2.8 great condition, with case - $1,186
Rolleiflex 3.5 MX-EVS Tessar 75/3.5 good condition, minor wear, recent service - $700
Rolleiflex 3,5 F Planar 75/3.5 good condition except missing plastic cover over lightmeter, with case - $600
Rolleiflex T Tessar 75/3.5 meter broken, normal wear - $550
Rolleiflex Automat X Tessar 75/3.5 - $390
Rolleicord V Xenar 75/3.5 "mint" in case, box and manual - $530


The choice based on quality for the money spent .... was a no brainer.

 

[robbeiflex]

Wow, great photos raid!

 

[raid]

Wow, great photos raid!

Thanks. Using a TLR allows me to take photos slowly. It actually helps me in composing better images.

 

[JCT]

Thanks. Using a TLR allows me to take photos slowly. It actually helps me in composing better images.

Agreed. I find the square format also requires more compositional "thought" . And those are 2 excellent photographic subjects, raid. My kids run for the hills when I pick up a camera.

 

[raid]

I am lucky as it pertains to my kids welcoming photography. Since the week they were born, they saw cameras and lenses around them.

 

[hexiplex]

Just got it in the mail today - very nice condition in my opinion, self timer doesn't seem to work, though, neither does the DOF-scale. Still very happy with it, too bad I only have ISO 100 film, not too useful in the current weather.

 

[fotomeow]

Kind of depends on what kind of photography you want to do with the R'Flex.
as said, the 2.8s tend to surpass the weight/size limit for me. I would consider it if I was a Pro in a studio or contrived scenes.
However, the IQ from any of these is worthy of accolades. I would opt for the smaller/lighter 3.5 for its versatility. A friend of mine used a Rolleicord Va/b to travel with in conjunction with his RF. Turned out to be a great combo, and packable.

Here is a great Rollei TLR resource page for all models with specs: http://www.rolleiclub.com/

 

[Vics]

Happy Birthday to you! You will love the Rollei itself and the Rollei experience. Take it slow, and enjoy! Take the camera out for a walk with no film loaded, and frame pictures, just to get a feel for it. Remember that the paper backing of the film must go between the shiny feeler bars!

 

[hexiplex]

Already decided on the 3.5F (evidence above) and I am really digging it. The mirror was also slightly dirty and dusty, but I cleaned that along with the matte screen and things are looking sweet in that finder now. I also found out that the self timer is indeed working, but the DOF-scale still seems unresponsive, is there anything I need to do to engage it? Likewise, I wonder what I have to do to disable that darned EV-thing that likes to kick in every time I turn the shutter speed knob towards the slowest speeds (the "non instantaneous" speeds) the camera hijacks the diaphragm knob and turns it all the way to 16, I don't want that, I want long exposures with a large aperture.

 

[raid]

Congratulations on the Rollei. Enjoy ....

 

[Vics]

Already decided on the 3.5F (evidence above) and I am really digging it. The mirror was also slightly dirty and dusty, but I cleaned that along with the matte screen and things are looking sweet in that finder now. I also found out that the self timer is indeed working, but the DOF-scale still seems unresponsive, is there anything I need to do to engage it? Likewise, I wonder what I have to do to disable that darned EV-thing that likes to kick in every time I turn the shutter speed knob towards the slowest speeds (the "non instantaneous" speeds) the camera hijacks the diaphragm knob and turns it all the way to 16, I don't want that, I want long exposures with a large aperture.

Hmmm, my 3.5F doesn't have the EV lock system. Are you sure? BTW, long exposures with big apertures will need VERY low light or slow film or both. Is it possible you have a 3.5E?

 

[Vics]

OK, if you indeed have an EV lock, it will be enabled and disabled by the small button in the middle of the aperture knob.