Rolleiflex - what have I bought? Resilvering mirror?

ChrisN

ChrisN

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Hi all

This morning I found a nice-looking Rolleiflex at the local "Trash & Treasure" market. The price was not super-cheap but was a lot less than I see these go for on ebay, and the shutter works, the lenses are good with just a little haze but no fungus or scratches, and it has a case. So I've bought it.

Can anyone tell me exactly what model it is and how old?

It has the number 613453 below the name on the upper panel, and the taking lens is a Zeiss Jena Tessar 75mm 1:3.5, No 2088307. The viewing lens is a Heidoscop - Anastigmat 1:2.8. The lens surround also carries the word "Franke & Heidecke Braunschweig" and "Compur - Rapid".

The camera was fairly dirty, so I started to give it a careful clean. I pulled the top off, to reveal the nirror, which was very dirty-looking. Imagine my dismay when I started to carefully clean the mirror in warm soapy water, and the silvering started to come off!

Is it possible to get a replacement mirror, or to get the mirror re-silvered?

Another question - what is the little silver knob on the top-right of the front panel (looking at the camera)?

Thanks!
 

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The silver knob is the self-timer. Push it in the direction of the arrow and the timer starts counting. If after pushing it nothing happens, the timer is in need of repair.

My guess is yours is an Automat Type 1B (1937 to 1939). The Tessar is a 4-element lens very similar to the Schneider Kreuznach Xenar. They have a very good reputation, like all Rolleiflex lenses. Because they're not as sharp as the later lenses--the Planar and the Xenotar--some people prefer them for portraiture.

Any camera repair shop should be able to cut and install a new mirror for you. This is certainly a camera worth restoring. You might wish to consider a Maxwell focusing screen for brighter viewing and easier focusing. Another very valuable addition would be a Bay-1 lens shade, but be ready for sticker shock. Genuine F&H (Franke & Heidecke) hoods made for the Rolleiflex go for about USD 100 to 150 on eBay.
 
I don't think you would have to pay a much JJ suggests for a Bay 1 hood, I got mine for about $15, the later Bay2/3 stuff does get much more expensive. If I'm out of date on its price mine will certainly be up for sale!

The other option to look at are other brand hoods, the Yashica TLRs for instance took Bay 1 accessories and go cheaper...

Be aware that your replacement mirror may need alignment to ensure the viewing and taking lenses are in synch.
 
Chris, I got my bay 1 hood at the Sydney camera show for 10 bucks. AUD.
Keep those eyes zorki.
 

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summilux said:
pictures from this model will not make you fall in love with rolleiflex, try later models.
Click to expand...

😕

Yeah those Zeiss Tessars really suck... 😉

Chris, if you get a replacement mirror check that the thickness is the same as the original, otherwise the viewing lens will have have to be adjusted to keep the focus in synch with the taking lens.
 
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Suumilux - thanks for the encouragement. While not up to the standard of later lenses, I'm sure the Jena Tessar will be adequate for my needs. It is also contemporary with my Grandfather's Zeiss Jena binoculars (as good a reason as any for liking it!)

Ben and Mark - thanks for the tips on the hood.

Dan and Harry - thanks for the pointers to further info.

Wayno - I gather the mirror is fitted with the coated surface uppermost - can you confirm?

Thanks again all. The negs came out of the developer looking good. I'll scan them tonight.

Gotta say I like the feel of this camera in the hand; the build quality is noticably better than the only other TLR I've used (Yashica 124G). I suspect it might have been serviced at some stage; even the 1-second shutter speed is spot on.
 
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Chris, aside from replacing that mirror (first surface silvered) you can really increase your pleasure using this elderly beauty by upgrading the focusing screen. An inexpensive way of doing so is gettting a focusing screen for a Mamiya RB/RZ67 and cutting it down to fit. That's what I've read, I bought a screen from Maxwell. Enjoy! And that Zeiss Tessar lens will knock your socks off at f8 and f11. It'll blow any 35mm print including Leica, out of the water.
 
ChrisN said:
Wayno - I gather the mirror is fitted with the coated surface uppermost - can you confirm?
Click to expand...

Yes, they're "first surface mirrors", with the reflective surface uppermost (as opposed to regular mirrors which have the reflective surface behind the thickness of glass).
 
You can always steal a mirror from a Polaroid One Step. Those sell at flea markets for a few bucks. You might have to trim the mirror slightly.
 
Finding a range of bayonette filters will keep you busy! Then there are the Rollinars (close focus filters) Rolleigrip, Rolleifix (necessary if you do any amount of tripod work), .... Fun, fun, fun!
 
My Rolleiflex and the hood came from a wedding photography studio that was closing down. The hood came with an empty 52 (or 55) mm thread filter glued to the corners of the hood so that you can use any matching and more easily purchased filter onto your bay 1 hood.
It would work well if I could remember whether it is 52 or 55 mm when I am at a camera sale - I seem to always buy the wrong version.
In practise it tend to only use a polarizing filter and only when taking landscapes so I just use a bigger polarizer hand held over the hood. Usually using a tripod so I seem to have enough hands.

To clarify: I have only been shooting colour. Filters and B&W is currently a mystery to me (and will be until I need to know).

Cheers.


PS. When do we start talking about straps?
 
Oh, filters! Does the Bay 1 hood fit over the filter? How about a Series 6 adapter?



edit: ahh! my typing!
 
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ummm.
I just scrolled to my post number 7 on this thread and there are photos attached there from Soviet Photo that I did not put there¿¿¿???

Can anyone else see them?

They weren't there when I first posted them.
 
Frank - good idea on the RB67 focusing screen. Does anyone know if they are plastic or glass? I have recently obtained a WLF (waist-level finder) for my Mamiya M645, and it is brilliant - literally! If I could get the Rollei viewfinder to be that bright, it would be marvellous. The M645 finder also has a split-image and micro-prism circle, which together make focusing a much more enjoyable task.
 
Tarzak said:
ummm.
I just scrolled to my post number 7 on this thread and there are photos attached there from Soviet Photo that I did not put there¿¿¿???

Can anyone else see them?

They weren't there when I first posted them.
Click to expand...


I was wondering about those!
 
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