Should I get a Rolleicord?

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Vidardo

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Hello!

I have been thinking about getting into MF photography (besides Holga🙄), on a budget.. Rolleicord seems like a good option.

Seems like there are many different models, and the prices vary wildly (at least on E-bay)..

Any tips in what model to go for, where to buy it and how much should I expect to pay for a fully working Rolleicord?

Thinking of shooting B&W and develop and scan the film myself..
(just ordered chemicals and other stuff, looking forward to start!)

Thanks for any thoughts on this.
 
I've owned a number of TLR's and the Rolleicord is of course a fine camera. Any of the models. But I would go for something else only because I've not been a fan of the Xenar lenses on them. People will tell you they're the same as a Tessar, but I don't see how. None I've used have imaged like any Tessar I've owned. It's certainly not a bad lens, but it lacks something when you compare it to a really good sample of a Tessar. Every Tessar is different anyway. I have a Rolleiflex T and the Tessar on it is much sharper and contrastier than the ones on the early Rolleiflex cameras.

A Minolta Autocord will run you around $200, and the lenses on them are as good as anything in MF photography. Has a 3D look that is fun to see. I also like the early Rolleiflex cameras w/ uncoated Tessars. Totally different look, but I like them a lot. Be prepared to be patient w/ any TLR you buy and ask questions. Make sure you get a return policy from the seller. Generally a CLA is close to $200, so if you can get one that works properly as is you would be smart. There's an outfit on eBay that advertises Rolleiflex CLA's for $110, and they have very good feedback, but I've never used their services. You'll have to pay shipping, so it adds up quickly.

The Ricoh Diacord L is also a keeper. Not the same build quality as the Rolleis, or even the Autocord, but sturdy enough and has a good lens. Generally I prefer German glass to Japanese optics, but the Autocord's Rokkor lens is an exception. The Rokkor is a great lens in 35mm photography too. I wouldn't tie up too much money in a TLR until you see if it suits you. The image is reversed, the camera handles differently from your usual cameras, and there's a bit of a learning curve. I never have gotten used to the backwards image and use a prism usually to make it more like an SLR.
 
I have a Rolleicord Vb and a Yashicamat 124G... both are around the $200 mark and both are excellent cameras with great glass, you'll be happy with either. One thing to keep in mind is that the Yashica 124g is a much newer camera so if you get one in good cosmetic shape it'll probably be in good mechanical shape as well. The Rolleicords, especally if you go older than a V are getting up there in years and will probably require a CLA to get them in working order. So factor that in the price. I wouldn't pay more than $100-$150 for a rolleicord that hasn't had a CLA in the last 10 years or so, I just payed $150 to get mine worked over.

Another problem with the Rolleicords that I haven't seen on my Yashica is they are friction driven to stop at the next frame when winding. And they're calibrated to the 120 film from the time they were made which had thicker paper backing than some of the modern films. I have to be carefull not to overwind because it'll sometimes not automatically stop on the next frame with some brands of modern film.
 
The earliest models have a Carl Zeiss Jena Triotar -- a triplet. Later cameras use the Schneider Xenar -- a four-element lens.

Performance of the Xenar is similar to the Tessar, which is to say quite good although you will encounter the swirlies when shooting medium distances wide open to f/5.6.
 
I know I sound like a broken record, but have you considered a good 6x6 to 6x9 folder? They can also be found with good lenses, are lighter, smaller, and usually cheaper.

If you want TLR because there is something about TLRs, that of course is different.
 
Using both a Rolleicord V with Xenar and a Ricoh Diacord L, both in good clean condition, I cannot really say which one of the two is a better performer. Both are joy to use and photos are d****d sharp. My advice would be to pick up the one that you can find in good working condition and for an acceptable price. Bottom fishing for a cheap one is not good strategy with these cameras IMO. For example when an Autocord focus lever is jammed you'll have to pay a lot to get it fixed.

And yes, folders are great 🙂 Get one or two of them too.
 
Thanks for all replies, I think I WILL get a Rolleicord. Will try to be patient and see if the right one for me comes along.

Don´t know much about folders (or other MF cameras), please add links to them if you like.

The reason I am thinking about a Rolleicord is that I like the pictures on Flickr I have seen, it seems affordable, and the fact that it looks beautiful and cool is also a pluss😀

But I have never used a TLR, so I have no idea if I will like using it..
 
You should consider a Yashica Mat 124G too. Great camera - and you would like the flickr examples too, I think. Its a good start into TLR 6X6.
 
The road less taken.....Take a look at Mamyia c220 a little bigger but interchangeable lenses which are razor sharp and because they are not popular (don't know why) they are usually a bargin.
 
Rolleicords will allow you to use most of the Rolleiflex accessories; the Vb's advantage over earlier versions is that it has an interchangeable hood and screen.

The main disadvantage I found with the Rolleicords is the rather primitive shutter release set-up - one pushes a lever under the shutter one way to cock it and the other way to fire, and I found the position made it awkward to get a smooth, shake-free release. If you do choose the 'cord then add a Rollei pistol grip to the bundle.
 
A CLA'd Ricoh Diacord or Ricohmatic 225 would equal or better a Rolleicord in terms of image quality. Probably cheaper too.
 
Quite a number of good options. Something you can find locally and try out might be the deciding factor.

Rolleicord simply couldn't be a bad choice. If you like wider lenses and/or the idea of maybe expanding into a system, the Mamiyas are great. 220 is one of my favorite cameras, minus the dim focusing screen. But it's likely no dimmer than many 'cords, either.

But if there's a rollei, yashica, autocord, Ricoh, or whatever in a local shop that you can play with, possibly you should trust in karma and run with it.
 
Having used Rolleiflexes, a Rolleicord Vb and Mamiyas the camera I've taken most pictures with is the Vb. Its Xenar lens is as good as a Planar/Xenotar for all but the most critical applications and although lighter to carry around its build quality is as good as the 'flexes.

Sure, the shutter release is not the fastest or the best and if you want interchangeable lenses the Mamiya is the only option--but in my view it's too big and bulky to carry around for more than a few minutes at a stretch. The Vb is much less effort...

Regards,
D.
 
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