Should I get a Rolleicord?

[le vrai rdu]

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.

minolta autocord and yashica mat

 

[jbielikowski]

Thing is TLRs are quite weird and unless you have some sophisticated camera like Rolleiflex you would not love it, and wont use it 😉

Exept for this, get what people above said.

 

[sig]

Yes buy one. TLRs are not rocket science, they are not difficult to use.

(of course, if you can borrow one and test before you buy)

 

[Vidardo]

Thanks for all the great input! I ended up buying a Rolleiflex Automat 4 (MX) with f3.5 75mm Tessar lens.

Bought it from a nice member here at RFF, and it is in the mail now. Looking forward to using it, and I will definitely be back at this forum with questions about it!

 

[easyrider]

Congrats! I have one and you will enjoy it. Incredibly sharp lens and easy handling.

 

[wlewisiii]

Once you've decided that you want one of the toy's from one of "The Names" you're sunk. Leica, Contax, Rollei, etc. doesn't really matter, the thing is that your hooked in a certain way and only getting a camera from "the name" will scratch the itch.

Trust me on this; I had a Contax II and have a Leica IIIf for these reasons.

Go ahead and get a Rolliecord. It'll do you well until the itch returns and you trade it in on a Rolleiflex... 😉

William

 

[jnoir]

I have a Flexaret, a Rolleiflex, an Ikoflex and a Yashicamat. Each one has its own "personality", and when I feel like shooting with a TLR (most of the time I use old folders) I find myself having a hard time about which one to take with me!