Surplus Rolleiflex 3.5F, such a problem to have you might say?

[scottsa]

Hello to all in this TLR forum

I am humbly seeking advice of the sage and knowledgeable for many things Rolleiflex.

This is my first RFF post so if this is the wrong place to post this, please help me figure out the right one and I'll head over there.

At this point I must clarify that I am NOT soliciting for any offers and will not consider or respond to any until I post in the classifieds and pay RFF the appropriate fees. There is too much value here to end run the system for a few dollars.


To begin, I have too many cameras and not enough space or time. So recently I made the wise decision to buy more (cameras). Seems reasonable and considered, no?

They were all as a lot from a retiring photographer in a nearby town. Thankfully it was only one of several lots else I might be asking for accommodation instead of advice. I had use for one component and the balance have been temporarily added to overflowing cupboards.

One such gem is a Rolleiflex with a 3.5 Planar lens. Through the serial number (body 2202xxx and Zeiss Planar taking lens is 2256xxx) it appears to be an F, but please do correct me if I'm wrong.

So far wonderful... so far.

The dubious portion of this is the condition and, oh my, its condition is depressing at first glance. The gent said it was CLA'd about two years ago... so if his memory is like mine that's between four and six "real", earth-calendar, years. Or two or three 'martian-years' which may be appropriate for me some days.

The shutter sounds smooth, the times appear reasonable, the glass is clean and the ground-glass is too. The meter is bust, apparently that happens, but someone has done a massive hack-job re-gluing the leather back on. Paint is chpped and the aluminum frame around the exposure table on the back is dented. Basically the important functional stuff seems straight, the less functional is "well loved" to quote Captain Obvious.

I have several images of the condition in which I received it, I will attempt a bit of careful clean-up and re-photograph it as time permits. So if those are needed to answer my question, they are or can be made available.

I have no history for or with this camera, but my C33's have lots so they will stay even if the optics may be inferior. Presently my GSW690 is my MF of choice, so this 6x6 is indeed surplus. I know to some that may seem incredible or tragic, but it is true.

Thus my dilemma is I need to find a new home for this once beautiful, ugly-duckling of a camera. Truly, I have no idea of its real value, just erratic numbers from auction sites and a few web pages.

I wish to figure out what is fair and reasonable so the purchaser is happy they didn't get hosed and I'm happy that I didn't give it away. Oh, and my spouse is even happy that I've honored my commitment to continue thinning the herd even if not quick enough.

It would be easy if the prices didn't vary so wildly, let alone the subtleties of small physical changes that translate into desirability. That's including things like being in the first 10% of the production run. Compound that with its visual condition and my interest in fairness rather than maximum profit (really).

Then again, I might need to sell some other equipment and panhandle a bit to buy a beer in which I might cry...

Many thanks in advance for both the advice, suggestions and perseverance through such a winded entry.

 

[bugmenot]

Put it on classified or ebay and see what you can get for it. If the condition is less than Excellent, then you are looking at something around the $800 mark, depends on accessories and boxes though.

 

[Jamie123]

If the exterior is in as bad a condition as you describe you have two options. Sell it cheaply as a 'beater' and let the buyer worry about cosmetics or clean it up, re-leather it and sell it at a decent price.

 

[Bobfrance]

You could re-leather it in a funky colour and go after the hipster dollar. It seems to work on Oly trips. 😉

 

[scottsa]

Yikes! I was expecting someone to suggest that not only did I have the model wrong but the camera had substantially less value being in this condition. Sadly, there is nothing else but the camera. Worse, while it could be fun to pimp it up, I don't have enough time for current projects, let alone adding new ones. When ready, I'll let the market decide what it is worth but at least I have a better idea of where to start and still be reasonable. I'll clean it better and run a roll through so a future owner knows what to expect. Thanks for the input.

 

[KoNickon]

No, definitely do not pimp it up. Let the buyer decide what to do with it. In terms of a selling price, reskinning in something offbeat could actually detract from its attractiveness to a buyer. But some pictures would be helpful here -- if it's really bad, replacing it with something as close in appearance to the original might not be a bad idea.

I agree that the serial number indicates a 3.5F, from early in the run -- I've got one that's even earlier. Not sure that there's extra value in these. In fact, I think those are harder to work on -- something about the shutter/aperture interlock, if memory serves. But if it's fully working other than the meter, that is what people will most care about. At this point, I'm not sure whether meter replacements are even available.