What to look out for in a Rolleiflex?

msbarnes

msbarnes

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OK so I've been wanting a Bay 1 Xenar/Tessar Rollei, but I was undecided between different modeled 'Cords and 'Flex's so I went ahead and ordered an ugly Rolleiflex T and bargain Rolleicord IV off keh.com to try out and get a better sense of the handling and screen brightness.

To my surprise the Rolleiflex T is in pretty good shape. I was expecting scratches/fungus on the lens or maybe awful cosmetic flaws, but I can't find anything wrong with it. OK there is some wear on the "button" and a small blemish on the screen but I didn't expect a minty 'Flex for $245.

The shutter fires at all speeds and sounds reasonable to ear and the lens looks pretty clean. I ran a roll shot mostly wide open at close distances but I haven't developed it yet. If the negatives look good, is there anything else I should look out for?

I'm just happily surprised that I got a nice-looking "ugly" Rollei so I thought to be more cautious incase there was something terribly wrong with it.
 
If they focus correctly and the shutter speeds are accurate enough, plus that you get all twelve exposures on a roll, have fun and use them. There's no need to think up problems you haven't found yet. 😉
 
One common issue seems to be wear on the coating of the taking lens, but they rarely affect the picture aside from causing flare.
 
What to look out for on a Rolleiflex? The price.

I have a Rollei 2.8F and two Yashica Mats. While I love the Rollei (mint, with excellent lens), the Yashica Mats get you 98% there for 20% of the cost. And if one wants dramatically higher quality than a Yashica Mat, I think going to 8x10 (which I also shoot) is the next best step.
 
John NYC said:
What to look out for on a Rolleiflex? The price.

I have a Rollei 2.8F and two Yashica Mats. While I love the Rollei (mint, with excellent lens), the Yashica Mats get you 98% there for 20% of the cost. And if one wants dramatically higher quality than a Yashica Mat, I think going to 8x10 (which I also shoot) is the next best step.
Click to expand...

Yup. I have a Rollei and a Yashica Mat. Yashica's are great.
The mechanical feel and precision of the Rollei can not be matched, but the Yashica's images are great.
 
John NYC said:
What to look out for on a Rolleiflex? The price.

I have a Rollei 2.8F and two Yashica Mats. While I love the Rollei (mint, with excellent lens), the Yashica Mats get you 98% there for 20% of the cost. And if one wants dramatically higher quality than a Yashica Mat, I think going to 8x10 (which I also shoot) is the next best step.
Click to expand...

Yup. I have a Rollei and a Yashica Mat. Yashica's are great.
The mechanical feel of the Rollei can not be matched, but the Yashica's images are great.
 
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