I used it in 1963-64 and it took great photos of a ski trip to Aspen. Best of all, the Baier adapter cosmetically matches the Rolleiflex aesthetic. I think your reply partly illustrates my point, Dennis. The Rolleiflex 2.8F is a fully mechanical camera with all manual focus and manual exposure, meaning no battery needed. I strongly suspect that has more to do with the difference of the 3.5 vs 2.8 than Planar vs Xenotar. They take different filter sizes, too. There are usually a few Rolleiflex cameras for sale at B&H -- along with other 120 film cameras -- If you're in the B&H neighborhood, you should come by and play with them. While all Rolleiflex models command a premium over most other TLRs, the Letter series does so at an even higher level. I like to say that my Rollei has introduced me to some of the most interesting people because it is a great conversation starter. Before I had kiddos, I enjoyed using a Canon AE-1 my father gave me. This advances the film and cocks the leaf shutter so youre ready for the next shot. I recommend first deciding on a budget and/or features you really want. My Dad parst away larst year , and it is now time to look at he's camera's but the one thing he always talk about was the Rolleiflex , He said if i only had one camera this would be the one . For many Rolleiflex aficionados, the last models of the 2.8F mark the end of the classic Rolleiflex TLR. To be able to use these viewing options, youll need to press in the front panel of the viewfinder hood and snap it into place. Ran one or two rolls of film through it and then it was damaged when the leather neck strap broke and the camera hit the ground hard. prestel publishing submissions. Final note: modern tripods have a 3/8" thread, but the classic Rolleiflex takes a 1/4" tripod screw. If you have a 2.8 taking lens (lower lens), then it's probably a Bay III bayonet size. This is where a lot of the confusion comes from for people first learning about Rollei TLRs. Just buy a roll of suitable thread, some sturdy needles, and replace the old thread with new. About Company; Our Benefits; Our Services; Contacts; Testimonials; Honestly, you cant really go wrong with any model of Rolleiflex, assuming its in good working condition. Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests, Rolleiclub is an initiative of Jacob the Photographer in Australia, Re: Rolleiflex model choice does not matter. This case came with a desiccant cartridge to absorb moisture and a leather strap that attached with a hole-and-slit method instead of alligator clips. It was my dad's camera. I have a ROLLEIFLEX with a grey body and lighter grey inserts (leather?) Many people, including Harry Fleenor, prefer nylon over leather. Its impossible to hear the shutter when shooting in a busy public space. Photography-related sites with for sale/wanted forums, eBay, and camera shops with used departments, such as the Used Department at B&H,are good places to find your Rolleiflex. Rollei SL66 kit with Planar f=80mm F/2.8 HFT (late version) kit, boxed. Whats nice about this method of exposure selection is that it gives a visual representation that makes adjusting for backlit, low lit, and other tricky situations fast, reliable, and easy to visualize and understand. Avoid Cute Camera Co. . They began to develop what would become the industry standard for TLR cameras. Especially within the same model range, one lens isnt any better than another. The biggest difference is the most obvious one: the TLR has two lenses. And its this manufacturing skill that makes a 50-year-old Rolleiflex feel relevant and demand to be picked up, appreciated, and used. To make the job easier, keep the leather pieces properly aligned by only removing a small amount of the worn thread at a time. Posted 2020-5-4 by in rick dickert leaves fox news. They have different physical designs, though, with the Hasselblad lens being designed as an SLR lens and the Rollei one being a TLR lens. I had been shooting my Rolleiflex for years before I realized what this was. Anyway, the old Vivitars are easy-to-use and get the job done. Many things. First-time Rolleiflex buyers frequently ask for advice on internet forums about which Rolleiflex model they should prefer, or which lens would be the best choice. The Rolleiflex is largely user-serviceable if you have a general grasp of mechanical repairs and feel comfortable tinkering with mechanics. These clips are spring loaded, and offer a connection that is secure, yet easy to quickly disconnect. Find the Rolleiflex TLR film cameras at KEH Camera or on eBay. Rollei mythology says that Heidecke got the idea for the twin lens reflex style camera while looking through a periscope over the top of a trench during WWI. AU $384.11 AU $44.12 postage Rolleiflex3.5E planar75mmF3.5 exposure meter operation from Japan AU $1,904.27 AU $53.50 postage Also indispensible for critical focusing is the flip-up magnifier located on the underside of a waist-level finders lid. I am willing to ship it to a buyer then receive an offer after hands on evaluation yourself. I'm now searching for a Rolleiflex for myself probably the cheaper 3.5f model. A 1969 camera will usually cost more than a 1954 camera, and a 2.8 model will typically cost more than the same era 3.5 model, etc. And while there's always that perfect camera for a given shot -- as long as I have a camera with me and can create something, I'm happy. Many cameras have seen a lot of use and potentially have worn out film transport mechanisms. Hi Lily--thank you for the feedback. You can also check out more of Jens work on herwebsiteandInstagram. Because of the nature of this article, I may generalize, or I may leave some details out. :) Thanks! They are timeless, not only in appearance but also in use and in the images they create. Busy right now will add later today. Choice does not matter. And the new leather will improve both the grip and cosmetics. Western Union), cashier checks, money . For example, a Bay I Rolleinar close-up filter might cost around $50, but a Bay III Rolleinar could cost $150 or more. Companies such as Aki-Asahi.com and cameraleather.com sell easy-to-install leather for Rolleiflex TLRs and other cameras. The great Brazilian songwriter Antnio Carlos Jobim used a Rolleiflex and its mentioned in his timeless bossa nova tune Desafinado (Slightly out of tune): que os desafinados tambm tm um corao Fold out the crank on the right side of the camera and advance the film. Or my 500C/M. surfing france west coast; rolleiflex models to avoid 21.02.2022 The original Rolleiflex had either a 75/4.5 or a 75/3.8 taking lens. I even use it with my old Vivitar 272 flash - that's right a 272! Going from shooting square format with the Rolleiflex to a smaller square with the Instamatic was a fun experience. Home; About Us. Underneath that panel is a mirror, so when you look through the round magnifier, you can see what the viewing lens sees. I want to talk specifically about the Rolleinar close-up filters (find on eBay) because they are unlike any filter you may have used with any other camera system. He did a beautiful job and the Rolleiflex works wonderfully. Exercising a shutter at different speeds can, in some cases, help distribute lubrication where its needed and result in more accurate shutter speeds. In general (this is how I think of it anyway), there are 4 main groups of Rolleiflex models: The Rolleiflex Standard The Automat The 3.5 The 2.8 Originally, there was one 6x6 model called the Rolleiflex Standard, then in the late 30s, the Rolleiflex Automat was introduced. Surgically sharp, beautiful out of focus areas and a great all round balance and compromise of a design that works well for everything and anything that I personally like shooting. If for some reason you need to hold the camera higher than youre able to use the waist level viewfinder, you can use this one instead. Finally, if a seller claims that their Rolleiflex TLR had a CLA, there should always be a sticker with the repairmans name in one of the film spool chambers. It sounds like a Rolleiflex T from the color. The slightly expanded version, though, they are somewhat similar lenses in that they use the same Planar optical design, are both 80mm focal length lenses, and have a maximum aperture of f/2.8. Please click for Part 2, Loading Film,and Part 3, Street Photography.. Sadly, due to age, the leather on most original Rolleiflex neck straps will be brittle, cracked, and in need of replacement. I took your picture with my trusty Rolleiflex ALL my posts are to be read with an aMaZeBaLLs BARRY WHITE voice. I love shooting things up close and personal, and the bellows would be great for that. The other thing that is strikingly unusual is that the image is flipped horizontally so that what appears to the eye to be on the left side of a shot, looks to be on the right side of the frame when looking through the viewfinder. I'm not sure what you mean by one of the mirrors - the one under the focusing screen can't be it. This model is identifiable by the black plastic shutter lock and flash socket switch. A few things to pass along: I had an excellentCLA done by a retired Rolleiflex guy on the West Coast named Karl Ehlers. My Rolleiflex features a 75 mm f/3.5 Zeiss Tessar lens, and shutter speeds from 1 to 1/500, bulb, and a working self-timer. I have a Rolleiflex T 75mm Tessar f/3.5 with a sticky shutter. It is also true that the Xenotar and Planar designs have not undergone significant change from beginning to end. Its also really challenging to know how much to wind the film before cocking the shutter. The meter reading gave you an EV number which you then set the shutter speed and aperture to. -. Fortunately, there are superb Rolleiflex repairmen, such as Harry Fleenor, in California, andKrikor Maralian, whose service is called Krimar, in New Jersey, both of whom have websites describing their services. 210000016464 Rolleiflex Rollei-Mutar 0.7 Wide Angle for 2.8 Rollie Bay III EXCELLENT $900.00 Rolleiflex 210000016246 ROLLEICORD II MODEL 3 W/7.5CM F3.5 TRIOTAR GOOD $225.00 Rolleiflex . When deciding between a 2.8f versus 3.5f and white face versus non-white face camera, always let the cameras condition be the deciding factor. I've already used it a few times and it has renewed my love for these magnificent cameras and the brilliant images they produce. Another difference is that most SLRs are oriented a horizontal format and must be rotated to shoot vertically. Brand: Rolleiflex Brand Model Format Color Condition Price Buying Format All Filters VINTAGE ROLLEIFKEX BOX FILM CAMERA 75MM FRANKE & HEIDECKE ZEISS HEIDOSMAT TESSAR $11.50 3 bids Free shipping 9d 12h Rolleiflex 3.5 German 1:3. Mount and Flange focal distance: Interchangeable mount (T) Diagonal angle of view: 8.2. Compur-Rapid MX CR0 shutter, 1/500s, M and X synchronisation. The camera has a classical winder mechanism; turning it forwards carries out three functions simultaneously: frame advance, shutter cock and exposure counter advance. Note that there is also the Shutter-Speed-Tester app for Apple IOS and Android that measures the accuracy of the shutter based on the sounds. Other options include: If you buy a Rolleiflex with a non-functioning exposure meter, the options are to use your knowledge to set exposures manually, work with a small digital camera set on manual to take readingsor even bettersimply install a light meter App on your smart phone. Scratches, which some sellers will describe as cleaning marks, fungus, excessive interior dust particles sometimes described as haze, and balsam separation of lens elements from aging cement, are the main problems to look for. I have a Rolleiflex 80mm planar lens 2.8f serial # 168 000 area 1955 to 1957 production I think. Both lenses come in single-coated Planar and Xenotar versions and produce sharp photos with beautiful rendering. Like Dan says I'd avoid pre-WWII Rolleiflex acmeras more because the lenses aren't coated and have lower contrast, I'm using an early 1950's Automat MX with an Opton Tessar and it's a lovely camera very sharp lens. The Rolleiflex 2.8 FX Medium Format Twin Lens Reflex camera is an intriguing tool - a long list of inspiring and master photographers considered it one of their favorites. He was photographer on the ship and now works in the movie industry doing stills. Do you need f/2.8? And if theres an eyecup, most likely the rubber will be deteriorating. You won't be disappointed with any. If opting for a Baier finder, one will probably need a diopter for the finder they select. If you go this route, be sure to bring lens-cleaning supplies and a few paper towels to wipe off your camera. Now you just need an Honeywell 65D w/510V Power Pack and you're good to go! I am pretty sure I didnt imagine the sound of its mirror (and capping plate) retracting or the vibration connected to same. This was also the first 3.5 model to use the Bay II filter mount. All else being equal, a camera that comes with a neck strap, case, hood, and other accessories is preferable to one that doesnt. I carefully placed it in my "museum" (which is really just a bookcase with all my old cameras - with a glass door to keep out the dust). I know that when I first started looking at Rolleiflex, I couldn't make heads or tails of it. If youre trying to capture some action that you need to follow as it moves, you can use the square opening. In 1949, another series, the Rolleiflex 2.8, was introduced with 80/2.8 lenses. And anote on filters: you can scrounge around on eBay for Rollei filters, or you can get a step-up Fotodioxfilter holder and some high-quality B+W 43mm filters, which is a better choice if image quality is your goal. Also, this is not the best place to achieve your selling goal. Each camera has a unique blend of style, function, features, and limitations. This is important for wide-open shooting, where depth of focus is at a minimum and fractions of an inch can make or break critical focus. Its a Rolleiflex film camera., Really?! The Automat also came equipped with a self timer. The Wonderful World of Rolleiflex TLR Photography: Buying a Used Rolleiflex TLR, Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 Black and White Negative Film (120 Roll Film). It could be converted to use 120 or 620 film to produce the 12 frames we are familiar with today. A major appeal of Rolleiflex TLR cameras is that they are so well made. I still have to be aware of the settings on digital equipment, but everything was manual on the retro stuff. These attractive cases were made with brown leather, burgundy felt interiors, and were stitched together with thread. And it's harder to see when your subject is in focus. Even though I'm having a lot of fun, I still yearn for a Rolleiflex! The metal on metal is precise and light tight. Speed: F/5.6. Maximum format: 35mm full frame. You can find Rolleiflex cameras of various models on eBay or at KEH Camera ranging in price anywhere from $300 for an MX-EVS to $2600 for a 2.8f and up to $6000 for a gx. And if you goofed, you didn't know it till the film was developed! I always do the old twist test -- hold the leather in your hands and twist it back and forth -- when the leather is no longer safe to use it will tear like a piece of cardboard. Again, Rolleiflex cameras are designed to perfection, making them so easy to use. Thanks, Rodney! To attach them to the camera, first attach the narrow filter to the lower taking lens. My solution to that dilemma is to create a 3-D "identical" faux-Rolleiflex (like the one that she would have used in the late 1930's, early 1940's), but using artist materials over a cardboard substructure. But now that you say it, I am going to make sure to try it again the next time I am out shooting. Twin because there are two lenses. I haven't had the pleasure of shooting with a Rolleimeter -- I might have to get one. Great article and resources! Thank you Dan Wagner for this great article. The Rolleiflex Automat is a major milestone in the development of the Rolleiflex line, and its appearance is already very close to the mature models of the golden period of the 50s and 60s. Because it has a leaf shutter, its also very quiet. They can't ship until the closures end but if you talk to them you can usually get 10 % off the listed price and there's free shipping and a 30 day warranty but you pay shipping back. Returns We offer free returns up to 30 days from the original purchase date. I think I have only been refused once or twice. If money is no object then by all means go for the newest most current model. Including many well known Stars: Elisabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Portman https://www.pinterest.com/franklodder/rolleiflex/. Its what the film sees. Choose how many points and other parameters that appeal to you. It would be a lot of fun responding to comments from strangers about the word "Magic" on my cameara. Give him a call so you can extinguish that Rolleiflex yearning. I gave an f 2.8, pistol grip and eye level prism to a friend I was in Vietnam with. About 25 years ago I was the staff photographer for a Southern university. It is a pity that camera's shutter cocking lever broke beyond fixing and my repair person couldn't fix it. I haven't shot with one, but I hear the lens renders beautifully and that the 2.8c are a bit lighter than the f models. Thank you, Brett! Magnifiers with diopter correction for photographers who wear glasses. When youre ready, press the shutter button with your right index finger. Any wisdom on how to get one on a tight budget? The chrome, paint, leather and other surfaces have almost no signs of real use. The reason a 2.8F (or any other model Rollei TLR, for that matter) has no mirror slap is *not* because it is has a lens shutter. Rolleiflex was first introduced around 1928. First, unscrew the correcting filter. Would anyone please provide feedback? Hold the camera in both hands. Otherwise it's in good condition, and the light meter is still functional. I too, am a fiction writer (Schmendrick on Amazon :) ) - so funny you should mention using photography to inspire fiction writing. I love details like this! Whenever I am out with my Rollei, I almost always try to get a through-the-viewfinder shot, a portrait of a stranger, and a self-portrait. Dan Wagner has been making images with Rolleiflex TLR cameras for years. By including the buckle hardware, straps with the same adjustability as the original can be ordered. With an interchangeable lens camera, you ca Counter and rewind knobs not factory fitted. As the cursor is moved, you will see the image get lighter or darker, because the meter is calculating the exposure for the area under the cursor. When focused, everything seems to stand out from the background and appears even sharper than it does in real life. Good for night shooting with flashbulbs. and a grey hardshell case and neckstrap. The Rolleicord clocked in at 70$ (1,300$) and while the same basic shape and design as the Rolleiflex it lacked a leather covering going for a metal exterior with some art deco inspired aesthetic. There are few TLR (twin lens reflex) cameras as iconic as the Rolleiflex (Vivian Maier, Diane Arbus, Cecil Beaton, Robert Capa, Imogen Cunningham all shot exclusively or at some point in their lives on the Rolleiflex) and the Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex never reached those levels. Find great local deals on used film, disposable & single-use cameras for sale in RM4 Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community. I just get the film developed and then scan the negatives and print the pictures. Next you will need a 49mm star filter, such as theTiffen 49mm 6pt/2mm Grid Star Effect Filter B&H # TIS6249 MFR # 49STR62. I can guesstimate the diameter of the lenses and the nameplate, but if you wouldn't mind measuring those too, I'd be grateful. I'm fairly close to Minneapolis up north and closer to Omaha. You can also see more of his work right here on our website. Ironically, while Rolleiflex Ever-Ready cases are nice to look at, theyre not very practical for shooting. It is because it *is* a Twin Lens Reflexthe reflex mirror is securely affixed to the camera body. Buck -- glad you've held onto that Rolleiflex. I haven't counted all m cameras, so I don't know how many I have. 2.8c -- that's a great model. It would be cool to visit Hamburg, the town where they were made. The back door is manufactured with such tight tolerances, that there is no need for it. Bay III cameras are all the 2.8 models, except the 2.8A, CURATED PHOTOSTREAM | JANUARY 29, 2018 | LUCY WAINWRIGHT. See what feels good and inspiring. This takes a bit of getting used to when first shooting with a TLR. Rolleiflex repair, servicing a Rolleiflex Automat TLR. Those were easy to buckle to a Dompke "Gripper" strap which IMO, is far better than any leather strap. I am not any kind of Rollei expert, but I have done some research into the cameras, and I own 3 Rolleiflex and have used more. All Rolleiflex since have a 5 bladed aperture. Ive been complimented on my cool handbag and stylish necklace when Ive been out shooting with my Rollei. Besides being fun to use, watching someone shoot with a Rolleiflex TLR for the first time is comical, as the mirror reverses the viewfinder image from left to right, frequently causing the photographer to point the camera the wrong way. Or you can pay $500 for a 3.5e, which handily beats all the others. The mirror in a TLR camera is stationary and does not move out of the way when the shutter button is pushed. rolleiflex models to avoid. Avoid scams, deal locally Beware wiring (e.g. So I started looking for an alternate and found a Yashicamat 124G in almost mint condition. There is one more feature on the Rolleiflex I want to mention. The film door is L-shaped because it includes the bottom and back of the camera. Rolleiflex cameras are so easy to use that a photographer of any skill from a beginner who has just learned the exposure triangle to a seasoned professional will enjoy creating with any one of the many Rolleiflex models. What makes these mirrorless cameras truly different from both DSLR cameras and modern point and shoot digital cameras is a sort of "best of both worlds" scenario. Once I have my exposure, I set my shutter speed and aperture on the camera. I found some Rolleiflex automats at KOLS camera that have been cla.Any opinions or experiences with them ? I can't describe how smooth he made it work. :). Auto-focus wasn't even a dream for this old retro stuff! Personally, I would agree with what others have said about the 3.5e series. The benefit of a non-adjustable strap is that there is no excess material. I think the 3.5f late models really were the Magnum Opus of the Rolleiflex cameras, and by default . Rolleiflex 2.8 C Common Particulars: Bayonet III filter mount. The first Rolleiflex, as we know it today, was not released until 1929. They include: There are many more accessories than these if you want to dig deep into Rollei culture and lore. I hope you will receive this promptly. The film counter on the right side of the camera should show 1. One of its niftiest tricks always I thought is to be used as a periscope to take pictures held (upside down) high over your head or unseen from around a corner. Fortunately, with a little practice, both of these issues are easily overcome. FOR SALE! The 3.5E2 and 3.5E3 were sold concurrently with the 3.5F, and both were available with or without the built in meter. Without handling the camera it's hard for me to comment. You are using an out of date browser. Even owners of pre-war Rolleiflex models with an uncoated Tessar or Xenar lens affirm the excellence of their cameras and claim complete satisfaction with them. The one in the finder might move if you shake the camera. Telltales to how a camera was treated may be revealed by wear to the leather panels on the camera, wear to the leather case, missing paint, dents, and worst of all, damage to the optics. Very well cared for by its meticulous original owner who used it extensively. In the late 40s the first 2.8 was introduced, and in the mid 50s the Automat was replaced with what is generally referred to as the 3.5C or 3.5E. I avoid the model V, Va, Vb, and Vb II cameras, since they usually fetch higher prices without any increase in image quality or usability (and I prefer a round vs. pentagonal aperture). Dan. I have to think a whole lot more than with the digital stuff. Thank you for sharing that wonderful nugget of information about Heidecke and Franke. I might get some facts wrong, but I will attempt to dispel some of the confusion. This offers the option of shooting with a chimney finder, which is hard to come by unless one is using a Baier adapter with a Hasselblad or other third-party chimney. Many chimney finders have adjustable eyepieces for easier focusing, as well. r/AnalogCommunity . This post may contain affiliate links. Like others have said, any fresh example with pristine optics should not disappoint you. And now all I have developed is complex You will need to zone focus (guestimate the distance to the subject and dial it in on the focus wheel) and then push the shutter button. So, if youd like a camera that turns heads yet is stealthy, a joy to use, and want to join the ranks of Richard Avedon, Robert Doisneau, Diane Arbus, Vivian Maier, Imogen Cunningham, Robert Capa, or Alfred Eisenstadt, find yourself a Rolleiflex in your price range and go start your love affair with this marvel of German engineering and creativity! The MX-EVS also came with a new larger focus knob. X8 Sports - U.M. minor lens flaws) for under $500. The famous 6th element added to the 3.5 lenses is not something that causes a difference that can be detected easily. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to find a shop willing to spend hours re-stitching a case. This is a model that doesnt really fit into any other group. But until the Rolleiflex 2.8E that came out in 1956, Rolleiflex cameras did not have a light meter. Mount and Flange focal distance: Interchangeable mount (T) Diagonal angle of view: 4.1. Bay I cameras are basically all the 3.5 models with 4 element taking lenses. Couple that with the fact that most Rolleiflex don't actually have any model number on them, and it can get quite confusing. I never tried to use it, but after I got the retro-bug I tried various places to see if I could get it serviced. It was a fun project. Make sure the switch is back in place and the lever is firmly latched. This is really only used to frame the shot. Rolleiflex cameras are iconic, beautifully designed, and solidly engineered cameras. Hi Wayne. 5 days ago. We are a supportive and encouraging community for film photographers to learn, share, & grow.