bcorton Posted September 26, 2011 Share #1 Posted September 26, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) OK, just out of curiosity, how many Leica users also use or at least own Rollei medium format gear? If Hasselblad gets its own thread, Rolleiflex ought to merit one too. Judging from responses to the Hasselblad thread, I imagine many of us have the venerable TLR. But how many of us use the fine SLRs that Rollei produced? I still have and use a 6008i kit. In around 2002 I inherited my brother's Hasselblad 503cw outfit (50mm, 80mm, 120 macro, 180, and several backs). I tried to get along with it. I conducted comparative shoot-outs. At the end of the day, I just preferred the Rollei outfit I already had. So I sold the Hassie and bought a telescope. Had I known then what I know now, about Rollei going belly-up, I might have done differently. But at the time, Rollei seemed closer to digital (and hence, longevity) than did Hasselblad (heck, Rollei already had two digital backs available). The final negatives were at least the equal of those from the Hasselblad, and I just found the Rollei more user-friendly with a better metering system, and a trouble free system of interchangeable backs. Long may it live! In times since, I have worried about the availability of batteries for it. However, I just bought two additional batteries from B&H. Happy times! Let's hear your experiences or opinions. Brent P.S., I notice my spell-checker recognizes "Rollei" but not "Hasselblad." What does that say? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 Hi bcorton, Take a look here Leica users also using Rollei. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ldhayden Posted September 26, 2011 Share #2 Posted September 26, 2011 I've got a Rollei 6008AF kit that I use regularly. My experiences with a Hassey kit mirror yours. We jut didn't get along real well so I sold that kit. I find the 6008 to be a real joy to use and it fits me personally and very similar in ways that my Leica's fit my style of shooting. I enjoy both and often wish I could carry both when I'm out in the field. I've tried it a few times but it just never seems to work out all that well. I'm too indecisive when I have both systems. Having said that, both cameras will join me in Uruguay in early 2012 because I won't leave one of them behind. Larry 1 - Rollei 6008AF 2 - Lecia M7's Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tietje Posted September 26, 2011 Share #3 Posted September 26, 2011 I have a Rolleicord VA. It was my first "proper camera" back in 1975, I'd never sell it. It has a film in it, but I haven't shot with for a few years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 26, 2011 Share #4 Posted September 26, 2011 Rolleicord Va and baby Rolleiflex which is a really lovely camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
siglo Posted September 27, 2011 Share #5 Posted September 27, 2011 Rolleiflex 2.8FX, a really nice camera to use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker Posted September 27, 2011 Share #6 Posted September 27, 2011 Rolleflex 2.8 F; 3.5 F; Tele Rollei; Rolleiflex T, Rolleicord Vb. I love them - they would be the cameras I would save from the burning building (not the Leicas :} ) --- I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=53.590437,-2.524185 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 27, 2011 Share #7 Posted September 27, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Rolleiflex 3,5 F, and also a 3,5 T (worn but fine working that dates back to my "pre-Leica" era) : at film times I used regularly the 3,5 F , one of the ever best built cameras, I think, and with an excellent Planar lens : I got so in love with the Planar, that in a moment of "MF + 30x40 prints frenzy" took even a Linhof Technika 23 with the Planar 100 (superfine camera - terrible to take around). But I admit that in the last 3 years I bought 3 120 films, 1 still in my drawer... (and those include one exposed on my 6x9 Super Ikonta)... digital wave in unstoppable... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asmith Posted September 27, 2011 Share #8 Posted September 27, 2011 I have a 2.8f, a post war Automatic, a Rolleicords Vb and an Art Deco 'cord. Sadly they are no longer used along with my IIIF,IIIG, M2,M3,M4,M6. I have gone completely digital. Alwyn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asfaloth Posted September 27, 2011 Share #9 Posted September 27, 2011 Rolleiflex 2,8GX Leica M9, M7, Visoflex, SL2, R6.2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
atournas Posted September 27, 2011 Share #10 Posted September 27, 2011 Surely, Leica owners with a Rollei deserve a thread. I have access to various twin-lens Rollei's, namely, 3.5F, 2.8F and recently 2.8GX. No complain, as long as you know their limits. What I love, though, with the F models is their shutter release. Totally camera-shake-free and zero-sound--an unbelievable experience! I also own a 6000 integral2 with the standard 80mm f/2 PQ Planar lens. Despite to what the Internet says, batteries cause no problems; their charging lasts conveniently long and you can (still?) find backups. Not a street camera, however, for one single reason: its rewind motor is so bluntly loud. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asfaloth Posted September 27, 2011 Share #11 Posted September 27, 2011 ..... What I love, though, with the F models is their shutter release. Totally camera-shake-free and zero-sound--an unbelievable experience! ..... Right, great feeling. And the internal exposure meter relieved the work André Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfage Posted September 27, 2011 Share #12 Posted September 27, 2011 Yup. I have a 2.8E that I will never sell. Mine is the SK version and I have to say, it is one of the sharpest lenses I have ever seen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
j. borger Posted September 27, 2011 Share #13 Posted September 27, 2011 I had a 2,8e and a 2,8 gx but never got used to the ergonomics of a Rolleiflex. I always prefered my Hasselblad and sold them in the end. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcorton Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted September 27, 2011 It looks like the TLRs are winning. I have a 3.5E (which, in all probability shares my birth year) about to come back to me from Harry Fleenor. I bought it years ago from the father of Orson Scott Card, the sci-fi writer. Once in Italy it landed violently on a curb (meter knob first) with luggage on top of it. The meter knob was a loss and the back was severely indented. But it was repairable. These things were really made well. The lens of the E is a Planar. The glass for my 6008i is all Zeiss as well. I've read from many that the Schneider lenses are even better. However, I've not heard much to differentiate between the Zeiss or Schneider lenses on the old TLRs. Brent Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semrich Posted September 27, 2011 Share #15 Posted September 27, 2011 I have the 3.5 E and during a 5 week stay in the States I put 11 rolls through it. It is an attention getter, people kept coming up to me asking about it, can they look through the viewfinder, and during one night shot a young man asked if he could take a picture of it with his iPhone. That attention has some interesting twists, the woman who wanted to look through the viewfinder got me an introduction to the Director of FAC (Fairfield Art Council) and coffee with the photographer who won their 2010 Artist of the Year Award. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
acanalda Posted September 27, 2011 Share #16 Posted September 27, 2011 Rolleiflex 3.5 F. I use it frequently. You can see it in my Web with some videos attached (http://www.ea4az.es/EA4AZ/Rolleiflex_3.5f.html) Rollei Heidoscop. I use it only in the summer (http://www.ea4az.es/EA4AZ/Rollei_Heidoscop.html) Regards, Arturo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddp Posted September 27, 2011 Share #17 Posted September 27, 2011 I actually sold my M8, kept my MP3 and bought a Rollei 3.5 E Planar last fall. Fantastic camera, period. Still thinking about getting a 2.8 F if the opportunity presents itself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcorton Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share #18 Posted September 27, 2011 I have the 3.5 E and during a 5 week stay in the States I put 11 rolls through it. It is an attention getter, people kept coming up to me asking about it, can they look through the viewfinder, and during one night shot a young man asked if he could take a picture of it with his iPhone. That attention has some interesting twists, the woman who wanted to look through the viewfinder got me an introduction to the Director of FAC (Fairfield Art Council) and coffee with the photographer who won their 2010 Artist of the Year Award. Richard, The Fairfield you write of wouldn't be Fairfield, Iowa perchance, would it? It's about 1-1/2 hours from where I live. (I'm only guessing this because your signature line hints of some familiarity.) Interesting town. Brent Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_a Posted September 27, 2011 Share #19 Posted September 27, 2011 I returned to using mechanical film cameras (after 9 years of various digital cameras) through the purchase of my first Rolleiflex just over two years ago. The cameras are exceptionally well made, and I find both the square format and composing by looking down on the ground glass to be much easier than direct viewing through a rangefinder window. I can compose the photograph as an "abstract" composition of tones, textures, lines and movement within a "neutral" square frame. My Rolleiflex collection has grown over the last two years in the following order: (1) 2.8F Planar White Face (2) 3.5F Planar White Face (3) 3.5F Xenotar (gift to my father) (4) 4.0 Tele White Face (5) Grey 4x4 Post War Rolleiflex (6) 3.5E3 Planar (7) Black 4x4 Post War Rolleiflex I am saving up for the Wide Rolleiflex to round out the set. All of the cameras have been overhauled by either Harry Fleenor, Krikor Maralian or Karl Ehlers with Maxwell screens installed. The cameras are a pleasure to use. (And yes I use them all.) The resulting medium format photographs have a distinct look, especially in black and white, that I have yet to replicate with the Leicas, but this is probably due to the differences in choice of focal length and coatings on the lenses. James A Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steed Posted September 27, 2011 Share #20 Posted September 27, 2011 Allow me to put in a good word for the MX-EVS 3.5 with its humble Tessar lens. Never lets me down, and the images are superb. Of course I would love to have a Planar to play with the big boys, but with six old Leicas in my drawer (I don't count my wife's X1), I may be giving the credit card a rest for a while. John W Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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