Jump to content

Leica users also using Rollei


bcorton

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I bought a 1960 2.8F Planar from a Camera Club member must be over 20 years ago -- he wanted £250 - 000 -- it came with case and white incident attachment - when I used it all the photos were out of focus and the shutter stuck - the focussing screen was in UPSIDE DOWN !! He told me to get it fixed -- I took it to the Rollei centre in London ( they had not closed down then ) it cost £50-00 for CLA so he deducted it off the cost. Then I got the former staff camera of the Brentwood Gazette newspaper a 1962 Rolleicord Vb with Xenar, then was GIVEN a 1959 'flex 2.8E Xenotar by a widow lady, then was GIVEN a 1962 3.5E Planar by a Camera Club friend ( different Club from the 2.8F purchase) then I had the chance to get a 1969 3.5F Planar from a gent for whom I did some photography work and we did a deal -- he gave me the Rollei and I didn't charge him for the photos -- it has the SIX Element Planar and is sharp at full aperture.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Replies 107
  • Created
  • Last Reply

In my film days I regularly used two Rolleiflex SL66 cameras with various lenses besides my 35mm Leica stuff. I chose the Rolleiflex over the Hasselblad 500 C because it offered a huge number of built-in features not available for the Hasselblad or only available as accessories. The Rolleiflex had a built-in bellows and lens reverser, allowing 1:1 reproduction without any additional accessories. In addition, the camera allowed the lens to be tilted up or down, offering the application of the Scheimpflug principle to extend depth of field. I also used this feature to correct converging lines when doing architecturel photography. The camera backs allowed the use of both 120 and 220 films and allowed film loading without having to line up any arrows, making reloading definitely faster. In my professional work I routinely made use of all of these features.

I also used a Rolleifelx SL2000 for a while. That was a unique camera indeed, offering both waist level as well as eye level viewfinder a the flick of a switch. It also was, at that time, the only 35mm camera in production with interchangeable film backs. One can only wonder what that camera might have evolved to in this digital age.

I sold all my Rollei equipment after I made the switch to digital Leica cameras.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I've been using a 1951 Rolleiflex MX f3.5 since last July, and put plenty of rolls throught it. It's been my primary camera since my Leica IIIc has been in the shop and I was bored with my Nikon digital gear. I really like the Rollei, it's very intuitive to use and I got some very nice shots from it. I've turned to film cameras (the 1951 Rollei is the newest I have) because I really like the classic look those old lenses give. I also have a 1937 Voigtland Bessa 6x9, a 1914 Kodak Special 6x9, and I shoot 4x5 (usually with historical lenses.)

 

 

Kent in SD

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 years later...

About 15 years ago I purchased an old, but well preserved, Rolleicord V. I shot a roll of film through it this past weekend. It seemed to  function flawlessly; I will know for sure when I develop the film.  There is something about the camera, closed up in it's original old leather box, that  makes it seem so rugged. The idea of owning a Hasselblad has, through the years, been something that occasionally plagues me. The Rolliecord just has something the Hasselblad does not.....Maybe it has to do with the fact that it seems like a functioning piece of art. Kind of like a cuckoo clock (SP?)

 

I about feinted when I saw the going price for a good Rollieflex. I guess I am late to the parade on that idea.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...