Rolleicord III question?
Brendan Frey
Hi all! I am currently looking for an older yet still usable camera to begin
in the medium format with. I have been recommended the Rolleicord III which
I can acquire for 105$. The only info I have is that it has a good Xenar
lens. The hood is a bit iffy, but the shutter, lens and film chamber is
excellent..
I was wondering, 1) Is this a good deal? 2) Is this an appropriate camera to
begin in the medium format with? (I mostly need it for black and white work
for artistic purposes, so great speed is not necessary). Will it allow for
growth? (flash/other lenses still easily available.) I know the Rollei name
is well known for quality, but anything I can use would be grately
appreciated..
Thanks in advance,
Brendan Frey
--
Brian Shaw
In article <51l43q$4...@krakken.uwf.edu>, bf...@news.uwf.edu (Brendan Frey)
wrote:
Most people would find a Rolleicord to be a good beginners camera.
Personally, I'd be wait for a Vb model since it will be many years newer
than a III - could have better lens coating and might be easier to have
repaired if that's required. Also, the Vb will accept many of the
Rolleiflex accessories such as the 35mm Rolleikin and prism viewfinder.
The lense is fixed, so you can't grow in that area - however, closeup
lenses DO exist and are relatively easy to find. In "bayonet 1" size,
they will fit either the Rolleicord III or Vb since they both have a 3.5
lens. I've been using a Rolleicord Vb for many years and although I've
occasionally longed for a better camera (like a Hassey), my photographs
have been good enough to keep me using this affordable camera.
--
Brian Shaw (sh...@courier3.aero.org)
Los Angeles, CA
Tse-Sung Wu
Well, I've had no luck sending this directly to the original poster, so
here goes:
Hi,
If it's in really good shape, this might be a good deal. I got a
Rolleiflex, the more 'upscale' version of Rolleicords with a Xenar lens.
For $65! Very good user condition, very clean glass (I ended up
sending it Harry Fleenor for a CLA since the slower shutter speeds were
sticky- cost more than the camera about $92, but well worth it, IMO. I
could now sell it for more than I bought it for). Cosmetically a little
beat up.
But, I've had machine enlargements made of color negs to 11x11.
Excellent sharpness, tonality, with hardly any grain, using Fuji NPH, an
all around, moderately constrasty 400 print film.
The Xenar is the Schneider version of the Zeiss Tessar lens (Schneider
and Zeiss along with Leitz are the great, legendary German lensmakers).
Both are very good, although Zeiss possesses a higher cachet for some
reason. Some people think that the Tessar is a little 'better' than the
Xenar, but I am only passing on hearsay. The next step, which will get
you into the $350-$1000+ range is the Xenotar/Planar Rollei TLRs.
Again, Xenotar is the Schneider version of the Zeiss Planar. These also
come in f2.8, whereas the Tessar and Xenars are f3.5. All are 75 or
80mm focal length, which is 'normal' in MF-speak.
I don't know about the Rolleicord III, but mine does not have a
provision for flash, which is the *only* downside to this camera.
Rollei TLRs do not have interchangeable lenses. However, they do accept
some accessories- lens hoods, closeups, filters. I'm not sure of the
Rolleicord- will it take what they call Bay I accessories? The
Rolleiflex I have, an Automat Type 4 (ca 1949) does.
I think this is an excellent and inexpensive way to get into MF, and
with a piece of equipment that is likely to appreciate over the years.
Once you get a Rollei, come join the Rollei mailing list. There you'll
meet some *total* aficianados who can tell you more than you'd ever want
to know about your camera.
Also, as I am new to MF, I archived lots of tips I got off the net and
offline, at
www.epp.cmu.edu/~tw1u/mfmain.html
I am drafting a few words about my newbie experiences, unlinked, but
available at
www.epp.cmu.edu/~tw1u/mfmine.html
if you're interested.
For B&W work, I think the Xenar will be excellent. And a Rolleicord is
a very good an inexpensive way to get into Rollei, which itself is a
great brand, IMO.
HTH,
Tse-Sung
nob...@nowhere.umd.edu
>I was wondering, 1) Is this a good deal? 2) Is this an appropriate camera to
>begin in the medium format with? (I mostly need it for black and white work
>for artistic purposes, so great speed is not necessary). Will it allow for
>growth? (flash/other lenses still easily available.) I know the Rollei name
>is well known for quality, but anything I can use would be grately
>appreciated..
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Brendan Frey
>
Probably you could not purchase a better camera to start MF with. If the lens
is in good shape, and if you stop down at least to f/5.6, you will produce
results that will rival the best you can do in MF. Don't worry that the
coatings are not the newest and that the lens is a fairly common Tessar-type.
The Xenars are a fine lens and are much more consistant in quality than the
Zeiss Tessars, and much less prone to separation. I've shot almost every
lens put on a Rollei TLR and a Xenar will hold its own with any. The Planar
and Xenotars are better wide open, but how often will you be shooting that
way? The one accessory you do want to find is a bay 1 lens shade. Don't
worry if it says Rollei on it or not, but DO get and use one.
The plain ground glass screen on a Rolleicord III is very easy to use to focus
on if it is clean. On EVERY old tlr I've ever gotten my hands on, I was able
to improve things greatly by carefully cleaning the underside of the focus
screen, the mirror and the back of the viewing lens with a good, safe lens
cleaner. You need to be handy with a jeweler's screwdriver, but I've done it
to cameras costing $25 to $1000 and have not damaged any yet. If you are not
sure of yourself, find a repair person who will do it. I've owned probably
15 tlrs at one time or another, including several 2.8 Planar Rolleiflexes, and
the one I will always keep and that I use most often for picture taking
outdoors is the Rolleicord III. The later IV and V are fine cameras, but in
my opinion not worth the premium unless you plan to buy into the "system"
fairly deeply. The prism is heavy, dark and expensive, so no real advantage
for the budget beginner. The only camera in a budget MF I might suggest over
a Rolleicord III is a Minolta Autocord, as I think it has superior ergonomics.
Bill Bell
Chicknpipe
My first MF was a Rollei III and I still use the camera occassionally. It
will accept the Rolleikin 35, although I've found little use for this
accessory. My Rollei III does have X synch for flash, and you can use any
manual or autoflash (of course, not TTL autoflash).
The Rolleicord is MUCH lighter than my Mamily TLR, and much lighter than
my 35mm setups! The images are excellent, although I strongly recommend a
lens shade...a good practice with any lens! A used Rollei Bayonet 1 hood
is about $30.
You can sometimes find Vivitar or Minolta aux tele or wide angle Bay 1
lens sets. They will fit the Rolleicord. I've never used them and I['ve
read mixed reviews on their effect on image. Many people dislike any
extenders and I can't say if the negative words are prejudice or fact.
For an intro into MF, the Rolleicord lens serves as equivalent of 45-50mm
in 35mm and is quite serviceable. Rollei also made aux lens sets. Skip
them...they're megabucks if you can find them.
Anyway, if you want interchangeable lens, you're choices are Mamiya TLR's
which cost a lot more than $100, SLR's (even higher) or the relatively new
Mamiya 6/7 rangefinders (relatively expensive).
Many Bay 1 filters are available used (and maybe even NewOldStock) as the
Minolta Autocord and Yashica 635 also used Bay 1.
I paid $85 in NYC twenty five years ago, and your quote of $105 seems
about right for the prices that I see in NYC shops and also Shutterbug
ads. If you can find one, a Rolleicord Vb is more modern (maybe better
lens coating) but other features about the same. Cost about $150-200.
Rolleiflexes add double exposure protection...Rolleicord III's require
that you develop the good practice of advancing as soon as you shoot! You
could also say that intentional double exposures with 'cords are real
easy! The Rolleiflexes also have the neat crank advance, faster and
sexier than the 'cord winding knob...yet both work very well. I'd be very
careful of any Rolleiflex available below several hundred
dollars...although there may be an occassional buy, the usual price is
well above $300. Service is reasonable yet not inexpensive...my last CLA
on the Rollei cost almost $100...could make the cheap 'flex less of a
bargain!
Watch for the usual camera problems...lens fungus, scratches, smooth film
advance, clean finder. You can change the finder yourself but you risk
misalignment which could cause misfocus...probably better to let an
experience technician do this as cost should be low on this simple
operation. My 'cord has been virtually bulletproof through many years of
use. Service should not be any problem...Marflex, Essex, or any competant
shop can service Rollei's and I'm sure parts are available for the simple
mechanism.
Also, beware of Rollei 3.5' lens separation. My close friend was a Rollei
North America service tech before they folded in mid 70's, and he warns
that Rolleiflex 3.5 Tessars tend to delaminate...the glue gives out making
the camera virtually worthless. Which may expalin why we sometimes see
very inexpensive Rolleiflex 3.5's! Perhaps Bob Solomon can shed more
light on this.
No problem with the 2.8's (which cost much more on the used market) and
are still in prodution.
In summary, I highly recommend the Rollei III to learn solid photo skills
and to produce very satisfying images!
Good luck!!
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