Adventures of a Rolleicord

[avandesande]

I got my $50 ebay rolleicord V on thursday. It was in okay shape, it looked like it had seen some use from rub marks but the focusing mechanism was smooth and no play. The glass is crystal clear.
It is amazing how small this thing is! It is tiny compared to the yashica I used to have and very light. The screen is a little dim but this is not a big deal for NM landscapes, it tends to be pretty bright outside. The dim screen also seems to help me visualize in BW a little better.
I went to the camera store today looking for bay 1 stuff. They didn't have much but they did have chrome lens cover. That cost 50$! I also got a velbon monopod for 30$ and a used pneumatic release for 15$.
When I got home I cleaned up the leather with saddle soap and shoe polish. I mounted it on the monopod and the cord fit perfectly, it balances right where the foam handle is on the pod. The whole rig can't weight more than 3 pounds. I will use the pneumatic shutter release with my mouth. Interestingly enough you can move your jaw without moving any other part of your body.
In a couple weeks I am going to take a trip to white sands and trudge around the dunes. Hopefully I will get some sharp negatives.

 

[david b]

You should run lots of test film before heading to white sands.

 

[AZLF]

Congratulations on your Rollei find. I also got one off ebay a few months ago for a similar price. Mine (a 1V) is pretty scruffy on the outside but the Zenar f-3.5 lens is clear and sharp and the shutter speeds are all right on. I too have a Yashica Mat and noticed the same thing about the size difference.Its REALLY tiny compared to my Mamiya C-3. I bought a bay 1 to 49mm adaptor for my filter needs and have enjoyed using the camera and seeing the clear,sharp results. I did some long exposure night shots shortly after I got it and was very pleased with the results. I attached my favorite. It was shot on Ekatachrome asa 100 with an 80a filter. 30 seconds at f-22.

 

[avandesande]

My goal is to duplicate the quality of my RB67 with 1/4 the weight. I only shoot normal lenses so it makes sense. I like the RB but the thought of hiking in the desert for a whole day with it frightens me.
With the monopod it looks like a walking stick with a little box on the top.
It's small enough for old ladies!
Dead Link Removed

 

[Loose Gravel]

I have the model V, it was my dad's. He bought it in 1956, either in Panama or Equador. There are the filters, the case, the lens caps, maybe a flash-bulb unit, and a few other things. The part I really like is the box. A very stylish box with a slip off top. I haven't seen the manual, though. I don't know how the speeds are, but he used it all his life. Now it sits with my uncle's rolleiflex of about the same vintage.

The flex doesn't work as one of the last things my uncle did was to drop it. It took a hard one on the bottom and bent a few things. I was going to have it fixed, but it cost more to fix than it was worth.

 

[BrianShaw]

You should run lots of test film before heading to white sands.

... and when you get there, meter VERY carefully. The whiteness is very deceptive and a b!tch to meter (as you probably already know). Whatever you do, don't get too excited/distracted and forget your exposure compensation!!!

 

[BrianShaw]

With the monopod it looks like a walking stick with a little box on the top.
It's small enough for old ladies!

I'm a "smaller" man... and I resemble that remark! It's a CLASSIC combination. One accessory that you'll want to keep an eye open for is the Rolleifx quick release adapter. Put that on top of your monopod and it'll make getting the camera off to change film very easy.

 

[leeturner]

I second the suggestion for the quick release. It's easy to bend the hinged part of the Rollei when carrying it around on a tripod (I've been the recipient of one of these bent models .) The Rollei quick release makes it a doddle to remove the camera.

 

[butterflydream]

I agree Rolleifix is real handy, especially as the back of Rolleis are not so solid it reinforces the mount. I have had Veriwide 100 together with my Rolleis and both could be fixed on Rolleifix.

Only one thing is, Rolleifix could cost as much as your Rolleicord.

 

[avandesande]

Sunny 16 works pretty good out here.

... and when you get there, meter VERY carefully. The whiteness is very deceptive and a b!tch to meter (as you probably already know). Whatever you do, don't get too excited/distracted and forget your exposure compensation!!!