Can you identify this old TLR?

EdColorado · Dec 11, 2014

All I know is that its German...

benjiboy · Dec 11, 2014

It's a Rolleiflex, I don't know which model.

randy6 · Dec 11, 2014

rolleiflex automat

EdColorado · Dec 11, 2014

That's cool, I wouldn't mind having a Rolleiflex. Right off hand its needing a focusing screen, mirror, hood, and winding lever. I need to fiddle with it some more to see if it functions. If not then its probably a parts camera if anyone is interested.

Sirius Glass · Dec 11, 2014

benjiboy said:
It's a Rolleiflex, I don't know which model.

+1

I do not know the Rolleiflex models.

Richard S. (rich815) · Dec 11, 2014

It's more than just missing some things it's mutilated.

jimjm · Dec 11, 2014

Looks like an Rolleiflex Automat (K4A) made from '51 to '54 with the Schneider Xenar 75/3.5 lens.

I have the previous model K4 with Tessar lens, and it's a very nice shooter.

This looks like the nameplate, film wind crank and the finder hood have been removed. Hard to tell any other problems/ issues from the photo.

One of these in good functioning condition would be worth about $200 - $300. This one might only be good for parts...

gone · Dec 11, 2014

"its needing a focusing screen, mirror, hood, and winding lever"

Yeah, but other than that, it's probably mint minus, right? at least in eBay speak.

EdColorado · Dec 11, 2014

momus said:
"its needing a focusing screen, mirror, hood, and winding lever"

Yeah, but other than that, it's probably mint minus, right? at least in eBay speak.

Well....yeah.

Seeing as how this came to me from a closing up repair shop, and was it seems already used for parts, I'd expect it was already broken. I doubt I'll spend much time with it but will probably put it up on Ebay...as a parts camera.

baachitraka · Dec 12, 2014

Painful sight

Ian Grant · Dec 12, 2014

APUGuser19 said:
I don't know the model, but it's fairly late for Automats, as it has a flash socket. Rolleiflex was VERY late before they put a flash socket on their cameras. Further, this one merits some close examination to see if it has escaped "cleaning marks", which plague most Rolleiflexes available today. If there are none, then everything else is your parts donor and this is the receptor. No "cleaning marks" + flash socket= rare Rolleiflex.

I see quite a few early Rolleiflex cameras all with clean optics all at good prices, I bought an nice Automat last year at a Flea market with a very clean Opton Tessar it's now my main TLR in the UK.

I think I'd be wary of this particular camera because it looks like it's been used as a donor camera for parts.

Ian

randy6 · Dec 12, 2014

Looks like a parts camera who knows what you would get on ebay for it. I see a lot of wild bidding on rolleiflex cameras I don't think a lot of people realize the difference in models.

JPD · Dec 16, 2014

It's a Rolleiflex 3,5 A (also called "MX" in America).

EdColorado · Dec 19, 2014

Thanks everyone for your replies, Rollei's are not my norm and I appreciate the information. I'm sure this one was a parts camera so who knows what's inside (or not, as the case my be) so I think I'll probably be putting it up as such on Ebay. Maybe someone out there has one and needs parts.

Arklatexian · Dec 20, 2014

APUGuser19 said:
I don't know the model, but it's fairly late for Automats, as it has a flash socket. Rolleiflex was VERY late before they put a flash socket on their cameras. Further, this one merits some close examination to see if it has escaped "cleaning marks", which plague most Rolleiflexes available today. If there are none, then everything else is your parts donor and this is the receptor. No "cleaning marks" + flash socket= rare Rolleiflex.

How late are you talking about? My first and only new Rolleicord was a Rolleicord 3 and its shutter had "x" synch (for electronic flash) with a PC connector. As I remember, I bought it in the 1950s.......Regards

jimjm · Dec 20, 2014

First Rollei with the X-synch for flash was the 1949 Automat X 3.5, and the Rolleiflex 2.8 A later that same year. Rolleicord III of 1950 was the first 'cord with flash sych.

1949 was the first year shutter manufacturer Deckel provided Rollei with X-synchronized Compur shutters.

The Exakta B of 1935 is the first camera with built-in flash synch, but this feature wasn't in much demand until after the War. Advances in the development of electronic flash made it more feasible for professionals, thus it became a standard feature on many cameras by the late 40's and early 50's.

jimjm · Dec 20, 2014

The joy of books with lots of detailed information...

Especially for Rollei with so many variations and confusing features.

Can you identify this old TLR?

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