Going back in time with a Rolleiflex TLR...

jasonjoo · Mar 27, 2008

I spent the past 3 days in San Francisco and Monterey and boy, did a lot of people comment on my new-to-me Rolleiflex! The first time I went out with my Rolleiflex was in Yosemite during the winter, so I didn't run into too many people, but in San Francisco, people were staring, gawking, and some even pulled me aside just to talk about photography!

It was funny because people would walk by and murmur things like, "That's a Rolleiflex," or "my father used to own one of those," or even look at me and thinking, "What IS that THING?"

All-in-all, it was quite enjoyable. I'm glad that traditional photography still causes a stir amongst people today. Especially when people look at the old thing and a wave of nostalgia hits them. I was able to talk to some fine folks who would recall back when their parents used a Rolleiflex to photograph them.

Good times!

Jason

Toffle · Mar 27, 2008

I had exactly the same experience two weeks ago in Toronto. Over the course of four days, my wife estimates that no fewer than 20 people stopped me to ask about my Rollieflex. The most frequent comment was "my father had one", followed by "I have one in my closet..." (or a Mamiya, Hassy, Yashica etc.) In such cases, I encouraged them to dig their old gems out and shoot a roll or two of real film. At the top of the CN Tower, a tour guide, standing atop the glass floor over hundreds of feet of open air practically begged me to let him hold my 3.5f. I did so, trying not to look down...

As you said, Jason, it was quite the enjoyable experience. Perhaps most rewarding was the way that a classic film camera can steal the attention away from next year's obsolete multi mega-pixel wonders. (I plan on leaving my Rollei to my grandkids )

Cheers,

zenrhino · Mar 27, 2008

I just love my Rolleicord III. And I get the same reaction.

There's a Rolleiflex 2.8F at a local shop that I just drool over. I'm not sure that 1 stop faster and a crank winder is worth $1,000 USD, but damn is that one pretty camera.

dpurdy · Mar 28, 2008

I was in Mexico a couple weeks ago at a historic ancient ruin site with my Rollei and there were a bunch of French tourists there and one guy looked hard at my camera then grabbed his friends arm and said in a very french accent "Rolleiflex". Another good thing to do is get one of the Rollei T shirts always on sale on ebay (by the way they are good quality) and wear that around. You get looks and nods and smiles.

jasonjoo · Mar 28, 2008

I'm glad others have similar experiences as well! Sure was interesting. I've seen similar expressions when shooting with my Canon 70-200 f4 IS lens, but to hear so many people reminiscing simply by seeing the Rolleiflex sure was interesting.

Steve Smith · Mar 28, 2008

I get exactly the same reactions when I take my Rolleicord out.

Steve.

arigram · Mar 28, 2008

I get similar responses with my Hasselblad, but that's one of the reasons I also want a Rolleiflex: it connects well with people because of its uncommon and retro looks.

Kvistgaard · Mar 28, 2008

Even shooting film makes you an exotic creature these days! I recently joined the local camera club where I live now, and people were taken aback by the mere fact that I am shooting film!! Some of the older members almost became misty-eyed when seeing my prints and listening to my war stories .

I hope to be able to kick off an interest in analogue photography in a few of my fellow club members. Not converting them, just letting them have a taste of what is possible besides performing your art via a PC.

Whiteymorange · Mar 28, 2008

Thanks. You just made up my mind for me. I'm off to Belgium and Paris in a week or so and I've been unsure whether or not I should take the Rollei. I had it last time I went to Europe, and loved the negatives I came home with, but I'd been thinking about something lighter and less bulky. The folders I have are OK, but the ability to focus accurately with the Rollei beats the zone focus every time in my book. Plus... I may get into an interesting conversation or two!

analogfotog · Mar 28, 2008

I have received, and still get, the same reaction when I step out with either or both of my two Rolleis, a 1959 Rolleiflex E2 and a 1952 Rolleicord (model II, I think). I have the 'Cord with me ALWAYS, ever since the demise of my beloved 1938 Leica IIIb (smashed when knocked to the floor during a Church supper---drat!!).

About three years ago, I was driving away from a "shoot," when I spotted a Rollei photographer walking on the sidewalk, on Nepean Street, in Ottawa. I had my wife roll down the window, and, ignoring the honks from the vehicle behind me, honked my car's horn until the photog looked my way, at which time I waved the 'Flex at him!

Paul Goutiere · Mar 28, 2008

When people see my old Rolleiflex they seem somewhat ambivalent I'm afraid, at least around here. Amid the flocks of digital things one occasionally sees a film camera, and it does stand out.

I suspect if one wanted a bit of attention a Busch Pressman, Speed Graphic, or Linhoff Super Technica would ensure a conversation.

Toffle · Mar 28, 2008

One other thing I got from the passers-by and nostalgic photographers... respect. Actually, it was my wife who noticed this. She's seen me lug many a camera around for years... This is the first time she has noticed this type of response from people.

Resoman · Mar 28, 2008

Rolleiflex in song...

My beloved Rollei E3 2.8 is in the shop right now, having a new focusing screen installed, as well as a getting a general going over. I don't expect to get it back for another two months. Naturally, I find that I "need" it on a daily basis.

Trivia question: name a popular song of the sixties that has the word "Rolleiflex" in the lyrics.

Gary,
East Snook, TX

outwest · Mar 28, 2008

At an outdoor museum in the Netherlands with a 3.5E and a 3.5F around my neck, I noticed a young couple watching me. The young man leaned close to his lady and said knowingly, "Hasselblad". At the cheese market in Alkmaar, a man from the local camera club spotted me and asked if he could take MY picture. I knew what he really wanted was a shot of the Rolleis;-)

Valerie · Mar 28, 2008

My sister-in-law's mother-in-law was over not long ago... she saw my Rolleiflex and got all excited. Seems she used one long ago. Last week I heard she bought herself one.

Thanasis · Mar 28, 2008

Resoman said:
Trivia question: name a popular song of the sixties that has the word "Rolleiflex" in the lyrics.

Gary,
East Snook, TX

I'd google it but thats cheating. I give up.

Resoman · Mar 28, 2008

Song hints...

"Trivia question: name a popular song of the sixties that has the word "Rolleiflex" in the lyrics."

Here are a couple of hints:

A jazzy tune, not rock and roll -

Original lyrics in Portuguese -

Gary,

East Snook, TX

ntenny · Mar 28, 2008

I've had several people react to my Rolleis by basically saying "Now that's a *real* camera!"---mostly people nowhere near old enough to remember the heyday of TLRs, but they seem to have a pretty strong gut-level conviction that a funny-looking camera means a serious photographer.

Interestingly, any odd-looking camera in Europe causes everyone from airport security to passersby on the street to ask if it's a Leica. Yes, it's an exceedingly rare model of Leica TLR...

-NT

Eric Rose · Mar 28, 2008

My Rollei is my all time favorite feel good camera. Also takes wicked pics too.

Steve Smith · Mar 28, 2008

ntenny said:
I've had several people react to my Rolleis by basically saying "Now that's a *real* camera!"

I had exactly that response last year when I was out with my RB67 with a hand grip.

Steve.

Antje · Mar 28, 2008

Valerie said:
My sister-in-law's mother-in-law was over not long ago... she saw my Rolleiflex and got all excited. Seems she used one long ago. Last week I heard she bought herself one.

It's contagious... After I bought my Rolleicord, my dad went and bought one for himself. Not that he doesn't have enough cameras!

Antje

Resoman · Mar 28, 2008

Rolleifels in song...

I'm just about to leave town for the weekend and, rather than leave the entire APUG community in a dither over my trivia question, I better reveal right now that the song in question is Desafinado, the bossa nova hit written by Antonio Carlos Jobim & Newton Mendonça.

The line containing the Rollei reference goes:

"Fotografei voce na minha Rolleiflex"

Do we have a Brazillian member who can come up with a translation?

See ya,

Gary,
East Snook, TX

Toffle · Mar 28, 2008

Resoman said:
"Trivia question: name a popular song of the sixties that has the word "Rolleiflex" in the lyrics."

Here are a couple of hints:

A jazzy tune, not rock and roll -

Original lyrics in Portuguese -

Gary,

East Snook, TX

Okay... has to be by Antonio Carlos Jobim... Strangely enough, I'm not all that familiar with his lyrics :rolleyes: but I like that he often made reference to the craft of songwriting, as a metaphor for love.

[edtit] Oops... shoulda read the other posts.. we already have a winner

Cheers,

ricksplace · Mar 28, 2008

I took my Rolleiflex T to the Terrace Bay Dragfest last year. Besides lots of looks, what really surprised me was the fact that the crowd opened up along the fence to allow me to get close to get a shot. They didn't do that for the pixellographers. The car owners loved the camera. Not surprising since they love machinery.

Shelly Grimson · Mar 28, 2008

The only thing that draws as much 'wistfulness' from strangers than my Rollei TLR is my German Shepherd puppy. It seems everyone who had one in their family growing up, never forgets that 'lovin feelin'. I've never had a snide remark even from d*****l users. They have respect!

Going back in time with a Rolleiflex TLR...

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