got a ROLLEIFLEX!!! now some questions....

[Frank Miller]

So I traded my gargantuan Fuji GX680 for a Rolleiflex 2.8 E with a prism finder. The Fuji is amazing, but I'm a walk-arounder more than I'm a tripod setter-upper... There's a chip about 2mm in diameter on the front element of the taking lens, but I really don't think that'll be a problem.

BUT

I got it with the prism instead of a WLF (I'd like to be able to use both) thinking that the WLF would be cheaper. Which turns out not to be true....

How easy or hard is it to adapt a Hasselblad or other manufacturer's WLF? I see that people do it, I just don't know what's involved. The camera is strictly a shooter - I don't care if it looks weird.

Also, it came with a leather strap complete with the alligator clips (yay!) but the the leather is showing its age. Have any of you adapted the clips to a nylon strap? As much as I like the leather, I had a Nikkormat go swimming once when the strap just gave up... Synthetics have their place...

Thanks!

 

[EdSawyer]

I would probably not trust the strap. The clips can be re-attached to other straps, yes.

Just get a Rollei WLF - it's a beautifully made piece, with amazing functionality. You won't regret it, and it would be a shame to not have one on the camera, as it's part of the charm and very usable in multiple ways.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

So I traded my gargantuan Fuji GX680 for a Rolleiflex 2.8 E with a prism finder. The Fuji is amazing, but I'm a walk-arounder more than I'm a tripod setter-upper... There's a chip about 2mm in diameter on the front element of the taking lens, but I really don't think that'll be a problem.

BUT

I got it with the prism instead of a WLF (I'd like to be able to use both) thinking that the WLF would be cheaper. Which turns out not to be true....

How easy or hard is it to adapt a Hasselblad or other manufacturer's WLF? I see that people do it, I just don't know what's involved. The camera is strictly a shooter - I don't care if it looks weird.

Also, it came with a leather strap complete with the alligator clips (yay!) but the the leather is showing its age. Have any of you adapted the clips to a nylon strap? As much as I like the leather, I had a Nikkormat go swimming once when the strap just gave up... Synthetics have their place...

Thanks!

Anything is possible, cheapest WLF would likely come from a Kiev 80. I have seen a Yashica Mat fitted with one, so Rollei is in same size area. I was going to comment on your choice, but all I will say is that a TLR with a prism is no longer a TLR, just plain weird in looks and operation, no to mention the rather light WLF version gets killed by the monster prism on top.

 

[MattKing]

a TLR with a prism is no longer a TLR, just plain weird in looks and operation, no to mention the rather light WLF version gets killed by the monster prism on top.

To each their own

 

[Frank Miller]

Thanks - I'll look into a Kiev WLF.

The prism DOES look weird, the camera looks a little like a beluga whale.

BUT I wanted something lighter than an MF SLR (and it still is), and really enjoy the brighter view with the prism. And I can't afford a Mamiya 6, so this either the best of both worlds or the worst, depending on how much coffee I've had.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

To each their own

View attachment 217004

Matt, it's a monster TLR to begin with, so prism pales on top of it. I have a prism for Rolleiflex and never used it outside of its case. Sure, we are all different ... and in dire need to collect whatever was made for a camera we own. Still TLR and a prism is not logical to me and I never looked like I had the looks of a TLR shooter when I got behind it vs. on top of it

 

[MattKing]

Matt, it's a monster TLR to begin with, so prism pales on top of it. I have a prism for Rolleiflex and never used it outside of its case. Sure, we are all different ... and in dire need to collect whatever was made for a camera we own. Still TLR and a prism is not logical to me and I never looked like I had the looks of a TLR shooter when I got behind it vs. on top of it

Just so you know, although that self-portrait shows the camera on a tripod, much of my early use of my C330 was handheld, at weddings. Always with the prism finder and often with a big Metz 60 series flash attached.

 

[macfred]

View attachment 217004

Who's that good looking guy ...?

 

[MattKing]

Who's that good looking guy ...?

 

[lantau]

To each their own

Looking at this bellows type TLR from the side I'm suddently beginning to wonder how that actually works. Is is internally divided or are the light beams behind the lens perfect enough to have total optical separation?

 

[Huss]

You can buy new replica leather straps with the alligator clips for about $30 on ebay.
Do not use your old worn out one!

 

[JWMster]

+2 to Huss's comment.

 

[MattKing]

Looking at this bellows type TLR from the side I'm suddently beginning to wonder how that actually works. Is is internally divided or are the light beams behind the lens perfect enough to have total optical separation?

A single bellows on the outside.
An additional, smaller bellows inside it, for the light path between the taking lens and the film, including the security "flap" that, when closed, allows you to change lenses.
I expect that the dual bellows is one of the reasons that you don't read of many examples of pinhole light leaks affecting film.

 

[mike c]

I used the prism finder on the Hasselblad for wedding photos when I first bought it in 1978, stop shooting weddings in 1988 and toke the prism finder off and used only the WLF and tripod there after. With the rollie I can handhold and use tripod with the WLF, it is so light and easy to use.

 

[lantau]

Interesting, thanks for the explanation, Matt!

 

[Alan Gales]

Just so you know, although that self-portrait shows the camera on a tripod, much of my early use of my C330 was handheld, at weddings. Always with the prism finder and often with a big Metz 60 series flash attached.

A prism finder makes a lot of sense with a Metz 60 flash attached!

 

[mike c]

A prism finder makes a lot of sense with a Metz 60 flash attached!

Works real well for group shots , getting the flash up higher , I used a Norman head mounted above the camera with one of those overhead mounting brackets which did a good job but was hard to handle.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Prism finders make the Mamiya Cxx much easier to use. My Hasselblad came with a WLF that I never used because I bought a metering prism when I bought the camera.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Prism finders make the Mamiya Cxx much easier to use. My Hasselblad came with a WLF that I never used because I bought a metering prism when I bought the camera.

Of course Hasselblad is just one of those other TLRs

Well, we are all different are we not? I find classic TLR hold as far more suited for the camera than anything away from it. Perhaps it is just me being old fashioned and holding on to a tradition rather than taking it easy on the image projection not playing games with brain expectations. I don't want to misrepresent the meanness of a Mamiya CXX with prism, tele lens, grip (and a forklift), it does justice to the importance of lifting safety and fitness advantages. Just saying .. I don't subscribe to its wrongness from a traditionalist stand point. When I recall Rolleiflex TLR ads all I picture is a man starring down the WLF, cradling his camera with obvious love clearing telling the viewer: try it .. it's worth it.

At the end of the day it is all about what it takes for any one of us to enjoy film photography. If the TLR with prism does it, than that is it.

 

[Helinophoto]

I never trusted the leather on mine.
I don't trust the aligator-clips either for that matter.

The camera is too expensive to just trust it to $20 clips.

So i bought this for mine
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Cam-in-Leather-Black-Neck-Shoulder-Strap-for-Pentax-Rolleiflex-2-8F-3-5F/282585633691?_trkparms=aid=555018&algo=PL.SIM&ao=1&asc=56426&meid=13dc7e1144fd4a59b0d18ed88c489c14&pid=100005&rk=2&rkt=2&sd=162887481875&itm=282585633691&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

The drawback is that they cannot be detached easily, and the camera will no longer fit in the ever-ready case (lol)
So, I use these, and I bought a side-bag (square one), to hold my Rolleiflexes, film, filter etc.
This one:
https://www.scandinavianphoto.no/produkt/1010673623/think-tank/kameraveske-retrospective-6-pinestone

Works very well.

The Rolleiflex does come with a few accessories, so having a larger bag for everything, and ditch the ever-ready case forever, is just practical.

 

[Andrew Kleinfeld]

I bought a Rolleiflex GX right at the end of when they were making them. It came with a nylon strap with the traditional Rollei clips, and works with or without the ever ready case. Maybe you can find one.

 

[Besk]

To answer your first question: There is a company in Germany who makes adapters to allow Hasselblad viewfinders (including waist level finder) to be used on the Rolleiflex.
I got mine for around $100 several years ago.

 

[btaylor]

To answer your first question: There is a company in Germany who makes adapters to allow Hasselblad viewfinders (including waist level finder) to be used on the Rolleiflex.
I got mine for around $100 several years ago.

http://www.baierfoto.de/tlr.html

 

[guangong]

I have owned my Rollei since about 1970. I usually use WLF. I find using a prism finder comfortable when using a Rollei pistol grip and a little awkward without it. The prism finder can be very helpful for action shots because camera movement not inverted.
I would just shop around for a Rollei WLF rather than buying and then jerryfix a brand x finder. Rollei WLF can be used with magnifier as well as sports finder. A bit more complex than Hassy finder.
You won’t be disappointed with your Rollei.

 

[ic-racer]

I could never pan with the WLF. For landscape, I like the higher viewpoint without needing a ladder, so I leave the prism on all the time.