I'm gonna tell you what - Rolleiflex appreciation thread

Huss

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NB needs to try out a Brooks Plaubel Veriwide 100. Would love to see what he can do with it.

Think of it as a cross between a Rolleiflex and Xpan. 6x10 size images on 120 film.
 
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NB23

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NB needs to try out a Brooks Plaubel Veriwide 100. Would love to see what he can do with it.

Think of it as a cross between a Rolleiflex and Xpan. 6x10 size images on 120 film.

I will try one, one day
 
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  • Reason: keeping thread about Rolleiflex

Vaughn

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NB needs to try out a Brooks Plaubel Veriwide 100. Would love to see what he can do with it.

Think of it as a cross between a Rolleiflex and Xpan. 6x10 size images on 120 film.
I had fun with one in Kyoto.

Rainy Day in Kyoto, 2017 (from my son's apartment)
Platinum print
 

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JensH

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I think the original Tessar would be fine. But I don't think it's coated. Has anyone tried that?

Hi,

the original Tessar on Rolleiflexes, 4.5/7.5cm is still my favourite 6x6 lens. Uncoated but not prone to flare.
Hard to describe why I like them better than all the other 75mm lenses...

Jens
 

Down Under

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mschem, this is truly hitting below the belt!!

After a lifetime of having used almost every Rolleiflex/Rolleicord ever made, I believe no Rollei was ever made with a bad lens - not even excepting the original Tessar on the first eve 1940s Rollei 2.8 made, which apparently had horrible bokeh (if anyone cares) and was prone to flare. This said, I know someone who has one of these beasts in his collection, uses it from time to time to shoot off a roll as he (like many of us) tries to put a roll thru every one of his cameras once every year, and insists there is absolutely nothing wrong with the lens.

The old Automats were amazing cameras, photographers in the '40s and '50s used them to photograph everything under the sun for media publication and if we look back in all those old magazines and books, those images were superb. Times have changed and everything has moved on but the old timeless photographs are just that, timeless and will be remembered and enjoyed long after almost all the digicrap posted online nowadays has vanished from memory if not from sight.
 

Bill Burk

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Hi,

the original Tessar on Rolleiflexes, 4.5/7.5cm is still my favourite 6x6 lens. Uncoated but not prone to flare.
Hard to describe why I like them better than all the other 75mm lenses...

Jens
Thanks! Mine had significant cleaning marks (which explains how I got it for sixty bucks). I did find it sharp but very flare prone. That’s because it was damaged.
 

JPD

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I think the original Tessar would be fine. But I don't think it's coated. Has anyone tried that?

the original Tessar on Rolleiflexes, 4.5/7.5cm is still my favourite 6x6 lens. Uncoated but not prone to flare.
Hard to describe why I like them better than all the other 75mm lenses...

The uncoated 3,5 Tessars on my Rolleiflex Standard and 1939 Automat are as sharp as the coated Tessar on my 3,5 B. I always use the sun shade and don't have any problems with flare. I think the negatives taken with the uncoated Tessars are easier to print, maybe because the slightly lower contrast bring out more details in the shadows.

I do have the 4,5/75 Tessar on one of my Rolleiflex Standards, but I have trouble focusing with these cameras. They have a slower viewing lens and low-geared focusing mechanism. I have to turn the focus knob back and forth too many times and then still not be sure if the focus is spot on or not. Focusing is much easier and faster with the Automat.
 

JensH

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Hi JPD!

Agree, that focusing an Automat is easier... I had some (1937, 1939, 3.5B), too. Kept the 1937.
But if the "focussing screws" of the older models are free of hard grease and the mirror is fine, I don't feel much difference.
Indeed the Rolleiflex Original and Standard have a f/3.1 viewing lens not a f/2.8.

Best wishes
Jens
 

JensH

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Great post, agree on most points, but have to promote the 4.5 Tessar into your hall of fame next to the 3.5F planar and 2.8F Xenotar...

Sure a subjective opinion. too. After using several 4.5, 3.8, 3.5, 3.5 coated 7.5cm Tessars and a 3.5F Planar....
 

cliveh

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A Rolleiflex is one of the best film cameras ever made, but in operational terms it doesn't match the speed of capture that you can make with a Leica.
 
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