Making sense of my first TLR

Bob L · Jan 9, 2021

After staring longingly for the longest time at TLRs, I've finally decided to take the plunge, and am quite excited for a new way of shooting.

But, as I'm sure is posted every few weeks, I'm having trouble on where to focus my attention. I haven't disregarded the Yashica-Mats and other lower budget options, but I also want something that I can hold onto for a long time. Because of this, I've focused on a Rolleiflex 3.5 in some form, as the 2.8 seems too rich for my blood.

Ebay makes me nervous, but I did stumble across this listing that has been CLA'ed: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolleiflex...f3-5-Planar-lens-Hood-Case-CLAd-/402632285636

So the question is: is this a decent purchase, or should I look elsewhere? I've researched plenty and still don't feel fully confident when I have zero experience in this format. Any help would be much appreciated!

BrianShaw · Jan 9, 2021

As always, it’s a bit hard to tell but it looks promising. Just remember... bayonet II accessories can be challenging to find.

Lachlan Young · Jan 9, 2021

The EV lock on the shutter speeds/ aperture on classic era Rolleiflexes can be maddening. Other than that, watch out for the base/ back having been twisted up at some point.

jimjm · Jan 9, 2021

In this case, the eBay seller is Igor's Camera, who also has a web site. This seems like a reasonable price, but it appears he's selling the same camera thru his site for a bit less.
I've bought plenty of gear from him in the past and have always been satisfied. He communicates and ships quickly, and condition has always been as good/better than expected.
Otherwise, eBay can be hit or miss. TLR's are complex machines and can be expensive to repair, but Rolleis in particular are very reliable and a joy to shoot with. Image results from all the 3.5 versions are excellent.

btaylor · Jan 9, 2021

It looks like a very good bet, the 3.5 from Igor. Reputable seller, and a claim of a recent CLA. My experience is that the typical problems that surface with old Rolleiflexes that haven’t been abused is dried out lube. Typically a good CLA runs $200-300, very reasonable- and then they work like new. Personally, when I finally bought my “perfect” ‘flex it was a 3.5F. I have two of the f2.8 models and the larger lens makes the camera front-heavy and unbalanced for me. Go for it!

dynachrome · Jan 9, 2021

I have many MF SLR cameras and a few TLRs but no Rollei TLRs. If I were to get one I think I might want a Rolleicord VB. While I was watching the events of this past Wednesday in DC on TV, I saw a man walking around with a TLR. I am guessing that he was not a journalist but perhaps a serious amateur. None of my TLRs has a prism finder. Just looking down instead of having an eye level finder changes your perspective.

BrianShaw · Jan 9, 2021

dynachrome said:
If I were to get one I think I might want a Rolleicord VB.

Great camera!

Sirius Glass · Jan 9, 2021

I would suggest that you look at the Mamiya TLR because it has built in bellows for close ups, interchangeable lenses and you can focus with either hand.

Kodachromeguy · Jan 9, 2021

jimjm said:
In this case, the eBay seller is Igor's Camera, who also has a web site. This seems like a reasonable price, but it appears he's selling the same camera thru his site for a bit less.

Some vendors who have both their own web page and an eBay presence sell for a bit less on their own page because they do not need to pay eBay and PayPal fees. Also, depending on the company, the eBay purchase will impose your state's sales tax, while a direct purchase may not (for USA buyers).

BrianShaw · Jan 9, 2021

Either way... this seems a good bet!

itsdoable · Jan 9, 2021

Lachlan Young said:
The EV lock on the shutter speeds/ aperture on classic era Rolleiflexes can be maddening....

The one on the eBay link has the switch to disable the EV lock.

eBay takes a cut, and holds the funds until the return period is up, which is absent when you sell direct. I tend to prefer not to go through eBay, unless I want the additional purchase protection. Just like using cash instead of credit, you often get a lower price - someone is not skimming your hard earned cash.

Sirius Glass · Jan 9, 2021

KEH is very conservative in their grading. No questions return or repair at their own cost or refund. I have bought many cameras and lenses from them. I highly recommend them. I just bought another camera from them yesterday.

Bob L · Jan 9, 2021

Thanks for all the great info everyone, and thanks Jim for the heads up about the site!

Is a Rolleicord a better value? I've also considered the Mamiyas. I tend to go into an analysis paralysis death spiral with these things...too many good options!

Dan Daniel · Jan 9, 2021

If you get a 3.5E Planar in very good condition that has been gone over and serviced, you will be fine. If you want to dive in, go for the one you mentioned. Buy it directly from Igor, should be fine.

You won't regret it. If you go to another camera, format, etc., you'll be able to sell this one off for about what you paid. (the lens hood is worth $50-80 or so just there).

A Rolleicord is a different beast. Tessar-type lens, not a Planar. Knob wind. Shutter release isa lever below the lens that you pull to one side, not a push button. Lighter. Great cameras in their way.

Buy the 3.5E, use it for six months, and then think about it.

Cloudy · Jan 9, 2021

The Mamiya C series is great if you want interchangeable lenses, but they are quite heavy, so this might be something you wanna consider

jimjm · Jan 9, 2021

Bob L said:
Thanks for all the great info everyone, and thanks Jim for the heads up about the site!

Is a Rolleicord a better value? I've also considered the Mamiyas. I tend to go into an analysis paralysis death spiral with these things...too many good options!

The Rolleicords are quite a bit less expensive, but the build quality is just as good IMHO as the Rolleiflexes. They just have fewer features (knob-wind rather than crank) and were targeted towards the lower price-point customer. If I was looking for another Rolleicord, I'd buy either the V, Va or Vb.
They are lighter, and only came with 3.5 lenses, Schneider or Zeiss. Also, they were never offered with a built in light meter. I have a 'Cord III and V with Xenar lenses, and a 'Flex with a Tessar lens, and the image quality from all is excellent.
I've had several Mamiyas, a C33 and a C220, and the interchangeable lenses were great, but the cameras were significantly heavier. For me, the Rolleis are perfect "carry all day" street shooting cameras.
Minolta Autocords are also excellent TLR's, if you find one in good condition. The Rokkor lenses are very good.

Here's one from the Rolleicord III:

Bob L · Jan 10, 2021

Wow, that's popping off the screen!

btaylor · Jan 10, 2021

No argument with the Rolleicord suggestion. It is my first Rollei, a Va. The later models like your 3.5E have very clever, sophisticated enhancements and an astounding number of equally clever accessories. But my ‘cord is a lightweight, basic picture making machine with outstanding optics that simply takes great photos. The Bay I filters and close up accessories are much less expensive that the Bay II or III variety.

Cloudy · Jan 10, 2021

jimjm said:
The Rolleicords are quite a bit less expensive, but the build quality is just as good IMHO as the Rolleiflexes. They just have fewer features (knob-wind rather than crank) and were targeted towards the lower price-point customer. If I was looking for another Rolleicord, I'd buy either the V, Va or Vb.
They are lighter, and only came with 3.5 lenses, Schneider or Zeiss. Also, they were never offered with a built in light meter. I have a 'Cord III and V with Xenar lenses, and a 'Flex with a Tessar lens, and the image quality from all is excellent.
I've had several Mamiyas, a C33 and a C220, and the interchangeable lenses were great, but the cameras were significantly heavier. For me, the Rolleis are perfect "carry all day" street shooting cameras.
Minolta Autocords are also excellent TLR's, if you find one in good condition. The Rokkor lenses are very good.

Here's one from the Rolleicord III:

View attachment 263424

Wow, great picture!!

I agree on the weight of the Mamiya's making them a bit more of a pain for casual shooting.

The lenses are top notch though and you can focus really close (if it's something that you are into)

Sirius Glass · Jan 10, 2021

Warning a TLR is a gateway drug for a Hasselblad or Rollei SLR. You can save yourself a lot of trouble and go there directly. Ask me, I know, it happened to me.

wiltw · Jan 10, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
Warning a TLR is a gateway drug for a Hasselblad or Rollei SLR. You can save yourself a lot of trouble and go there directly. Ask me, I know, it happened to me.

A distorted spin on the above: "Don't waste your time on the cheap beginner drugs, don't waste any money on the kid's stuff...go to the hard stuff right away!"

(no 'tongue very firmly in cheek' smilie available)

RLangham · Jan 11, 2021

If you can afford it, I'd say definitely buy that one. Even a much lesser TLR is a formidable camera, and those lenses are legendary.

Rolleicords generally do not have the thumbwheels or the special loading features that make the Rolleiflex a legend. Yashicamats seem better value than Rolleicords and Minolta Autocords to me. If you just don't want to tie up as much money I would go for a Yashica in preference to Rolleicord. But if you have the money go for the Rolleiflex. Like seriously, planar is a weird word for us to get excited about, because modern lenses really ought to be pretty planar, but the rollei planars are really exciting lenses, man.

Andrew O'Neill · Jan 11, 2021

I got into medium format with a Mamiya C330. My wife's uncle in Japan lent me his Grand Father's (he used to be a studio photographer). Great camera.

macfred · Jan 11, 2021

Bob L said:
Ebay makes me nervous, but I did stumble across this listing that has been CLA'ed: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolleiflex-3-5E-6x6cm-TLR-camera-with-75mm-f3-5-Planar-lens-Hood-Case-CLAd-/402632285636 ...
So the question is: is this a decent purchase, or should I look elsewhere? I've researched plenty and still don't feel fully confident when I have zero experience in this format. Any help would be much appreciated!

Nowadays it must be said -provided the description of the condition is correct- that this is an attractive offer. If you are seriously interested, you should grab it quickly.
Rolleiflex TLR's -especially with Planar lens- (as well as HaBla's and other cameras from renowned manufacturers) are rising rapidly in price.
2 years ago it was no problem to get a 3.5F in good condition for this price - this seems almost impossible today when looking through the ebay offers.

Andrew O'Neill · Jan 11, 2021

jimjm said:
The Rolleicords are quite a bit less expensive, but the build quality is just as good IMHO as the Rolleiflexes. They just have fewer features (knob-wind rather than crank) and were targeted towards the lower price-point customer. If I was looking for another Rolleicord, I'd buy either the V, Va or Vb.
They are lighter, and only came with 3.5 lenses, Schneider or Zeiss. Also, they were never offered with a built in light meter. I have a 'Cord III and V with Xenar lenses, and a 'Flex with a Tessar lens, and the image quality from all is excellent.
I've had several Mamiyas, a C33 and a C220, and the interchangeable lenses were great, but the cameras were significantly heavier. For me, the Rolleis are perfect "carry all day" street shooting cameras.
Minolta Autocords are also excellent TLR's, if you find one in good condition. The Rokkor lenses are very good.

Here's one from the Rolleicord III:

View attachment 263424

Awesome!

Making sense of my first TLR

Bob L

BrianShaw

Lachlan Young

jimjm

btaylor

dynachrome

BrianShaw

Sirius Glass

Kodachromeguy

BrianShaw

itsdoable

Sirius Glass

Bob L

Dan Daniel

Cloudy

jimjm

Bob L

btaylor

Cloudy

Sirius Glass

wiltw

RLangham

Andrew O'Neill

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macfred

Andrew O'Neill

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Making sense of my first TLR

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