Minolta Autocord / Rolleinar questions

jgoody · Oct 20, 2016

I just got a Minolta Autocord and some Rollei Bay 1 accessories. Included was a Bay 1 Rolleinar 1 and 2 CU lenses. I understand that the lens with the black rim goes over the viewing lens and that the dot is supposed to go on the top so that the viewfinder displays the correct framing (there is some prism in it). On my Autocord the dot ends up at about 1:30 or 2 o'clock - if you are facing the lens. The #1 Rolleinar and #2 Rolleinar both line up the same. Doesn't this mean my framing will be off? Does anyone have an Autocord and Rolleinars -- are they compatible?

BAC1967 · Oct 20, 2016

I have a Rondo Closeup attachment that I use on my Rolleiflex and it sounds like it works the same as the one you're describing. I would think that the parallax correction will be skewed a bit if the prism isn't lined up properly. Can you rotate it into the position that has the dot pointing up without it falling out? I don't know what camera the Rondo Closeup attachment was made for but I use it with good results on both my Rolleiflex and 4x4 Baby Rolleiflex. I would think they would work with your camera but there is only one way to find out, take a shot with it. They are a lot of fun.

Shroomed Stump by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

jgoody · Oct 20, 2016

I can rotate it to the dot up position, but it feels a little loose. I think I will mount the camera on a tripod and see how much effect the 1/8 turn has on the framing I see in the groundglass.

BAC1967 · Oct 20, 2016

jgoody said:
I can rotate it to the dot up position, but it feels a little loose. I think I will mount the camera on a tripod and see how much effect the 1/8 turn has on the framing I see in the groundglass.

Also make sure it doesn't affect the focus. You will be working with a very narrow depth of field so focus is critical.

jgoody · Oct 21, 2016

Well the 1/8 turn causes a large lateral shift in the image so I think I will do some test shots with the dot straight up. I am not sure if the rolleinar moves an appreciable distance forward and back as it snugs up but I will test focus in both positions. Thanks for the suggestions.

summicron1 · Oct 21, 2016

The dot needs to be on top so the parallax is adjusted properly, although focus will not be impacted. Odd that it does not end up that way, mine does on my Rollie.

choiliefan · Oct 21, 2016

It is possible to unscrew slightly the black bezel and reposition the glass within to fine-tune the parallax adjustment.

jgoody · Oct 21, 2016

I think the mystery is solved -- operator error! The Rolleinars came with 3 pieces bayonetted together. I disconnected the top piece with the black rim and put that on the viewing lens -- not noticing that the bottom piece for the taking lens was really two pieces bayonetted together. I am now assuming that two pieces make up the viewing lens element - the diopter and the prism, I guess, and that the single element goes on the taking lens. If I install this way the dot is aligned correctly to the top. The Rolleinar for the viewing lens sticks out a lot more than the one for the taking lens which basically is a thick as a filter. Does this sound correct?

summicron1 · Oct 21, 2016

jgoody said:
I think the mystery is solved -- operator error! The Rolleinars came with 3 pieces bayonetted together. I disconnected the top piece with the black rim and put that on the viewing lens -- not noticing that the bottom piece for the taking lens was really two pieces bayonetted together. I am now assuming that two pieces make up the viewing lens element - the diopter and the prism, I guess, and that the single element goes on the taking lens. If I install this way the dot is aligned correctly to the top. The Rolleinar for the viewing lens sticks out a lot more than the one for the taking lens which basically is a thick as a filter. Does this sound correct?

Yeah, that sounds right -- you need the prism on the taking lens to adjust for parallax -- and early rolleinars came in three pieces -- a close-up lens each for both taking and viewing, and a prism for the viewing.

later Rolleinars simplified it to two pieces -- the viewing lens one with the prism has everything it needs in one piece. Yes, the stuff on the viewing lens sticks out a lot more.

jgoody · Oct 21, 2016

Thanks!!

Dan Daniel · Oct 22, 2016

With the closeup set Minolta made for the Autocord with three pieces, one of the thin pieces was coated and one wasn't coated. I assume the coated is for the taking lens. I haven't used a three piece Rolleinar set. Is either part coated, both parts? Rollei's coatings were a pretty obvious purple tint.

jgoody · Oct 22, 2016

All the lenses seem to have a slight purple tint -- looking at the light reflected off them.

Minolta Autocord / Rolleinar questions

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency