My New Toy

Mats_A · Mar 9, 2010

Here it is. My new(ish) toy. A Rolleicord IV. From KEH. $170. Condition BGN.
Looks OK and everything seems to be working. First film is inside.

Wanted to take a picture of the Rollei with the Rollei but Gödel wouldn't let me. Had to use a DSLR. Handheld f1.8 at 1.6 sek.

a happy man am I

r

guyjr · Mar 9, 2010

Looks like a really nice find!

I toy with the idea of getting a TLR Rollei some day... would like one of the 2.8 lens ones, but I find that my Yashica Mat 124 takes some impressively sharp pics on its own... thus, not in any great rush to "upgrade".

Ian Grant · Mar 9, 2010

Very fair price, I think you did OK there. Have fun with it, I'm really enjoying shooting with a TLR again after about 30 years break.

Ian

NJS · Mar 9, 2010

$170? I thought I got ripped when I gave $60 for this one:

bit of color peel-offs, but fully working. I would love thise camera more and use it extensively if the screen had been brighter - unless it's sunny it's very hard to work with this baby.

Mats_A · Mar 9, 2010

NJS said:
$170? I thought I got ripped when I gave $60 for this one:

bit of color peel-offs, but fully working. I would love thise camera more and use it extensively if the screen had been brighter - unless it's sunny it's very hard to work with this baby.

The screen can be changed for a brighter one.

r

NJS · Mar 9, 2010

I think not - that screen itself would cost me more than I payed for the camera.

Ektagraphic · Mar 9, 2010

Just got me a really nice one for $200....A great deal! I found that if you try to deal with a person that is not online and does not intend to make millions off of cameras you can do very well.

Hikingman · Mar 9, 2010

Congrats! My 'Bargain' Yashica TLR arrived from KEH today, and the first roll of film is ready for developing!

Gerry M · Mar 10, 2010

NJS said:
I think not - that screen itself would cost me more than I payed for the camera.

Google Rick Oleson. He has brighter screens for about $30 US. I tried one in a Rolleicord and it was a large improvement. Usable in almost any light. Just my experience.

NJS · Mar 11, 2010

thanks man, I did googled it out it few months earlier, but the problem is that I live in Serbia so if I pay the postage and the VAT and local custom services it'll cost me at least 45$ - which is quite near 60$ I paid for the camera in the first place. I'll stick to Rolleicord IV on bright sunny day and enjoy it that way as much as I can, I can't justify another expense while having other 5 medium format cameras sitting on the shelves and waiting their turn to get loaded with film and taken out for a ride.

JPD · Mar 11, 2010

NJS said:
$170? I thought I got ripped when I gave $60 for this one:

bit of color peel-offs, but fully working. I would love thise camera more and use it extensively if the screen had been brighter - unless it's sunny it's very hard to work with this baby.

That's the last Rolleicord II model, and not as expensive as the IV, but the lens is the same.

Jersey Vic · Mar 11, 2010

I have and use this very camera quite often. Beautiful wide open with Pan F and capable of razor sharp 16x20's when stopped down.
a walz and yellow filter helped alot, as does wearing a baseball style cap when focusing in subdued light. I even bought a Rollie close up lens. Amazing stuff. Have a great time

Jeff Kubach · Mar 11, 2010

I think that Rollei's TLR are awesome. Can't get any better!

Jeff

36cm2 · Mar 11, 2010

Posted wirelessly..

OP, it's money well spent. You'll surely enjoy the Rollei. Get the brighter screen, it's a joy and 60 bucks is a great price.

ic-racer · Mar 11, 2010

I have the same one also. To make the screen brighter Rollei sold a fresnel that snapped in over the ground glass. Since that original replacement fresnel is a rare item, I cut down a damaged 6x9 fresnel (it is just the fresnel, not a complete screen) and put that in there over the ground glass, and it is a huge improvement. I could not see using it without a fresnel.

Have fun with your new camera!

Loren Sattler · Mar 14, 2010

I also have a Rolleicord IV bought for $15.00 at an antique store in northern Michigan in the early 1990's. Somewhere I read that an inexpensive Mamiya RB67 viewing screen would greatly improve the function of the camera and it did. The standard RB67 screen is made of plastic and requires trimming the edges to fit in the Rolleicord. It was an easy modification. Try the auction site for the screen. I forget what I paid, but it was very inexpensive.

Out of several 35mm and medium format cameras, the Rolleicord is my favorite. It is light and portable and has an excellent lens. I would only wish for an in camera meter.

Brian Legge · Mar 14, 2010

The Rolleicord IV is my first and only medium format camera. I want to branch out and explore, but I'm loving it. I got mine cheap but it needs some cleaning (shutter issues, ) which will put it up towards the price the OP paid for his.

I just shot a St Patrick's Day parade - specifically those watching - with a Canonet 17 and the Rolleicord. I haven't developed any of it, but for some reason I'm much more excited about the Rollei shots. I think each camera lent itself to different styles.

Anyway, I love how compact that duo is. I can throw both of those cameras and a few rolls of film in a small bag and be set. I love my F4s dearly but I wouldn't have taken the same shots with it.

My New Toy

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