'New' Rolleiflex Automat Type 1

[skinnyvoice]

Ohhh, I just took delivery of an early Automat, serial 599*** which must make it approx 1937. And it was in its BOX!!!!! To be honest, it looks like it has only had light use - it looks almost new and everything works smooth as butter, the ground glass is relatively bright, the lenses perfect and the slow speeds are spot on. I'm drooling and still finding it hard to believe. Came with a whole raft of accessories too including slip-on filters for the viewing lens and that really hard to find lens cover.

Now to take some photos...

 

[Jeff L]

Wow! That is a find. I rarely see one older than my Type I. I had mine completely serviced so it'll be good for another 70 some years of great photos. It's easy to see why Rollei was the very best of it's type. I hope "they" make 120 film forever.
Enjoy it.

 

[dpurdy]

http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/automat.shtml
According to this page you could have the camera modernized up to the 1955 with a newer version WLF and a flash synch put in. Also a larger focusing knob and the double exposure safety lock can be put on. It must be a great camera with the uncoated Tessar lens. The coatings are not so important on the Tessar lens. Congratulations on "taking delivery" of such a thing. It sounds like a collector item. Might be worth more money than a user. But there is nothing like a camera that seems new as your user.
Dennis

 

[Toffle]

Congratulations! Make sure you take it out of its box... often. I've got a much more modern Rollei, (3.5f - 1959) and it is an absolute joy to use.

Cheers,

 

[skinnyvoice]

http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/automat.shtml
According to this page you could have the camera modernized up to the 1955 with a newer version WLF and a flash synch put in.

This one has no mods at all, not even the shutter release lock

 

[Tony-S]

Wow, how did you find it and what did it cost you? (If you don't mind me asking.)

 

[skinnyvoice]

Wow, how did you find it and what did it cost you? (If you don't mind me asking.)

I possibly paid a bit over the odds for it but there was some heavy bidding at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260531626513&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT My dog was barking through the final seconds so it got a bit fraught.

However, considering its iconic status (first of the modern Rolleiflexes), the fabulous condition and my 'hunch', I'm a very happy bunny indeed. I have a Type 2 that cost me 60 UKP in far better condition than this one which recently went for 187 UKP http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390128973450&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

One of the accessories is a depth of field indicator that clips onto the 28.5mm viewing lens. I hadn't come across one of these before

 

[Jerevan]

I think you did quite good with the price, considering the condition of the camera - it looks wonderful! Now get out and use it.

 

[Jeff L]

I have read that the very early cameras with out the shutter release lock are a bit rare.

 

[Dali]

My Rolleiflex is pretty similar to your (serial number 620xxx) with also a "simple" shutter release button.

I bought it several weeks ago on e***. I ran a roll on it to discover than apart from a slightly slow shutter, everything was fine: no light leak, no film transportation trouble, no shutter cocking issue, nothing wrong! Amazing for a 70+ years old camera!

I send it to Paul Ebel for shutter adjustment and ground glass replacement (Rick Oleson's). Paul dropped me a email today: the camera is ready!

Overall, between the purchase and the CLA, it costed me about $280.

 

[skinnyvoice]

My Rolleiflex is pretty similar to your (serial number 620xxx) with also a "simple" shutter release button.

Good to hear of another of these Type 1 Rolleis working well and snapping! Has anybody on APUG got a Type 1 with a serial below 599***?

 

[Trask]

If you find the small focusing knob fiddly, Rollei made a larger knob that slipped over and clamped to the smaller knob. I found it made my old Rollei easier to focus, and if I wanted the original look, it came off in a second.

 

[Jeff L]

Good to hear of another of these Type 1 Rolleis working well and snapping! Has anybody on APUG got a Type 1 with a serial below 599***?

Not mine 608xxx.

 

[Andy38]

I have two Model 1 Automat : one earlier , 5999xx , without shutter release safety lock ; the other , 723xxx , has a lock .
Model 1 has not bayonet on viewing lens .

 

[skinnyvoice]

I have two Model 1 Automat : one earlier , 5999xx , without shutter release safety lock ; the other , 723xxx , has a lock .
Model 1 has not bayonet on viewing lens .

Mines 5994**

 

[JPD]

Congratulations! I have the second type with the shutter release cover (see my avatar). Also in excellent shape, but yours is a bit cooler since it's the first type!