RB67 vs. Rolleicord

BetterSense · Mar 15, 2015

I have a full RB67 kit, 50/90/127 lenses 3 backs, polaroid back, case etc. While possibly the ultimate studio camera I have been looking for something portable. I know a guy who will trade me a good Rolleicord with Xenar? lens, which I figure I can use just fine for studio portraits yet travel with as well. I can currently print 6x6 easier as well. Although I like the versatility of the RB67, fact is I don't use it that much and when I do its in the studio and I don't use the 50mm in the studio. It seems like a lot of gear to trade for one small little TLR. Has anyone made a similar move and regretted it? I'm sort of worried the 75mm lens is a spot too wide for portraits.

Kirks518 · Mar 15, 2015

Do what I did. I have a full RB system, and like you, I'm prone to leave it at home because of weight and bulk.

I grabbed a Yashicamat 124G and a Mamiya M645 system/ The Mat was <$100 in perfect condition, and is extremely portable. The M645 is what I carry around daily, with the 150mm, 80mm and 55mm. I also have the power drive for it an a PDS prism finder. I think I'm in that <$200. Half was bought from KEH, half from the big auction site.

The RB is an awesome system, butit's little brother, the M645 offers almost as much, with 10x the portability. The only thing I miss with the M645 is the P-back. Otherwise, I love it.

frank · Mar 15, 2015

Seems a bit unbalanced. I love the rolleicord/flex, but this one is worth about $200. What's your RB kit worth?

Shootar401 · Mar 15, 2015

APUGuser19 said:
I wouldn't do it. Bad deal. I'll swap 2 dollars for your one. Same thing.

Edit: You wouldn't like the 'cord. You've been spoiled. A Rolleicord is dark to look through. Just plain can't see half the time. The shutter needs CLA too. Naaah.

Thats a joke post right?

summicron1 · Mar 15, 2015

each has its uses. Have both!

gone · Mar 16, 2015

Wrong lens on the Rolleicord for portraits. You want a Triotar. Much nicer IQ for that job, as it's sharp in the center and sort of peters out in the corners wide open. Prettier bokeh too. You can do some googling, but trust me, the Triotar was the go-to lens for portraits back in the day, and still is at my place. Yes, the Rolleicord screens are not the brightest, but there's a magnifier, yes? I never had any trouble focusing mine even w/ my 63 year old eyes, and it's child's play to swap in a good brightscreen if you wish. A cut down RB screen brightens things up considerably, and you can buy a new mirror on eBait for $8. But I would keep the camera and lenses that you have (better focal lengths for portraits) and buy a beater old 'cord w/ Triotar to see how you like it.

The shot below was Tri-X in D76. I forgot that the developer was full strength and used the longer times for 1:1, which gave things a pleasant bite and that old time Tri-X grain. This is just a scan of the neg. The prints have much softer grain. Now I use those times all the time w/ uncoated lenses to give them a little more contrast. But I haven't used Tri-X or D76 in a while, preferring to shoot Arista EDU Ultra 100 in Mic-X.

It's amazing how small and light the early Rolleicords are, especially compared to that RB67 of yours.

480sparky · Mar 16, 2015

I've forgotten how many weddings I shot with the M645. It's the perfect grab-n-go MF.

baachitraka · Mar 16, 2015

I may trade it for a Rolleiflex 3.5C or 3.5E but not for Rolleicord.

BetterSense · Mar 16, 2015

Well the cord has been CLA'd for what that's worth. The screen is definitely dark.

Where are people finding these~$100 TLRs? Ebay? I must be bad at Internet shopping. ..I just don't see them. I can't wait until I find a deal at an estate sale, I've been doing that already.

Moopheus · Mar 16, 2015

What I would do is sell the 50mm that you don't use and put the money to a Mamiya C220 or C330.

JW PHOTO · Mar 16, 2015

Moopheus said:
What I would do is sell the 50mm that you don't use and put the money to a Mamiya C220 or C330.

I agree, the C220 or C330 are dream TLR's at very good prices. Even an old C33 is a peach of a camera. Little bigger than a Rollei/cord, but 100% more flexible. I always loved the ability to focus extremely close with the C-series Mamiya cameras. Oh, I have Rolleis and Yashicamats also, but the C-series Mamiyas are in a league of their own.

Steve Smith · Mar 16, 2015

baachitraka said:
I may trade it for a Rolleiflex 3.5C or 3.5E but not for Rolleicord.

I think my Rolleicord V has the sharpest lens I own. If I could only keep one of my seventy cameras, it would be the Rolleicord... and I do own a Rolleiflex.

Steve.

removed account4 · Mar 16, 2015

momus said:
Wrong lens on the Rolleicord for portraits. You want a Triotar. Much nicer IQ for that job, as it's sharp in the center and sort of peters out in the corners wide open. Prettier bokeh too. You can do some googling, but trust me, the Triotar was the go-to lens for portraits back in the day, and still is at my place. Yes, the Rolleicord screens are not the brightest, but there's a magnifier, yes? I never had any trouble focusing mine even w/ my 63 year old eyes, and it's child's play to swap in a good brightscreen if you wish. A cut down RB screen brightens things up considerably, and you can buy a new mirror on eBait for $8. But I would keep the camera and lenses that you have (better focal lengths for portraits) and buy a beater old 'cord w/ Triotar to see how you like it.

The shot below was Tri-X in D76. I forgot that the developer was full strength and used the longer times for 1:1, which gave things a pleasant bite and that old time Tri-X grain. This is just a scan of the neg. The prints have much softer grain. Now I use those times all the time w/ uncoated lenses to give them a little more contrast. But I haven't used Tri-X or D76 in a while, preferring to shoot Arista EDU Ultra 100 in Mic-X.

It's amazing how small and light the early Rolleicords are, especially compared to that RB67 of yours.

View attachment 105282

View attachment 105283

while i don't have a 'cord at present, i agree completely !
i had a type 1 IIIa ( 1933 )
with a triotar lens. beautiful camera, easy to use, easy to focus and not very expensive to purchase and have CLA'd..

Fixcinater · Mar 16, 2015

Would you, if you had the Cord, even think about trading for the RB, knowing what you know now?

I found two early cords for <$100 on the bay but they both needed some work and they will never be collector grade. The III is a really nice camera and the earlier one is neat but less usable in a 'serious' manner.

Mirror and focus screen replacement could be done to brighten it up.

Yashicas are fine but don't feel as nice.

baachitraka · Mar 16, 2015

I paid €57 for my Rolleicord IIa with good working shutter(compur) and almost a clean lens(cleaning marks).

flavio81 · Mar 16, 2015

BetterSense said:
I have a full RB67 kit, 50/90/127 lenses 3 backs, polaroid back, case etc. While possibly the ultimate studio camera I have been looking for something portable. I know a guy who will trade me a good Rolleicord with Xenar? lens, which I figure I can use just fine for studio portraits yet travel with as well

I own the RB67 with the same lenses (50/90/127), plus a Rolleicord with the Xenar 75/3.5, plus a C330 with a big kit of lenses, and i would NEVER EVER EVER EVER consider to change the RB for the Rolleicord. Sure, the Rolleicord is much lighter, but the screen is far dimmer, it's less easy to focus precisely, it's more unstable in my hands (VERY important for handheld shooting - while the RB can be shot handheld with safety and steadiness down to 1/30 or even 1/15), and the 75mm lens has a bad focal length for portraits in general (while the 127mm of the RB is almost ideal).

I've gone out in the city for walks of 3 hours with the RB with no problems. I'd rather carry a heavier camera than a less capable camera, and the RB67 has no limits. I also own two C330 cameras, which are lighter, but I still prefer to carry the RB; it is even more capable.

They have suggested you to go for a M645, that could be a good alternative. Maybe a Mamiya 7 too, if you can afford it.

I'd only trade my RB67 for a Rolleiflex SL66 or a Mamiya 7. Any other trade would be a downgrade, and with this I'm including those swedish clunky machines with an AK47 mechanism wrapped in a Rolls Royce exterior.

baachitraka · Mar 16, 2015

@flavio81: Seems you are not a TLR guy ;-) Rollei's are capable but I doubt whether it will replace the system cameras like RB67.

BetterSense · Mar 16, 2015

I don't have any illusions that the Rollei could replace everything the RB does. But right now the RB does not go on walks with me. It does not go to the mountains or the beach. It does not go with me on airplanes. It really is fantastic for portraits and studio work but I am left covering portable scenarios with 35mm. I have considered getting a Leica, but I don't think even the supposedly amazing Leica lenses would really be good enough to make me happy with 35mm for landscape and portraits where I value smoothness and details. Maybe it makes sense for me to get a MF camera that can be pressed into service in the studio but is more usable for landscapes and travel. I am also thinking about GW690 but the lens once again is a bit short for portraits and 6x6 is easier to print for me. Maybe hasselblad?

Alex Muir · Mar 16, 2015

I have a Rolleicord V which was my first serious MF camera. I like it, but it wasn't much use for studio portraits, due to the 75mm lens. I bought a Bronica SQ-a with a 150 for portraits and a 50 for landscapes. When fitted with the 50 and WLF, it is reasonably light to carry around. For value, the trade you mention doesn't sound very good, and I think that you might find the fixed 75mm lens a bit restrictive. I've rarely used the 'cord since I got the Bronica.
Alex.

whlogan · Mar 16, 2015

Don't do this! think Man... use your brain here.... 'cords are good and so are RB's .... just go get a 'cord and/or get a 645.... but hang on to the RB.... too good a beast to ever loose track of.... use some thinking power here!!! this you will regret for the rest of your life, believe me....

Logan

frank · Mar 16, 2015

Rolleiflex portraits. Cropped some.

Roger Cole · Mar 16, 2015

BetterSense said:
Well the cord has been CLA'd for what that's worth. The screen is definitely dark.

Where are people finding these~$100 TLRs? Ebay? I must be bad at Internet shopping. ..I just don't see them. I can't wait until I find a deal at an estate sale, I've been doing that already.

$100 is a bit of a stretch - they turn up, but can be rare and often have issues, even if just cosmetic ones.

I think I paid $150 or so for my near-perfect Yashicamat 124 (non G.)

I agree - don't do this. If you don't use the 55 sell it and put the money toward a Yashicamat (brighter screen) or toward a 'cord or, if you want a more versatile carry around camera a Mamiya TLR or 645. (I have a 645 Pro and though it's a great camera with the AE prism and the winder and a lens and a back it's a bit big and heavy - not an RB by any means but sure not my Yashicamat either.)

frank · Mar 16, 2015

A focus screen from an RB trimmed to fit the rolleicord/flex is a good solution to the dark original screen.

Steve Smith · Mar 19, 2015

BetterSense said:
Where are people finding these~$100 TLRs? Ebay?

Roger Cole said:
$100 is a bit of a stretch - they turn up, but can be rare and often have issues, even if just cosmetic ones.

My Rolleicord V was £34 (about $50). In great condition! And yes, mine was from eBay.

BetterSense said:
I don't have any illusions that the Rollei could replace everything the RB does.

When I had an RB67, I saw no point in taking it out with its standard lens (only the 50mm and 180mm) and I would use the Rolleicord instead.

frank said:
A focus screen from an RB trimmed to fit the rolleicord/flex is a good solution to the dark original screen.

I don't have a problem with mine - but I do mainly use it outside. It was a bit dim when I used it for some gig photography, but I managed. I have been thinking about replacing the screen in my Bronica S2 though.

Steve.

R.Gould · Mar 19, 2015

BetterSense said:
Well the cord has been CLA'd for what that's worth. The screen is definitely dark.

Where are people finding these~$100 TLRs? Ebay? I must be bad at Internet shopping. ..I just don't see them. I can't wait until I find a deal at an estate sale, I've been doing that already.

My Rolleicord VAII serviced cost me £99, from a dealer, I also have a Rolleiflex Automat, can't remember the model, but it was a 1954 according to the serial no, cost me around £60, from the same dealer, again serviced, I use them both for still life and ''Macro'' work with the help of rolleinar 1 and 2, I use the rolleinar 1 for portraits, I don't have a RB67, but I do have a ETR, with 50 and 200 lenses, and I never use it, I prefer my Rolleis, for studio work, and my Rolleis and folders for out and about, my old shoulders appreacite a lighter load,
Richard

RB67 vs. Rolleicord

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