Re Purchase of Rollei or Rolleichord

[raelreal1959]

I am thinking of purchasing either “ Rolleiflex automat” or “ Rolleicord Vb”. Which one of them has better feature taking portraits?
It seems Rolleiflex Automat has better feature thus appature ring and shutter speed settings look easier to control than the Rolleichord? Also, the quality of the lens, Tessor Vs, Xenon?

 

[Dr.Pain-MD]

Both cameras should be optically identical assuming you get the same taking lens. The main difference with the two is that the Automat has crank winding whereas the Rolleicord has knob winding for the film advance. Both cameras will make great portrait shooters, it really comes down to you as the photographer in the end.

I also have a question for someone with Rollei experience. What is the difference in screen brightness between the Rolleiflexes and the Rolleicords, are the 'cords generally dimmer? I shoot with a Yashica Mat and was wondering how it compares to an Automat since it's essentially a clone, does anyone know?

 

[piu58]

From the last models of Va the same bright screen is used. I own a Vb (and owned a Va) and a Rolleiflex 3,5F. The hoods are interchangeable nd the screens too.

 

[raelreal1959]

Thank you for your reply. One another question I would like to ask is; does any one know what model of Rolleiflex did Robert Doisneau use?

 

[jochen]

Hello,
to distinguish the lower priced Cord from the premium Flex the Cord had a little bit smaller aperture on the viewing lens, it was a 1:3,2 instead of a 1:2,8 on the Flex. The Tessar or Xenar lenses are 4 lenses/3 element types and give a very sharp picture at f/8 - f/11. Full open the corners are a little bit softer and less sharp (maybe nice for portraits). The 5- or 6-lens Planars or Xenotars have a more flat field and a better acutance in the corners. It is possible to exchange the old glas viewing screens against modern types, in the U.S. there are some manufacturers of excellent screens. On all Cords you have to cock the shutter separately by hand, it is not coupled with the transport.

 

[derwent]

I shoot quite a lot with a Rolleicord V and I love it to bits.
Sadly it's the only Rollei I own at the moment although j might be getting my hands on a Rolleiflex 2.8D soonish.
The big thing with either is condition.
Make sure the front lens board is solid, you don't want it to wobble from side to side at all. When you rack it in almost completely the gap around the edges should be even, not greater one side.
It should sit on a flat table without wobble and the back should fit close and even with no gaps.
These are all faults I have personally seen on secondhand examples that have been roughly treated in the past. Rollei assembly and fit/finish were outstanding. Paint worn off the corners or scrufffy leatherette won't hurt it as a camera but the others will.
Next, if it sticks on the slow shutter speeds, with a second maybe taking five or more, or even needing you to lightly tap it wih your fingers to encourage it to run down, don't freak. The Compur shutter is a fantastic ok'd thing and very reliable. If they are stuck in a closet for years though the old oils will gum up and it will go sticky.
WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T PUT WD40 IN THERE TO TRY AND UNSTICK IT!!!
it needs the old gummed up lube cleaning out and new lube of he proper type put in the rights spots and those spots only. Not a very hard job if you know what you're doing but not a walk in the park either. Best to budget for a CLA then negotiate like hell on the sticky shutter...

As for Cord vs Flex, the Flex has faster lens, lever wind, slightly easier controls but the Cord is lighter and more compact, and it's rarely that you would use the f/2.8 of the Flex lens anyhow. Having to cock the shutter manually is no big hardship either.
Make no mistake, given a choice at the same price and condition I'd go for the Flex, but the Cord is the best bang for buck.
Lenses on either are superb, Tessar or Xenar.

I have several friends with both types and nobody has had any complaints...