Rollei TLR lenscaps

Mike Keers · Mar 6, 2009

Hey Gang,
I recently got a very nice Rolleicord III and it came with the leather case, which is also in very nice condition. Nice for storage or carrying the camera around, but it's kind of a pain now and then when using the camera and sometimes I'd like to leave it home. In searching around The 'Bay I see a bunch of very affordable original double lens caps for Rollei TLR cameras, but they don't specify which models they are for (I doubt the seller even knows).

So my quick question to the group is how similar or different are the lenses or caps for the various 'Cords and 'Flexes? Are the double caps more or less universal or interchangeable between models? Thx!

Ian Grant · Mar 6, 2009

The lens caps depend on the lens, but the Tessar,s were Bay 1, not sure about the Rolleicord III but if you look on this site you can get details of your camera.

Wait until you see the prices they fetch, a Rollei lens cap or decent lens hood is almost as much as a camera, I'm looking for the same size for a Yashicamat

Ian

ntenny · Mar 6, 2009

The Rolleicord III is Bay I. I have the same model---I settled for a cheapo plastic lens cap from eBay for it, since the price of admission for an original one was unreasonable.

-NT

Terence · Mar 6, 2009

I've had two of the cheap eBay ones crack. The plastic appears pliable, but actually cracks easily.

Mike Keers · Mar 6, 2009

Ian and Nathan, thanx to both...that's why I posted the question here, I saw a 'vintage' cap I assume was metal and they wanted $35 for it--I paid $70 for the camera, it's absurd to pay half as much for a cap! Yes, I have the 75mm Bay 1 lenses, and there's a guy on the Bay selling a bunch of 'new but unpackaged' plastic caps for $7-8. I just wasn't sure how good my chances are it would fit--I've wasted enough money in the past on speculative purchases. Lots of Yashicamat caps cheap on the US eBay too Ian, but I bet shipping is more than the cap!

Terence, your comment came in just as I posted my response to Ian and Nathan--thanx for the comment, it's noted while I consider my options. But a $35 lens cap is probably not an option! Hahaha!

Ian Grant · Mar 6, 2009

There's a couple of US Ebay sellers who have plenty of plastic lens caps & lens hoods at a good price. Just search for Bay 1.

Ian

dpurdy · Mar 6, 2009

Before I got a Rollei lens cap for my F I actually found a regular lens cap with the little spring tabs on the side that fit. I can't remember what size it was.

36cm2 · Mar 6, 2009

Dpurdy, the lens cap for the Rolleiflex F should be 30.5mm (Bay III). Not sure about the others.

Mike, I love my Rolleiflex and I'm sure you'll love yours too. I ditched the leather "never-ready" case years ago. Ended up using a shoulder bag that I put extra padding into and found that to be tremendously useful and discreet. Highly recommend it. Don't know if you've had your camera CLAd, but they should be now and again. My F2.8 CLA cost me a ton though. I was pretty surprised.

Best of luck,
Leo

Sirius Glass · Mar 6, 2009

On the subject of never ready cases, there was thread on APUG within the last month about lens fungus and leather:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Allan Swindles said:
I had a couple of Hass. Sonnars CLA'd recently, both showing signs of fungus. Not a problem if caught in time but it can damage the glass if left untreated. My repairman advised me NOT to STORE my lenses in my super leather Hasselblad Reporter case or any other leather case for that matter. My gear used to be housed in what I thought was a decent purpose built cupboard but it appears, in the wrong part of the house. I'm thinking a display cabinet in a warm lounge might be the answer but I doubt the lady will go for it. Yes, I do wear the trousers but I don't push my luck.

You might want to consider retiring your leather cases.

Steve

Mike Keers · Mar 6, 2009

Hey guys,
Thanx for all the useful comments. I think I read that 'never ready' comment on here somewhere--now I appreciate it! It seems a nice sturdy case, but fungus issues aside (I live in the desert so it may not be an issue) the case is a pain, I've only continued to use it to protect the lenses when I'm not using it. The camera doesn't come out easily with all the various knobs, and that lid and front panel flopping around aren't very helpful either hand holding or on a tripod.

Ian, it's probably those same caps I'm referring to. I guess they just slip over the entire lenses, little bayonet tabs and all? For $7 each I can afford a handful compared to the 'vintage' metal caps I've seen. The Rollei hoods too are pretty dear, altho there are rubber or plastic after market generic Bay 1 hoods that are affordable.

Leo, The camera works well except the 1-second shutter speed was obviously slow, and then as I've run two rolls of film thru the slowness has started to creep up to higher (slow) speeds, and now anything below about 1/5 second the shutter hangs, but a flick of the finger releases it. I'm already on Carol Miller's (Flutot Camera) waiting list for a CLA. Fortunately the lenses are both spotless and pristine, as is the whole camera really. It came from an estate sale, and I really lucked out, it looks to be a little used and one owner camera. The engraved name plate has a Japanese M.D.'s name inscribed on it. There is only the very slightest paint wear on the rear corners--from the case no doubt.

I'm quite excited about it, it's my (re)introduction into MF. The one roll of B&W film I've developed came out fine (aside from guessing incorrectly at several exposures) and the pictures do have a certain 'look' to them, they somehow look vintage, but very sharp--due to the old glass I assume.

ic-racer · Mar 6, 2009

Bay I skylight or UV filter would also be an option. I keep my TLR caps at home so I don't loose them.

mjs · Mar 6, 2009

An excuse to ditch the 'never-ready' case? I'm there. Hated that thing but I waited so long for a Rollei that it seemed naked without it. Now that I have an excuse, though...

Don't want to say what I paid for a NOS Bay I lens hood for my New Standard, though. The uncoated lens needs it badly so I'm just thrilled beyond words to have it. I bought one of the cheap plastic lens caps from E-bay; I've only had it since last fall and I didn't take the Rollei out in bitter cold but it's worked fine fo rme so far.

Mike

Mike Keers · Mar 6, 2009

Hey ic-racer, I've got skylight filters on pretty near every other lens and camera, so that's certainly something I'll look into as well. I was already pricing some basic colored filters. I still like some sort of lens cap (altho I lose them now and then--a love-hate relationship) just to keep dust to a minimum.

MJS--I hear you on the leather case, except I'm not quite hating mine yet--the camera seems naked and vulnerable without it, yet it's in such outstanding shape after nearly 60 years, I almost feel obligated to use it! At least for storage--with the camera in use, not so much.

ntenny · Mar 6, 2009

Mike Keers said:
fungus issues aside (I live in the desert so it may not be an issue)

I dunno; a friend in Tucson tells me his bread molds more or less instantly in the monsoon season.

(Is Hereford that place outside Sierra Vista? If so, I think we need to introduce our Rolleicords to each other---that's some spectacular country you've got out there.)

Ian, it's probably those same caps I'm referring to. I guess they just slip over the entire lenses, little bayonet tabs and all?

That's what mine does. I haven't had problems with it, but I don't do a lot of on-and-off with it---it goes on for storage and comes off when I use the camera (usually to be replaced by a filter).

For $7 each I can afford a handful compared to the 'vintage' metal caps I've seen. The Rollei hoods too are pretty dear, altho there are rubber or plastic after market generic Bay 1 hoods that are affordable.

I think an adapter to a common threaded size is a good investment. 49mm is about the largest that will work without interfering with the viewing lens.

-NT

Larry.Manuel · Mar 6, 2009

A $35 genuine metal Rollei folding lens cap is at the low end of the price range that I've seen. Interesting talk about the leather cases inducing more fungus growth - thanks for the hint.

Perhaps a hood will work for mechanical protection for most times, instead of the cap. The metal hoods are strong, and conceal the lens nicely. Also, they can be had for about $20 if you're persistent in looking.

Paul Howell · Mar 6, 2009

I have a brace of Yachicas, I glued a S 6 filter holder on the taking lens of several Ds with silacon so I can peel it off if need be. With the S 6 adaptor I can use a filter and a lens hood at the same time. Not sure if I would try the same thing with a Rolli. Works rather well.

Chaska · Mar 6, 2009

I never use the lenscap, just the metal hood on at all times. Provides adequate protection and the camera is always ready to go!

Mike Keers · Mar 7, 2009

I hadn't really considered the adapters. I saw them on eBay but glossed over them. Now that it's been mentioned, I guess it would be a viable alternative; and Nathan, if you're correct about being able to use up to 49mm, it would be great, I have an OM-1 and a bunch of 49mm filters. I'll look into that option as well.

Is Hereford that place outside Sierra Vista? If so, I think we need to introduce our Rolleicords to each other---that's some spectacular country you've got out there.

Yup, that would be me, south of Sorry Vista, within site of the Mexican border. Darn, now you've let the cat out of the bag about how beautiful it is around here! Oh wait, that happened about 25 years ago, too soon after we discovered the place, I 'forgot to shut the gate'. If it's been a while since you've been around, you wouldn't recognize the whole valley now, we've been discovered! You can still see the mountains tho, in between the houses and malls. If you're ever in the area, give me a call and we can go blow off some film!

Ian Grant · Mar 7, 2009

Luckily my Rolleiflex came with a genuine lens hood, two filters & a the lens cap, but trying to find decently priced ones for my Yashicamat is near impossible.

I guess like Chaska I'll just use the plastic lens hood all the time when it arrives.

Ian

ic-racer · Mar 7, 2009

Here are two Rolleis ready to go, as they sit on my shelf. Both have UV filters and lenshoods. The caps are with the cases and boxes (in storage).

The second picture is just to tease Ian It shows my Yashica with the lenscap and original Yashica lenshood. Also, the rare Yashinon WA adapter.

Shmoo · Mar 8, 2009

If you know someone in the LA/OC area, you might have them look for you at the camera expo/swapmeet (monthly). www.cameraexpo.com is their website. Someone's always selling boxes of lenscaps.

sperera · Apr 14, 2009

Rollei T

I bought a Rolleflex T myself recently and just yesterday took out my first roll of 6 x 6 film in many years from the camera after having done 12 shots over the course of a week or two.....

I'm still not ready to process the film yet as I have to make sure I know exactly what i'm doing again....I'm hoping the images have that 'thing' that you just cant get with DSLR's.....my Rollei T has a 75mm Zeiss Tessar lens....

I shot T-max 100 and have T-max developer for it...

Rollei TLR lenscaps

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