Rolleicord advice

Mats_A · Feb 25, 2010

Turns out that the Rolleicord Vb I bought a few weeks ago is unrepearable according to the seller. He offers to return the money.
So I need an other camera. At KEH there is a Rolleicord IV for sale at good price.

Anyone here with experience regarding this. Is a Rolleicord IV basically a Vb whithout removable hood and 10 years older?

r

Vaughn · Feb 25, 2010

Looking here: http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/rolleicord.shtml I see no or little difference in the features. The main factor will be in their relative condition.

We have two of the Vb's that we check out to students at the university -- nice cameras!

Vaughn

Rolleiflexible · Feb 25, 2010

Out of curiosity: What does he claim
is "unrepairable"? I find that hard to
believe.

Mats_A · Feb 25, 2010

Rolleiflexible said:
Out of curiosity: What does he claim
is "unrepairable"? I find that hard to
believe.

It's the shutter. It does not fire as it should. I am sure it is "repairable" but this dealer has a repairguy who does not seem to be the best.

r

Vaughn · Feb 25, 2010

If I was the overly suspecious type, I would think the seller had found a buyer who was willing to pay a lot more of the Vb.

Mats_A · Feb 25, 2010

Vaughn said:
If I was the overly suspecious type, I would think the seller had found a buyer who was willing to pay a lot more of the Vb.

Yee. Anything is possible. But he must have gotten a really sweet deal cause he has offered to reimburse all my freight costs also. I really do think he has a not too good repairguy. Maybe I should offer to buy it of him for a really low price and send it to repair and sell it. Maybe he is reading this forum and is now aware of my secret plan.

r

JPD · Feb 25, 2010

The Rolleicord IV lacks the selftimer and the viewing screen is darker, but the quality is the same.

Jack Fisher · Feb 27, 2010

Isn't the focus knob on the IV on the right side? ...and on the left on the VB??

BrianShaw · Feb 27, 2010

Rolleiflexible said:
Out of curiosity: What does he claim
is "unrepairable"? I find that hard to
believe.

I'm with you on this one! Those shutters are quite robust if kept clean.

Loren Sattler · Feb 27, 2010

HI, I have a Rolleicord IV which has become probably my favorite camera out of several 35mm and medium format models that I own. It is very light and portable, and I really appreciate the medium format negative size for b&w. It had a very dark viewing screen when I purchased it. I improved it dramatically by replacing the original dark Rollei screen with an inexpensive Mamiya RB67 screen which is much brighter. I simply used a razor blade to trim the Mamiya screen to the correct size.

The only thing I miss with this camera is an in camera light meter. I would like to find a later model Rolleiflex for that reason. The lens on the Rolleicord is excellent, although I never shoot wide open to fully test it's capabilities.

Hope this helps.

JPD · Feb 28, 2010

Jack Fisher said:
Isn't the focus knob on the IV on the right side? ...and on the left on the VB??

Yes. I found that to be an advantage when I used my (now sold) III and IV with a Metz "hammer" type of flash. I could hold the flash in my left hand, and do the focus and winding with my right hand.

Rolleicord advice

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