Rolleicord IIc cable release question .

neilt3 · May 19, 2019

I'm looking at buying a Rolleicord IIc online , it looks in good condition with clear lenses and everything working as it should (apparently !)

I've downloaded a manual that says you can use a cable release , but it's not clear if it's a standard screw in one like I use on just about all my cameras or if it had a special fitting .

Done a bit of a search online and it's looking like an adapter or special fitting is needed .

I'm away from home at the moment and trying to search this on a smart phone , so apart from struggling to read the screen everything I type in is either pressing two letters or auto spell check puts in random words !

As I'll only be buying a camera that can also be used with a cable release ( and not need to track down some obscure , impossible to find accessory ) , I just wanted to double check first .

Thanks in advance .

shutterfinger · May 19, 2019

Compare the features of the camera you are looking at with http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/rolleicord.shtml
I have a similar Rolleicord/Rolleiflex in storage and don't recall the 1939-1941 model having a cable release. It has the top speed of 1/300 Compur 00 shutter.
All cable release on Rolleicord/Rolleiflex that I have encountered that have a cable release have a standard cable release socket on the lower front of the camera.

Dan Daniel · May 19, 2019

Every Compur Rapid shutter I have seen has a standard cable release threading. the ones that have cable releases, to be specific. It is possible to install a flash sync block in the same place that the cable release block goes on many Compur shutters. Which means no cable release. I've seen this on Zeiss Ikontas, for example.

I have no knowledge of the specific configuration of the model you are looking at. But if it takes a cable release, I'd assume standard threading.

Jerevan · May 19, 2019

My two Rolleicords on the shelf (a IId, postwar and a prewar II, model 1) have threads for a standard cable release. What could possibly be an issue is that it sometimes can be a narrow fit with certain cable releases, so an older one with a thinner, more flexible "cable" part might be easier to fit.

Of all the Rolleicords (about 15 different ones) I have had, I have not had a single issue with the thread itself - it's as standard as can be.

neilt3 · May 19, 2019

shutterfinger said:
Compare the features of the camera you are looking at with http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/rolleicord.shtml
I have a similar Rolleicord/Rolleiflex in storage and don't recall the 1939-1941 model having a cable release. It has the top speed of 1/300 Compur 00 shutter.
All cable release on Rolleicord/Rolleiflex that I have encountered that have a cable release have a standard cable release socket on the lower front of the camera.

( emphasise added )

Thanks for the link .
Couldn't see any mention on a cable release .
I have now been able to look at the pictures of the IIc ( on a PC screen , and not a phone screen) and indeed there isn't any apparent means of connecting one .
Later models are clear to see on the front plate , I just wanted to make sure it wasn't positioned elsewhere .

I have looked into it and have read ( in the user manual ) that as the camera doesn't have a timed release an adaptor could be used to add this function , and presumably a cable release .

Doing a google search this issue did come up on another forum , to operate the camera a lever is moved to cock the shutter .
same as large format lenses , and another lever is moved to fire the shutter .
This is done by hand , and it appeared that no cable release could be attached .
It's just the vague description of fitting something to the camera to enable a timed release that got me thinking .
Either a cable release or timed release would be fine for me .

I'll have a think about it but it looks like this isn't the Rollei for me .
Thanks again for the reply's .

JPD · May 19, 2019

There are no II a, b, c and d models. The letters are something an author to a collector's book came up with. On Rolleiclub's page they call the Rolleicord II, type 4 "IIc" so it's my guess that you mean that model. The only Rolleicords with letters are the Ia, Va and Vb.

Yes, you can use a cable release with all Rolleicords and Rolleiflexes, but find an early one with a small "head" for this early model. The cable release socket is a bit sunk on the front so modern cable releases with their big "heads" are impossible to use. If you have this old style of cable release it doesn't matter which Rollei TLR you use, but if you want a Rolleicord that can use modern cable releases, get a Rolleicord III, IV, V, Va or Vb.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/19332145@N00/2761237970/

This is my Rolleicord II, type 4.

neilt3 · May 20, 2019

JPD said:
There are no II a, b, c and d models. The letters are something an author to a collector's book came up with. On Rolleiclub's page they call the Rolleicord II, type 4 "IIc" so it's my guess that you mean that model. The only Rolleicords with letters are the Ia, Va and Vb.

Yes, you can use a cable release with all Rolleicords and Rolleiflexes, but find an early one with a small "head" for this early model. The cable release socket is a bit sunk on the front so modern cable releases with their big "heads" are impossible to use. If you have this old style of cable release it doesn't matter which Rollei TLR you use, but if you want a Rolleicord that can use modern cable releases, get a Rolleicord III, IV, V, Va or Vb.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/19332145@N00/2761237970/

This is my Rolleicord II, type 4.

Thanks for replying and taking the time to post a picture where the cable attached .

It's true a pictures worth a thousand words .
Looking at your picture I can clearly see the dished out recess for the cable release .
It's clear to see that on the listing of the one I'm looking at .
It's a dark picture , being all black , but with a bit of eye of faith I think I can see the socket too .

I do have several of those types of cable release knocking about , so no problem there .
( Need to remember where I put them though !)

I've now bought it so it should be with me by the end of the week .

Thanks again for help and information posted by all .

JPD · May 20, 2019

Mine is 80 years old this year, so maybe I should run a film through it this summer. For a high quality camera, the instructions manual is very short, isn't it? The most important thing to learn and remember is how to use the red window for the first frame and engaging the mechanical frame counter. The rest is straight forward. Always set the speed before cocking the shutter. The Zeiss Triotar is a wonderful lens.

neilt3 · May 20, 2019

With regard to "use the red window for the first frame and engaging the mechanical frame counter." , I have a fair few cameras that use a red window for frame numbers , I take it you mean the function is exactly the same ?
Is there a special way to engage the mechanical frame counter ?

I've downloaded a manual for it ( I think it's the right one !) and will print it off to read tomorrow .
Not a lot in it , and even less in English . Not many pictures either .
Shouldn't take to long to figure it out .

I have quite a few TLR's , Minolta's , Yashica's , Mamiya's , Voigtländer and more besides , but have always fancied getting a Rollei .
So I look forward to using it .

JPD · May 20, 2019

neilt3 said:
With regard to "use the red window for the first frame and engaging the mechanical frame counter." , I have a fair few cameras that use a red window for frame numbers , I take it you mean the function is exactly the same ?
Is there a special way to engage the mechanical frame counter ?

You only use the red window for winding the film to the first frame. When you see the number 1 you close the red window and then you press the button in the winding knob and simultaneously move the little aluminium button, and the counter will set to 1. From then on you press the button in the winding knob to wind the film and it should automatically stop at each frame.

The number you'll see in the red window is the #1 of the 6x9 numbers. 120-film (B2 6x9 in Germany) didn't have numbers for 6x6 back then.

neilt3 · May 21, 2019

JPD said:
You only use the red window for winding the film to the first frame. When you see the number 1 you close the red window and then you press the button in the winding knob and simultaneously move the little aluminium button, and the counter will set to 1. From then on you press the button in the winding knob to wind the film and it should automatically stop at each frame.

The number you'll see in the red window is the #1 of the 6x9 numbers. 120-film (B2 6x9 in Germany) didn't have numbers for 6x6 back then.

Easy enough , thanks .

I've found a couple of the small type cable releases , films ready and so a lens hood and filters from my other bayonet 1 fit cameras .
Just need the camera now that I should have by the weekend .

Thanks again .

JPD · May 21, 2019

neilt3 said:
I've found a couple of the small type cable releases , films ready and so a lens hood and filters from my other bayonet 1 fit cameras .
Just need the camera now that I should have by the weekend .

Report back when you get it. I hope the cable releases will work. It's also a fun camera to use hand held, of course. This was my first Rolleicord, and I bought it in almost mint condition in 1990. I've bought more since then, but this one I will keep for the rest of my life.

And maybe this:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/19332145@N00/4971557849/

That's the first Rolleicord II from 1936. The owner had bought it new and took great care of it. I also got his accessories and books "Das Rolleiflex Buch"(1936) and "Die Rolleicord Fibel" (1940).

neilt3 · May 22, 2019

I will report back .
I will use it mostly handheld but wanted the option of a cable release as I also intend shooting a bit of Rollei Infrared film in it .

JPD · May 22, 2019

neilt3 said:
I will use it mostly handheld but wanted the option of a cable release as I also intend shooting a bit of Rollei Infrared film in it .

Do you have the Rollei Infrarot filter? It's not only a filter but also a weak lens that compensates for the focus difference with IR light.

neilt3 · May 22, 2019

I wasn't aware they made that filter .
I had planned on using a bayonet 1 to 49mm filter adapter and use a B&W 092 on it , but after having a look into it I've just ordered one up off eBay .
Big plus for that one apart from the focus adjustment is that I can mount the lens shade on at the same time and not obscure the viewfinder lens .
Expensive filter though !

Dan Daniel · May 22, 2019

Have you shot infrared film in a camera with a red window? Maybe the emulsions have changed from when I knew people using it in the 70s and 80s. But there was always talk of loading and unloading in a darkroom or very subdued light? Well, hopefully I am mistaken and the window will be fine. Maybe someone here is familiar with modern infrareds and film loading, etc.

The Triotar and infrared should give some great results.

neilt3 · May 22, 2019

Dan Daniel said:
Have you shot infrared film in a camera with a red window? Maybe the emulsions have changed from when I knew people using it in the 70s and 80s. But there was always talk of loading and unloading in a darkroom or very subdued light? Well, hopefully I am mistaken and the window will be fine. Maybe someone here is familiar with modern infrareds and film loading, etc.

The Triotar and infrared should give some great results.

Not a problem , modern infrared film isn't what it was .
The 800nm+ emulsions aren't there , the Rollei 400 is the best I can find and can be loaded in subdued daylight . If your out on a sunny day reloading a camera it's best to stand in the shade or at least have your back to the sun , as you would with any ISO 400 film .
Other emulsions like Rollei 80s and Ilfords SFX are less sensitive .
I've used Rollei 80s in a camera with a red window but without a slide over cover on the window ( unlike the Rolleicord ) and no marks were made to the negative , so clearly the backing paper did it'd job .

Rolleicord IIc cable release question .

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