Rolleicord is great!

tkamiya · Dec 21, 2010

This is really not a question but a statement.

I recently acquired a Rolleicord V in excellent shape and I've been using it since. It is AMAZING how much this simple camera has improved my photography! It seems slowing WAY down has a lot to do with this improvement.

With this simple camera, I have to meter carefully with my Sekonics so exposure is much better. Using WLF requires me to pay attention to near edge of the frame - not just the center, watch carefully for the level-ness, and basically see the whole print in front of me before I carefully slide the shutter release.

I dunno.... newer isn't always better and I knew that - but doing this with 60+ year old camera is just amazing. Images are awfully sharp, too.

Anyway, I thought I'd share.

p.s. I wish I could get a WLF for my Mamiya 645Pro... I know Mamiya made'em. They are just impossible to find now.

Jeff Kubach · Dec 21, 2010

The older cameras are great, just can't beat them!

Jeff

Jersey Vic · Dec 21, 2010

I have a rolleicord IV..fantastic camera. Congrats & enjoy

dehk · Dec 21, 2010

They have WLF for 645PRO on KEH, That is if you want to pay the ridiculous amount.
Funny, I have a 645PRO and a Rolleiflex T, I also want a WLF for the 645 Pro, but then, I don't even have a metered prism.

Colin Corneau · Dec 21, 2010

What's interesting to note isn't so much the camera itself but the effect it's had on your habits.

Good habits = good results.

tkamiya · Dec 21, 2010

dehk said:
They have WLF for 645PRO on KEH, That is if you want to pay the ridiculous amount.
Funny, I have a 645PRO and a Rolleiflex T, I also want a WLF for the 645 Pro, but then, I don't even have a metered prism.

Where do you see that?? I just went and looked but all they have are the ones for older (all metal) version of M645.

By the way, if you want a metered prism, AE Prism N will work perfectly fine with a Pro. That's what I have with mine.

Vaughn · Dec 21, 2010

While one certainly have the option of cropping to a vertical or horizontal rectangle, working with the square format can challenge and improve your seeing.

Glad you are enjoying your new tool!

tkamiya · Dec 21, 2010

Colin Corneau said:
What's interesting to note isn't so much the camera itself but the effect it's had on your habits.

Good habits = good results.

It's definitely NOT the camera but Rolleicord is a great joy to use. I see myself actually thinking and rethinking before I release the shutter. It should be the same but I don't take this much care on any of other format. I *think* WLF has a lot to do with this change. It requires whole different attitude compared to regular prism type view finders.

Wait... it IS the camera.... I don't have a WLF on any other cameras...

Colin Corneau · Dec 21, 2010

LOL...I always get a prism finder because I just find it easier but I see what you're saying.

Careful, you keep talking like that and you'll be getting a 4x5 or larger next. Same idea with slowing down and thinking more, yanno.

tkamiya · Dec 21, 2010

I have my limits Colin...

I am; however, thinking about going to 6x7

wclark5179 · Dec 21, 2010

I agree, Rollicord is great.

Happy Holidays!

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Dec 21, 2010

What is the lens of your Rolleicord , If it is triotar , it sees the lines like cut with a scissor , that excellent.
Old cameras creates good habits as someone said , Rolleicord is the Leica of MF. You will never be able to get same quality from 67. I have an other Rollei , Rollei 35s and I saw flickr galleries and it is super with Ektachrome 100 vs. Zeiss is always more light gathering , more sunny lens and saturation and darker pictures tame the highlights and give extraordinary images. Some say Leica is digital amp but Zeiss is a tube amp. Its like swedish art glass , light is flowing in the picture.

mablo · Dec 22, 2010

Rolleicord V is equipped with a Zeiss Xenar which is a 4 element Tessar type of lens. It's really really sharp stopped down and also very nice for portraits at f/3.5. It's the one camera I'll take with me for the Xmas holidays.

Steve Smith · Dec 22, 2010

mablo said:
Rolleicord V is equipped with a Zeiss Xenar which is a 4 element Tessar type of lens. It's really really sharp stopped down and also very nice for portraits at f/3.5. It's the one camera I'll take with me for the Xmas holidays.

My Rolleicord V is the camera I would keep if I could only have one.

Steve.

R gould · Dec 22, 2010

Rollei's are great cameras, both the flex and the cord,I have one of each, a rolleicord Va2 and a rolleiflex automat,truely great cameras,the Leica of MF, and if I had to chose 2 cameras to keep from my collection it would be the rolleis,Richard

Steve Smith · Dec 22, 2010

My father used to use a Rolleicord and a Rolleiflex for weddings in the 1970s. As I stated earlier I have a Rolleicord V but there is also a Rolleiflex in my father's collection which I have inherited (although the collection is in display cabinets in my mother's house) so technically I have one of each too. The Rolleiflex shutter is a bit sticky at the slower settings so I need to have that looked at.

Steve.

Q.G. · Dec 22, 2010

mablo said:
Rolleicord V is equipped with a Zeiss Xenar [...]

That would not be a lens made by Zeiss, but by Schneider.

Jerevan · Dec 22, 2010

I agree - they're great! I've had at least ten. These days, I am using a Rolleiflex, an old Sekonic and some Plus-X. Slowing down and "being there" is a good exercise for the eyes and the brain.

mablo · Dec 22, 2010

Q.G. said:
That would not be a lens made by Zeiss, but by Schneider.

Schneider-Kreutznach of course. My mistake, I'm sorry. Tessar is Zeiss and Xenar is Schneider-K's implementation of the same lens. Both are great lenses.

Q.G. · Dec 22, 2010

mablo said:
Schneider-Kreutznach of course. [...]

If i wanted to be completely anal about this, i could point out that it is "Kreuznach" (no "t"). But i don't, so i won't.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Dec 22, 2010

Xenar gives excellent greens , browns and reddish orange colors. If you find a chance , shoot color.
May be they will flame me but use classic Kodak Films , not the newer generation. Ektachrome is excellent.
Dont use Fuji with it. I hate Fujis products for 20 years but only they are available fresh here , ...
I believe Japanese culture and their taste has a strong influence at Fuji , Colors look like classic Indonesian , Chinese silk products of late 1800s.

Rolleicord is great!

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