Rolleicord Va II adapted to 6x4.5. Possible to revert it back to 6x6?

[albireo]

Hi all

Just got a good deal on a Rolleicord Va II. Upon receiving it, I noticed that the camera is adapted for shooting 6x4.5 frames. There is an indicator on the right upper side saying '16', there is a mask inside the finder covering the focusing screen to reveal only a 6x4.5 area of it, and there is a mask inside the camera to project a 6x4.5 image on the film.

None of this was indicated in the listing and the fact that the item was modified in this way was not pointed out by the seller. A shame really, because the camera seems to be fully working.

My question would be: should I hold on to this - is it at all possible to revert it back to a traditional 6x6 format camera? If so, does this require the purchase of additional components (I'm thinking the spools will be different?). Else, should I return it to the seller for a refund and keep looking?

 

[ronnies]

It has the 16 on kit installed. You'd need the 12 on frame counter (sounds like you don't have it) and to remove the mask for shooting 6x6. These were Rollei kits so it should be completely reversible. My Rolleicord has the 16 on kit permanently fitted as the 12 on frame counter I have doesn't work very well.

Ronnie

 

[ic-racer]

You will likely need to buy another Rolleicord to get the parts to convert it back to 6x6.

 

[albireo]

Thanks Ronnie. You're right, it didn't come with any other frame counters so I guess if I kept the camera I'd have to search on ebay for a 12 frame counter to appear somehow. A quick search suggests that while the 16 frame kits are all over the place, 12 frames counters are not. I'm tempted to return for a refund.

 

[Dan Daniel]

You will likely need to buy another Rolleicord to get the parts to convert it back to 6x6.

Or maybe you need someone with an extra '12' dial who would like to trade for a 16 shot setup.... ahem, drop me a note, albireo!

Anyway, that is what you need, a '12' shot dial. The frame mask, 16 shot dial, and internal masking for the 16 shot setup need to be removed, the 12 dial installed, and you now have a 6x6 TLR again. I notice this guy in Germany has access to Rollei parts so you might drop him a note. All I have is an instagram for him-
https://www.instagram.com/magicflexcamera/

 

[albireo]

Thank you Dan. You have a pm.

 

[Down Under]

And now, the devil's advocate enters the scene... or the picture, if you like.

Can you not live with 16 on 120? The image definition from the Rolleicord (Xenar) lens will be superb. In time, you may find a '12' dial (as I did, 18 months after I bought my 'cord Vb with the 16 exposure kit fitted to it), so I now have the two formats. In the more than one year since I acquired the '12', I've used it one or two times - but I use the 16 kit at least once every two weeks. So go figure.

It's all about thinking laterally. 16 on 120 from any Rollei will be, to repeat myself, superb.

The '12' wheels can be found, and when you source one it may be surprisingly inexpensive (I saw one recently on Ebay for A$40). There is also a 24 exposure kit available (I have one but I have to say I use it only once in a blue moon) which will give you 24 35mm size images on a roll of 120 - which may be more shots per roll than you have use for,if you are one of the many frugal Rollei shooters. Quality with the '24' if you expose carefully and watch for camera shake, is very close to what I get from my 1970s era Nikon SLRs with AI/AIS glass. So pretty good overall.

With all due respect to Dan who may be offering you a good deal - think about it, please. (Or respectfully suggest that Dan sells you the '12' dial for a (reasonable) price rather than trade your '16' kit, which anyway is available quite cheaply on Ebay, so they are not exactly rare diamonds.)

We are after all here on Photrio (I much prefer the old name APUG, but that's me) to help one another in such matters...