Rolleiflex 2.8 - Modded with Hasselblad WLF

[NortheastPhotographic]

Old thread alert!

I have a Rolleiflex 2.8E Planar that I took to Precision Camera here in NYC to get a Hasselblad finder bracket modd'd on. It's AWESOME. I also installed a Maxwell screen and it's incredibly easy and fast to focus. Heavy though with the big PM5. I love it because you can also use the Hassy WLF, which is better IMO than the Rollei version. The Hassy prism also had a shoe which allows me to shoot with a flash. I use a little Nikon SB-22s which has a PC in and a thyristor. Pretty cool at a wedding reception. I totally recommend this mod. If you wanna shoot fast or at near eye level, it makes a huge difference. You spend about the same money as a 2.8F though. YOU NEED THE MAXWELL screen for it to be at its best. Here's a pic!!

https://instagram.com/p/BEPIvk-t7_g/

 

[Chris Ross Leong]

Mark
Hi!
That's a very cool mod! Must ask you how much Prevision charged you for it, approximately.

Yes, the cost will be around the same as a 2.8F, if:
a) you don't already have a camera
b) you don't already have a Maxwell IntenScreen
c) you don't already own the Hassy prisms, finders, etc.

However, if you do, then the cost will be the labor costs & materials for building the bracket.

Plus
d) Hassy parts are much more available than Rollei parts and so
e) cheaper these days. Can't even find a copy of the Rollei rigid chimney finder, for any price. The Hassy one was $50.

Chris

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

It was about 2 years ago that I had it done. I honestly don't think I spent more than $200 dollars on the mod. It was crazy cheap IMO.

Yes, if you have the camera, with an upgraded screen, and want a Rollei that sacrifices weight for the advantages of the better 45 degree Hassy prisms it's a no brainer. I tell MOST people who are getting their first 2.8 Rollei to just get an F, but I have no regrets about the route I went. My VF is sharp all the way to the corners and I can easily see the whole screen and beyond. The Hasselblad WLF I have is a bit loose, and actually I had to go through 2 prisms in a store to find one that fit snugly. I forget what made the difference, but there was one. Nothing a rubber band wouldn't fix. Collectors would cringe but mind is a shooting machine and that's all that matters to me.

 

[Chris Ross Leong]

Mark, thanks! Great info.
Another question - did they make the holder/adaptor up based on a modified Hassy top end with GG holder? Or a modified Rollei bottom end with holder?

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

I have no idea! The conversation was basically "Can you make my Rollei take the prism?" "No, but I can make it take HASSELBLAD prisms!" "Ok! Lets do that!".

 

[Chris Ross Leong]

Most cool!
I'm doing the same thing over here with another company, let's see what they come up with.
I'll keep you all posted!
Best
Chris