Rolleiflex 2.8 - Modded with Hasselblad WLF

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/

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

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.

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?

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!".

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