Rolleiflex 2.8c

[thornhill]

I'm on the lookout for a 2.8c that has a lousy lens or lenses (separation, fungus etc.) with a thought towards transplanting the excellent f2.8 Planar from my horribly beat-up 2.8c. I won't be attempting this myself; I'd send it to a competent repair shop.

This gets me wondering if there are other Rolleiflex models that I could be considering that would be suitable for for such an exchange. It seems that after the 2.8c the shutters stayed the same (Compur MXV). It would be nice to keep that 10-blade aperture, but an element swap could be considered. If I could keep the same aperture that would mean I now have a "mutt" but I could live with that. I'm after a user camera, not a collectible one.

All advice gratefully received.

Thanks!

Derek

 

[Dan Daniel]

The overall design is the same, but Rollei changed the dress rings on lenses all the time. So you would need to do careful measurement of the diameter of the front lens and see if the opening in the lens shroud of the new camera matched your lens. Ideally you will also move the viewing lens as they should be a matched pair in focal length. Again, dress ring diameter.

I have a C body with crapped lens; let me dig it out in the next couple of days and see how the shutter is doing. Also it was originally a Xenotar so we'll need to confirm lens diameter.

 

[thornhill]

That sounds great, Dan. Thanks!

 

[ic-racer]

I have done this quite a few times. Usually to get pristine lens elements into barrels or lens housings that fit the equipment I own. As an economical alternative to re-coating, re-cementing, or destroying lens barrels or lens housings with non-reversible modifications.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Dan above is right. The viewing lens IS matched to the focal length of the taking lens and must be transplanted at the same time.

 

[EdSawyer]

The viewing lens is adjustable so any differences can likely be adequately corrected without much trouble.

 

[shutterfinger]

The viewing lens is adjustable so any differences can likely be adequately corrected without much trouble

A 76mm viewing and a 74mm taking can be adjusted for correct focus at either close distance or infinity but they will not track accurately at all distances and DoF will likely cover the error.
A 75.1mm viewing and a 74.9mm taking will likely be close enough that the focus error won't be noticed unless shooting wide open as it likely be covered by DoF at f4.