Rolleiflex SL35 w/Carl Zeiss Sonnar & Rollei Planar lenses - How to test?

[skorpiius]

So I have this Rolleiflex SL35 SLR with the Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8 85mm and Rollei HFT Planar 1.8 50mm lenses.

I haven't decided if I want to keep or sell, but if I was to sell what would be the best way to properly test the functionality of the lenses? I wouldn't want to successfully sell and then have them returned because I totally missed some flaw in operation.

Last summer I took a few photos using each at various apertures, and I may even have not lost the chart that indicated which photo was which! Do you think that + detailed photos of the lenses themselves is sufficient?

I suppose another relevant question: These lenses seem sought after, but are they significantly better than the 'good' lenses for SLR systems like Nikon, Canon, or Pentax?

Thanks

 

[AndyH]

I have several Rollei SL35 bodies and lenses. They were wonderfully made (especially the Made in Germany models), with some details and finishes that surpassed anything not born in Wetzlar, IMHO. But they were outmoded in features from the outset, and never caught up with Pentax in the compact SLR field. The lenses are certainly "as good as" and perhaps a bit better in finish than the full aperture metering competition. I'd call the older Takumars the best comp.

To your point, there is no substitute for testing with film. The cost of any CLA needed is unlikely to be recouped in the sale of the lenses or body. I'd be interested in the 85 mm lens, which is not presently in my collection. In general, buyers will want to know that the lens diaphragms are "snappy" and accurate, that the body's shutter speeds sound right, that the glass is clear of separation and balsam decomposition, that the meter functions, etc. The best proof of this is, of course, a roll of transparencies or negatives at 1 stop intervals over both aperture and shutter speed intervals.

If you have specific questions, please feel free to inbox me. I'd hardly consider myself an "expert" but I've owned a bunch over the years and still use them regularly.

Andy