Rolleiflexes, TLRs...

Huss · Mar 31, 2020

GG12 said:
I had heard that the original dies for the Rolleiflexes were lost, and the GX was made using Rolleicord dies. That might have something to do with it. Also, there were ~3 different trigger switches used - the first ones were really sticky, with a harsh change about ½ way thru; they changed manuf, and the last ones were much smoother....

The shutter release is fine on my GX, just not as silky as my 2.8E but I think that is unavoidable as it needs to be 2 stage in order to trigger the light meter.

Armandillo · Apr 3, 2020

I have a Yashicamat 124G and two Mamiya C330s (one original model made around 1970 and a later C330S made in the mid-1980s). I have a wide range of lenses for the C330, ranging from 55mm to 180mm. I have given my TLRs very little use in the last few years but have recently taken them out now that I am retired and I have all this time with the COVID-19 shutdown. Color film (slide and print) may be difficult to get processed for a while due to the COVID-19 shutdown. Consequently, I am now shooting digital for color and black and white film, most of it in medium format. I will probably have plenty of time to process the black and white film. I may have to print it later when our local darkroom reopens. I really enjoy my TLRs and never really connected with medium format SLRs. TLRs are the unrecognized ideal medium format camera, since they are generally moderately priced and are noise and vibration free. Parallax is only an issue if your are shooting close-up.

Ron (Netherlands) · Apr 5, 2020

Huss said:
The shutter release is fine on my GX, just not as silky as my 2.8E but I think that is unavoidable as it needs to be 2 stage in order to trigger the light meter.

Recently I was offered a GX (the special model), but it looks really a bit more plastic compared to my T and F-flexes. Whats your experience, does the GX they feel a bit more like plastic in the hands....?
Further I read it doesn't have the automatic film feed zero-start like the F-model (and I suppose the E-model)

TimVance · Apr 5, 2020

There is a great article on B&H about the Rolleiflex.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explor...d-kodak-ilford-black-and-white-negative-films

Kodachromeguy · Apr 5, 2020

TimVance said:
There is a great article on B&H about the Rolleiflex.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explor...d-kodak-ilford-black-and-white-negative-films

Great article. What superb work he does. And I agree with his admonition that film is a tangible piece of evidence from a scene. There are the photons that reflected from various objects and were recorded by the silver on the film. It is a sliver of history at one instant.

Huss · Apr 5, 2020

Ron (Netherlands) said:
Recently I was offered a GX (the special model), but it looks really a bit more plastic compared to my T and F-flexes. Whats your experience, does the GX they feel a bit more like plastic in the hands....?
Further I read it doesn't have the automatic film feed zero-start like the F-model (and I suppose the E-model)

No, they all feel fantastic in hand. It feels more modern, not more plasticky if that makes sense. Especially seeing that there really isn't much modern about TLRs!
I don't miss the auto film feed, I actually prefer to line it up with the marks as sometimes there can be issues with the auto feed due to usage/wear and tear/different film thickness.
I haven't had any auto film issues with my 2.8E, just saying. The most important thing to remember is that the GX does NOT have that feature, so do not feed the film between the rollers, it goes over them!

Which special GX model was/is it? There were quite a few.

AndyH · Apr 5, 2020

There are a number of good looking Rolleicords on eBay right now. In my opinion they're real bargains, and the Schneider lenses are, IMHO as good as the Zeiss models. Most are in the $200 range. Here's one...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Franke-Hei...a=1&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

With even the most beat up 3.5 "flex" models going for three times that amount, you might be able to pay for a CLA or other minor work.
Andy

PS: This particular listing has the traditional "I don't know anything about cameras so I can't tell you whether it works..." If you can't talk them into firing the shutter and turning the winder, I'd move on. But there are lots of fish in this particular sea.

NB23 · Apr 6, 2020

I tend to view the non-auto feed of the GX as a blessing.

etn · Apr 6, 2020

NB23 said:
I tend to view the non-auto feed of the GX as a blessing.

Me too! my old 2.8E auto load feature failed a couple times due to misalignment of the sensor, I lost half the roll.
To be honest my FX failed too, but this was purely due to operator error - which can be fixed more easily, or not at all

Ron (Netherlands) · Apr 6, 2020

Huss said:
No, they all feel fantastic in hand. It feels more modern, not more plasticky if that makes sense. Especially seeing that there really isn't much modern about TLRs!
I don't miss the auto film feed, I actually prefer to line it up with the marks as sometimes there can be issues with the auto feed due to usage/wear and tear/different film thickness.
I haven't had any auto film issues with my 2.8E, just saying. The most important thing to remember is that the GX does NOT have that feature, so do not feed the film between the rollers, it goes over them!

Which special GX model was/is it? There were quite a few.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I was offered the 1929-1989 model complete in original box; it looks near mint but has been used a few times.
(it seems it was first offered on *bay, but was unsold) There are quite a few for sale on *bay although sellers seem to think these are rare)

Huss · Apr 10, 2020

Ron (Netherlands) said:
Thanks for sharing your experience. I was offered the 1929-1989 model complete in original box; it looks near mint but has been used a few times.
(it seems it was first offered on *bay, but was unsold) There are quite a few for sale on *bay although sellers seem to think these are rare)

That's the one I have! Mine didn't come with the presentation box. I bought it because I thought it was a stunning looking camera. Good thing it works as well as it looks!
They are rare, it's just that people use ebay as the avenue for sale. So if you see 5 on ebay, for example, that may mean that there are only 5 for sale on this entire planet!

Ron (Netherlands) · Apr 10, 2020

Huss said:
That's the one I have! Mine didn't come with the presentation box. I bought it because I thought it was a stunning looking camera. Good thing it works as well as it looks!
They are rare, it's just that people use ebay as the avenue for sale. So if you see 5 on ebay, for example, that may mean that there are only 5 for sale on this entire planet!

Any idea how many of these have been made?

In the mean time I've ascertained that all the accessories that came with my (now sold) 2.8F will fit this one (all filters and rolleinar close up lenses)

Down Under · Apr 11, 2020

AndyH said:
There are a number of good looking Rolleicords on eBay right now. In my opinion they're real bargains, and the Schneider lenses are, IMHO as good as the Zeiss models. Most are in the $200 range. Here's one...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Franke-Heidecke-K3D-Rollei-Twin-lens-120mm-camera-Medium-Format/233543728816?_trkparms=aid=1110001&algo=SPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=225085&meid=598de300b8844b18be5eafeef260d88d&pid=100005&rk=6&rkt=12&mehot=pf&sd=143565933000&itm=233543728816&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

With even the most beat up 3.5 "flex" models going for three times that amount, you might be able to pay for a CLA or other minor work.
Andy

PS: This particular listing has the traditional "I don't know anything about cameras so I can't tell you whether it works..." If you can't talk them into firing the shutter and turning the winder, I'd move on. But there are lots of fish in this particular sea.

An excellent idea. Two years ago I bought a Rolleicord Vb late 1960s model, in rather rough cosmetic condition but completely functional, for A$95 at an estate sale. I have three other Rolleis, all 'flexes, but the Vb has become my go-to travel camera for several reasons. It's much lighter than the 3.5 and 2.8 Rolleiflexes, it doesn't have the automatic film feeder which if (or when) it breaks, can be difficult to get repaired, you have the options to use accessory 16 and 24 exposure kits and a 35mm Rolleikin, and it takes bayonet 1 filters, closeups and lens hood, which can be easily found and are not too expensive.

Go for the later Vb, which has the removable 'wheel' you need to adapt the camera to 16 and 24 exposures. The older Rolleicords lack this wheel and so can only be used as 12 exposures on 120 film cameras (or 35mm, with the accessory back). I believe the older Va model also has the wheel, but not the earlier models.

the Schneider Xenar lens is a fine performer and can give outstanding results. My Vb is used for outdoor shooting and generally lives set on f`11, so sharpness is optimal.

As for Ebay, after years of buying and selling until last year when I made several bad purchases and had one thoroughly unpleasant experience with a rogue buyer who damaged a camera and then demanded (and got) his money refunded from Ebay/Paypal, I no longer deal with Grab The Cash sellers or systems (sadly, Ebay leads the pack) and use a reputable dealer (the breed does exist, there are a few left) - and I pay, to my surprise, not so much over the ridiculous prices many Ebay sellers ask for.

With Ebay I've also found a big 'minus' is the cameras that have been home-tinkered with, partially or completely wrecking them. I prefer to pay a little more and get quality gear. Life is too short.

etn · Apr 11, 2020

Ron (Netherlands) said:
Any idea how many of these have been made?

In the mean time I've ascertained that all the accessories that came with my (now sold) 2.8F will fit this one (all filters and rolleinar close up lenses)

According to this page, 1500:
https://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/GX.shtml

And yes, accessories of the older 2.8E/F will work on the GX/FX. Have fun with the camera, it's one of the best medium format ever made. If the gold plate is too "bling" for you (it would definitely be for me!) sell it and buy a regular GX with the money

Huss · Apr 11, 2020

ozmoose said:
A..and I pay, to my surprise, not so much over the ridiculous prices many Ebay sellers ask for....

That's funny.

Down Under · Apr 12, 2020

Huss said:
That's funny.

Absolutely! Wuss, you must be choked up with laughter (not COVID pneumonia, I hope).

Let's try again. The entire sentence this time, with rewrites -

I no longer deal with Grab The Cash sellers or systems (sadly, Ebay leads the pack) and use a reputable dealer (the breed does exist, there are a few left) - and I pay, to my surprise, not quite as much as the ridiculous prices many Ebay sellers want, with a full dealer warranty thrown in.

You're welcome...

randyB · Apr 13, 2020

NB23 said:
Spread the Love!

here’s a shot from the 3.5f with xenotar lens, hp5@800
View attachment 242079

Excellent!!!

bluechromis · Apr 13, 2020

I have a Mamiya C330 f with 55 mm, 80 mm, 105 mm and 180 mm lenses. Of the possibly 100 or more companies that made TLR's the Mamiya C series was one of the very few that was a real departure from the Rolleiflex design. It offers a very flat film path. It is system camera with a variety of lens, viewers, parallax compensators and other accessories. It's bellows focusing allows close-up shooting without additional lenses. Although is larger and heavier that the Rollei type cameras, with the side grip I find it quite nimble hand-held. Unlike the great majority of TLR's, it has true portrait length lenses as well as wide angle. It has an f/2.8 80 mm lens. Only a minority of TLR's have a lenses that fast. I have the chimney finder, the WLF, and prism finder and use all of them in different situations. The chimney finder is joy to use in more static situations and the magnifier allows fine focusing. One benefit of it being a systems camera is that one can get additional bodies at little cost. This allows one to have different types of film in each body. I want to get a C 220 body.

Huss · Apr 13, 2020

Great shot, love the lighting on her face.

Black Dog · Apr 13, 2020

I've used Mamiya C330s since 2001( Seagull before that, which was basic but served me well for a while.The lenses for the Mamiyas are excellent and the 55mm I used to photograph this WW2 bunker in Normandy is a lovely focal length on 6x6.

Luckless · Apr 13, 2020

I rather love the rendering I get out of my C330's 80mm, but I've not really clicked with the lens, and really can't get my head around using something even wider. No idea why others work so well with them, but I always want a tighter field of view for some reason.

Even the 250mm feels too wide for some of the work I want to do with it, but going out birding with a TLR is probably 'not the best idea' to begin with.

At some point I need to dig out my lens design notes. Figure I can make a workable TLR lens for it longer than the 250mm by giving up a moon-cut from the viewing lens.

NB23 · Apr 17, 2020

Rolleiflex, what else?

Black Dog · Apr 19, 2020

Very moody;thanks for sharing those!

narsuitus · Apr 19, 2020

NB23 said:
Are you a TLR man?

Many years ago, I was a TLR man.

I was introduced to TLR cameras when I worked for newspaper. One photographer on the staff used a Rolleiflex, one used Mamiya 330, and one photographer on a competing newspaper staff used a Yashica-Mat. Since I preferred interchangeable lenses, I purchased three Mamiyas (C3, C22, C220) with three lenses (55, 80, 180). I primarily used them for news reportage, weddings, portraits, and product shots.

When they eventually wore out, I replaced them with the following three medium format cameras:
Fuji 6x7cm rangefinder with 90mm f/3.5 normal lens (left)
Mamiya 6x7cm SLR with 150mm f/4 SF-C telephoto lens (center)
Fuji 6x9cm rangefinder with 65mm f/5.6 wide-angle lens (right)

Even though I love the larger image size produced by my current three cameras, I really miss the smaller size, lighter weight, and quieter operation of my 6x6 TLR cameras.

Medium Format Kit by Narsuitus, on Flickr

itsdoable · Apr 19, 2020

NB23 said:
Rolleiflex, what else?

What is the spot in the middle of each frame - is that a reflection from digitizing with a camera?

Rolleiflexes, TLRs...

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