Rolleinar - bite the bullet?

I'd like to get a close-up filter for my 2.8E.

Unfortunately for me, all of the Bay-III Rolleinars I'm seeing on eBay are kind of pricey (180 seems to be cheapest).

Is there another source I should be looking for? Or should I just bite the bullet and accept that this is what they cost.

It's a little annoying - I feel like I should have gotten t a Minolta Autocord or a 3.5 Rolleiflex and use Bay-I filters....



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I wonder if simple close-up lenses will work and give good optical quality? I don't know the specific optical formula of the Rolleinar close-up lens, but it can't be too too special because they weren't tuned for Planars and Xenotars as separate lenses.

So an off-the-shelf close-up lens with a Bay III to XX thread adapter. Move it from top to bottom lens, raise camera, for actual exposure. Along with the rarity/collector value, you are paying for a nice prism to shift the viewing lens image. Eliminate that and things get simpler.

Also, put out a Want to Buy here and on other forums like rangfinderforum. People are more reasonable all in all. And put up an ongoing search on Ebay in the hopes that someone throws up a set at a reasonable price. Patience!

Even the Bay I's are pricey. Search the sold listings and get an idea what the range is. Diligent and persistent watching helped me score one for a decent price. It was worth it for me because I work in that range about half the time.

The sellers are optimistic. A normal price would be between $40 - $60 for Bayonet III Rolleinars. Bay II about the same, but the Bay I ones should be cheaper, $25 - $35.

I got my Bay III sets about 15 years ago. They were expensive then too, but I think they hold value. I think I paid over $100 for each set.

I know there are a few after market Rolleinars (I have an excellent Vivitar branded Rolleinar III - Bay II for my Rolleiflex 3.5F); there are others for Bay I too but I never saw a Bay III so far ...

It's kinda crazy that you can get a Mamiya C220 for the price of a Rolleinar...