Serious love for Rolleiflex 3.5f

[otto.f]

I owned a 2.8 Planar after the 3.5, but I went back to the 3.5F Planar. I found the 2.8 softer. So in my view it’s not necessary to keep longing for the renowned 2.8 if you already own the 3.5

 

[Chrismat]

I did a VIDEO about my 4 Rolleiflexes -- stories behind them Print results etc --- you can see it here :

Peter, I have seen this video a number of times and I can't help but laugh each time I see it. You have a great way of telling a story.

Chris

 

[btaylor]

Another Rolleicord vote— I have acquired a gaggle of Rolleis, but the IQ and featherweight of my ‘cord V makes it one of my favorite cameras.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

When I first got interested in medium format in 1980, which is also when I had my first real job in the oil industry, some of the New York mail-order stores still listed the Rolleiflex 2.8F for sale brand new. It cost about $2200, which was serious money in 1980. A new Hasselblad 500C then was about $1300. Rollei soon went bankrupt, and I remember wishing I had bought one of those Fs even at that price. I think the 3.5 models had already been discontinued for several years and do not recall seeing them listed. Later in the 1980s, Rollei made some special edition models and the Aurum, but the real 2.8F was gone.

 

[EdSawyer]

The Aurum and Platin are real 2.8Fs, the later ones (GX series, FX, etc.) are not, they are the modern, stripped-down versions. That said they probably still take great pics, the lens MTFs look as good as the old ones (or better).

 

[sixby45]

Those Rolleicord bodies are a great find as well - sometimes very cheap in the 250-350$ range - and the lenses are supposed to be spot on sharp. I have to say though if you're able to find at well used 3.5 model or even a T version there are some nice build quality items that stand out when handling these vs. a rolleicord from my experience.

 

[manualcrank]

Rolleicords are miserable to focus though. Can barely see through mine.

 

[btaylor]

Dirty or desilvered reflex mirrors, and/or dirty ground glass is often the culprit for poor viewfinder visibility, inexpensive and easy fixes. Also check out the Rick Oleson bright screen, I like mine a lot.

 

[eddie]

I love my 3.5f. In addition to the image quality, there's a feeling of elegance, and solidity, when I hold it in my hands. The only advice I would give owners (or potential owners) is to purchase a Rolleifix if tripod use is planned.

 

[R.Gould]

Rolleicords are miserable to focus though. Can barely see through mine.

My 2 rolleicords, a 4 and a 5 are borh easy to focus, they just snap into focus, but I find it easierto focus bot my Rolleiflex's and cords from the waist than up to my eye,

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I had f3.5 in serviced by APUG member Cord. The difference in quality was huge from Mamiya and Yashica. They look like sharp until I get this Cord. Its lens was unreal sharp for real and probably one and only lens I have seen after trying all kinds of MF gear to be with character.

But I haven't tried classic Hassy, yet.

 

[baachitraka]

@Ko.Fe. I do not get the first sentence. Do you meant a good CLA'd Rolleicord is sharp compared to Mamiya and Yashica?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

All three were sharp for large prints. But this f3.5 lens in Cord V was the only MF lens I deal with which wasn't just sharp.
Prior to this I had earlier Cord for the song with some optical issues and even this one was just pleasure to hold in hands.

 

[baachitraka]

Having a Va, CLA'd by Paepke Fototechnik and they are pretty sharp when stopped down and some if not all in my gallery where shot with Va.

I am still resisting the temptation to own a 3.5 flex with Xenotar optics...Just want to print some portraits shot with wide-open Xenotar glass.

On the otherside, triotar is very special too.

 

[EdSawyer]

Generally speaking the planars are sharper/better optically than the xenotars. But either should be pretty decent if in good condition.

 

[warden]

I did a VIDEO about my 4 Rolleiflexes -- stories behind them Print results etc --- you can see it here :

Wonderful video! Thank you.

 

[Dali]

Rolleicords are miserable to focus though. Can barely see through mine.

I agree. They are pretty hard to focus which is a shame as they are cameras of outstanding quality and finish.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Rolleicords are miserable to focus though. Can barely see through mine.

I agree. They are pretty hard to focus which is a shame as they are cameras of outstanding quality and finish.

A replacement focusing screen, and possibly a replacement mirror, will fix this problem with focusing.

 

[albireo]

Do people still recommend Rick Oleson's screens as a reasonably priced option for Flex/Cords? Any other options worth considering?

 

[Dan Daniel]

Rick's screen are very good. He starting sourcing a new screen a couple of years ago and the price went up as well as the quality.

I sell Mamiya screens cut down to size. If you want a microprism, Rick is the guy. If you want a plain center area or a rangefinder, check with Rick. If he can't supply it, drop me a note.

 

[macfred]

I have a Oleson BrightScreen for my 3.5F (fits the Rolleiflex E2, E3, F, T, Tele, Wide and the Rolleicord Vb) - it works good for my old eyes.
I also use a (Chinese?) SplitScreen from ebay - also an improvement for me.

 

[manualcrank]

A replacement focusing screen, and possibly a replacement mirror, will fix this problem with focusing.

I have a model IV though, all the after-market screens I've seen are advertised for models other than IV for some reason, and I'm not handy enough to cut and shim my own screen. Eventually I'll ask someone competent to do it form me. For now I use a tripod and a large floppy hat as a dark cloth. That works well enough.

 

[macfred]

I have a model IV though, all the after-market screens I've seen are advertised for models other than IV for some reason ...

With a IV you can get one of Rick's SplitScreens - those are available for Rolleicord, FIXED HOOD ONLY (Va and earlier) and Rolleiflex, FIXED HOOD ONLY (E and earlier).
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-375.html

For later models there is the BrightScreen available.

 

[sixby45]

I can second the quality of Rick's screens, I had one for my RB67 and it made focusing a breeze compared to the stock ground glass.

 

[baachitraka]

No after market screens for me. GG is dim but sharp and focus is spot on. Okay on dull day I don't go out and photograph.

Luckly I'm myopic and I can see clearly the focusing screen from the hood without glasses...