So I acquired another Rolleicord.

marcmarc · Jan 16, 2016

This time my friend who is unloading his film and darkroom items gave me the 2nd of three Rolleicords he owns after I told him recently how much I enjoyed shooting with the Model IV he gave me that I wrote about previously. This one is a Va Model 1 according to the serial number. It feels a bit more heavy and sturdier then the IV and even the screen appears a little brighter. Focusing knob is on the left which feels awkward to me and it appears that either Rollei moved around some of the switches and such or added new features. Thus, I'm going to spend sometime looking over the manual before heading out tomorrow to shoot some test rolls. I hope there is a youtube video like there was for the IV which really made a difference for me but now that I have experience using a TLR I can probably figure it out on my own. I hope that this one is more or less good to go since I'm not in a position to drop this one off to Harry Fleenor for an overhaul. I'll probably just use the IV and hang on to this one as a spare or replacement if something should happen to the IV.

Richard S. (rich815) · Jan 16, 2016

Cool. The results will be similar and if you can use the IV you'll figure out the Va. I have only one old 'cord. Do not ask how many 'flexes I have....

mablo · Jan 16, 2016

I've had 'Flexes and Yashies and whatnot. I sold all of them except my old and trusty Rolleicord V. I much prefer the Xenar lens and the 'Cord is small, light and easy to use.

Sirius Glass · Jan 16, 2016

Enjoy your new camera.

marcmarc · Jan 16, 2016

Upon my first inspection of it the camera seems to have click stops in between the shutter speeds which is nice. I wonder what other surprises I'll find today as I shoot some test rolls.

Richard S. (rich815) · Jan 16, 2016

marcmarc said:
Upon my first inspection of it the camera seems to have click stops in between the shutter speeds which is nice. I wonder what other surprises I'll find today as I shoot some test rolls.

Fun stuff.

Hatchetman · Jan 16, 2016

I have a Va. Great camera. Small, lightweight.

anfenglin · Jan 16, 2016

My III also has the Xenar and I need nothing else, TLR wise. I had a 'flex but sold it soon after I got it. It feld awkward having the crank and the focus on the other side. Also, my 'cord has a Rick Oleson-screen and I tweaked it and put new leather on it and so on, I don't want to do it all over again with a new one.

marcmarc · Jan 19, 2016

Unfortunately it does not have half stop shutter speeds, just on the f-stops. It also has a dial that syncs up the f-stop and shutter combination so that when you move one lever, it moves the other at the same time keeping the exposure the same, at least that's how it appears to me. Kind of cool in a way. I have to take a closer look at the taking lens though. It appears that either some coating has worn off or some residue of some kind has gotten on the surface. Or it can simply be reflections from objects behind me as I look at it. If the glass turns out to be clean, I'll take this one to Fleenor and swap it out with the the IV since he has not yet started work on it. Luckily the screen I bought for the IV from Rick Oleson will also fit the Va.

Vaughn · Jan 19, 2016

I have been using a Rolleicord III, aside from trying not to accidently double expose or skip a frame, it has been a lot of fun.

Highly recommend a lens hood!

marcmarc · Jan 19, 2016

Vaughn said:
I have been using a Rolleicord III, aside from trying not to accidently double expose or skip a frame, it has been a lot of fun.

Highly recommend a lens hood!

Hmmm, I hadn't thought of a lens hood but yes, sounds like a good idea. I'll see if Harry has any floating around he'll sell but if not what should I look for?

mablo · Jan 19, 2016

Another option is to grab a Bay-1 - to - 5x mm adapter ring from the *Bay (~€5) and use any generic SLR hood (and filters) you might have in the drawer. I'd save my money for a Rollei tripod quick release add-on (~€50).

Sirius Glass · Jan 19, 2016

marcmarc said:
Unfortunately it does not have half stop shutter speeds, just on the f-stops. It also has a dial that syncs up the f-stop and shutter combination so that when you move one lever, it moves the other at the same time keeping the exposure the same, at least that's how it appears to me. Kind of cool in a way. I have to take a closer look at the taking lens though. It appears that either some coating has worn off or some residue of some kind has gotten on the surface. Or it can simply be reflections from objects behind me as I look at it. If the glass turns out to be clean, I'll take this one to Fleenor and swap it out with the the IV since he has not yet started work on it. Luckily the screen I bought for the IV from Rick Oleson will also fit the Va.

Many great cameras do not allow half stop shutter speeds.

chromacomaphoto · Jan 19, 2016

The title of this thread made me smile before I had even clicked on it. It says it all doesn't it? ' So I acquired another Rolleicord'

Yeah, it can quickly get out of hand like this. Two 'Flexes here but would like a 'Cord at some point. +1 on the recommendation for a hood on pretty much any old Rollei TLR lens though really, makes a big difference.

Enjoy it!

Wayne · Jan 19, 2016

chromacomaphoto said:
The title of this thread made me smile before I had even clicked on it. It says it all doesn't it? ' So I acquired another Rolleicord'

Yeah, it can quickly get out of hand like this.

And it doesn't really seem fair, because I don't have ANY Rolleiflexes.

chromacomaphoto · Jan 20, 2016

Wayne said:
And it doesn't really seem fair, because I don't have ANY Rolleiflexes.

Set it as a goal for 2016 maybe Wayne?

So I acquired another Rolleicord.

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