Tele-Rollei

[campy51]

I knowingly bought a Tele-Rollei with lens separation for a good price. Can anyone tell me the best way to test it to see the effects if any the separation has. Will it only show up outdoors?

 

[ic-racer]

Depending on the aperture, maybe no effects. Test it wide open. Probably you got a good deal unless the separation is very bad.

The image below shows a Tessar (with only a single cemented unit). Yours may respond to stopping down the same way.

 

[campy51]

here's a picture

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/HRYAAOSwF-5njD33/s-l1600.webp

 

[mshchem]

Test on it. I would be surprised if it was a problem at f/8 or smaller. Have to give it a try.

 

[mshchem]

Oh that's a f/2.8 lens, probably won't show up at 5.6. Still kinda nasty to look at, get a big square metal hood.

 

[Dan Daniel]

You can try the view camera thing of checking the corners. Remove back and sight down the corners of the film gate with the shutter open. See if the separation is even visible. Close down the aperture to see how this affects visibility. What you seen reflected in the photo from the front might be almost not there in transmission through the lens.

I don't know specific tests. Maybe point at a solid gray sky (easy enough to find these days) or white wall and see if there are differences across the frame? I imagine it is going to vary on focus distance, aperture, and subject matter.

I've had two Tele Rolleis, both with separation about the same as yours. Never noticed anything that could be tied back to the separation. Wonderful lens.

 

[campy51]

You can try the view camera thing of checking the corners. Remove back and sight down the corners of the film gate with the shutter open. See if the separation is even visible. Close down the aperture to see how this affects visibility. What you seen reflected in the photo from the front might be almost not there in transmission through the lens.

I don't know specific tests. Maybe point at a solid gray sky (easy enough to find these days) or white wall and see if there are differences across the frame? I imagine it is going to vary on focus distance, aperture, and subject matter.

I've had two Tele Rolleis, both with separation about the same as yours. Never noticed anything that could be tied back to the separation. Wonderful lens.

I had a 2.8E at one time that had separation and someone on this site did a re-cementing, but I haven't been able to contact him. I never saw anything before the repair but so many here and other places scared me into thinking it's only going to get worse, but then I read several saying as long as you don't leave it in a hot car or similar situation it shouldn't get any worse. I will probably ruin more shots than the separation anyway so what's it matter.

 

[BrianShaw]

A lens hood would likely resolve 97.6% of any flare issues associated with the separation.

 

[campy51]

Are the Rolleinar .035 worth the price being asked?

 

[Dan Daniel]

Be patient. I picked up one in very good condition, I think it was from Roberts Cameras. $162. The viewing lens has a rub mark.

But yes it is very well made. Attaches securely, flips out of the way securely.

 

[campy51]

I received my Tele-Rollei today and it looks in good condition except for the lens separation and a couple of spots of fungus on the rear element. I would like to remove the fungus but I have never removed the lenses from this model before. Can anyone here give a quick instruction on removing the front taking lens group off so I can get to the inside of the rear element.
Here is the camera I bought, but I didn't pay that price.

Rollei Tele-Rolleiflex 6x6 TLR Camera w/ Zeiss Sonnar 135mm F4 Lens, Case READ | eBay

The aperture, focusing and shutter work well. The shutter has been tested, and the speeds are accurate. They are noticeable when looking at an angle, but barely noticeable when looking through the lens.

www.ebay.com

 

[Kodachromeguy]

This looks surprisingly nice. With the right hood, I think you will not see any image problems at all. Nice find!

 

[Dan Daniel]

Does the taking lens front group have notches for a spanner? If so, you should be able to simply unscrew it from the front. It is not set-screwed or otherwise held in place inside the barrel.

 

[campy51]

Developed my first roll and I'm gladden and sadden. My distant shots look soft, but I think they were at f4. I put on a Rolleinar 1 and took a couple and they weren't too bad. That's me with my 3.5F no Rolleinar.

 

[JPD]

Does the taking lens front group have notches for a spanner? If so, you should be able to simply unscrew it from the front. It is not set-screwed or otherwise held in place inside the barrel.

It doesn't, according to photos on it online. Separation is a very common problem for these Sonnars, so someone with the skills and right equipment for cementing and centering lens elements maybe should buy Tele-Rolleis "cheaply" and fix the lenses and resell them for some extra cash...

 

[JPD]

Developed my first roll and I'm gladden and sadden. My distant shots look soft, but I think they were at f4. I put on a Rolleinar 1 and took a couple and they weren't too bad. That's me with my 3.5F no Rolleinar.

At f:4 they should be a little soft. If the softness is even it means that the lens is still a very good portrait lens despite the slight separation. For portraits closer than half body there are the 0,35 and 0,7 Rolleinars. The Sonnar should sharpen up nicely when you stop down. For full aperture portraits it's not uncommon for people to use a Rolleisoft filter for a more "dreamy" effect.