Tele-Rolleiflex: lens seperation

puketronic

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Nov 15, 2011

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35mm

• Oct 15, 2012

• #1

I'm interested in a Tele-Rolleiflex but I hear that lens separation is common, unfortunately. Are there any serial numbers/versions to avoid? Or are they all suceptible to this?

 

pgomena

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Jun 25, 2003

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Portland, Or

• Oct 16, 2012

• #2

Good used Tele-Rolleis command a premium price. If you're going to buy one, a reputable seller should allow you to fully inspect the camera before you buy it, and you should get a 30-day optical/mechanical return guarantee.

Peter Gomena

 

ic-racer

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• Oct 16, 2012

• #3

puketronic said:

I'm interested in a Tele-Rolleiflex but I hear that lens separation is common, unfortunately. Are there any serial numbers/versions to avoid? Or are they all suceptible to this?

Click to expand...

I'd ignore the serial number and concentrate on looking at the lens elements for separation.

 

TheFlyingCamera

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• Oct 16, 2012

• #4

If you want to guarantee you don't have separation issues, get one of the brand new Rollei FT models. The brand new ones have an additional benefit of minimum focus of 4 feet (1.3m), whereas the originals have a minimum focus of 8 feet (2.6m). The downside to the new ones is that they're around $5K USD. Originals can be found with patience for around $1500 USD-$2000 USD. Simple inspection will show you lenses on original cameras that do or do not have separation.

 

Richard S. (rich815)

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• Oct 16, 2012

• #5

Have patience and get from a reputable seller. I waited and got mine for $950 but it did need a full CLA and the front standard was slightly bent and needed straightening. But even before getting that all fixed it shot awesome photos. Simply amazing glass.

Especially for cow portraits:

Tilden Farm Ben Tele-Rolleiflex KodakTMY400 D-761-1 11min30sec 20C 1minAg2x 12-2011 VSmac 9000 Scan-111225-0001 by rich8155 (Richard Sintchak), on Flickr

More here from my Tele-rollei:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Tele-Rolleiflex&w=38698047@N00&s=int