Tell me about Rolleiflex....

Mainecoonmaniac · Mar 11, 2011

I bought myself a Rolleiflex Automat 4 for Christmas 2 years ago. It's a beautiful piece of machinery an optics. My camera is over 50 years old and the machinery was a bit creaky, the lens is the sharpest in my collection of cameras. When I printed the negs in my darkroom, I was startled by the sharpness of my Rollei's lens. I sent it in to Essex Camera and had it tuned up because the film didn't advance to the right spot. I love using the camera. It takes me back to a time before I was born. It slows me down and forces me to see. You don't want to shoot impulsively because changing film is a bit of a pain. But the rewards from shooting from a Rollei is quite something.

Steve Smith · Mar 11, 2011

If anyone thinks that the fixed 'normal' lens of a Rollei TLR is limiting, Do a search for John Gay and in particular, his book England Observed.

In my opinion, some of the best social documentary photographs ever taken and with some of the simplest of equipment.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/g...graphy-exhibition#/?picture=342453387&index=4

Steve.

Toffle · Mar 11, 2011

Amazing how often this topic comes up. You can be pretty well assured that whatever Rollei you get, it will become your most loved camera. Don't fret over which one... you will be amazed at how wonderful these cameras are.

Mainecoonmaniac · Mar 11, 2011

Thanks Steve for the wonderful link to Mr. Gay's photos. Loved every photo.

Chris Lange · Mar 11, 2011

Between my Hasselblads (500C, and 500EL/M), and my Rolleiflex Automat X, my other cameras see a lot less use than they used to...

Where I used to take my Nikon F3 or F4 out on the street, I now bring the Hasselblad, both day and night. For days when I feel like being a bit quieter, or just having a camera on my shoulder while being out and about in the event of something interesting happening, rather than actively out as a photographer, the Rollei is by my side.

Even my Pentax 6x7 feels a bit lonely these days, but that's mainly because I don't like using it in the cold, it's too bulky to handle comfortably with cold hands.

Steve Smith · Mar 12, 2011

Mainecoonmaniac said:
Thanks Steve for the wonderful link to Mr. Gay's photos. Loved every photo.

The book England Observed is well worth getting (or borrowing from the library) as there are hundreds more pictures of that quality in it.

Steve.

juan · Mar 12, 2011

Fotografei você na minha Rolley-Flex
Revelou-se a sua enorme ingratidão

or, the inferior English lyrics:
I took your picture with my trusty Rolleiflex
And now all I have developed is a complex

juan

Flyfishdk · Mar 16, 2011

Hi again

Been in the bank... taken all the money out... and going to one of the masters of Rolleiflex in Denmark.... thanks gandolfi for putting me in the direction of him... in some hr. I hopefully will be the owner of my first rollei

Wish me luck

gandolfi · Mar 16, 2011

good luck - I'm sure he has something for you!

prumpkah · Mar 16, 2011

Released in UK but not yet in U.S.: The Classic Rollei: A Definitive Guide [Hardcover]
by John Phillips.

The most detailed and comprehensive book on Rollei I have come across. Answered all my questions, definitively and in detail. Highly recommended. I like Autocords, but reading this book arouses my suppressed Rolleiflex GAS.

Flyfishdk · Mar 17, 2011

Hi all...

I have a really nice and cool Rolleiflex 2.8F Xenotar with the leather case in great condition AND I'M VERY HAPPY!!!

gandolfi · Mar 17, 2011

Flyfishdk said:
Hi all...

I have a really nice and cool Rolleiflex 2.8F Xenotar with the leather case in great condition AND I'M VERY HAPPY!!!

great news.

Now go use it!!

And show it in here...

Flyfishdk · Mar 19, 2011

Hi all

Thanks for all the really nice inputs as stated before I got a Rolleiflex 2.8F Xenotar

Tonight I developed the negatives from the first test role I shoot. I have made one scan.. so this is my first Rolleiflex pic... yes and I know that I need to go in the darkroom

gandolfi · Mar 20, 2011

great - you're gonna love this...

Tell me about Rolleiflex....

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