The unknown(?) Rolleiflexes

[AgX]

I hardly remember having seen postings on the Rolleiflexes 2000 & 3003.

For the even more uninitiated: theses are cubical, modular 35mm cameras, basically of the Hasselblad design.
Major differences to the Hasselblad are: a integrated motor, and 2 finders simultaneously installed on the body, prism and waist-level.

Why are they so uncommon?
Well, the price may have been a reason, the small WLF-screen another.

 

[Paul Howell]

I don't recall ever seeing one, I recall the reviews as being generally positive the selection of lens was impressive, released in the 80s as as AF was becoming popular?

 

[AgX]

Yes, that is a good point.

But also to be taken into consideration should be that for type 120 film the Hasselblad was copied by several manufacturers, for 35mm only by one.

 

[MattKing]

I saw one for the first time a couple of years ago at a Camera Show and Swap.

I don't think there were many sold or made.

 

[bdial]

I think Matt probably hit it, they didn't sell so well. I recall reading about them when they were introduced, and it sounded like a great idea, though way too expensive for me at the time. I don't think I've ever seen one in person.
I suppose that for pros, it wasn't much better than just hauling multiple bodies, which gives you the ability to work with multiple films, and you have a backup if the primary camera malfunctions.

 

[AgX]

But then the question is why that cube design worked for 120 film so well, but nor 35mm.

The weight issue of the former benefits the cubic concept, in 35mm that benefit no longer exists.
Classic-design 35mm SLRs but with exchangable backs were not sucessful either and not tried again later.

 

[RauschenOderKorn]

I actually have a Rolleiflex 2000f. From my point of view, it is a mixed experience.

Pro:
+ modular design, you can switch from one film to another with the interchangable magazine
+ two Finders included
+ lots of excelent optics available from the Rolleiflex SL 35 series

Cons:
- the 2000f was not very reliable, apparantly these flaws were corrected in the 3003
- the magazine transport is not very good and sometimes gets stuck, especially if you load the film directly from the fridge (fridge, not freezer)
- No AF
- The "waistlevel" viewfinder is really small, unless you hold the camera directly at the eye. Basically you can only use it to connect a sports-viewfinder ...
- the camera is difficult to hold in the hand, Operation requires some practice
- when sold originally (1981-1994), it was extremely expensive

There has been an "ED" edition for German Police which uses only half a frame per exposure. More interesting are the "Metric" editions which were built for measurement purposes.

Some of the accessories also seem for extra-special applications only, like a polaroid magazine ...

According to Wikipedia, the following numbers were produced:

Sl2000f: 4800 pieces
SL3003: 2800 pieces
SL3001: 1600 pieces

If you think about buying one, try to get the 3003 with the travellar set. On German E-Bay there is "plenty" of supply of these cameras and lenses. One 3003 travellar set sold on German Ebay for less than 500€ a few weeks ago, which was a steal. The Apo-Rolleinar has an outstanding reputation.

 

[AgX]

Very much appreciated!

Just yesterday I tried to find out production numbers... in vain.
I saw such a camera at a public service surplus auction and wondered where it had been used.

 

[elcabezagrande]

This just came in the mail today. It has the best viewfinder(s) that I have ever seen on a 35mm camera. Ergonomics are a little strange, but left and right side shutter buttons are a nice touch. And the waist-level finder is quite usable. Unfortunately, this one does not seem to want to work right.

 

[AgX]

-) I assume the WLF has no full-frame loupe, thus due to the small screen rather makes it a Chest-LF...

-) What is so great at the Eye-LF, compared to that of classic SLRs?

 

[elcabezagrande]

-) I assume the WLF has no full-frame loupe, thus due to the small screen rather makes it a Chest-LF...

-) What is so great at the Eye-LF, compared to that of classic SLRs?

The WLF has a magnifier, but no, not full frame. I do not have much experience with other WLF on SLR, outside of the Canon F1, and an ancient Praktiflex, this finder is much brighter than the Canon, and the Praktiflex is not even in the same ballpark.

The eye-level finder is huge, and clear, and bright, with a very nice diopter, what more can you ask for? Better than any Nikon, Canon, Olympus, or Leica camera that I have used, with the possible exception of the Nikon DW-4 magnifying finder (but much more useful in the field, I think).

 

[AgX]

I assume it was the first 35mm SLR to have an adjustable eyepiece.

 

[RauschenOderKorn]

Unfortunately, this one does not seem to want to work right.

What´s wrong with it?

Two general hints: The film has to have at least aprox. 15 degrees centigrade WHEN LOADED, else it will not transport. Loading cold film from the fridge and assuming it will warm in the camera does not work.

The film is only transported, if the counter goes up. Even if it sounds like transporting, if the counter is not going up, it is not advancing the film. If this happens, you can usually fix it by switching from single to multiple exposure to magazin release and back, then the film back, the insert and everything else are usually aligned and ready to shoot again.

 

[AgX]

That implies that the camera only could be used in summer (even not that this year over here...).

 

[RauschenOderKorn]

That implies that the camera only could be used in summer (even not that this year over here...).

I have never tried the camera in winter, but my experience is (and I have wasted quite some rolls of film before finding out): Do not load fridge-cold or colder film to the magazine, else it will be stuck. I have tried with various magazines, always the same result.

 

[AgX]

Thus the problem could be reduced to a cold film in a warm camera.

 

[elcabezagrande]

What´s wrong with it?

Two general hints: The film has to have at least aprox. 15 degrees centigrade WHEN LOADED, else it will not transport. Loading cold film from the fridge and assuming it will warm in the camera does not work.

The film is only transported, if the counter goes up. Even if it sounds like transporting, if the counter is not going up, it is not advancing the film. If this happens, you can usually fix it by switching from single to multiple exposure to magazin release and back, then the film back, the insert and everything else are usually aligned and ready to shoot again.

The right shutter button is dead, there is no led readout for aperture (right side of display), self timer does not work, film advances, shutter does not open, mirror does not go up.

 

[RauschenOderKorn]

Thus the problem could be reduced to a cold film in a warm camera.

IDK. I never tested.

 

[RauschenOderKorn]

The right shutter button is dead, there is no led readout for aperture (right side of display), self timer does not work, film advances, shutter does not open, mirror does not go up.

Pity, if I remember correctly electronic probalems on the 2000 were very common. According to Internet these problems were fixed with the 300X.

 

[RauschenOderKorn]

Ergonomics are a little strange, but left and right side shutter buttons are a nice touch.

There is a handle which allows you to hold and fire the camera with one hand and focus with the other. For the 2000, this is a must if you actually plan on using the camera.

With the 3003, there is a strap and an additional third trigger improving ergonomics.

 

[elcabezagrande]

Will the lens mount on the SL35 bodies?

 

[RauschenOderKorn]

Will the lens mount on the SL35 bodies?

Yes. There were four versions for the Rollei QBM mount. The QBM IV was developed particularly for the SL2000 series, all functions available. With the version 1-3 some of the automatic exposure functions might not be working, which I do not consider a big deal. The camera is not point&shoot anyway.