Not sure if you’ve sold yours yet, but if not ……. I’ve had Rolleiflex tlr cameras since 1974 and for 30+ years I’ve owned 2.8F. I also own an extensive range of Hasselblad V and H and have owned Mamiya 7’s, but sold them because they are so limiting. The Rolleiflex is a wonderful camera and is my camera of choice for people shooting in street situations. It’s so fast to focus and shoot compared to the Hasselblads where the lenses have such a wide sweep and you go backwards and forwards to find focus, if your not zone focusing. Using Rolleinars one can get within 9” of the subject and less (try that with a Mamiya 7) and they are ideal for head and shoulder shots inside 3 feet with a Rolleinar 1, or portraits where you pause in your stride to take a portrait. It’s also got an extremely small profile from the top, enabling you to hide it under a coat, or place it in a large pocket. The downsides are there no interchangeable lenses, but the original ones are fabulous. I once compared it with Nikon 35mm to 135mm shooting a lens testing chart and cropping the Rollei from its fixed position - it blew the Nikons away, no contest. I’ve got many samples on Flickr and Instagram, take a look at Gary Rowlands. The Rolleiflex never disappoints and that’s why David Bailey, Richard Avedon etc, etc used it so often. I enjoy you film camera videos, keep them coming. ATB.
Thanks for the comment! I am really impressed by the rendering of the rollei (classic, detailed but not clinical) and the sharpness (really impressive for its era). Ultimately, I didn't think the workflow made sense for me; I'm a rangefinder guy. It seems like Rolleis and even Hasselblads tend to get ignored nowadays, and I'm not sure why; they're lovely cameras. (And the RB/RZs are trendy? No offense to those cameras, but they are monstrously heavy bricks.) I convinced my wife to take my rollei and get rid of her yashica mat, so it is in good hands and seeing regular use.
Great video and very helpful! Just curious what did you pay for your Rolleiflex 3.5e w/ Xenotar lens? My local camera shop has one for sale for $350 and wanted to know if that’s a fair price?? Thanks!
These work fine with the close up lenses , Your 3.5 is a Bay One ; and then there is the Rolleinar #1/ 2/ 3 close up lensed. I use then , and it is Amazing what this camera can do. I have a 1955 D Model Tessar 75mm F3.5 , Tessar is the lesser lens , so I am thrilled with the images from it. The Planar's are just a little sharper, with more pop. I paid 750.00 for a clean copy from Japan. Oh .. I DO have the Wide too ....that costs 6, 500 and import taxes, or 7 , 700.00 Yes , expensive.
Yeah I haven’t had the chance to use those. I’ve heard good things but was easier for me to just use an SLR style camera that “just worked” given the other cameras I had.
Not sure if you’ve sold yours yet, but if not …….
I’ve had Rolleiflex tlr cameras since 1974 and for 30+ years I’ve owned 2.8F. I also own an extensive range of Hasselblad V and H and have owned Mamiya 7’s, but sold them because they are so limiting. The Rolleiflex is a wonderful camera and is my camera of choice for people shooting in street situations. It’s so fast to focus and shoot compared to the Hasselblads where the lenses have such a wide sweep and you go backwards and forwards to find focus, if your not zone focusing. Using Rolleinars one can get within 9” of the subject and less (try that with a Mamiya 7) and they are ideal for head and shoulder shots inside 3 feet with a Rolleinar 1, or portraits where you pause in your stride to take a portrait.
It’s also got an extremely small profile from the top, enabling you to hide it under a coat, or place it in a large pocket.
The downsides are there no interchangeable lenses, but the original ones are fabulous. I once compared it with Nikon 35mm to 135mm shooting a lens testing chart and cropping the Rollei from its fixed position - it blew the Nikons away, no contest. I’ve got many samples on Flickr and Instagram, take a look at Gary Rowlands. The Rolleiflex never disappoints and that’s why David Bailey, Richard Avedon etc, etc used it so often.
I enjoy you film camera videos, keep them coming. ATB.
Thanks for the comment! I am really impressed by the rendering of the rollei (classic, detailed but not clinical) and the sharpness (really impressive for its era). Ultimately, I didn't think the workflow made sense for me; I'm a rangefinder guy. It seems like Rolleis and even Hasselblads tend to get ignored nowadays, and I'm not sure why; they're lovely cameras. (And the RB/RZs are trendy? No offense to those cameras, but they are monstrously heavy bricks.)
I convinced my wife to take my rollei and get rid of her yashica mat, so it is in good hands and seeing regular use.
So happy to have come across your camera. Keep the videos coming , very well produced 👍🏼. Down for yaschica v rollei side by side bideo
thanks for watching!
i have a lot of ideas in the pipeline, that one will be coming, eventually!
Great video and very helpful! Just curious what did you pay for your Rolleiflex 3.5e w/ Xenotar lens? My local camera shop has one for sale for $350 and wanted to know if that’s a fair price?? Thanks!
About twice that lol. Sounds like a good deal if it works! I like to check eBay completed listings as a reference for what’s “market price.”
These work fine with the close up lenses , Your 3.5 is a Bay One ; and then there is the Rolleinar #1/ 2/ 3 close up lensed. I use then , and it is Amazing what this camera can do. I have a 1955 D Model Tessar 75mm F3.5 , Tessar is the lesser lens , so I am thrilled with the images from it. The Planar's are just a little sharper, with more pop. I paid 750.00 for a clean copy from Japan. Oh .. I DO have the Wide too ....that costs 6, 500 and import taxes, or 7 , 700.00 Yes , expensive.
Yeah I haven’t had the chance to use those. I’ve heard good things but was easier for me to just use an SLR style camera that “just worked” given the other cameras I had.