Dissuade me to get a Rolleiflex

[Drizzt321]

- I really love the "whole format", the "belly shooting".

Just pick up a nice Mamiya RB67 or RZ67. A fraction of the cost, and you can even buy new / near new lenses and accessories. Much more functional and practical. You can even add a medium format digital back to them and have the best of both worlds.

While I have an RB67, and just got a 140mm Macro off of ebay, I wouldn't exactly say it's quite the same style. Not having used a Rollei, it still strikes me as, with a good shoulder strap, much easier to hold & shoot than an RB/RZ. And much lighter, and much quicker shutter response without the huge mirror having to fly up out of the way. Not that I'll get rid of my RB67 you understand...

 

[dickgrafixstop]

Shoot with a tlr Rollei for
Pure pleasure of using the basics - no auto anything and nothing
To blame but your technique. You'll note that the prices have held value
Far better than other med format gear - must be a reason!

 

[TAF]

Went to my usual shop today for some CF cards.

Since my last visit a Rolleiflex popped up in their Vintage section. 2.8F, visually and optically mint. Asking price of 2300 USD (in local currency). Can probably be bargained down quite a bit (around 10% would be a reasonnable aime just for principles).

Just one comment....now THAT is a viewfinder!!! Why the hell does no company keep making this kind of camera??? The form factor is truly excellent!

I was so troubled that I forgot to ask for the accessories accompanying it and got the wrong serial number (taking lens not camera). I was in a rush to get my bank card away.

Anyone to dissuade me? Or will there be some GAS propaganda?

Dissuade? Hardly.

You must answer only one question - will you get $2300 worth of enjoyment out of it, instead of some other form of enjoyment (a new lens for your Canon perhaps). If the answer is yes, read on...

OK, I have two 2.8E's, which I use fairly regularly. In the old days I would load one with color and one with B+W to cover both bases. These days, I stick with B+W, and only thus only carry one at a time.

One word of advice (keeping in mind the camera is at least 25 years old, and more likely closer to 40); if it comes with an original leather neck strap, DO NOT use it. Even if it looks perfect, it is likely there is dry rot internal to the leather, and when you least expect it, it will break. The thin straps are awful anyway, but by now they are dangerous to your gear. It's easy enough to adapt a modern strap to the camera to not make it worth the risk.

Accessories - You'll want the lens hood. The 2.8F will use Bay III components, and there are plenty of filters and such out there at very reasonable prices. I'd suggest the panoramic adapter (it goes between the camera and tripod, has a built in level, and has indexing steps so you get perfectly spaced pictures...useful on other cameras too ), and if you're into stereo, there is a stereo device that the camera attaches to, and you shoot one shot, then slide the camera over to the other side and get a perfectly spaced second shot. Also potentially useful for other cameras.

I keep hoping that someone will come out with a digital back. The back is removable from virtually all Rollei TLR's so you can use a sheet film adapter, so making a replaceable digital back would be "easy" (once they get those 6x6 cm sensors out at reasonable prices).

I have to admit, I keep looking at a 'droid and thinking it would make a nice viewfinder for the top of my 5D3 so I could belly shoot in digital...

 

[Hillsilly]

While I have an RB67, and just got a 140mm Macro off of ebay, I wouldn't exactly say it's quite the same style. Not having used a Rollei, it still strikes me as, with a good shoulder strap, much easier to hold & shoot than an RB/RZ. And much lighter, and much quicker shutter response without the huge mirror having to fly up out of the way. Not that I'll get rid of my RB67 you understand...

True - the RB67's are a little awkward to use. Its just a fraction too heavy. After I purchased a Mamiya 6, my RB67 just started gathering dust and I ended up selling it about 18 months ago. The 6 is a great camera, but sadly lacks the "belly shooting" capabilities that the OP seeks.

PS.: As a side question: except of the obvious advantage of the Medium Format resolution (is it really equivalent to 60 Mega pixel picture?) is there any advantage to the film (35mm or other) over a full frame DSLR (which I can't compare to)?

Discussing advantages / disadvantaged of film is difficult. Its like arguing the benefits of oil paints vs watercolours vs doing pottery. Its just a different creative process, and one isn't necessarily better than another. I shoot a lot of film because I like the results I'm currently getting with films like Portra 400. I also have a darkroom set up and occasionally enjoy the mad scientist side, mixing chemicals, and making prints. But, if you were looking at technical specs, measuring things in megapixels, or like convenience, I find it hard to think of an advantage to film.

 

[jrista]

Bet you never use it

I have shoot roughly 50 rolls on a Lubi replica. But the things is so random and poorly manufactured that this is just for fun. But the way to shoot is addictive.

You did say 'dissuade me' !

~My Grandfather used a Rolleiflex in the '30s and '40s, a 'Standard' I think, and I still have the remarkable pictures that he took in the English Lake District - among others - on colour transparency. Very rare in 1936.

Mint f2.8 versions do seem to go for very high prices. If it's your thing; great. Personally I miss film like a hole in the head.

My Rolle has been sitting on a shelf gathering dust for at least 10 years...

You should sell it! You could make anywhere from $300 to $3000!

 

[funkboy]

Perhaps, but I still love steam locomotives !

Then you'll love this:

Norfolk & Western J 611 is a J-class locomotive built in 1950 in the town where my family has lived for 4 generations. She is the ultimate development of the steam locomotive, having a cruising speed of 110mph with 15 passenger cars. She is also breathtakingly beautiful, the streamlining being part of the key to her speed.

She'd been sitting the in the VA transportation museum since 1995, but a group of concerned citizens have pulled together the money to have her restored to operating condition, starting this month. If all goes according to plan she'll be making the rounds around the eastern USA as part of N&W's 21st century steam program sometime in 2015.

 

[funkboy]

this past winter i refurbed a polaroid 180 so that i can shoot with it for fun. for me, polaroid pack film captures the "magical" experience of film photography without the hassles of roll film.

The Impossible Project has once again pulled off a minor miracle & designed & built a new Polaroid instant camera this year (thanks in part to Kickstarter).

The Impossible Instant Lab converts iPhone images to Polaroids. There's a shop close to me where I've seen it at work, & it's the real deal. I sincerely hope that this thing will enable them to scale up to where they can sell their film for less than two bucks a shot.

 

[Sporgon]

Perhaps, but I still love steam locomotives !

Then you'll love this:

Norfolk & Western J 611 is a J-class locomotive built in 1950 in the town where my family has lived for 4 generations. She is the ultimate development of the steam locomotive, having a cruising speed of 110mph with 15 passenger cars. She is also breathtakingly beautiful, the streamlining being part of the key to her speed.

She'd been sitting the in the VA transportation museum since 1995, but a group of concerned citizens have pulled together the money to have her restored to operating condition, starting this month. If all goes according to plan she'll be making the rounds around the eastern USA as part of N&W's 21st century steam program sometime in 2015.

I do !

I'm really a big kid. Good to hear that this one is being brought back to steaming condition. It's the difference between living and dead.

 

[privatebydesign]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2598869/Camera-view-Cafe-South-Korean-countryside-shaped-like-vintage-Rolleiflex.html

 

[mgkaplan]

Get it!

When I was a kid, I drooled over the Rolleis - but I could not afford one.

Today I have 3 Rollei TLRs. One is a 2.8. I never use them, but I love them. They are displayed in my antique camera showcase.

Clearly these cameras were in a class of their own.

Go for it! You will not regret it.

 

[Halfrack]

Where in the world you are matters, as Rollieflex is still around. Here in the USA, check out http://rolleiflex.us/ the 6008 platform is pretty slick.

MF is enough of a difference in shooting style and technique, it allows you to challenge yourself, with the safety net of the Canon gear. Personally I want to spend some time with a Mamiya RZ Pro II, after playing with a Hasselblad 501 last weekend, it's on my to shoot with list.

 

[jcns]

if you have that kind of money, go ahead.
if you don't have that kind of money, ......

 

[noisejammer]

How can I possibly dissuade you? The very first camera I used was a Rollei. I think I was 4... might have been 5! It's not pristine but that same camera is a treasured heirloom.

I was out pottering in the park with it a while back - I was approached by a yl who asked me "What is that thing?" She wasn't impressed with it being a 60-odd year old camera.

We're only 11 years from the 10D hitting the streets - I get the feeling that the digital business is now using mature technology. After seeing so many companies chuck it in, my main concern is whether any film will be available in 10 years. Sadly, I fear not.

 

[agierke]

this past winter i refurbed a polaroid 180 so that i can shoot with it for fun. for me, polaroid pack film captures the "magical" experience of film photography without the hassles of roll film.

The Impossible Project has once again pulled off a minor miracle & designed & built a new Polaroid instant camera this year (thanks in part to Kickstarter).

The Impossible Instant Lab converts iPhone images to Polaroids. There's a shop close to me where I've seen it at work, & it's the real deal. I sincerely hope that this thing will enable them to scale up to where they can sell their film for less than two bucks a shot.

i was super excited about IP coming into existence but alas, they have mostly disappointed me. their films take an excrutiating amount of time to process and the results are pretty random and lackluster. when your "instant" film takes 30 to 60 mins to develop properly it is a) not that instant and b) lacking severely in practical useability.

Fuji packfilm on the other hand is an absolute joy to use. very sad that it seems to be slowly going away as well.

 

[Grumbaki]

Thanks all for the advices. I'm manage to refrain myself for now but I'll probably hit the store soon for more details and start negociation.

I can send pictures if you are interested. Where are you based?

I'm lost in South west China but thanks for the proposal. Actually the place also matters in the price. I'm sure I could shave a couple hundred easily on the price if I was in the US or EUR. But I don't want to buy online (test + risks of shipping) so there is a probablepremium of buying in such a remote place. I might make a trip to HK soon too.

People here are more into practical photography and 2300$ could buy some nice new and shiny lens with a red ring around it. And they will be as right as you'll be if you buy the Flex. The question is what will bring YOU more joy??? Only you can answer it.

I'm pretty much set on my kit as I don't do birds. Outside of photo, only travel could rival as an expense but I'm on the cheap side for that. But as I said that one of the "cons"

PS.: As a side question: except of the obvious advantage of the Medium Format resolution (is it really equivalent to 60 Mega pixel picture?) is there any advantage to the film (35mm or other) over a full frame DSLR (which I can't compare to)?

Maybe it's propaganda but from what I saw DR is waaaaaayyy better than anything digtal when you shoot B+W. Even on a lubitel.

Why don't you have a look for a Yashicamat 124G instead of the Rolleiflex? Pretty much the same sort of spec and quality, but a whole lot cheaper. If you don't need a TLR, have a look for a decent folder - Agfa Isolette, Franka Solida, Baldix, or like the one I got last week, a Kershaw 450, which only cost me £40

TLR is Superior due to no Mirror clapping. First because of non existant IS but also for noise issues.
I'll think about the Yashicat. But I'm in the "resell value" approach so it might be less advantageous.

 

[funkboy]

You might also have a good long look at a Mamiya C-series TLR. They're really quite nice and have the advantage of interchangeable lenses.

Adorama has a C330 Pro-S in excellent condition for $US 200.

I almost bought one several years ago back when I was still shooting film occasionally but decided that it would just sit on the shelf & gather dust next to the EOS 1n most of the time...

 

[Grumbaki]

They're really quite nice and have the advantage of interchangeable lenses.

Nice attempt but I'm a fixed lens weirdo for that kind of 100% leisure shooting stuff.

Actually one thing that would make me not pull the trigger is the announcement of a full frame Fuji X100s

 

[deleteme]

I won't dissuade you because the Rolleiflex is a brilliant camera.
The Mamiya TLRs are also great and are more flexible.
However the purity of the fixed lens is, to my mind, more in keeping with the pleasure of having a great walking around camera as opposed to the superhuman problem-solving capabilities of a more complex "pro" system.

 

[Niki]

Went to my usual shop today for some CF cards.

Since my last visit a Rolleiflex popped up in their Vintage section. 2.8F, visually and optically mint. Asking price of 2300 USD (in local currency). Can probably be bargained down quite a bit (around 10% would be a reasonnable aime just for principles).

Just one comment....now THAT is a viewfinder!!! Why the hell does no company keep making this kind of camera??? The form factor is truly excellent!

I was so troubled that I forgot to ask for the accessories accompanying it and got the wrong serial number (taking lens not camera). I was in a rush to get my bank card away.

Anyone to dissuade me? Or will there be some GAS propaganda?

I just started shooting with one last summer love it!! get it!!

 

[Sporgon]

Actually one thing that would make me not pull the trigger is the announcement of a full frame Fuji X100s

Hmmm......

From one extreme to the other............ :