Rollei 3.5 F

<p>Last post for a while, I hope I'm not boring everyone too much...I just seem to go in fits and starts!<br>

My concern here is the Rollei 3.5F, the youngest of all my Rolleis, and the most used. The 3.5 struck a good compromise between quality and weight, quite a bit lighter and more compact than the 2.8E that I have.<br>

The 3.5 was pretty much the final flowering of the wonderful 3.5 Rolleis that stretched way back, and all could, and still do, produce great images.<br>

Much is said about the 3.5 Planar in this camera, and Paul Henry Van Hasbroek (sp) said that the quality was oustanding, and even better than the 2.8 in the Hasselblad. I haven't really tested them all, so I will take his word for it. Either way, this is one nice optic.<br>

I often use this camera with the excellent, but very heavy, prism finder....keeps things around the right way. <br>

I called into a friends sheep property on my way back from Canberra, but arrived too late in the day to do a lot, so concentrated on their wonderful old shearing shed.</p>

<p>I will post a picture of the camera at the end as it has vanished!</p><div></div>

<p>Wow, it's all going bad! No.2</p><div></div>

<p>Getting there...no.3</p><div></div>

<p>No.4</p><div></div>

<p>No.5</p><div></div>

<p>No.6</p><div></div>

<p>Last one.</p><div></div>

<p>Try the camera again.</p><div></div>

<p>Ah-Ha, got it. Film here was my usual Tri-X in Pyrocat. I will go easy on the posts for now, but I do have a Leica coming up :)</p>

<p>If ever I were to get a Rollei, this one would be it. The addition of the prism and the Planar would ring all my bells!</p>

<p>As for the photos: Folkloric, Ethnographic, and Aesthetic. Who could ask for more. :)</p>

<p>Thanks JDM, that's three really cool words :)</p>

<p>Super job of rendering the lovely textures and patterns in these scenes with the 3.5F. I acquired one a few weeks ago at a local auction, and will get around to sharing some results at some point.</p>

<p>I wish I had your photographic energy. You are busier than a pox doctor in a red light district these days.</p>

<p>"You are busier than a pox doctor in a red light district" ...yep, that sums it up well :) Go surfing early, then do some scanning when the sun is burny, then some more swimming when the light gets low in the afternoon...tough.</p>

<p>Now I don't know whether to envy you more for that daily schedule, or for getting these gorgeous images.....</p>

<p>Simply beautiful shots. Had a 2.8 Planar many years ago, wonderful camera. Still ask myself why I sold it. Tri-X at 320. Can't replicate beautiful B&W with digital.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Can't replicate beautiful B&W with digital.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Why raise <strong><em>that</em></strong> issue here? </p>

<p>You're certainly making up for lost time, <strong>Tony</strong>, but it was worth the wait. These are a fine series of images from a truly great camera. So few members of this forum will ever know the sights, sounds and smell of a woolshed, and the feel of lanolin on one's hands, and your images bring it all to life. My back's aching, already... Beautiful monochrome rendition and an altogether inspiring post.</p>

<p>Thanks again, I don't think Mark was being controversial, but B&W film is still special to me. You are quite right Rick, and although I'm a "coastie" these days, I still love getting up to the sheep country.</p>

<p>Viewed those images with "Click go the Shears" playing in my head, Tony. Nice.</p>

Photography is more about light than cameras and lenses. That is something your excellent photos prove you

understand deeply.

<p>Reminds me, it's time to exercise my 3.5E (no meter) as soon as it is warm enough for my fingers not to freeze. It's an even 0 degrees F this evening. Can't wait to do some shooting in my new neighborhood. There's a derelict barn 1890's school and an old town hall needing my attention.</p>