Just getting started (first time Rolleiflex owner)

Hello,

 

I just purchased a Rolleiflex 3.5F, Type 4, Zeiss Planar as a surprise gift for my daughter. The camera came with no accessories. What are the essentials that I need to shop for?

 

Thanks!

Ty

Lincoln, NE

A lens hood, possibly a camera strap. If the meter either isn't working or isn't accurate, a good hand held meter. Also, no kidding, an instruction manual (you can download one from www.butkus.org).

The original strap has a special clips that snaps to the camera. They're leather and 50 years old (or more). Old leather can part like tissue paper, without warning. Personally, I keep my strap put away and use an Op-Tech strap that has a thin, nylon loop at the ends. The loop is threaded through the brackets on the Roller and tied in a half-hitch.

 

The original screens are very dim. Much brighter screens are available (but getting scarcer).

 

When you load the camera, the film leader goes between the double rollers. They're held open when the back is open, but close later. They sense the thickness of the film where it is taped to the backing, to start the film counter.

I concur with everything so far, but no one has mentioned lens caps. Hopefully they came with the camera? I consider these pretty crucial if the camera is gonna leave a studio. Nothing urgent at any given moment, but the cumulative effect over years can be significant.

A CLA by a good camera tech, and it should be good for another 30+ years.

The original screens are very dim. Much brighter screens are available (but getting scarcer).

 

The ones Rick Oleson sells are excellent and reasonably priced. I've had his "original" screen(split image) in my Rolleicord Va nearly since I bought it in 2007.

 

A couple of weeks back, I put one of his newer "Bright Screens" in my Hassy 500c. The 'blad is in many ways in the same boat as the Rolleiflex since it uses a basic ground glass screen with a separate fresnel under it as the Rolleis. In a way, it's actually somewhat at a disadvantage since the Rollei uses a simple and bright viewing lens as opposed to having use the taking lens as on the 'Blad(f/2.8 to f/5.6 across the lenses in my kit). The Bright Screens use a microprism instead of split screen. It made a huge difference(the 500c doesn't have an officially user replaceable screen-that was the major change that came with the 500c/m).

 

In any case, I'd suggest one as a good upgrade. Reading his guidelines(I'd forgotten about this) the BrightScreen is your only option for an F.

 

Custom Fitted Focusing Screens

Good father and lucky daughter! Get the instruction book and some film and start shooting.