Rolleiflex 3.5F Xenotar -- Should I?

<p>On my recent visits to the web sites of local camera stores I notice a listing of a used Rolleiflex 3.5F Xenotar (with leather case and lens caps) for $325. It's not the sort of camera I was seriously considering purchasing (I'd really prefer something with interchangable lenses), but the price seems to be (based on eBay completed sales) a screaming deal at first glance, especially since it's been recently CLA'ed and is being sold under a 1-year warranty.</p>

<p>I mean, if it *is* a screaming deal, then who cares if I change my mind about it later -- I'll just list it on a certain auction site and turn a profit when it sells. In effect, I will have been paid to play with a fun (and optically very good) old medium format camera for a while. I'm sure I could take some very nice landscape shots with it in the meanwhile.</p>

<p>Or am I overlooking something here? Seeing is believing, of course. When I pay them a visit this weekend, I might find it's in really battered condition or something (but if so. why would they spend money CLAing it?) I'm hoping it's just fine and was dropped off for repairs by a deadbeat who never paid his bill or came back to claim his camera, so it's being sold merely to recoup their sunk repair costs.</p>

<p>Of course, I notice this after recently buying two other cameras (one brand new digital, one vintage), and promising myself "no more cameras for a while". :-)</p>

<p>It not a bad deal, do you have a way to print the 6x6 negs or a way to scan them?</p>

<p>Why not ! it sounds like a good deal, you have the opportunity to examin it, it has a one year warranty, this sounds like it could be the beginning of a life long love affair. (digitals are merely usefull tools, so you can still get another camera)</p>

<p>I've recently purchased a few Rolleiflices, so w/some knowledge of the current market (on eBay @ least), I would say that if the glass is good & the CLA was done correctly, then yes it's @ least a very good (if not "screaming") deal.</p>

<p>Do it. The one year warranty covers all your odds except maybe a completely trashed taking lens.</p>

<p>It's an excellent deal. If you don't want it let us know where it's at.</p>

<p>It would be interesting to have the serial number. They stopped building 3,5F with planar lenses around the end of the 60's. Until then only 3,5F with Xenotar lens were build. This 3,5F might be a latter one.</p>

 

<p>Hmmmm.<br>

My experience these days is that nothing above 25% of ebay pricing is a "screaming good deal".<br>

My advice, buy it if you have always wanted one, but don't expect to profit on the resale. <br>

One additional year of the advances of digital vs film isn't going to help film camera prices any.<br>

Now, I'm still looking for a 2.8F Xenotar at a screaming good price, but they still seem to be above $1000, and some dreamers listing them for over $2K on the "auction sites".<br>

Good luck.</p>

<p>Vick</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>They stopped building 3,5F with planar lenses around the end of the 60's. Until then only 3,5F with Xenotar lens were build. This 3,5F might be a latter one.</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>He did say it was a Xenotar. Which is not a problem.</p>

<p>> He did say it was a Xenotar. Which is not a problem<br>

It is indeed not a problem, I just wanted to point out that the fact that it was maybe a latter Rolleiflex would make it even a better deal.</p>

<p>BUY IT!!!</p>

<p>Vick, are you saying that somewhere on eBay there are 3.5F's, Xenotar or Planar, in comparable condition that are $260 U.S. or less?</p>

<p>My bad memory played a trick on me. Looked again, and it's a 3.5E, not a 3.5F. The serial number is 1856871. According to the data at http://www.craigcamera.com/rollei_2.htm , that means it was probably made in 1956.</p>

<p>My only suggestion would be to be sure you open the back, put the lens on bulb, trip the shutter and look through the taking lens at an even light source. You will quickly see if there are a lot of surface scratches on the lens from quick and dirty cleaning techniques.<br>

I have a 3.5F, built in 1961, that is very clean in all respects. The meter still works and is accurate. But, it took me a while to find one in that condition. I paid way more than $325 when I bought it about 15yrs ago.</p>

<p>I'd say the $85 that got me a 2.8C was a screaming deal, but $325 seems a reasonable price for a nice 3.5E. You probably won't lose anything on it if you turn it.</p>