February gloom and an ancient Rolleiflex

[gene m]

<p><a href="http://westfordcomp.com/classics/marksoldstandard/MarkRolleiflex.html">GLOOMY PHOTOS</a></p>

[richard_beisigl]

<p>How many of todays cameras will still work in eighty years.<br>

That camera looks like it has been in every war since it was made, and yet, it still takes great "moody" pictures.<br>

Thanks Gene, and welcome back.</p>

 

[jim_gardner4]

<p>Gene, just looking at the shots of the gorgeous camera and its results have lifted the February gloom. I do hope it gets used regularly from now on. Thanks.</p>

[Rick_van_Nooij]

<p>Gene, your Old Standard looks even rougher then mine!<br>

Don't really see much difference in image quality compared to the f/3.5 Tessar on mine. Your compositions are a lot better though hahaha.<br>

Are you sure the Compur shutter doesn't go to 1/500th? Mine does (though it requires a little bit more effort to tension the extra spring). Only figured this out after I read the manual (D'OH!)</p>

<p> </p>

[rick_drawbridge]

<p><em>That</em> old Rollei has certainly seen several tours of duty...When a quality camera gets to that age and stage, it seems to develop a certain charisma that a well-kept example lacks. Nice gloomy pics, <strong>Gene</strong>; your winter sounds a little like our summer...</p>

[marco_f]

<p>Now that you're back Gene, all is well with the world. I have #301623. Same set up. Similar condition, although I'm missing that bottom plug. There's another red window down there, for what? I don't know. The Compur shutter still works flawlessly. Must have been built mid-week. A superb machine, warts and all. Same lens cap too, and it only stays on upside down.</p>

[John Seaman]

<p>Great presentation, thanks.<br>

I guess the red window on the bottom was used for the 6x9 B2 film which presumably didn't have the numbers for 6x6. So the number 1 would be for the first 6x9 frame, which would appear in the bottom window to put the film in the correct starting position for 12 6x6 images. My New Standard has a similar system.<br>

I've noticed that some old wooden 120 spools had a cross cut slot at one end, and a round hole at the other. Perhaps this is why they specify the cross slot to the right?</p>

[david_l3]

<p>I'd ditch that old leather strap a.s.a.p. before it breaks and the old Rolleiflex takes a fatal dive. I had a pair of old WW2 binoculars fall on concrete from a rotted leather strap that looked better than that.<br>

Those are beautiful photos from the camera. Tessar lenses never fail to impress.</p>

[Lou_Meluso]

<p>Neat pics, Gene! So gloomy. Yer getting might fancy with those camera product shots. Nifty!</p>

[gene m]

<p>Rick. The Compur only goes to 1/300. I hit it with a hammer and there's no 1/500.</p>

[Mike Gammill]

Nice job. From the quality you'd never guess the camera is so old. Thanks for posting.

[User_4525289]

<p>nice-nice-nice and getting better)))</p>

[kevin mayo]

<p>Great pics from an 80 year old camera</p>

[tony_lockerbie]

<p>Love the Patina on that Rollei, like an old dog it looks well travelled and loved! Rolleis are great to collect but they remain the ultimate user camera I feel. Therefore I like a Rollei that looks like it has been around, and how hard is it to kill a Rollei!<br>

I love your shots of the "gloom" as it shows that lovely quality you get from those old Tessars when used at wide apertures, too many just close them right down!</p>

[ben_ballard]

<p>Great shots from an old classic (the camera). ;)</p>

[k5083]

Truly wonderful. It is nice when someone else takes the trouble to do the initial break-in of your camera.

[Matthew Currie]

<p>Lovely shots, and I really really like the Rollei. It's beautiful.</p>

[david_barts2]

<p>Another great series of photos from an old camera. Glad to see you back.</p>

[paul_goutiere]

<p>Great photos and a fine old camera.<br>

Sometimes, usually after I see a series of images like these, I wonder why I go through the expense and bother of modern equipment.</p>