Rolleiflex SL66 - Price/risk/info!

[simon_gabriel]

<p>Hello!<br>

Long time reader - w<em>ell it's hard not to have been with the insane amount of information here </em>- first time poster.<br>

I've been shooting film for about 2 years now, in that time I've sold, collected, traded, shot and learnt about a great deal of classic cameras. I'm totally addicted.<br>

Very recently I came across a Rolleiflex SL66 posted on a classified ads site. It was very cheap (£100) in comparison to what I'd seen before. I called up the person hosting the ad and they explained that it was their Father's camera and had been in storage for many years. He wasn't able to tell me much at all about the camera and stressed that he'd rather have someone come and view it (I'm not local to where the ad was posted).<br>

Out of fear that someone else would snap it up, I thought "what the hell" and took the risk. Although, I was able to get him down to £70 through my worry of not knowing if the camera was functioning or not.<br>

So, to my point... Have I potentially blew £70 on this camera if it doesn't work or is in bad condition? Or is the SL66 still worth more than that in a parts sale, should it not work? I can't find any previous listings on eBay that sell this camera in spares condition, so I'm struggling with an estimation!<br>

£70, good deal for a risk? I don't know!<br>

Here are the pictures from the seller:<br>

<img src="http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/-LUAAOSwxH1UEBPn/$_80.JPG" alt="" width="600" height="450" /><br>

<img src="http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/l3cAAOSwfcVUEBPw/$_80.JPG" alt="" width="600" height="450" /><br>

<img src="http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/n7kAAOSwPe1UEBP5/$_80.JPG" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></p>

<p>I must say, I'm a little worried that I can see that blue rust colour on the Rollei logo. It doesn't fill me with confidence that it's been stored anywhere dry. I'm praying for no horrible fungus issues or rusty machinery. Agh!</p>

[Robin Smith]

<p>It sounds as though it has been unused for many years - both good and bad - it will probably need a good CLA - but for a camera at that price this is to be expected anyway. Could the seller not show you a pic of the lens in more detail? It's not much of a risk, I would have thought - 700 well, that would be.</p>

<p>I guess a 'blad 500C or CM was out of your price range? They are easier cameras to own in my experience as there is lots of stuff out there for them.</p>

[simon_gabriel]

<p>Thanks for getting back to me, Robin!</p>

<p>I actually have a Hassy 500C! I love it to bits. But I always hunt for new stuff! I can't miss up getting something at a good price (although as you can see, I do worry). A CLA I assumed would be on the cards! <br>

The seller wasn't much help with new pictures, and when it came to buying it was pretty much do-or die because he was talking with a few other folk about selling it. I didn't think it was a bluff as the man was lovely enough - just not a clue about cameras!<br>

I guess there's not much to be said about this until it arrives then, unless anyone knows the value of a broken one/one in worse condition than 'good'? I'd be interested in knowing, just in case!</p>

[d_purdy]

<p>Looks to me like you got a great deal. I am sure either Harry Fleenor in California or Krikor in New Jersey could fix it up.<br>

The corrosion bits here and there don't necessarily mean the camera is full of corrosion and or fungus. Corrosion on the screws under the leather is very common with camera, enough so that they are nick named Zeiss Bumps. They can easily be cleaned. I once bought a Rollei 2.8F with the same kind of logo on top and mine was covered in orange rust. The camera and lens were otherwise perfect.</p>

[simon_gabriel]

<p>Brill! I live in the UK so I'll probably have to find somewhere over here but I believe there's a rollei expert based right here in Liverpool. I'll let him have a look!<br>

Interesting about that rust! Hopefully I can be as lucky. As worried as I might sound, there's something exciting about not knowing what condition this will arrive in...</p>

[richard_]

<p>the lens alone (if its in good shape) is easily worth 2x what you paid for it IMO. ( And +1 for Harry Fleenor).</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>I know that while it was still being sold new, it had a reputation for being a little 'fragile.'</p>

<p> I also know that I always wanted one. I think you got a steal.</p>

[danielheller]

<p>Even if you have to fix it, it is a steal.<br>

Cameras must be exercised routinely even if kept in storage.<br>

You need to hope the lens is clear of haze, mold and so forth and then it is a great find.<br>

Good luck</p>

[deanmeeks]

<p>As D Purdy stated: "Harry Fleenor in California." Harry is at Oceanside Camera in Manhattan Beach and is a true Rolleiflex repair expert and has a vast inventory of Rolleiflex parts that few repairmen in the US can acquire. He will make your Rollei like new, if that's what you wish. However Harry has a six week turn-around on repair orders.</p>

[simon_gabriel]

<p>Hey, guys!<br>

So, the camera arrived. As thought, pretty dusty, grimy condition. When I first took it out of the packaging I was a little disheartened to see a grubby looking lens and a badly aged body. I broke out all of my cleaning bit and bobs and started to give it a nice wash-up. To my absolute delight, the lens is gleaming and in amazing condition! Everything it picked up was nothing more than grime and dust. Hurray!!<br>

The same went for the other bits of the camera. Everything that was dirty just cleaned right up. Even the rusty plates I was able to scrape off. The camera now looks fantastic.<br>

Cosmetically cleaned up, I tested the shutter. All sounds pretty accurate to me. The only thing that struck my attention was that the 1, and 2 shutter speeds, (proceeding B), opened with the pressing of the shutter however the mirror did not come back down. So, the photo was left to over expose. This stayed like this until I move it to another shutter speed and then the camera springs back into its position. The only thing I can think of is that it's not been fired regularly and its timer has become stiff when using longer exposures... B shoots fine, as does anything from 4 and above. Strange!</p>

<p>I put a roll of B&W in and self developed. Not the greatest test in the world as my light meter recently became brown bread (used the one on my phone instead), and self developed the B&W (I'm not the greatest home dev(er) in the world.) - So it was hard to have confidence in the test. Regardless, I'm amazed by the camera. Photos look great (and fairly similar to how I expected as far as technically). Over joyed with rescuing this beauty - I did have wonders about whether I would sell it as I may have deemed my Hassy a more powerful camera and the Rollei might not go to the strongest use with me. But I'm honestly smitten already and can't wait to throw some colour through her.<br>

Although the 1 and 2 shutter speed thing is a problem, I'm not seeing this as something that will effect me right now. Perhaps in the future I'll want to get that sorted; as it sounds like it's a technical fix.</p>

<p>Anyway, sorry for babbling on, I just wanted to give an update!</p>

[bengt1664878721]

<p>Congratulations! Get those shutter speeds fixed and there`s a good chance you won`t ever covet another camera again. My SL66 is older than me, but I don`t see any reason to believe it will not outlast me.</p>