Rolleicord Vb.

[tony_lockerbie]

<p>Been out shooting with my Rolleicord, which is of course, the "poverty" pack Rolleiflex, with no auto loading, the focus knob on the wrong side, and a somewhat duller screen.<br>

The "Cord does however, offer you an intro to the world of Rollei for a quite moderate cost, and what you still get get is that wonderful Rollei build quality, plus the really pleasing four element Xenar lens.<br>

The Rolleicords may be built down to a budget, but they remain as reliable and quality picture takers. The Rolleicord offshoots have been around since the start of Rollei production, and the one I have used here is the last iteration of a long line.<br>

The Vb differs in having a larger focus knob and more importantly, the removable hood, so that the prism finder can be attached.<br>

The Xenar lens that graces this camera has been a feature for a lot of the Rolleicords production, with the earliest ones having the three element Zeiss Triotar. I really like the Xenar, it is very sharp stopped down, and still has a pleasing roundness to the image a wider apertures.<br>

Some of these images were taken earlier in the year, some recently, and all on the Southern Highlands of New South Wales in various places....not a beach image to be seen!</p><div></div>

[tony_lockerbie]

<p>First pic.</p><div></div>

[tony_lockerbie]

<p>Why do I always forget to resize! At least you can see the crispness of the Xenar.<br>

No.2</p><div></div>

[tony_lockerbie]

<p>No.3</p><div></div>

[tony_lockerbie]

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

[tony_lockerbie]

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

[tony_lockerbie]

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

[tony_lockerbie]

<p>No.7</p><div></div>

[tony_lockerbie]

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

[tony_lockerbie]

<p>Thanks for looking. All taken on Tri-X and processed in Pyrocat HD. I used a light yellow Rollei filter and a Rollei lens hood....scans on an Epson V700 photo.</p>

[rick_drawbridge]

<p>Nice work, <strong>Tony</strong>! "Pine and Broken Grave" is a stand-out. Despite being a poor cousin to the Rolleiflex, the Rolleicord is eminently usable, as you've shown, and the Xenar lens leaves little to be desired. It must be a Tri-X and Pyro weekend downunder; I've just posted some stuff from the same combo in the "Weekend" thread. Will we still be talking after the World Cup... ;-)</p>

[Mike Gammill]

<p>Great shots, Tony. It inspires me to use my Rolleicord III more often. Thanks for sharing.</p>

[tony_lockerbie]

<p>Thanks guys, and Rick....I won't be watching....can't handle the pressure :)</p>

[david_stanton1]

<p>Nice shots with a great camera. I really need to get mine out. You inspired me. Dave</p>

[david_l3]

<p>Tony, excellent photos. I wound up having two Vb models with Xenar lenses. I used one last month for family portraits with excellent results. The Xenars have impressed me immensely. </p>

[chuck_foreman1]

Very Excellent results Tony. Haha not a beach shot in sight ..too funny. Love the look and the

compositions. The one church reminds me of another poster... too long absent ..GeneM. That comment

about the focus on the wrong side??? I used a YashicaD for years and I find it odd to use a the Rolleiflex to

focus on the left .... that's weird!!

 

Lovely work Tony !!

[tony_lockerbie]

<p>Thank you to the two Davids, and Chuck, I too miss the great Gene M....any news?</p>

[brett_rogers]

<p>Rolleicords are lovely cameras and the Xenar is underrated. It was after all good enough to be fitted to many Rolleiflexes. A Planar or Xenotar will have sharper corners wide open but you have to make larger prints to really notice a lot of difference. Closed down a bit, I doubt many people would be able to tell a Xenar shot from one of the other two. Earlier Rolleicords up to and including the V had both focus and wind knobs on the right side, and I don't mind them at all. Va & Vb have the left side focus knob like a Rolleiflex, and these are also very capable. Which is preferred probably comes down to personal preference. Thanks for the post Tony, good photos.</p>

[tony_lockerbie]

<p>Thanks Brett, you are quite right in your summation. The four element lenses were plenty good enough for the early Rolleiflexes, and even those early Automats turned in some amazing quality.<br>

Some confusion about my comment about the focus on the "wrong" side. I actually meant the wrong side for a Rolleicord, and as far as I'm concerned, the Vb has it on the right side....that should be as clear as mud!</p>

[marc_bergman1]

<p>Tony,</p>

<p>Great work. I use to have a Vb. I really liked it but went through a period where I didn't use it much. Like an idiot I sold it. Now the prices are twice as much. One thing I liked was it's light weight. You could carry it around and it wasn't obtrusive. </p>

[spanky]

<p>I just given a Rolleicord IV today so I'm busy looking up manuals, etc. I've never used a TLR before so I've got some studying to do. Looks like a fun camera!</p>

[carl_neilson]

<p>I love "Old Wagon". These pics have inspired me to dig out the 'cord too. Although mine is a III with the Triotar it's still a tonne of fun and very capable of taking very pleasing pics</p>

[Mike Lupo]

Hi, I just purchased a Rolleicord VB model 1. I knew it had a locked shutter cock when I bought it. It is out right now getting a full CLA by a very reputable technician, I’d rather not mention his name. He called me and told me the film advance knob doesn’t stop automatically at the next frame. He found that odd and is having trouble fixing that component. He was wondering if the earlier ones didn’t stop automatically, and you would just stop at the number in the viewfinder. Does anyone have information in this?  Thanks  Mike

[stuart_pratt]

I have an early Vb and it stops automatically.

[John Seaman]

Yes  the wind knobs on all Rollecords should stop automatically.