New (to me) Rolleiflex 3.5A

[KRB]

Today I just took possession of a 1950-something Rolleiflex type K4A.

 

I've been shooting digital for quite some time, but have not shot film since high school (back in the '80's). I've been intrigued by these for quite a long time and decided to jump in.

 

Purchased via Ebay, as-is, so there's a chance it's worth nothing. However, the lenses look clean, and everything seems to work. I loaded and shot a roll of film this evening without issue. We'll see if it focuses accurately and if shutter times are reasonable. If it's close I'll play with it for a while before sending somewhere for a CLA. If not I'll send it immediately for a CLA...

 

Either way it requires a CLA, things seem to work but not as smoothly as I imagine they should.

 

The camera came with a lens hood which fits on the outside of the shooting lens, and a Tiffen #522 Series #5 filter adapter that mounts on the inside. And a filter full of haze which is in the trash. But the size of that #5 filter looks way too small for the lens. Has anyone used such a thing? Does it block the corners?

 

Before understanding that the filter adapter was coming, I preemtively ordered a bay 1 to 46mm filter adapter (why is there no bay 1 to 39mm? I have a bunch of those!). Do any of you use such a thing? What about hood? This looks promising:

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/116976-REG/General_Brand_46mm_Screw_In_Rubber_Lens.html/?ap=y&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4qvlBRDiARIsAHme6ou4WBk7mN2pfMQMHleLMyI80X1nUs3iVGvaWoqnS73hWuJoheOYkYYaAjd6EALw_wcB&lsft=BI%3A514&smp=Y

 

I enjoyed walking around the back yard this evening experimenting with an iPhone light meter app, comparing shutter speeds with what my digital leica comes up with and shooting with the Rollei. I knew to expect the horizontal reversal through the finder, but I did not expect the extent to which it would discombobulate me! Yow! It seemed to take for ever to get things right! And I kept screwing up the horizon. Fascinating how this tricks my brain; hopefully with some practice it won't be so alien.

 

I'm excited to figure this thing out!

 

-K

[John Seaman]

What is wrong with the hood which came with the camera?

 

I'm not familiar with the filter and adaptor you mention. If it looks as if it might cause vignetting, then it probably will. I would keep my eyes open for some original Rollei Bay 1 filters and accessories. They aren't hard to find, often at reasonable prices.

 

The winding action should generally be smooth except when the sensing rollers detect the start of the film and initiate the winding sequence, which operation can feel rather "clanky".

[KRB]

Nothing is wrong with the lens hood. The filter adapter is interesting, it unscrews to hold a threadless filter. The diameter of the filter looks small relative to the lens opening. And I don't have any of those size filters.

 

However I do have a number of 46mm filters; I'm looking for a lens hood with M46 threads that can screw on to the filter.

 

-K

[John Seaman]

There's a great article here about the various "Series" filters, which seem to have been used predominantly in America:

 

http://throughavintagelens.com/2013/09/vintage-filter-systems/

 

It gives the diameter of Series V filters as 30.5mm, which is about the same as the diameter of the Rollei Bay 1. So they are probably OK.

[KRB]

First decent image...

 

[KRB]

Another report. I have two rolls back, two more I'm waiting to see. I'm very satisfied with the quality of the images and the camera itself. I'm pretty convinced that the shutter speeds are accurate. At small apertures the quality is very good. I believe the back focusing at large apertures mentioned above was mostly my fault (although it may not be perfect).

 

The only issue I have is ergonomic/age related (me age, not camera age). The little window above the viewing lens that shows the aperture and shutter speed has very fine print and is difficult for me to read. I was out tonight shooting in light about ISO1600, f4.0, 1/50th (not *super* dark) and had to find a street light to read the settings.

 

Larger bolder print would make this camera a joy! Are there other models that are easier to read? Has anyone had similar issues?

 

-K