Rolleicord VA - Thoughts and impressions please

Andysnap

Andysnap

Suspended / Banned
Messages
16,322
Name
Andy Grant
Edit My Images
Yes
There's a nice looking Rolleicord VA for sale in the classifieds and I was just wondering if any of you good people have used one and whether it would be a good replacement for my sadly deceased Yash Mat.

Andy
 
haha.... I've been eyeing that up too :)

But as I've just agreed to buy Mart's LF camera, don't think wifey would approve.
 
I know that feeling..... but I have got just about enough in my little camera fund soooo
 
I don't have a VA but I do have a V.

I have stated many times before that if I could only keep one of my sixty film cameras, it woukld be the Rolleicord V. I would choose it over the Rolleiflex I also have.

If the VA has the same Schneider lens (which I think it does) you will not be disappointed.

It doesn't have the convenience of a combined wind on handle and shutter cocking mechanism but that's not too important.


Steve.
 
Last edited:
I owned a Vb briefly after my Yashica Mat. Slower operation (the aperture and shutter speed wheels on the Yashica are significantly faster), slower cocking, better lens (the Schneider on the Rolleicord is superb), dimmer focusing screen, better build quality (significantly so), worse shutter release (even with the optional softer button release).

They are superb well priced TLRs for deliberate, slow photography.
 
I should add, the most common problem to check with them is a warped back or they do not sit straight - caused by users not using a Rolleifix when mounting on a tripod.
 
Steve Smith said:
I don't have a VA but I do have a V.

I have stated many times before that if I could only keep one of my sixty film cameras, it woukld be the Rolleicord V. I would choose it over the Rolleiflex I also have.

If the VA has the same Schneider lens (which I think it does) you will not be disappointed.

It doesn't have the convenience of a combined wind on handle and shutter cocking mechanism but that's not too important.


Steve.
Click to expand...

Interesting - can I ask why specifically? Is it the weight/size? I've been toying with the idea of getting a TLR myself but if I can be satisfied with a Rolleicord (or similar) I'll save a fortune compared to the prices of a Rolleiflex. Most of the adulation seems reserved for the 'flex - is that just snobbery?
 
TheGreatSoprendo said:
can I ask why specifically?
Click to expand...

I have no real reason other than the fact that it was my first 'serious' medium format camera. I paid all of £34 for it a few years ago so it was a bargain too!

I haven't actually used my Rolleiflex yet. It is part of my father's collection which I inherited a few years ago. The only cameras from his collection which I use now are a couple of Nikon F bodies and a few lenses of the same era.

The Rolleiflex is one of the cheaper models with a Tessar lens rather than the Planar lens of the higher end models so I don't think it has any quality advantage over the Rolleicord.

I like having the focus and wind on controls on the same side. With other Rolleicord models and the Rolleiflex there is a constant change of hands as you go between winding on and focusing.

Also, the Rolleicord's separate wind on and shutter cocking is a much simpler mechanism that the combined one on the Rolleiflex. I don't know if they are prone to failure but I always prefer a simple solution to a problem rather than a complex one.


Steve.
 
Last edited:
Steve Smith said:
I have no real reason other than the fact that it was my first 'serious' medium format camera. I paid all of £34 for it a few years ago so it was a bargain too!

I haven't actually used my Rolleiflex yet. It is part of my father's collection which I inherited a few years ago. The only cameras from his collection which I use now are a couple of Nikon F bodies and a few lenses of the same era.

The Rolleiflex is one of the cheaper models with a Tessar lens rather than the Planar lens of the higher end models so I don't think it has any quality advantage over the Rolleicord.

I like having the focus and wind on controls on the same side. With other Rolleicord models and the Rolleiflex there is a constant change of hands as you go between winding on and focusing.

Also, the Rolleicord's separate wind on and shutter cocking is a much simpler mechanism that the combined one on the Rolleiflex. I don't know if they are prone to failure but I always prefer a simple solution to a problem rather than a complex one.


Steve.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. I'm sure there are good reasons why a 'flex is better but they cost at least 5x as much so I think I know where I'm going with this!
 
I've done a bit of reading up (and reading between the lines) and from what I can see there is as you say a roughly 5x price difference between a flex and a cord but only about a 10% improvement in IQ and even thats subjective.
I had a look at the Rolleicord VA flickr group and I am very impressed with the quality of the shots and I really can't see any good reason other than snobbery to spend that much to get such a little return.
Anyway, I do seem to be talking myself into getting it.......How to tell the wife, thats the next big question.

Andy
 
Not strictly true Steve as I can;t remember the password to get into the online bank account so I have to get her to transfer the money.....schoolboy error
 
Andysnap said:
Not strictly true Steve as I can;t remember the password to get into the online bank account so I have to get her to transfer the money.....schoolboy error
Click to expand...

PMSL, classic schoolboy error :lol:
 
Yep, it's official, I'm a chump, first class.
 
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Interesting - can I ask why specifically? Is it the weight/size? I've been toying with the idea of getting a TLR myself but if I can be satisfied with a Rolleicord (or similar) I'll save a fortune compared to the prices of a Rolleiflex. Most of the adulation seems reserved for the 'flex - is that just snobbery?
Click to expand...

The weight and size of the Rolleicord is not substantially less. Sure, the 2.8 Rolleiflex (especially one with a meter) is definitely a bit heavy, but still lighter than any medium format 6x6 SLR.

It entirely depends what you want from a TLR and the sort of photography you do.
 
I am trying to get my head round the prices of these things. Post war Automats are on the bay for 5 times the price of the Rolleicord on here and they seem to have Zeiss Jena lenses, which are presumably the same lenses that came out of Dresden pre-war. The 2.8 GX jobs are ten times the price. Do they use a Schneider lens from West Germany? And if post war Rolleicords have the Schneider lens, are they (optically) better than post war Rolleiflexes with the Jena lens?

Is there a particular model that offers best value?
 
Andy, I used a Rolleicord V for many years, it was responsible for most of the images I regard as my best. As others have said they are slow, the screen is a bit dim but the taking lens glass is quite superb. If I was not saving for a Flex I would have snapped the one in the classifieds up.
 
kenm said:
I am trying to get my head round the prices of these things. Post war Automats are on the bay for 5 times the price of the Rolleicord on here and they seem to have Zeiss Jena lenses, which are presumably the same lenses that came out of Dresden pre-war. The 2.8 GX jobs are ten times the price. Do they use a Schneider lens from West Germany? And if post war Rolleicords have the Schneider lens, are they (optically) better than post war Rolleiflexes with the Jena lens?

Is there a particular model that offers best value?
Click to expand...

The high prices they command are the result of the Rollei collector. Prices have just become silly. The Rolleicords used to offer best value but even those can go for silly money. I am hunting a reasonably priced GX but am struggling!
 
kenm said:
I am trying to get my head round the prices of these things. Post war Automats are on the bay for 5 times the price of the Rolleicord on here and they seem to have Zeiss Jena lenses, which are presumably the same lenses that came out of Dresden pre-war. The 2.8 GX jobs are ten times the price. Do they use a Schneider lens from West Germany? And if post war Rolleicords have the Schneider lens, are they (optically) better than post war Rolleiflexes with the Jena lens?

Is there a particular model that offers best value?
Click to expand...

Are you sure those were actual Completed Listings, rather than hopeful Buy It Now prices (that never ever sell at that price)? There aren't really any Automat/MX models that are particularly desired by collectors, the ones that are high priced are the Rollei Wide, Rollei Tele, any of the white face models, FX, GX, clean 3.5F/2.8Fs, and sometimes the 2.8C (because it has more aperture blades).

My recommendation is always a clean 2.8/3.5E or F (if you find a good price on an F), don't worry about whether the meter works or not, and if necessary get a CLA from Brian Mickleboro. A brighter screen doesn't hurt either.
 
freecom2 said:
Are you sure those were actual Completed Listings, rather than hopeful Buy It Now prices
Click to expand...

Yes, I was looking at BIN prices, looking at completed listing is a bit less terrifying.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top