What year is this Rollei?

[ToddB]

Hey guys,

This is the Rollei I'm after. Can anyone date this camera for me?

Regards, Todd

[dpurdy]

Looks like a B from about 1955. I think that was the year they stopped rubber banding a box to the side.

No really it does look like a B from 1955.

[ToddB]

The guy that is selling it is asking 325.00. It's in really good condition and everything works. Got any guesses what in the box? it's a Rollei box but he didn't time to look. Maybe lens filters?

Todd

[R.Gould]

difficult to be sure from the pic, but check the rollei club at http://rolleiclub.comwere they have a lot of dating information, you can date any rollei from their site

[TheFlyingCamera]

You can look it up online - take the serial number and go to http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tl..._numbers.shtml . There's a pretty comprehensive chart there of which model a given camera is based on serial #. To figure out the year, this is as good a starting point as any: http://www.rolleirepairs.com/models.htm .

That looks like a Rolleiflex 3.5, with no meter. That puts it somewhere between 1950-54. If that's not what it is, then it could be later than that, but your best starting point is the serial #. If you don't know where to find it, it should be on top of the body in front of the focusing hood, between the GBP and DBGM inscriptions.

[vics]

I think it's an MX from 1951. I have one for sale in the RFF classifieds. You migtht compare pictures.
Vic

[ToddB]

Hi there,

do you have a link to RFF classified?

Todd

[jeffbennett]

Based on the larger focusing knob, it looks like a K4B, made from 1954-1956. If it is in first rate condition, $325 sounds like a decent deal. You could put in a brighter focus screen and have a very nice setup.

Jeff Bennett

[JPD]

Yes it is a Rolleiflex 3,5 B (also called 3.5 MX-EVS in America) from 1954-55. It's the Type 1 which doesn't let you uncouple the EVS system. On the Type 2 from 1955-56 you could uncouple the EVS system.

I have one, 3,5 B, Type 1, with Tessar. Excellent camera.

[rich815]

Are you certain the lens is clean and clear? Any idea when or if it's had a CLA? $325 is good assuming all is well or not if the lens has any issues and if the speeds or if the film advance has issues or needs adjustment. I've bought a few of these babies that seem fine but the film roller that starts the counter would be wonky causing some films to not start right resulting in wasted film until I got a good CLA done ($150-300 typically). If seller cannot say when a CLA was done assume it needs one.