Good price on a Rolleiflex?

[holmburgers]

Hey everyone,

I hate to ask such a question, cause there are resources out there and of course eBay. But the world of Rolleiflex is huge, and thus it would be great to hear from some actual people who have experience in the matter.

I have the opportunity to buy a Rolleiflex 7.5cm f/3.5 Zeiss Tessar for $200 (down from $250). Serial number is 1092826. To the left of the serial # it has the letters DRP and to the right, DRGM.

According to Rolleiclub.com it's an Automat Model 3, K4B2. I'm skeptical of the information at antiquecameras.net because it doesn't necessarily correspond to rolleiclub. But either way it looks like $150-$200 is the maximum.

The condition looks good, and of course I will inspect it in person. Seller is a photographer who says it works great, and has mainly just had it on a shelf. Comes with the lens caps, but no leather case.

From what I can tell, it's no steal, but it's certainly a reasonable price. Would others agree?

I'd much appreciate any input!!

Thanks everyone,

Chris "Holmburgers"

[ic-racer]

Seems like top dollar. For that price should be in mint condition with case, cap, strap, box.

[holmburgers]

Gotcha. That's good to know. What price would be reasonable? Basically, my idea of a good deal is if I can resell it for profit or at the least, break even.

[ic-racer]

If it works perfect I'd think $150 would be a good deal. If you really, really like it $200 would be OK if you are going to keep it and use it. It might be hard to get your money back if a $300 complete Hassleblad system comes along and you want to sell it again

On KEH it looks like the next step up from an Automat is going to be in the $300 to $500 range.

[holmburgers]

Thanks for the info. I'll see if he can do $150 or I'm out.

We'll see about that $300 Hasselblad... Shaa!, and monkeys might fly out my butt! (wayne's world)

[DLawson]

I have the opportunity to buy a Rolleiflex 7.5cm f/3.5 Zeiss Tessar for $200 (down from $250). Serial number is 1092826. To the left of the serial # it has the letters DRP and to the right, DRGM.

Can't advise on Rolleiflexes, but FYI:

DRP indicates a German Registered Patent, and DRGM a German Registered Design. I'm unclear on whether DRGM is closer to a US Design Patent or a US Trademark, but I think it is the former.

[Slixtiesix]

Correct, DRP ist a patent, DRGM is a design ("Gebrauchsmuster"). It also indicates that it is pre-1945, otherwise it would be DBP and DBGM. This seems to be a rather old Rollei with probably an uncoated lens, but I think 200$ can be realistic, depending on condition.

Regards, Benjamin

[holmburgers]

Interesting. thanks FTI (for that information), cheers!

[holmburgers]

by the way, it has a red "T" on/around the taking lens. Does this signify a coating of some sort?

[Q.G.]

It does. The red "T" is the Zeiss mark for their antireflection coating.
Had it been a "T*" (T with star), it would have been their later (from the 1970sw onward) multilayer coating. Without the "*", it is a simpler coating. Still very effective; the difference in effect between "T" and "T*" is very small.