I'm looking for a little information on a Rolleiflex TLR I picked up - especially around close-up accessories.
My camera is a Bay 1 Rolleiflex, serial 1719847 and it seems to be in fine working order based on the few rolls I have developed to date.
Does anyone have information on the Rolleinar #1 Close-up filter set? I would like to get full-frame portrait shots but the current close focus distance is 3 feet. The lens is a Xenar f3.5...
If you have information on this camera (date made, etc) or the use of the filter set please take a second to post them here.
Don't forget that Yashica made a lot of TLR's that used BAY30 size accessories. Last year I sold my set of Yashica parallax correcting +1 and +2 close up lenses, they show up on ebay from time to time.
Bob Fowler fowler@verizon.net
Some people are like Slinkies. They're really good for nothing, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Don't forget that Yashica made a lot of TLR's that used BAY30 size accessories. Last year I sold my set of Yashica parallax correcting +1 and +2 close up lenses, they show up on ebay from time to time.
That's where I got mine ( E-Bay) try to get the Yashica or Rollie brand lens, the others are not worth the money. The Yashica telephoto lens is of marginal value so unless you can get one really cheap, I would pass on that.
With a Rolleinar 1 on an 80 mm lens the effective focal length becomes 72 mm, which allows a focussing distance of 45 cm to 1 m (18½" to 39½").
The 1, 2 and 3 Rolleinars come in two parts: one part for the viewing lens and one part for the taking lens. The deeper of the two parts is for the viewing lens: it includes a prism for parallax correction.
The optical quality of the Rolleinars is excellent. I have the 0.35, 0.7, 1 and 2, but only in Bay III. I don't think that the 0.35 and 0.7 were available in Bay I or Bay II - could be wrong though.
Best,
Helen
PS I think that it's a 1954-55-56 sort of model? 'Bout the same age as I am, but I'm no sort of model. See here for an indefinite answer.
I've got one... Rolleinar 1 in Bayonet I mount - for my Rolleiflex T.
If you're looking to buy one on ebay or elsewhere, you already have the info you need - you're looking for Rolleinar I, which comes in two parts, as Helen said, but sometimes in THREE parts (I also have one of those).
The later ones come in two parts, and are usually marked as "Rolleinar 1" on the larger (top) part.
The earlier ones come in three parts, two thinner and one thicker, and are marked "Rolleiparkeil 1". One thinner part couples with thicker and goes on the top (viewing) lens. The other thinner part goes on the lower (taking) lens.
Any of those models will also have a dot on the upper part, which has to be at 12:00 position for proper parallax compensation.
The self-portrait in my gallery was done with the Rolleinar. Apart from an unusually ugly subject , I'm quite satisfied with the optic quality of those close-up lenses. Just be sure that the glass is not scratched or damaged in any way, as with any other optical device...
With Rolleinar, the DOF is greatly reduced, which is something I like in portraits.
Your subjects may not be thrilled with their portraits, though - as with any portrait taken with "normal" length lens. You know, the nose seems bigger, etc...
This is my first post on APUG. I have been lurking in the background, but not contributing. I have the same camera that you have. The serial number is 1711574 and it is in mint condition. I had it serviced by a Rollei expert to insure that it will perform flawlessly. Old grease and lubricants tend to gum up when cameras are not used. My model also has the Xenar 75mm lens. I have the camera's original manual and Rollei's "The Practical Accessories" guide from the same year. I got the following information from it for the 75mm lens with a Rolleinar 1 lens set. The effective focal length becomes 71mm and the focusing range in inches is 17.75 to 39.5. I believe Helen B. made a slight, but honest mistake in her information for the 80mm lens effective focal length when using a Rolleinar 1. My "Practical Accessories" guide states that the effective focal length is 76mm not 72mm. When using a Rolleinar 2 the effective focal length for a 80mm lens is 72mm. By the way, Helen's answers on APUG are awesome. I am very impressed with her knowledge and dedication. With a Rolleinar 2 and 75mm lens the focusing range is 12.125 to 19.75 inches and the effective focal length is 68mm. With a Rolleinar 2 and 80mm lens the focusing range is 12.5 to 19.75 inches. The camera model you have is a MX-EVS (Type 2) model and Helen is correct on the years. Hope this helps.
I just won an ebay auction for the Rolleinar 1 in three parts. The picture showed it in good condition and the winning bid was just under $15 US. No case or manual but it will be usable.
Thanks also for the info from your accessory manual. Lining up the little dots will be a good thing in addition to the focal length specifications.
Along a similar vein, I just bought a Rollei Microscope Adapter on eBay (Bay 1). Has anyone used one of these? I assume that I focus to infinity, but how do I choose exposure settings?
Adv Reply
Originally Posted by bobfowler
, I'm quite satisfied with the optic quality of those close-up lenses. Just be sure that the glass is not scratched or damaged in any way, as with any other optical device...
