[rollei_list] Re: Another Early Rollei Serial for Marc
- From: "Richard Knoppow" <dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 19:19:51 -0800
----- Original Message -----
From: "john" <raga@xxxxxxxx>
To: <rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 6:28 PM
Subject: [rollei_list] Another Early Rollei Serial for Marc
OK, a bit of a binge on the old Rolleis. I don't suppose
members of this list will be too judgmental.
Model: Original
(Hinged back; distance scale on focus knob)
Camera serial: 98737
Machine-stamped in supply-spool chamber: 029923
Year: ?
Taking: CZJ Tessar 3.8/75 # 1294727 (coated) (24mm OD for
push-on filter/hood)
View: Heidoscop-Anastigmat 3.1/75 #103004 (uncoated)
Shutter: Compur 100/300 (Serial not fully visible without
disassembly)
117-not converted. Accepts 120 Kodak spools with the outer
edges clipped around the groove near the outer edge. The
last layer or two of paper rode up on the rim of the
takeup spool at roll's end, but no edge fogging.Will be
posting description/pix of getting camera up and running;
and sample pix. (The lens is awesome -- Richard won't be
surprised).
Anyone know the significance of the number machine-stamped
inside film chamber of this camera?
--John Wilton
The lens dates from 1931, that would make the camera a
second version of the "original". Prochnow's dates for this
camera are August, 1929 to February, 1932.
This is much too early for a coated lens. Check the back
of the lens to see if it looks coated. If it does the lens
was probably coated aftermarket. There were a number of
services offering coating right after WW-2. If the back does
NOT look coated the front is tarnished. This can look like
an oil slick or even a bright blue reflection depending on
the thickness and uniformity of the tarnish. This tarnish is
not a fault, it is what led Harold Dennis Taylor to the
discovery of lens coating when he found that tarnished
lenses had higher transmission than freshly polished ones.
I've seen this tarnish on a few lenes, I have a 1938 vintage
Tessar on a Speed Graphic that exhibits it and an old
Maximar (similar to a Dagor) with a bright blue front
element.
I was going to guess that the stamped number is a date
but it would come out to September 23, 1929. If the cameras
were held in stock until lenses became available this might
make sense but usually lenses are somewhat older than the
cameras they are in.
Prochnow gives only a range of serial numbers for all
versions of the original, 1 to 199,999. Without knowing how
much of the range was used, and whether serial numbers were
continuous, its not very useful in determining the exact
age.
I have no serial number information on Compur or Compound
shutters, I wish I did. However, the top speed being limited
to 1/300th is about right for the age of the camera.
I have an "old standard" I built out of two cameras
(thanks again to Todd). It is a very nice, light camera,
similar in operating feel to my Rolleicord IV. The lens, an
f/3.5 Tessar, is quite sharp and I have not noticed any
flare problems although the inside of the camera could be
more absorbent.
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
---
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